Orlando Family Vacation Ideas - Attractions, Activities & Things to Do for Summer Vacation

Orlando is well known as an ideal family vacation destination, especially in the summer months when the kids are out of school. It was even voted the most affordable place to take a family vacation in 2018! But many people don’t know what to do if they’re looking for something beyond the pricey Disney attractions. If you’re in search of some great family-friendly vacation ideas that won’t break the bank, then check out our list of favorites. It’s been curated by industry experts and by locals who know how to keep the kids entertained. Our most popular Orlando family vacation ideas include:

LEGOLAND® Florida
Kennedy Space Center
Wonderworks
ICON Orlando (formerly Coca-Cola Orlando Eye)
Ripley’s Believe it or Not!
Fun Spot America
Gatorland
Boggy Creek Airboat Tour
Congo River Adventure Golf
SEA LIFE Aquarium

Save on Family Vacation Attraction Ideas

Regular admission to a number of these family friendly attractions are available on the Go Orlando Card. Choose as you go from top visited attractions and save up to 50% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Learn more about our Orlando passes, attractions and prices.

LEGOLAND® Florida

Image of Tree, Visit the place where your children’s toys are brought to life in vivid and exciting ways. LEGOLAND Florida makes LEGOs the center of the universe with their fun rides, creative building opportunities, and fascinating models. There are also special areas of the park that focus on specific toy lines or franchise-related material, like Heartlake City or The LEGO® Movie. At Miniland USA, the entire family can explore the seven zones of the mini-metropolis. See the Statue of Liberty, visit mini-Las Vegas or see the capital all at LEGOLAND Florida. This attraction is best suited for children under 12 or so. Getting In: LEGOLAND® Florida tickets are included with the Go Orlando Card.

Kennedy Space Center

Image of Aircraft, Space Shuttle, Spaceship, Vehicle, Person, Adult, Male, Man, A great attraction for visitors of all ages is the Kennedy Space Center. One of the most important places in the country in the history of American spaceflight, this research and operations center is filled with exciting exhibits and areas to explore. Tour real launch areas, meet actual astronauts, “train” in spaceflight simulators, and much more. It’s a dream come true for all the little boys and girls who imagined going to space! Before your visit, make sure to check their site for upcoming launches! It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience one for yourself right from the base. Getting In: Kennedy Space Center tickets are included with the Go Orlando Card.

WonderWorks

Image of Handrail, House, Housing, Staircase, Photography, Adult, Female, Person, Woman, Face, Head, Portrait, Purple, Another great one for the kids is the bizarre, yet educational WonderWorks. Just from the outside, you'll notice the entire building appears to be slanted! This upside-down attraction is basically an indoor amusement park, filled with informative exhibits and interactive areas for your children to explore. Some of the featured exhibits include a really neat glow-in-the-dark ropes course, a simulated hurricane, virtual sports, and many more. Another great thing to see at WonderWorks is The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show. The entertaining and hilarious show is Orlando's best-kept secret and includes unlimited pizza, salad, beer, wine, soda and dessert. Getting In: WonderWorks tickets and The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show tickets are included with the Go Orlando Card.

ICON Orlando (formerly Coca-Cola Orlando Eye)

Image of Grass, Nature, Outdoors, Park, Adult, Female, Person, Woman, Male, Man, Amusement Park, Ferris Wheel, Fun, Tree, Baby, Girl, Teen, See the iconic ICON 360 complex on International Drive in Orlando from above with a ride to the top of the ICON Orlando. This massive observation wheel is actually the largest of its kind on the entire east coast, and provides excellent views of the sprawling city below. It’s a fun ride, too, and each pod is equipped with interactive touch pads to help you learn more about the sights you’ll see beneath you. Keep those phones charged for the perfect family photo! Getting In: ICON Orlando tickets are included with the Go Orlando Card.

Ripley’s Believe it or Not!

Image of Person, Skin, Tattoo, Adult, Male, Man, Another ICON 360 classic, Ripley’s is the perfect place for the curious folks of all sorts. It’s filled with amazing natural objects and artifacts, from the grotesque to the eerie to the downright strange. Think shrunken heads, models made of grains of rice, a two-headed calf, and even a mural made of thousands upon thousands of playing cards. There is also some important cultural stuff here, too, like a section of the Berlin Wall. Getting In: Ripley’s Believe it or Not! tickets are included with the Go Orlando Card.

Fun Spot America

Image of Child, Female, Girl, Person, Traffic Light, Adult, Woman, Amusement Park, This delightful theme park is a great one for families. Enjoy exciting classic rides like go-karts, bumper boats, a Ferris wheel, roller coasters and more. It’s a nice way to indulge in some classic summer fun without blowing the whole budget, and the kids will have just as much fun. For roller coaster lovers, a ride on White Lightning is a must! It's the only wooden roller coaster in all of Orlando. Getting In: Fun Spot America tickets are included with the Go Orlando Card.

Gatorland

Image of Adult, Male, Man, Person, Animal, Crocodile, There’s nothing more Floridian than a visit to Gatorland: The Alligator Capital of the World. See the most fearsome inhabitant of the Everglades in a protected environment, and learn all about these terrifying creatures as you explore this 110-acre wildlife preserve-slash-theme park. They have a number of educational tours, a nature walk, a petting zoo, and some fun gator shows. Spend a few hours here for an authentic Florida experience! Getting In: Gatorland tickets are included with the Go Orlando Card.

Boggy Creek Airboat Tour

Image of Boat, Boating, Vehicle, Water, Water Sports, Person, Another Floridian classic: taking in the beauty of the Florida Everglades with an airboat tour. Zip around the natural wetlands for a half hour as you catch glimpses of elusive wildlife and abundant flora. Getting In: Boggy Creek Airboat Tour tickets are included with the Go Orlando Card.

Congo River Adventure Golf

Image of Field, Adult, Female, Person, Woman, Boy, Child, Male, Shoe, Man, Nature, Outdoors, Necklace, Golf, Wristwatch, Certainly one of our favorite family activities, adventure mini-golf is a must on any vacation itinerary. Congo River Adventure Golf makes the course especially fun and just the right amount of challenging, with unique twists like an artifact hunt. Plus, afterwards you can continue the competitive streak in their onsite arcade. Getting In: Congo River Adventure Golf tickets are included with the Go Orlando Card.

SEA LIFE Aquarium

Image Credit: SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium Facebook Page

You can never go wrong with a visit to the aquarium, especially to one as unique as SEA LIFE Orlando. Another ICON 360 heavy hitter, this attraction is both educational and entertaining in equal amounts. Our favorite exhibit is their amazing 360-degree ocean tunnel. Watch sharks and other fish swim above your head! There’s also a touch tank that mimics a rockpool, complete with sea anemone, starfish, crabs, and more. Getting In: SEA LIFE Aquarium tickets are available when you build your own pass.

Remember to Save on Family Friendly Admission

So there you have it: our best suggestions for a family-friendly and affordable trip to Orlando. Don't forget, many of the attractions mentioned are included on the Go Orlando Card. With Go Orlando Card, you can save up to 50% on visiting 30 attractions vs. paying at the gate. For the perfect family vacation, pick and choose your favorites from this and cultivate the ideal itinerary!

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