Orlando and the Central Florida area are renowned for theme parks and a vibrant tourism industry and while there is no short of well-known things to do, for those looking to stay off the beaten path.....
Here’s a list of 50 hidden gems and lesser-known activities in the Orlando area that a lot of people don’t know about:
Outdoor & Nature Adventures
- Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive – A scenic 11-mile drive with stunning wildlife views.
- Black Bear Wilderness Loop – A challenging but rewarding 7.1-mile trail in Sanford.
- Little Big Econ State Forest – Offers incredible hiking, kayaking, and wildlife spotting.
- Hidden Waters Preserve – A secluded hiking area with a surprising waterfall in Eustis.
- The Enchanted Forest Sanctuary – A peaceful nature escape in Titusville.
- Blue Springs Kayaking at Sunrise – Avoid crowds and see manatees early in the morning.
- Weikwa Springs’ Secret Lagoon – A hidden offshoot of Wekiwa Springs for a private dip.
- Lukas Nursery & Butterfly Encounter – A beautiful butterfly garden in Oviedo.
- Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve – Great hiking trails with lake views and cypress trees.
- Canaveral National Seashore’s Bioluminescent Waters – Kayak at night and see glowing plankton.
Unique Attractions & Hidden Gems
- Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition Dinner Gala – A dinner experience with live characters.
- The Howey Mansion – Tour this historic, abandoned-turned-restored mansion.
- Orlando Cat Café – Enjoy coffee while playing with adoptable cats in Clermont.
- The Wells’ Built Museum – A museum highlighting Orlando’s African American history.
- Presidents Hall of Fame – A quirky museum in Clermont featuring a detailed White House replica.
- Wonder House in Bartow – A bizarre and unique historical home with a mysterious past.
- Spook Hill in Lake Wales – A gravity hill where your car appears to roll uphill.
- Jack Kerouac House – The house where the famous writer lived, now a literary retreat.
- Winter Park’s Hidden Street of Rollins College – A secret cobblestone path leading to beautiful views.
- Wild Africa Trek – The ultimate animal adventure.
Foodie Finds & Hidden Restaurants
- Yellow Dog Eats – A quirky, delicious café in Gotha with an eclectic vibe.
- Linda’s La Cantina Steakhouse – A local favorite serving incredible steaks since 1947.
- A La Cart Orlando – A food truck park with rotating vendors and great craft beer.
- Domu at East End Market – Some of the best ramen and wings in the city.
- Kadence Sushi – An intimate, reservation-only sushi experience in Audubon Park.
- The Ravenous Pig Beer Garden – Hidden behind the restaurant with great brews and small bites.
- Sixty Vines– A winemaker's restaurant
- King Bao – A small eatery serving some of the best bao buns in Orlando.
- The Glass Knife – A stylish bakery and café with beautiful desserts.
- Se7en Bites – A small, retro bakery serving amazing Southern comfort food.
Bars, Speakeasies & Nightlife
- Hanson’s Shoe Repair – A hidden speakeasy that requires a password for entry.
- The Courtesy Bar – An intimate cocktail bar with top-tier mixologists.
- Mathers Social Gathering – A 19th-century-style cocktail lounge.
- The Robinson Room – A beautiful, two-level bar with coffee upstairs and craft cocktails downstairs.
- The Treehouse Orlando – A small, secret bar hidden in downtown Orlando.
- Aku Aku Tiki Bar – A hidden tiki-themed bar with tropical drinks.
- Voodoo Bayou– A Southen Cajun Kitchen.
- Permanent Vacation– a cool and creepy tropical destination serving rum-centric cocktails and tropical food.
- The Vintage Speakeasy– Cocktail lounge featuring a prohibition-era theme and live Jazz music
- The Guesthouse – A trendy, plant-filled bar with craft cocktails.
Weird & Offbeat Activities
- Airstream Ranch – A roadside attraction with Airstream trailers sticking out of the ground.
- Tank America – Drive a tank through various obstacles.
- American Ghost Adventures – A real ghost tour with paranormal investigations.
- The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum – Home to the world’s largest Tiffany glass collection.
- The Pinball Lounge – A retro arcade in Oviedo filled with classic pinball machines.
- Orlando Watersports Complex – Try wakeboarding on a cable system.
- Ripley's Believe it or Not – Interactive exhibits and artifacts of oddities from around the world.
- Escapology – Search for clues to unlock puzzles in a real-life escape game
- Wild Florida’s Drive-Thru Safari Park – Feed giraffes and see exotic animals from your car.
- Revolution Off Road – An adventure park where you can drive ATVs, go fishing, or try archery.