Known as the Theme Park Capital of the World, it’s no wonder Orlando has attracted more tourists than New York City for several years running. But while the mouse, roller coasters, and up-close encounters with marine life may have put this Central Florida city on the map, local families know there’s more to explore in Orlando… a whole lot more!
Centrally located in the beautiful, but ever so hot and humid state of Florida, known for the occasional afternoon monsoon, there’s an abundance of things to do in Orlando on a rainy day to help residents and vacationers alike keep the family entertained and out of the elements.
Check out our family-favorite list of things to do indoors in Orlando with kids to plan your next trip to town and live like a local!
Dezerland Park Orlando
5250 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
Central Florida is home to dozens of go kart courses, indoor trampoline parks, bowling alleys, arcades, bumper cars, mini golf courses, and ax throwing arenas but only one location boasts all this and even more – DEZERLAND!
There’s also an Auto Museum and a rage room experience which typically involves a baseball bat and glass or electronics. Parking and entry are free so you just pay for the experiences you want to try. Be sure to check out their special offers and Recharge deals because the more you load onto your PlayCard, the more bonus dollars they add.
There is no age limit to enter but certain attractions have height limits so if you want to be sure to experience everything, participants must be 44 inches or 122 centimeters.
Orlando Putting Edge
5250 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
Mini golf is always a win with the family but in Orlando, this weather-dependent sport is best enjoyed first thing in the morning or well into the evening… if you don’t get rained out. One way to ensure the elements don’t keep you from perfecting your par is to golf inside!
Located within Dezerland Park, Putting Edge offers the full 18-hole mini golf experience with a super unique twist that makes for epic photos – blacklight! Since the spectacular course is illuminated in neon, you will be walking around in dim to dark spaces so definitely wear something with white accents!
The recommended minimum age is 8 and while the course isn’t meant to be scary, if your child isn’t a fan of the Realm of Monsters from Moana scene, perhaps save this experience for your next trip.
Things To Do Indoors In Orlando: Museum of Illusions
8375 International Drive Icon Park
If your family has never met a museum everyone liked, you haven’t been to the Museum of Illusions yet! Low is high, big is small, up is down and best of all, you can capture it all on camera! Nothing is what it seems as you walk through this museum designed to confuse you completely but with added education so you can perceive why your eyes are seeing things your brain can’t understand.
It’s a one-way walkthrough so be sure to explore every element in each room and take plenty of photos before moving to the next incredible illusion.
Things To Do Indoors In Orlando: WonderWorks
9067 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
From the moment you walk into the inversion tunnel to turn yourself rightside up in this upside down house of wonder, you’re in for a treat! WonderWorks is ideal for primary school children and up. This wacky laboratory includes 100+ interactives in 5 Wonder Zones, a glow-in-the-dark ropes course, Laser tag, and a motion theater.
You can easily spend half the day in this iconic attraction, and that’s before the magic comedy dinner show you can add on!
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
7324 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
Step into the RMS Titanic with full-scale room recreations and costumed actors who will transport you back to 1912. A regular walk through will allow you to see more than 300 artifacts from the ship itself but the guided tours and First-Class Dinner Gala really offer an insight to life on the historical ship before it met its demise.
The weekend Titanic Adventures for Kids Tour makes history come to life with a scavenger hunt and adventure map.
Things To Do Indoors In Orlando: Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex
Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953
You’ll have to travel a bit outside of the Orlando area for this indoor experience but it’s well worth the day trip and rocket fuel. While it may seem more mature, Kennedy Space Center has plenty of experiences and attractions for all ages, including their Planet Play area for the littlest learners and interactive exhibits and rides for the older kids!
The all-new Gateway attraction focuses on deep space exploration and has a new immersive ride (similar to the hang glider ride Soarin’ at Epcot). If you’re not already fascinated by outer space, you will be once you leave KSC.
Drawn to Life presented by Cirque du Soleil & Disney
1478 Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Located in Disney Springs, an outdoor venue full of unique dining options, high-end Disney shopping, and family-friendly experiences from LEGOs to bowling and more, the Drawn to Life acrobatic show is one of the most family-friendly experiences that Cirque du Soleil offers thanks to the collaboration between Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering. It is absolutely mesmerizing and a true delight for fans of Disney animation and storytelling.
All ages are welcome, however, children who can sit through abstract movies like Fantasia may enjoy it more. If you’re planning to spend the day at Disney Springs, this is a can’t-miss experience that will get you inside and seated for an enjoyable break.
Things To Do Indoors In Orlando: Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
8201 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819.
Museums in Orlando are definitely unique and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! has the oddest collection of them all. Witness things you’ve never seen before and probably didn’t even know existed. The Odditorium is full of 16 unique galleries and hundreds of really weirdly entertaining displays including the newer Weird Florida Gallery.
Will taxidermied two-headed animals, shrunken heads, and rare skeletons take you by surprise? Super fun for all ages but be mindful that it may not be for the squeamish.
Orlando Science Center
777 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803
This four-story science center is easily one of the top things to do indoors in Orlando with kids on the younger side, especially if you have toddlers in tow. The museum is connected to the parking garage by a fully covered walkway so you need not have any weather concerns and offers two lactation rooms for nursing parents if they want to take a break from the exhibit floor.
For toddler tourists, the 11,000 square foot KidsTown exhibit is like a children’s museum within the museum and features 7 dynamic zones, the most popular of which include Drip, Drop, Splash and the iconic Orange Grove. With multiple permanent exhibit halls for space enthusiasts, palaeontology people, and those who are interested in the Maker movement in addition to large-scale traveling exhibitions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy but the sweet spot is really pre-teens and below.
Expect to spend at least 3 hours here, more if you choose to see an educational film in the CineDome which boasts an 8-story, 180 degree theater screen.
Things To Do Indoors In Orlando: Chocolate Museum & Cafe
11701 International Dr suite 400, Orlando, FL 32821
Orlando has museums for everything, including chocolate! Take a 45-minute guided tour of the Chocolate Museum to learn about cacao, the antique machinery used to make chocolate, and see a chocolate sculpture of 25 of the world’s most recognizable landmarks. The tour includes samples but once you’ve had a tasting, you’ll want to visit the cafe side to satisfy your sweet tooth.
The tour is short enough to keep kids’ attention with the promise of sweet treats afterward, but may hold the interest of children ages 8 and older more.
Things To Do Indoors In Orlando: Andretti Indoor Karting & Games
9299 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819
If you want cool points with the older kids, Andretti’s has you covered for dinner and a full night out! Most people are familiar with Go Karts but those have nothing on the high-speed electric Superkarts on Andretti’s speedway.
Fuel up with a proper American meal at the Grill and then send the kids back to the gaming floor for arcade games, a rope course with a zipline, multi-level Laser tag, bowling, and virtual reality experiences while you take a well-deserved break from your own vacation in the SkyBar or Andretti Winery.
Pirates Dinner Adventure Show
6400 Carrier Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
If you must dine out, do so in the most entertaining way! Set sail on an 18th-century ship replica for a show filled with dangerous pirates. Enjoy a three-course meal while being serenaded, watching sword fights, and escaping sea monsters.
Arrive early to participate in the pre-show which introduces guests to the main show and allows attendees to get up close and personal with some cutthroat pirates. The after show offers dancing music and even more photo-ops, promising to be an entertaining evening you’ll talk about for a long time after!
Medieval Times Dinner Tournament
4510 W Vine St, Kissimmee, FL 34746
Another fantastic, themed dinner show, Medieval Times is a thrilling and filling evening of jousting tournaments while you enjoy a four-course feast. Raise a goblet to the Queen and cheer on your assigned Knight as they test their skills on horseback, with swordsmanship, and more. Guests are encouraged to get boisterous so this is truly family fun for all ages.
iFLY Indoor Skydiving
8969 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
If you’ve ever had the urge to try skydiving but have been hesitant because of the whole jumping out of the plane part, iFLY Indoor Skydiving was made for you! Divers enter a vertical wind tunnel with an instructor and can experience the sensation of flying for short spurts.
While it’s safe for ages 3 and up, to make the most of your experience (and holiday budget) we recommend taking kids who are 8 and older or, more ideally, 12 and up.
SEA LIFE Aquarium
8449 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
If you’re looking to take a break from the outdoor attractions, this beautiful and educational Sea Life aquarium offers up to two hours of indoor, underwater fun. Highlights include Florida’s only 360-degree ocean tunnel which is an awe-inspiring experience, a touch tank with starfish and anemones, educational talks, fish feedings, and a soft play area for the littles.
The best kept secret at SEA LIFE is their staff. Enhance your visit by asking any questions you have because these knowledgeable aquarium aficionados will amaze you with fantastic facts about the underwater world.
Things To Do Indoors In Orlando: Madame Tussauds
8387 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
Many celebrities call Orlando home but the only way to guarantee a “celebrity sighting” is at Madame Tussauds, a museum filled with life-size wax replicas of famous figures. Bring your camera because you’re the paparazzi and can get right up close and pose with these wax icons without having to worry about their bodyguards.
The experience itself is a little over an hour so feel free to bring the kids but your teenagers will probably enjoy posing with pop stars, superheroes, classic movie icons, and A-listers a bit more.
Cat Cafe
532 Cagan Park Ave Suite 201-203, Clermont, FL 34714
When you’re starting to feel like you need a vacation from your vacation, decompress at the Cat Cafe! Definitely a treat for all of your family members. This cozy coffeehouse offers premium coffee, tea, and pastries, and for a small entry fee, you can enjoy your purchases in the separate Cat Play Area/Adoption Area to pet and cuddle the feline residents.
Which of these things to do indoors in Orlando with kids will you add to your itinerary?