As an Orlando, Florida, native, I’ve done it all. I’ve gone to theme parks like Disney and Universal so many times I’ve memorized them, I’ve visited its best coffee shops and bookstores, and I’ve explored all its neighborhoods.
Today, I want to give you a local’s guide to the best hidden gems in Orlando.
Get off the beaten path in Orlando and explore these lesser-known gems, from local neighborhoods to shopping to boats.
No matter if you’re a Florida local or from out of the country, there are definitely things to enjoy in the Orlando area that fall outside the world of tourism.
I hope this post will give you some fun alternatives to the typical tourist attractions in Orlando.
Mills 50 District
One of Orlando’s oldest neighborhoods, and located a hop and a skip away from downtown Orlando, Mills 50 is a Main Street America-accredited program.
Locally, Mills 50 is known for its brightly covered murals, public art boxes and even painted dumpsters. It’s also known for its food and bars. Some of the best restaurants and bars in Orlando, like Hawkers, Pigzza and Tori, Tori are located here.
A variety of crowds are drawn to the Mills 50 district. It’s not uncommon to see people in their 20s partying the night away on the weekend and then an older crowd visiting the next day for lunch.
The district is walkable, meaning you can park at one of its establishments and explore the rest of the road on foot.
Tip: Parking here is difficult, so be sure to get here early in case you have to circle around.
Wekiva Island
This rural retreat is about a 40 minute drive from Disney World, so it’s still in Central Florida. There are a few things that draw locals to it!
For me, I ‘m drawn to the kayaking and paddle boarding opportunities on the Wekiva River. Even on the hottest Florida days, the water stays about 70 degrees from the natural springs!
Wekiva Island also features a cafe and a lively bar, making it one of the best places to hang out with family and friends on a sunny day. While this is children friendly, note alcohol is sold on the premises. I highly recommend a day trip here.
Don’t forget floaties or a tube in case you want to go for a swim!
Tip: If you choose to kayak or paddle board, you’ll probably see a gator or two on the river. They won’t bother you as long as you don’t approach them.
King’s Landing
King’s Landing has something for everyone and is located very close to other springs in town. It is located directly on the pristine waters of Rocks Springs Run, one of three main tributaries that feeds the Wekiva River Basin.
This is the #1 kayaking run in Florida, though they also offer paddle boarding and other activities. There are self-guided rentals and adventure tours for you to choose from.
If you’re into camping, King’s Landing also features campgrounds.
Tip: Check their calendar to see if there are any nighttime activities so you can see the stars!
Boxi Park
Wow, I really like parks, huh?
Boxi Park isn’t your typical park though. It’s more of a hub for food and entertainment, located in Lake Nona.
It has a 30,000-square-foot outdoor event venue with food truck-style eateries, live music, a playground and beach volleyball court. Make sure to check out their calendar online to see what events they’re hosting on the weekend.
Tip: Come hungry on a Friday or Saturday night so you can try a few different eateries and finish the night with a show.
Ivanhoe Village
One of my favorite hidden gems in Orlando is Ivanhoe Village, located right off downtown. It’s offbeat, authentic and bikeable. It’s next to Lake Ivanhoe, so you’ll feel a soft breeze as you walk through retro retailers and restaurants.
Don’t miss Santiago’s Bodega, The Hall on the Yard or Nora’s Sugar Shack.
In their words, “Orlando is filled with great districts and neighborhoods. Ours is just a little bit more unapologetic than most.”
Tip: The Hall on the Yard features multiple cuisine types if you have picky eaters in your group. You can park here and walk around to local bars after, if you’d like.
Craft Cocktails
The craft cocktail scene has been on the rise in Orlando. I’ve linked here a post with all my top recommendations for cocktail bars in Orlando.
There’s a lot of hidden cocktail bars in downtown Orlando, Winter Park and Mills 50. A lot of these truly are hidden gems in Orlando. Depending on what kind of drinks/experiences you like, I recommend researching a few options before selecting the area you want to visit.
Tip: You can easily design a bar crawl through downtown and hit cocktail bars like Proper and Bellhop.
SAK Comedy Lab
If you like improv comedy, you have to see a show at SAK Comedy Lab, located in downtown Orlando. With alumni like Wayne Brady, you can feel confident you’ll have some laughs!
They have two improv shows each day Friday-Sunday, with some additional shows during the week.
Tip: The second SAK show tends to be a PG-13 show as opposed to the first show’s PG rating.
Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour
For just $20, you can hop on a scenic tour of Winter Park via the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour. This 18 passenger boat ride takes you through the Winter Park Chain of Lakes.
On this tour you can expect to see cypress trees, palm trees, flowers and exquisite estates on the shores. It’s a great way to acquaint yourself with the city.
Tip: There are multiple boat tours a day, but you can reserve a seat in advance just in case.
Leu Gardens
Leu Gardens is the perfect spot to relax and unwind. This botanical oasis stretches nearly 50 miles and is located not far from downtown Orlando.
Not only can you admire bamboo gardens, butterfly gardens and flowers, but you can enjoy exclusive events such as nighttime movie nights.
The garden and historical home were deeded to the City of Orlando in 1961 by Mr. Harry P. Leu and his wife, Mary Jane.
Tip: Check Leu Gardens’ calendar online as they are often free one day a month.
Park Avenue
Winter Park has gained popularity over recent years, but many parts of this neighborhood still remain a hidden gem. I recommend visiting Park Avenue – one of the rare areas in Orlando that is completely walkable.
It’s a gorgeous street that features delicious restaurants, bakeries, shopping, bars, bookstores, museums and more. You could easily spend half a day here.
Tip: Park in the train station. It’s centrally located and you can walk everywhere from there.
That concludes some of my favorite hidden gems in Orlando. I hope you’re able to use these suggestions to explore Orlando off the beaten path. As always, let me know if I missed any recommendations!
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3 comments
Orlando seems so versatile and fun! I’ll be putting it on my bucket list for sure, thank you
Very cool post! I’ve been to Orlando a bunch of times but always to well-known spots. You showed there are some great hidden gems to explore, thanks!
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