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20 Things to do near Orlando airport
Found yourself on a long layover in Orlando? Check out some of the best things to do near Orlando Airport to make time pass quicker.
Long layovers have the ability to make time stop completely, leaving you to wander aimlessly around the airport waiting for your next flight. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Follow along for the best things to do if you find yourself with a long layover at Orlando International Airport (MCO) or simply looking for things to do after landing.
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1. Orlando Science Center
- Distance from MCO: ~25 minutes.
- Price: $27.99 for adults, $25.99 for seniors and students, $20.99 for kids older than two.
The Orlando Science Center is an interactive science museum with four floors of interactive exhibits, educational programs, and an observatory. This makes it a perfect place to visit with family, with plenty of activities for children and adults alike.
The exhibits range from natural sciences and sustainability education to high-tech physics exhibits and engineering marvels. It’s enough to keep you busy for at least three or four hours and is less than half an hour’s drive away from the MCO, making it one of the top attractions near the airport.
2. Orlando Museum of Art
- Distance from MCO: ~25 minutes.
- Price: $20 for adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for students, $8 for kids older than six.
Located in downtown Orlando, the Orlando Museum of Art offers a variety of art exhibitions that change all the time. So, you can come here whenever you’re in Orlando and see something new every time.
Outside of the changing exhibitions, you can also explore collections that include American, African, Ancient American, and contemporary pieces.
3. Madame Tussauds Wax Sculpture Museum
- Distance from MCO: ~20 minutes.
- Price: Starting at $29.99 for adults and $24.99 for children aged 2-12.
Madame Tussauds museums are a popular attraction wherever they’re opened, and Orlando is no exception. Celebrities of past and present are brought to life with intricate wax sculptures. Take pictures with Lady Gaga, Lionel Messi, Rihanna, or Abraham Lincoln, and marvel at the work done by incredibly talented sculptors.
4. The Florida Mall
- Distance from MCO: ~15 minutes.
- Price: Free.
Malls are an integral part of the culture in the United States, not only for shopping but as a place of leisure. The Florida Mall is located just 15 minutes away from the MCU and is one of the biggest shopping malls in the state, with over 250 retail, entertainment, and food options.
It’s the perfect place for people-watching, shopping, grabbing a meal, or simply getting your 10,000 daily steps in while waiting for your flight.
5. Universal CityWalk
- Distance from MCO: ~20 minutes.
- Price: Free.
The Universal CityWalk is one of the most famous landmarks in Orlando. Also known as “The Epicenter of Awesome,” the CityWalk is part of the Universal Orlando Resort and is lined with souvenir stalls, shops, street food, and attractions with rollercoasters lighting up the background.
You’ll also find a movie lounge here if you want to watch some of the latest Hollywood creations as well as nightclubs if you feel like dancing the night away. All in all, the Universal CityWalk gives you a concentrated Orlando experience, perfect if you don’t have a lot of time to spend here.
6. Walt Disney World
- Distance from MCO: ~25 minutes.
- Price: $139.90+.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a place more iconic in Orlando than Walt Disney World. That said, it’s an option better suited to those visiting Orlando rather than looking to spend a few hours between flights. The tickets start at a two-day duration, and that’s only enough to give you a base experience of Disney World.
In fact, Disney World is a big reason why Orlando is often called the Theme Park Capital of the world. There are four different theme parks here alone, each big enough that you could easily spend a few days there. Yes, it’s big, expensive, and time-consuming. But if you have the resources, visiting Disney World while in Orlando is a must.
7. Gator Airboat Rides
- Distance from MCO: ~15 minutes.
- Price: ~$35.
Even though panthers are the official state animals of Florida, alligators are the first thing most of us think of when it comes to the wildlife around Central Florida. If you want to get close and personal with these giant reptiles, you can do so by taking an airboat ride located just 15 minutes away from the Orlando International Airport.
These airboats take you through swamps and canals surrounding Orlando, exactly where alligators are the most plentiful. It sure is a harsh contrast to the relative glamour of shopping malls and theme parks, but makes for an experience you will never forget.
8. Nona Adventure Park
- Distance from MCO: ~15 minutes.
- Price: starting at $25.
If you like water-based activities but don’t want to risk getting in the water with the gators, Nona Adventure Park might just be the place for you. It’s best known for its inflatable obstacle courses spanning well over 1000 feet in length, though you’ll also be able to go rope climbing, wakeboarding, and take part in all kinds of water activities.
9. Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
- Distance from MCO: ~15 minutes.
- Price: starting at $27.99 for adults and $19.99 for children aged 3-11.
If you, like me, have spent your younger years fascinated by the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! franchise, you won’t want to miss visiting their museum in Orlando. Wander through the endless attractions, artifacts, and anything else that’s unusual, weird, or mysterious.
The museum is kid-friendly and has plenty of things to do and see, making it a perfect way to spend a few hours between flights in Orlando.
10. Kidiverse
- Distance from MCO: ~10 minutes.
- Price: $16.99 for children. Up to two adults enter for free.
If you’ve got a long layover and small kids to keep busy during this time, Kidiverse should definitely be on your list. Your kids can enjoy interactive game rooms, a jungle gym, multiple slides, and obstacle courses.
There are enough activities to keep your kid occupied for hours, and you can enjoy a peaceful flight after the visit since your kid will have spent their energy at the Kidiverse instead.
11. Gatorland
- Distance from MCO: ~20 minutes.
- Price: $34.99 for adults, $31.99 for seniors, $24.99 for children aged 3-12.
We’ve already mentioned going after alligators in the wild on airboats. However, if you want to lay your eyes on these magnificent animals in a more controlled environment, you can do so in Gatorland.
On top of an impressive collection of alligators and crocodiles, the park is also home to exotic birds, capybaras, wild cats, snakes, and tortoises. There’s even a petting zoo here, and yes, you can pet baby alligators with help from Gatorland employees, though the petting zoo mostly involves capybaras, goats, and emus.
12. ICON Park
- Distance from MCO: ~20 minutes.
- Price: Depends on the activities you choose.
If you’re not yet sure what you want to do, simply visit ICON Park, and you’ll find endless options when you arrive. The attractions here include the Orlando Eye, Sea Life Orlando, the Museum of Illusions, Madame Tussauds, and plenty more.
There are also plenty of shops, restaurants, and even wine-tasting options in the park. One of ICON Park’s slogans is “from family fun to date night.” It more than meets the definition with the number of things you can do here.
13. Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
- Distance from MCO: ~30 minutes.
- Price: $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, free to children 12 and under.
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art is home to the largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany works in the world. The iconic 19th-century designer has dabbled in nearly every medium imaginable, resulting in a vast variety of works, including mosaics, marble, jewels, and colored windows.
Louis Comfort Tiffany is definitely the centerpiece of the museum. That said, you’ll also find a vast collection of other American art from the same time period, as well as some European works and other collections.
14. Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
- Distance from MCO: ~15 minutes.
- Price: $34 for adults, $30 for seniors, $28 for children aged 5-11.
The Titanic is easily the most famous marine disaster in history. However, the tragic event usually overshadows the grandeur and luxury of the ship itself. Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition allows you to experience what it must’ve felt like to be on the ship during its voyage.
You can explore over 300 artifacts from the actual ship and full-room recreations, book guided, themed tours, and experience a Titanic dinner gala.
15. iFLY Indoor Skydiving
- Distance from MCO: ~20 minutes.
- Price: starting at $69.99 per person.
Adrenaline seekers can take a 20-minute drive from Orlando International Airport to iFLY, an indoor skydiving space where you can experience freefall in state-of-the-art vertical wind tunnels. It’s a family-friendly activity, safe for visitors of all ages.
16. Harry P. Lew Gardens
- Distance from MCO: ~25 minutes.
- Price: $15 for adults, $10 for children aged 4-17.
Botanical gardens are always a good choice for passing time. They provide a visual and sensory experience with stunning colors and smells from whatever is blooming at the time.
Harry P. Lew Gardens, located in Downtown Orlando, offers the largest rose and butterfly garden in Florida, with more than 50 acres of gardens in total to explore. You’ll find blooming flowers no matter if you visit in December or May, winter never really comes to the gardens.
17. Lake Eola Park
- Distance from MCO: ~25 minutes.
- Price: Free.
If you’re in Downtown Orlando with time to spare, Lake Eola Park is a great place for a walk in the beautiful nature, relaxing, or renting swan-shaped paddle boats to spend some time on the lake. The park offers a fantastic mix of outdoor activities combined with the famous view of the Orlando skyline.
18. Sea World
- Distance from MCO: ~20 minutes.
- Price: Starting at $143.99.
Sea World is an iconic marine life park with one of its four locations being in Orlando. On top of hundreds of animals to see, you can also go on exciting rides, visit themed restaurants, and engage in educational activities.
19. Go karting
- Distance from MCO: ~5-20 minutes.
- Price: $20-40.
Go-kart racing is a fun and exciting way to spend some time between flights, and there are plenty of options around MCO. It’s an easy way to find out who’s the fastest in the family or engage in some competition with a group of friends. Simply put the pedal to the metal and do your best to be the first across the finish line.
20. Grab a meal
- Distance from MCO: ~5-15 minutes.
- Price: $10+.
Whether you’ve had a long flight without meal options or want to grab a snack and pass the time between flights, you’ll find plenty of cafes, restaurants, and bars around the airport. Orlando is known for its fried chicken, Cuban food, and seafood, so make sure to try some of the local favorites while here.
Stay connected whatever you do
Having mobile internet makes it easy to find activities, buy tickets, and grab a ride on ride-sharing apps. Holafly eSIM for the USA offers a great way to stay connected, with some of the best eSIM plans for Orlando.
All Holafly plans offer unlimited data, hotpot sharing, and 24/7 customer support, ensuring non-stop mobile internet in the USA. Simply pick a plan to match the duration of your stay and enjoy being online wherever you go.
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