Beyond the Theme Parks: Fun Things To Do in Kissimmee

Kissimmee is so close to the world-famous theme parks but has so much to offer outside the park gates! After enjoying all the thrills of the rollercoasters, your favorite snacks, and the nostalgic characters, you can step off property and immerse yourself in a world of outdoor adventures, entertainment districts, and incredible shopping and dining. 

Let's take a closer look at some must-do adventures during your next visit to Central Florida. 

Outdoor Adventures

Wild Florida gives you authentic Florida experiences while exploring the headwaters of the Florida Everglades. You can skim along the surface of Lake Cypress in an airboat, looking for alligators, eagles, wild hogs, and other animals that call Florida home. You can also explore the Gator and Wildlife Park with more than 200 exotic animals on display. Did you know you can even have unique animal encounters? If you've ever wanted to hug a sloth, here's your chance! If you prefer to keep your animal distance, enjoy the Drive-Thru Safari where exotic animals roam the fields. 

Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park is a great place to get out into the wilderness and test those aerial rope skills! The more practice you have, the better you'll be at completing the courses. There are several different courses ranging in difficulty and if you complete the challenge, you can swing right on through on the zip line. 

Explore the Alligator Capital of the World at Gatorland, a showcase featuring thousands of alligators, an aviary, a petting zoo, animal shows, and more. Get your thrill ride fix on the Screamin' Gator Zip Line, 12,00 feet of zip lining adventure over alligators.

Another way you can enjoy Central Florida's natural beauty is by flying above it aboard a hot air balloon. You'll soar gently over Florida's wilderness getting a spectacular view from thousands of feet in the air.

Entertainment Districts

You'll find ICON Park on Orlando's International Drive - and you can't miss it! This entertainment complex boasts a centerpiece of the 400-foot observation wheel, The Wheel. You'll also find other unique attractions like Madame Tussaud's Orlando, the world's most famous celebrity wax attraction and SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, with more than 5,000 fascinating sea creatures in an interactive adventure. You can also spend a day and night of chowing down on any number of restaurants including Tapa Toro Tapas Bar & Paella Pit, Yard House, and Ole Red Orlando.

These two attractions are adjacent to each other, so you can enjoy both at the same time. Fun Spot America - Kissimmee offers multi-level go-karts, arcades, roller coasters, and other exciting thrill rides like the World's Tallest Skycoaster, a 300-foot extreme ride that lets you experience the adrenaline rush of jumping from a towering arch. Old Town Kissimmee is the re-creation of a classic Florida town that offers unique shops, delicious restaurants, and other unusual entertainment. Old Town frequently hosts concerts and events, and one of its most popular shows is the Saturday Nite Classic Car Cruise, featuring tons of classic cars every Saturday night.

The Promenade at Sunset Walk is always a lively spot. You can shop, dine, and dance all in one place! Located near Margaritaville Resort Orlando, The Promenade features delicious dining including Ford's Garage, Estefan Kitchen, The Wharf, and so many more. The stage is set for local bands of all genres and it's perfect for the after dinner crowd. Dance the night away and enjoy this family-friendly district. 

Shopping and Dining

You'll find lots of shopping in Central Florida, with stores ranging from upscale to unusual finds. The Florida Mall is Central Florida's largest shopping center, encompassing more than 1.7 million square feet with over 250 stores, restaurants, and entertainment options. The Mall at Millenia is a world-class shopping destination with 150 of the world's finest stores and restaurants, including Gucci, Cartier, Brooks Brothers, and more. If you're looking for great deals, you'll find them at Orlando Premium Outlets - Vineland Ave. or Orlando Premium Outlets - International Dr., two premium shopping destinations that attract customers from around the world for deals that won't weigh down your wallet. 

Looking to be entertained while feasting on amazing food? Kissimmee has a few dinner theaters just for you! Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament is a great spot to chow down on the Queen's Feast while cheering on knight's jousting on live horses. You'll be right up close to the action; it'll be one of the most exciting dinners you'll ever experience. Capone's Dinner & Show is another fantastic dinner idea showcasing a Chicago '30s gangster cabaret serving an American buffet. Also, you can solve the crime at Slueths Mystery Dinner Show. This murder mystery wouldn't be complete without a delicious meal. 

And beyond!

After long days exploring everything Kissimmee has to offer, it's nice to have a place to come back to. If you're coming to Kissimmee to simply relax, the beautiful resorts and vacation homes are the perfect places to be. Not only are you extremely close to all the action, you can enjoy all the amenities of home and so much more. Each vacation home is unique and some even offer characater-themed rooms, arcades, private lazy rivers, movie theater rooms, and huge kitchens. Resorts, such as Reunion Resort, offer a water park for you and your family to soak up the sun all day! For those days you just want to relax and be together, plan a day for staying in. 

If you're looking for attractions and activities in Central Florida that aren't part of our world-famous theme parks, you can find more information by subscribing to our newsletter. And check out our YouTube channel with Kissimmee On-The-Go information videos on some of the attractions and more. We'll help you find ways to make your visit to Kissimmee unique and memorable.