30 Things to do in Central Florida This Summer

ByCordelia

30 Things to do in Central Florida This Summer
I’ve got 30 things to do in Central Florida this Summer to share with you! Whether you’re a Florida resident or thinking of planning a family vacation, Central Florida has a lot to offer in terms of Summer activities in addition to going to the beach or Walt Disney World. If you’re a Florida resident, look at buying tickets online, because they’re often discounted more than if you were to buy at the park. Between Tampa, Orlando and Sarasota there are quite a lot of things to do to keep yourself entertained. Some are well-known, like the Disney theme parks, and some are more obscure, such as the Dali Museum.

30 Things to do in Central Florida This Summer

1. Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park
This is the classic theme park that started it all. I recommend the park hopper passes so you can go in between all the Disney parks. (info on buying tickets for all Disney parks can be found here)

2. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
I love the animals here. I’m also a fan of the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

3. Disney’s Hollywood Studios
More rides.

4. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
A water park.

5. Disney’s Blizzard Beach
Another water park.

6. Epcot
Fun and educational.

7. Disney Springs (aka Downtown Disney)
Great for shopping. (more info here)

8. Universal Studios (The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – includes Diagon Alley)
Theme park with a section for Harry Potter! (more info here)

9. Universal Islands of Adventure (The Wizarding World of Harry Potter -includes Hogsmead)
Water park with a section for Harry Potter!

10. Legoland Florida
Super cute. (more info here)

11. Discovery Cove
A place to see sea creatures, swim with the dolphins, feed tropical birds etc. (more info here)

12. Bush Gardens Tampa
Cute animals and theme park rides. (more info here)

13. Gatorland
Learn about animals. My friends think we should visit it since I had my gator in the pool experience. (more info here)

14. Dinosaur World
Learn about dinosaurs. (more info here)

15. Bok Tower Gardens
See beautiful flowers, go bird watching, and more. (more info here)

16. Florida Museum of Photographic Arts
Contemporary life and culture as seen in important photographic art. (more info here)

17. Glazer Children’s Museum
Over 53,000 sq. ft of space designed to inspire children and families with learning opportunities around innovative play and discovery. (more info here)

18. Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)
Learn about our world. (more info here)

19. Tampa Museum of Art
See contemporary and classical art. (more info here)

20. The Dali Museum
This is one of my favorite museums! I’ve been to the Dali museum here as well as in Paris, France. (more info here)

21. Big Cat Rescue
One of my all time favorite sanctuaries. You learn a lot on their tours. I went on a tour and loved it. (more info here)

22. Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise
Take a trip on a pirate ship! (more info here)

23. Lowry Park Zoo
Learn about animals. (more info here)

24. The Florida Aquarium
See gorgeous fish. (more info here)

25. Adventure Island
Busch Garden’s water park. (more info here)

26. Clearwater Marine Aquarium
See Winter the dolphin. (more info here)

27. Dakin Dairy Farms
Learn about cows and milk. (more info here)

28. Giraffe Ranch
Learn all about giraffes. (more info here)

29. Old McMicky’s Farm
Learn about farm animals, milk a cow, and take a hay ride. (more info here)

30. Safari Wilderness Ranch
Learn about the animals of the Serengeti. (more info here)

Bonus

31. Sunken Gardens
Learn about amazing, gorgeous plants. Check Groupon for 50% off tickets. (more info here)

Of these 30, I’ve done all the Disney parks, all the Universal parks, Bush Gardens, Bok Tower Gardens, Museum of Science and Industry, The Dali Museum, Big Cat Rescue, The Florida Aquarium, Adventure Island, and Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

I also recently took my parents to the Sunken Gardens, which was so gorgeous.

My favorites are the Disney and Universal parks, The Dali Museum, and Big Cat Rescue.

Have you visited any of these places?

Cordelia Frost is the creative force behind Phyrra, a treasure trove for cruelty-free indie and goth makeup enthusiasts. She's the author of the game-changing 'Hooded Eyes Makeup Manual' a must-read for hooded eyes makeup.

Cordelia's world is a kaleidoscope of alternative beauty, gothic fashion, and life-enhancing tips, making every visit to Phyrra a journey into a more colorful and inspired self.

17 Comments

  2. Wow! I didn’t realize everthing there was animal wise! IE Big Cat Rescue, Aquarium, the Dalian musuem-cool that you went to both, when I lived in Paris I missed that one, school and work, you can go for a whole yr and not see everything, so I would love to go in FL! I’m a big museum and and animal person! And ofc Disney, I’ve only been to ours here, Disneyland, That Animal Park so much fun, and DEF the two Harry Potter/ Universal, soooo cool., Diagonal Alley!!! Thanks for this. Last time I went to FL, my first, was in Southern, Delray Beach, unfortunately my girlfriend moved to MD now-but I would love to take my younger cousins. And my Aunt in Lebanon went to Miami w her husband for business- she loved it so it would be fun to take them with cousins to enjoy all this!

  5. Plus all the state parks and beaches. I grew up going to turkey park alot. ( no actual turkeys there that i know of)Now that I’m living north of tampa, I’m learning about all these cool springs florida has. Though not central Florida, but more north florida. Its something to look into and check out. You can kayak, go tubing, swim, and see manatees.

    1. Yes I didn’t even include the beaches or state parks. There’s so much to do here 🙂

  6. Never been to Florida. I really need to remedy that, some day. Your attraction picks sound like so much fun.

  10. We took a few trips when our boys were young teens. Lots of Disney, Busch Gardens, and we also went to NASA near Orlando. We have been talking about going next summer with our grandchildren.

  12. I’ve been to the Warner Bros Harry Potter Studios in Leavesden, London, and it was an amazing experience! The Universal one is on my bucket list.

  14. I haven’t been to Central Florida in forever. Last time I was there for an awful business conference, I left my Olympus SLR camera in the ladies room at Epcot. Bad memories. Need to come back someday and change bad to good!

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