Things to Do in Orlando for Adults

Are you thinking of taking a vacation to Orlando, Florida? The city has a ton of activities to offer, which is why it’s one of the top holiday destinations in the US. There are many things to do in Orlando for adults, even if you’re traveling as a family. Meaning, you don’t have to get stuck watching kids’ shows your entire vacation or worry about enduring loud family restaurants. 

From Disney World wine tasting to helicopter rides, there’s something to please everyone. But if you’re unsure, this guide is here to help. Keep reading to learn all the most amazing things to do on your next Orlando vacation:

Walt Disney World

When you think of Orlando, it’s likely your first thought is of Disney World. It’s an entertaining experience, great for a family vacation. But it’s also an incredible place to visit for adults! We’ve heard rave reviews time and time again from those who come without the kiddos, whether it’s for a bachelorette weekend trip or just a trip with friends to enjoy all the rides!

One of the all-time favorite events for adults at WDW is the Epcot Food and Wine Festival! If you’re a wine and Disney lover, you don’t want to miss this adult-friendly event. The festival offers a marketplace of international food, beer, and cocktail stalls — as well as many other events within the festival itself, such as the Wine and Dine Half-Marathon. 

Other Theme Parks and Attractions

As many know, Orlando is not only home to the Disney theme parks… there are so many other theme parks and attractions to enjoy while you’re here! These parks and attractions include Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Sea World, Aquatica, Volcano Bay, Fun Spot America, and Kennedy Space Center. Many of these are some of the best things to do for adults in Orlando. 

Orlando is also known for the famous International Drive tourist hot spot! You can find many restaurants, bars, attractions like the Orlando Eye, and more on I-Drive. 

Shopping & Dining at Disney Springs

If you’re looking for a Disney adventure beyond the main parks, you should consider Disney Springs! It offers a different experience, with more opportunities for shopping, dining, and nightlife. Plus, you don’t need to purchase a park pass to check it out!

Disney Springs boasts over 100 stores to choose from — including famous names such as Zara, Anthropologie, Coach, Free People, Kate Spade, lululemon, Levi, Sephora, and many more. You can spend the entire day popping in and out of shops at Disney Springs.

There’s also a wide selection of unique dining experiences to fall in love with, like The Rainforest Cafe, Coca-Cola’s rooftop bar, STK, The Boathouse, Morimoto Asia, and much more. The dessert selection at Disney Springs is spot on and worth checking out especially the legendary Gideon’s Bakehouse. 

Furthermore, the nightlife at Disney Springs is something all adult guests should experience while visiting. Between concerts at the famous event venue House of Blues or live music at The Edison, late-night bowling at Splitsville, or drinks at Wine Bar George or the Irish Pub, it’s definitely a must-do during your trip. 

Whether it be shopping, dining, live music, or delicious drinks you’re after, you can see that Disney Springs has loads to offer.

Helicopter Rides

A unique and memorable way to experience Orlando is by air! It gives you the opportunity to go sightseeing with a thrill and makes appreciating the city’s beauty beyond fun. Just think about what Orlando’s famous theme parks and stunning skyline look like from above — it’s truly magical if you ask us.

There are several helicopter tour companies to look into for your next adventure. Some allow you to take to the skies for up to 30 minutes, meaning you’ll have enough time to enjoy all the sights. So if you’d like to learn more about Orlando’s helicopter rides, we have an excellent guide for this as well.

Get Outdoors & Explore

Orlando is home to some fantastic green spaces! So if you love being out in nature, it’s a great place to get outdoors and explore.  One of the best ways to do this is by cycling. There are several biking trails throughout the city that are worth checking out. As well as many guided tours that allow you to explore the city and appreciate its nature!

Depending on where you’re traveling from, you may not be able to bring your bike… but luckily, there are many bike rental companies in the area. If you’re planning an explorative vacation to Orlando, it’s worth reading out our ultimate guide to biking.

Downtown Orlando

If you decide to venture out of the attractions area, you’ll want to visit Orlando’s Downtown and Central Business District. It’s about 20 minutes away from the attractions and a straight shot down I4 East. Orlando’s Downtown is filled with phenomenal dining and nightlife options, attractions, festivals, sports events, and more. 

Dining & Nightlife

Downtown Orlando’s dining and nightlife scene are insanely epic! There are numerous restaurants that can satisfy anyone’s taste buds — a few of our favorites include Artisan’s Table, Dovecote, Reyes Mezcaleria, Kres Chophouse, or even Hamburger Mary’s for dinner and a drag show. Seriously, the dining selection is endless downtown whether you are looking for a quick bite to eat or an upscale dining experience. 

If you’re specifically looking for nightlife, the place to look is between Church Street and Wall Street. This is where many festivals for St. Patty’s, Cinco De Mayo, or Halloween take place. There are also plenty of unique spots such as Mather’s Social Gathering and The Robinson Room for a deliciously crafted cocktail, many breweries, or just a downtown bar to watch a football game in; the options are endless during the evening hours. 

Attractions & Events

While downtown is known for its dining and nightlife, it also has many attractions and event venues for people to enjoy. The Dr. Phillips Center of the Performing Arts and The Amway Center have been home to many plays, sporting events, concerts, and more. We highly recommend catching a play or show at either The Dr. Phillips Center or Amway; both are unbelievable experiences!

Orlando’s Surrounding Neighborhoods

Something many do not think about when visiting Orlando is the surrounding neighborhoods. We recommend checking out Downtown Winter Park, the Ivanhoe District, the Mills 50 District, or the Thornton Park neighborhood. All have delicious and unique restaurants, crafted cocktail lounges, breweries, farmers’ markets, and more!

Golfing

Central Florida is home to some of the country’s best golf courses! If you’re visiting Disney World, there are several golf courses to enjoy. You’ll have access to the Palm, Magnolia, and Oak golf courses that are fun for every level of golfer.

Outside of Disney, there are many professional-grade courses to enjoy, including the Championsgate courses, Celebration Golf Club, The Ritz Carlton, and the Grand Cypress club. View our comprehensive guide about golfing in Orlando to learn about all of the various courses.

Romantic Date Nights

Need to refuel and recharge after a day visiting the sights? Another one of the top things to do in Orlando for adults is to go on a romantic date night! There are many high-rated restaurants to enjoy all around the city. And some of them are best enjoyed during Orlando’s Magical Dining Month.

But if you’re looking for a truly magical date, you may consider dining in Disney’s Magic Kingdom. There you can enjoy Cinderella’s Royal Table or Le Cellier Steakhouse in Epcot! We also have another guide that lists our 5 favorite romantic date night restaurants to give you more options.

The 2nd Largest Convention Center in the US

Yes, that’s right! The Orlando County Convention Center happens to be the second-largest convention center in the US and is home to several events like Megacon. Whether you’re visiting to attend one of the conventions or traveling to Orlando for business, the OCCC has so much to offer. 

When you arrive, you may find navigating the center difficult due to its size. In that case, you can download the OCCC Campus Wayfinding App. This app will help guide you around the campus.

Once you’ve finished your business meeting, you may want to relax and enjoy yourself. You could stick around the convention center to see what events are on, or you could explore some of the top things for adults to do in Orlando and try something from this list.

Megacon

Did we pique your interest above? If you’re a fan of comic books and TV, you’ll love Megacon. It’s the largest pop culture event in the southeast!

The annual event in Orlando boasts opportunities to meet celebrities and comic creators. While also enjoying cosplay, art, and card tournaments. So it’s no wonder the event welcomes over 100,000 fans every year. 

Previously, Megacon featured guest appearances from Elijah Woods, Christopher Eccleston, and William Shatner. As well as the creators of the Venom, Batman: Three Jokes and Amazing Spider-Man comics.   

Places to Stay in Orlando for Your Adult Friendly Getaway

After reading this list, we’re thinking you might just be ready to start planning your next getaway (with kids or without)! If you have questions or need help finding the perfect accommodations in Orlando, our team is here to help! We’re available 24/7 by phone and email.

You can also browse through our large selection of vacation rentals in the area to see what is currently available for the dates you’re looking to visit. From one bedroom condos for a couples retreat to massive homes for your next friendcation, we have you covered!