Rain or shine, these family-friendly indoor attractions are the perfect way to cool off and spend the day exploring Orlando (WonderWorks at Pointe Orlando pictured).


Updated Sept. 21, 2023

Family fun in Orlando can heat up fast. If you’re looking for some fun out of the sun, these indoor attractions serve up a perfect day of family entertainment — rain or shine.

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Indoor Action & Adventure Parks

Orlando’s indoor action and adventure parks have an endless array of activities for all ages, from karting and escape rooms to virtual reality gaming, all in one convenient location.

Discover: Orlando’s Immersive Attractions

With 14 individually priced attractions spread across 850,000 square feet, Dezerland Park Orlando isn’t just the largest indoor attraction in Orlando — it’s the biggest in the entire state. Fill your day with high-octane fun from Karting Orlando, Axecelsior Axe Throwing, Orlando Auto Museum, the Bond Lounge & Exhibit, Bowling Orlando, Jump Start Trampoline Park, The Pinball Palace, Arcade Orlando, and other thrilling attractions.

Discover: Things to Do at Dezerland Park Orlando

Orlando’s International Drive Entertainment District is home to several indoor action parks. Try Main Event Entertainment at Pointe Orlando for supercharged ropes courses, laser tag, bowling and over 100 interactive video games. Max Action Arena at ICON Park® has escape games, axe throwing, and virtual reality gaming. Nearby, Andretti Indoor Karting & Games offers karting, bowling and a 7D thrill ride experience, and K1 Speed Orlando features high-speed kart racing, bowling, arcade gaming and more. All have onsite eateries and bars when you’re ready to fuel up.

Discover: Things to Do in the International Drive Entertainment District

Launch Entertainment is another fantastic choice for a full day of family fun, with trampoline courts, virtual reality attractions, laser tag and more just 20 minutes from Orlando International Airport (MCO).

Art Day Out

The Mennello Museum of American Art girls painting
Mennello Museum of American Art

Tap into your creative side with hands-on courses, scavenger hunts and more at the Orlando Museum of Art, Mennello Museum of American Art and Rollins Museum of Art, the last of which offers free admission for all. Discover engaging art workshops for kids, families and adults, along with special free admission days, stroller tours, guided visits, book club discussions and more to suit your needs.

Discover: Orlando Museums & Art Galleries

If you prefer a more hands-on approach, head to Nailed It DIY Studio Orlando to create a unique wooden memento of your trip, or take the kids to explore dozens of hands-on activities at Crayola Experience at The Florida Mall®.

Save on discount tickets: Crayola Experience

Unique Museums & Attractions

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Orlando shrunken head girls
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando

In addition to arts and culture mainstays like the three museums listed above, Orlando has a variety of fascinating museums and attractions where you can race at the speed of light, see shrunken heads and even travel back to prehistoric times. See historic railroad artifacts at the Central Florida Railroad Museum in Winter Garden, witness the unbelievable at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, sit inside an antique fire truck at the Orlando Fire Museum, and explore the world’s largest James Bond collection at the Bond Lounge & Exhibit at Dezerland Park.

STEAM Attractions

Kids town; Pint Sized Science, Orlando Science Center, photo by Roberto Gonzalez
Orlando Science Center

For a STEAM-powered day out, explore worlds of wonder at the Orlando Science Center or play your way across 35,000 square feet of mind-bending “edu-tainment” at WonderWorks (save on discount tickets), the famous upside-down building on International Drive. Museum of Illusions Orlando (save on discount tickets) at ICON Park is another fun pick, with over 50 spectacular illusions you have to see to believe. Snap some fun family photos, then stick around to learn the science behind how our brains perceive reality.

Aquariums

SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium family looking at sharks
SEA Life Aquarium at ICON Park® in Orlando

Escape the heat and explore underwater worlds at SEA LIFE Aquarium, where you can come face-to-fin with sharks, stingrays, sea turtles and more. This ICON Park favorite features the only 360-degree ocean tunnel in Florida, along with thousands of sea creatures, a 2-story children’s play area, and plenty of opportunities to get your hands wet.

Save on discount tickets: SEA Life Aquarium

Two hours southwest on Florida’s shimmering Gulf Coast, Clearwater Marine Aquarium is home to several rescued and rehabilitated dolphins, along with a variety of unique experiences for animal lovers. Explore a working animal hospital, help feed and care for a nurse shark, build a salad for a sea turtle, and meet rescued marine life like otters, stingrays and dolphins.

Save on discount tickets: Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Escape Rooms

The Escape Game Orlando searching for clues outside cabin
The Escape Game Orlando

Put your heads together to puzzle your way out of intricate escape rooms, with options ranging from silly family fun to full-on murder mysteries. Choose from multiple themed rooms at The Escape Game Orlando, Escapology and Escape Effect on International Drive, along with a second Escapology location at Promenade at Sunset Walk.

Discover: Tips for Beating Orlando’s Escape Rooms

Miniature movie buffs will also love Universal’s Great Movie Escape at Universal CityWalk, featuring two incredible spaces themed after the Jurassic World and Back to the Future films.

Discover: Inside Universal’s Great Movie Escape

Live Theatre & Performing Arts

The Unicarians at Cirque du Solei - Drawn to Life
Drawn to Life by Cirque du Soleil® & Disney®

If you prefer to sit back and watch the action unfold, catch a show at one of Orlando’s many theatres and performing arts spaces. Families can celebrate the art of classic Disney animation at Drawn to Life by Cirque du Soleil® & Disney®, a first-of-its-kind collaboration featuring daring acrobats and performers, dazzling choreography, and a stirring soundtrack inspired by timeless Disney music.

Save on discount tickets: Drawn to Life by Cirque du Soleil® & Disney®

Plus, discover shortened adaptations of classic stories at Orlando Shakespeare Theater, touring and local youth theater productions at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, family-friendly musicals at the Orlando Family Stage (formerly the Orlando Repertory Theatre), and more all-ages fun throughout Orlando.

Discover: Upcoming Theater & Performing Arts in Orlando

Indoor Shopping Malls

The Mall at Millenia main entrance
The Mall at Millenia in Orlando

Whether you fancy high-end brands like Prada and Michael Kors, like to shop exclusive stores, or just enjoy buying local artisan soaps, decor and accessories, Orlando has a few fully covered stops for your consideration. Shop Chanel, Christian Louboutin, Coach and more at The Mall at Millenia, home to over 150 acclaimed retail and dining options, or head to Central Florida’s largest shopping center, The Florida Mall®, for more than 250 retail, dining and entertainment offerings.

Discover: Orlando Shopping

Bowling

Challenge your squad to an old-fashioned bowling game with a modern touch at elevated alleys throughout Orlando. Along with indoor options at Dezerland Park, Main Event Entertainment, Launch Entertainment, and Andretti Indoor Karting & Games, Orlando has several bowling-forward entertainment centers that are well worth a visit.

One of Orlando's newest — and oldest — bowling alleys is Primrose Lanes Restaurant & Bowling Club, which started life as Colonial Lanes in 1959. This local pick in The Milk District® was recently restored with a chef-curated menu, good vibes, and old-fashioned pins aplenty. You'll find many heartfelt tributes to the original location throughout the club, from eight restored wooden bowling lanes to a decorative arch made from old bowling pins.

You can also kick back with chef-driven eats, billiards and 22 luxury lanes at Kings Dining & Entertainment on International Drive, or head to Boardwalk Bowl in Winter Park to get your game on at the largest bowling facility in the Southeast. Smash some pins at Airport Lanes or Aloma Bowling or enjoy a retro-inspired night out at Splitsville Luxury Lanes at Disney Springs® West Side. All have onsite eateries, full-service bars, billiards and even more ways to play when you’re ready to trade in your bowling shoes.


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