Maximize your fall or winter getaway with some of the coolest outdoor must-do’s in Orlando.

Say goodbye to snow and sleet with a balmy winter getaway to Orlando, where you can discover unique outdoor adventures by land, sea and air — no matter the season. From wild and mild ecotourism adventures to outdoor festivals and events, here are some of our favorite ways to play outside in the fall and winter months.

Discover: Orlando Ecotourism

Orlando vacation planning made easy — and free. Make a complimentary appointment with Visit Orlando’s Vacation Planners at a time and date of your choosing for the latest insider advice, special offers and more ahead of your next visit.

Play on Championship Golf Courses

Hit the links at over 100 Orlando-area golf courses, including championship courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Greg Norman and more. Book a custom club fitting and learn from the pros at our resorts, then perfect your swing at renowned courses throughout the city. You can even tee off at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge, home of the annual Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard®.

Discover: Orlando Golf Courses

For more outdoor fun, try your hand at pickleball or footgolf, check out the United States Tennis Association National Campus, or lace up your running shoes at our many winter marathons. Orlando also hosts several action-packed bowl games throughout the season, so make plans now to cheer on your favorite teams.

Discover: Orlando Sports

Take an Outdoor Art Tour

When the weather cools down, heat things up on a walking tour of Orlando’s museums, galleries, murals and sculpture gardens. Use our tips to curate a self-guided tour, or join a guided expedition from United Arts of Central Florida to discover unmissable arts and culture in downtown Orlando, Loch Haven Park or Winter Park.

Discover: Orlando Art Tours

Stroll Through Gorgeous Gardens

If you prefer to be surrounded by natural works of art, spend the day exploring one of Orlando’s beautiful gardens. Harry P. Leu Gardens in the Audubon Park Garden District is a popular choice, with over 40 diverse plant collections spread across 50 acres. Mead Botanical Garden, the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens and Kraft Azalea Garden, all in Winter Park, are also prime for relaxation, while Bok Tower Gardens is well worth the one-hour drive from our urban core.

Discover: Orlando’s Gorgeous Gardens

Soak Up the Sights on the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour

Relax aboard the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour, a one-hour narrated cruise through the lakes and canals of historic Winter Park. Float past abundant flora and fauna, including cranes, cypress trees, swaying palms and more, and drink in the view of beautiful homes and lakefront estates glittering along the shore.

Discover: Things to Do in Winter Park

Plus, discover even more ways to chill out on the water, including sailing, private boat rentals, sightseeing tours, fireworks cruises and more aquatic fun in Orlando’s neighborhoods, entertainment districts and surrounding areas.

Discover: Unique Adventures on the Water

Embark on a Thrilling Airboat Tour

If you prefer something a little wilder, join a guided airboat tour for a high-speed journey through the headwaters of the Everglades. This thrilling adventure is perfect for everyone, whether you want to lean into the action or sit back and enjoy the sights — which might include bald eagles, blue herons and even alligators. Try Spirit of the Swamp Airboat Rides for private swamp tours lasting up to two hours, Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures (get discount tickets) for dazzling sunset tours, or Wild Florida (get discount tickets) for a full day of fun — admission to their onsite Gator Park is included with every airboat tour.

Get Wild at Orlando’s Outdoor Adventure Parks

Gear up for a full day of high-octane thrills at aquatic adventure parks like Nona Adventure Park, where you can conquer a 1,000-foot-long inflatable obstacle course and learn to wakeboard at speeds up to 36 mph.

Or, swing through the trees at Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park, an aerial adventure with nine courses, 97 aerial challenges and a 425-foot zip line. It’s in Kissimmee, just 15 minutes from Walt Disney World. You can also channel your inner Tarzan on high-flying zip lines and ropes courses throughout Orlando.

Save on discount tickets: Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park

Discover Orlando’s Lush Nature Preserves

For adventures by land, hit the trails at one of Orlando’s public parks or nature preserves. Explore cypress swamp, oak hammock and other native Florida ecosystems while keeping an eye out for protected species like bald eagles, gopher tortoises and wood storks. Tibet-Butler Preserve and Oakland Nature Preserve are both great for families, with kid-friendly interpretive trails, hands-on learning centers and a serene lakeside setting within 30 minutes of Walt Disney World® Resort.

Discover: Orlando With Kids

If the weather gets too cold for your liking, hop in the car and explore Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive instead. Available on weekends and select holidays, this self-guided journey covers 11 miles along Lake Apopka, the fourth-largest lake in the state of Florida. Download the free audio guide online to learn about the area’s rich history, and keep an eye out for ospreys, red-shouldered hawks and over 360 additional bird species as you drive.

Fly High at Wallaby Ranch Hang Gliding Flight Park

You can also get a bird’s eye view of Orlando at Wallaby Ranch, the largest hang gliding flight park in the world. The tandem discovery flight includes 15 minutes of guided free flying over magnificent lakes and woodlands, all minutes from Walt Disney World. Wallaby Ranch also offers plenty of outdoor fun on the ground, including camping, swimming and over 15 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails.

Discover: Wallaby Ranch

Go Ice Skating

Ice skating in Orlando? You got it! While ice skating is available year-round at indoor rinks like Orlando Ice Den, the holiday season brings several opportunities to skate outside in the fresh air. Zoom alongside a sea of sparkling trees at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration (park admission required), or lace up your skates at annual holiday celebrations like Now Snowing in Celebration or Santa’s Christmas Village at Dezerland Park.

Discover: Orlando Holiday Events

Float Through Natural Springs

Florida’s natural springs maintain a consistent temperature year-round for a refreshing dip no matter when you visit. Swim, snorkel, join a guided eco-tour, or simply enjoy the region’s beautiful flora and fauna. Explore on your own or let the pros handle the details with guided tours or rental options from Crystal River Watersports, Discovery Kayak & Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP), Epic Paddle Adventures, Get Up and Go Kayaking, Gray Line of Orlando Sightseeing Tours, King’s Landing, and Otter Paddle Orlando.

Discover: Orlando-Area Natural Springs

You might even have some unexpected company: manatees, who flock to the springs in search of warm winter waters. Peak manatee season is from mid-November through March, making the cooler months the perfect time to see some of Florida’s most beloved mammals.

Discover: Where to See Manatees in Orlando

Go Glamping

Soak up the cool weather with an overnight stay at one of our unique cabins, glamp-sites and other unconventional accommodations. You’ll find several unique options throughout the greater Orlando area, from luxury tents, wagons, teepees and more at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo to spacious cabins, eco-tents and luxury bell tents at Lake Louisa State Park. You can even spend a night under the stars at some of our Orlando-area natural springs.

Discover: Places to Stay in Orlando

Discover Seasonal Events & Festivals

Head outside to enjoy seasonal festivals aplenty throughout the holiday season and well into the new year. From u-picks and pumpkin patches to the twinkling lights of Oh, What Fun!® Holiday Festival in Lake Nona, you’ll find plenty of cool-weather fun during your next Orlando visit. Plus, enjoy outdoor art festivals, theme park events, cultural extravaganzas and more in the leadup to spring.

Discover: Upcoming Orlando Events

Tour the West Orange Trail

Feel the wind in your hair as you cycle, skate, jog or even go horseback riding along the West Orange Trail, a 22-mile trail with multiple points of interest along the way. The fully paved trail runs from Killarney in the south to Apopka in the north. Stroll the boardwalk trail to Lake Apopka at Oakland Nature Preserve, explore a butterfly garden and coast beneath a canopy of ancient live oaks in Oakland, and cool off with locally crafted brews, shopping and attractions in historic Winter Garden. Want to bike the trail but didn’t bring one with you? West Orange Trail Bikes & Blades Co. in Winter Garden can hook you up.

Discover: Things to Do in Winter Garden

The Orlando Urban Trail is another popular option in the downtown Orlando area, connecting Mills 50 to Winter Park with several sights along the way. Plus, discover even more trails and rental options throughout our resorts, parks and natural attractions.

Discover: Biking in Orlando

Go Fishing

Reel in an unforgettable day out at Orlando’s top fishing spots. Many of our amenity-packed hotels and resorts offer catch-and-release fishing, equipment rentals, knowledgeable guides, and excursions to help you score a big catch. You can also settle in at one of Orlando’s many public parks and trails or unwind on a guided excursion with Revolution Adventures. For up-to-date information about fishing licensing and regulations in Florida, visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Discover: Unbelievably Reel Fishing in Orlando

Horseback Riding in Orlando

Slow down on a guided horseback ride through tree-lined floodplains and idyllic Central Florida woodlands. Tri-Circle-D Ranch is a convenient option located at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground at Walt Disney World, offering scenic trail rides for adults and old-fashioned pony rides for the younger set. You can even book a festive sleigh ride through the woods during the holiday season.

For true untouched Florida wilderness, venture out to Hidden Palms Ranch in Sanford, about 40 minutes north of our main entertainment districts, or Lake Louisa State Park, located about 30 minutes from Walt Disney World.

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