We love our theme parks in Orlando, but there’s much more to central Florida than Disney World, Universal Studios and the like. In this first of a series of posts, we’ll be sharing some family friendly outdoor vacation activities you and your family can enjoy when you’re not meeting Mickey or riding the Incredible Hulk!

Orlando Watersports Complex
Address: 8615 Florida Rock Rd Orlando, FL 32824
Phone: 407.251.3100
Florida is famous for its watersports, so if you’re looking for something fun to do in Orlando outdoors, why not try your hand at one? The Orlando Watersports Complex is a specially designed unique watersports park designed for all the most popular watersports including wakeboarding, wake skating, wake surfing, knee boarding and waterskiing. The facility uses a state of the art tower and cable system for beginners, a separate section with ramps if you want to step it up, and a full-size boat lake where you can get going behind a real boat.

PaddleBoard Orlando
Address: 115 N Orlando Ave #109, Winter Park, FL 32789
Phone: 407.960.7815
Paddleboard Orlando is yet another way for you to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful Florida weather while on the water. Paddleboard Orlando offers paddleboard rentals out of Winter Park just outside of Orlando, and you and your family can choose from a variety of cool waterfront locations and lake chains including the Winter Park, Butler and Conway lake chains. The team at Paddleboard Orlando gives great instruction for beginners and paddle boarding is an awesome way to experience a different side of the Orlando area and try something uniquely Florida!

Exotic Animal Experience
Phone: 407.383.6766
Exotic Animal Experience is hands down one of the most unique interactive animal encounters you will ever come across. It’s truly a hidden gem in Orlando, allowing you to interact with, touch, hold and pet exotic animals in a way you wouldn’t be able to elsewhere. The animals there include lemurs, kangaroos, zebras, llamas, exotic deer, wallabies and more. Groups are restricted to small sizes here, which makes things more comfortable for the animals and provides a more intimate experience for you! The experienced handlers are also right there with you, ready to answer any questions you might have about these beautiful exotic creatures.

Peace of Mind Kayak Tours
Phone: 407.733.8338
This local outfitter runs tours throughout Central Florida, even out to Merritt Island on the coast. But if you prefer to stay in the Orlando area, they also offer excursions through the Winter Park Chain of Lakes which take you straight through the majestic landscape and storied history of the quaint little town of Winter Park. You can choose to go kayaking with an escort, but in our opinion, it’s unnecessary! They provide a handy map that will guide you during the two and half hour journey and you can enjoy the peace, quiet and serene surroundings with your paddle partner(s).
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Boggy Creek Airboat Rides
Address: 2001 E. Southport Rd, Kissimmee, Florida 33746
Phone: 407.344.9550
At Boggy Creek, you and your family can choose between four unique airboat adventures through Florida’s famous Everglades.  On the half-hour guided tour rides, you’ll see exotic birds, turtles and massive alligators while soaring through the swamp at nearly 45 miles an hour! For anyone who has never been on an airboat or just loves the great outdoors, this is a can’t-miss Orlando experience.

Article originally written on Oct 24, 2014. Updated on Oct 23, 2019.

Hot Air Balloon Rides with Orlando Balloon Rides
Address: 2900 Parkway Blvd, Kissimmee, Florida 34747
Phone: 407.894.5040
Orlando Balloon Rides offers visitors the chance to see the attraction-rich city in a whole new way: from a few thousand feet in the air! You and your loved ones can float high above the city as an experienced hot air balloon pilot points out the area’s most spectacular sites, from famous theme parks to beautiful wetlands untouched for thousands of years! Upon landing, a champagne toast is held to commemorate your wonderful adventure (non-alcoholic beverages are also available)!

Do you have any outdoor activities you love doing while you’re in Orlando? Let us know, and we could feature it in our next Orlando Outdoor’s post, with a special shout out!