Air-conditioned adventures: Orlando’s indoor attractions help beat summer heat
Amid Florida’s sweltering summer heat and unpredictable precipitation, sometimes the best strategy is to forego beach days and afternoons at the springs in favor of air-conditioned adventures.
While Orlando’s outdoor attractions and theme parks have huge drawing power, it’s not ideal to get stuck in line for a coaster during a downpour or wait until a rain delay clears up to cruise down a water slide. When hedging your bets on experiences that can work regardless of the weather, Central Florida supplies plenty of options that can help beat the heat while staying cool and dry inside.
From Icon Park on International Drive to Kennedy Space Center on Florida’s Space Coast, here are ideas for exciting indoor activities that can be educational, exhilarating or intriguing for visitors of all ages.
Dezerland Park Orlando
Billed as Florida’s largest indoor attraction, Dezerland has 850,000 square feet of space that includes the Orlando Auto Museum, pinball machines, indoor karting, laser tag, a trampoline park, bumper cars, axe throwing, an arcade, an augmented-reality experience, a movie theater and more. Guests can make a full day out of their experience with an indoor food hall and shopping opportunities.
If you go: Dezerland Park Orlando is open 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight Friday, 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday and 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday at 5250 International Drive in Orlando. Parking and entry are free; attractions are priced individually. More information: dezerlandpark.com
iFly Skydiving
Jonesing for a jump, but rain clouds got you grounded? Head to iFly Orlando, where you can experience the true free fall conditions of skydiving without rain spraying you in the face. Indoor wind tunnels simulate the experience of skydiving without having to jump from 13,000 feet up in the air.
If you go: iFly Orlando is open from 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Saturday at 8969 International Drive in Orlando. Packages start at $69.99. More information: iflyworld.com
Icon Park attractions
International Drive’s Icon Park contains myriad experiences all in one place — from Orlando’s observation wheel to a world-famous wax museum. Hop aboard the Orlando Eye to take in views of Central Florida from an enclosed capsule 400 feet in the air. Visitors can also explore Madame Tussauds, which has celebrity wax figures, including Bad Bunny, Lady Gaga, Dwayne Johnson and more. Icon Park also contains Sea Life Orlando Aquarium and the mind-bending Museum of Illusions.
If you go: Icon Park is open daily at 8375 International Drive in Orlando, and there is free parking. Attraction hours and prices vary. More information: iconparkorlando.com
Orange County Regional History Center
Educational exhibits and stories abound at the Orange County Regional History Center in the heart of downtown Orlando. Explore four floors of indoor space revealing the history of Central Florida’s indigenous inhabitants, citrus growers, soldiers, astronauts and more. All of this is housed in a historic courthouse building.
If you go: Orange County Regional History Center is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday at 65 E. Central Blvd. in Orlando. More information: thehistorycenter.org
Orlando Science Center
Visitors of all ages can satisfy their curiosity and put on their thinking caps while having fun at the Orlando Science Center. One area is geared toward young explorers ages 7 and younger, while others focus on dinosaurs, planets, food and the Earth’s ecosystems.
If you go: Orlando Science Center is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily at 777 E. Princeton St. in Orlando. Adult admission costs $27.99 online, and youth admission (ages 2-11) costs $20.99 online. More information: osc.org
Central Florida’s Museums
The greater Orlando area has no shortage of museums to explore. In the realm of visual art, visit the Mennello Museum of American Art, the Morse Museum, Orlando Museum of Art, the Polasek Museum or the Rollins Museum of Art.
Orlando Ice Den
Ice skating seems like the sort of thing that would be reserved for wintertime in snowy northern states or Canada, but there is an indoor destination for year-round icy fun in Central Florida. Visit the Orlando Ice Den in Maitland for lessons on how to skate, hockey, figure skating and public skating sessions.
If you go: Orlando Ice Den is open daily at 8701 Maitland Summit Blvd. in Orlando. Hours of operation vary based on daily programming. More information: 407-916-2550 or orlandoiceden.com
Indoor Go-Karts
While outdoor go-kart tracks previously dominated the landscape with gas-powered racing machines, indoor karting with electric karts can be found at K1 Speed, Elev8 Fun Sanford and Andretti Indoor Karting & Games.
Bowling
Enjoy an old-fashioned round of bowling as an indoor activity that doesn’t involve the risk of sunburn or being drenched in a downpour. Central Florida alleys include Kings Dining and Entertainment, Splitsville, AMF Sky Lanes, Primrose Lanes, Boardwalk Bowl, Aloma Bowl and Oviedo Bowling Center.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not
Visitors are invited to “explore unique wonders” while browsing rare and unique artifacts, oddities, memorabilia, games and unbelievable stories. From the outside, the building that houses the attraction looks like it’s sinking sideways into the ground (which, of course, is an illusion itself). Next door, visit Ripley’s Mirror Maze Orlando and find a similarly whimsical attraction up the street at WonderWorks Orlando.
If you go: Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando is open from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 10 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday at 8201 International Drive in Orlando. Tickets are available online starting at $16.99 per adult and $12.99 per child ages 3-11 for just the mirror maze. Combination tickets are available for both attractions. More information: ripleys.com
Kennedy Space Center
Blast off into the world of space exploration during a visit to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Visitors can view the rocket garden, take a bus tour, see the Apollo 11 moon lander, the Saturn V rocket, Space Shuttle Atlantis and more.
If you go: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily on Space Commerce Way in Merritt Island. Single-day admission costs $75 per adult and $65 per child ages 3-11. Discounts are available for multi-day tickets and for Florida residents. More information: kennedyspacecenter.com
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