Find More Travel Tips when Visiting Orlando
Free things to do at Disney Springs
Beginners guide to a Disney World Vacation
Where to eat in Orlando
Tin Roof
Every family travel guide should include some great places to eat that include something for everyone in the group. The Tin Roof was definitely that for us! The menu was full of tasty food, including some of the best chicken wings in town and some knockout nachos. The atmosphere at Tin Roof is so much fun and kept our kids fully entertained with its funky decor and great music. There’s often live music from locals and big-name artists alike. This was one of our top picks for our things to do in Orlando with Kids.
Tropics Pool Bar & Grill Hilton Orlando
If you want to experience a slice of paradise, head to the Tropics Pool Bar & Grill at the Hilton Orlando. This place not only has a laidback vibe, perfect for the entire family, but the food and drinks are also amazing. From blackened fish sandwiches to tacos con todos, this poolside grill will not disappoint. Our kids spent as much time in the cabana ordering snacks and virgin Pina Coladas as they did in the pools and slides. Even if you are not staying at the Hilton, this is a must-experience gem that has so many things to do with kids.
Scratch Market Hilton Orlando
Also located at the Hilton Orlando, is a 24-hour gourmet market that specializes in fresh-made comfort food. They have some of the best breakfast options and gourmet coffee in the area, as well as great sandwiches, pizzas, and made from scratch sides. What really won us over though, was their Family Meals To Go. We ordered one in the evening to our cabana after a long day in the sun and were so impressed with the quality and the amount of food. Whether you’ve had a long day at the parks or just too relaxed to go out to eat, consider these delicious family meals right to the room or to enjoy in one of the open areas of this great property.
Where to stay in Orlando
Hilton Orlando
Located right in the center of Orlando, you will find one of the best Hilton properties in Florida. The Hilton Orlando is a newly renovated, contemporary resort with a beautiful tropical landscape and an excellent location. Close to all of the major theme parks and attractions and within walking distance to International Drive, it really is perfect for any family vacation with kids. The best part about the resort is that you do not even need to leave the property to enjoy your entire vacation. There is an enormous recreation area featuring tropical waterfalls that overflow into two stunning pools, a splash park for all ages, a thrilling water slide, and a pristine lazy river.
As I mentioned earlier, there are some really great food options at Hilton Orlando, most of which can be ordered right to the pool. We spent a good deal of our trip sitting poolside in a cabana and soaking in the spas while the kids enjoyed all the wonderful amenities. From games on the sports deck to roasting marshmallows at the outside fire pits, there were so many choices for them. The Hilton Orlando really wowed us with personalized service from front to back and made it very hard to leave. If you and your family want to experience a tropical destination with everything you need right in Orlando, you must head to the Hilton Orlando.
Things to see in Orlando
- Lake Nona
- Natural Springs
- Wildlife
- Firework Shows
- Dinner Theaters
- Beautiful Gardens
Things to do in Orlando with Kids
Icon Park
Icon Park is one of Orlando’s premier entertainment complexes and is one of our favorite parts of this and all trips we have made to Orlando with our kids. There was something in this park for everyone in our family, from exploring sea life to flying high above I-Drive in suspended chairs. They offer an amazing package called the Play Pass that includes admission to The Wheel at Icon Park, Madame Tussauds, Sea Life, Pearl Express, Starflyer, Museum of Illusions, 7D Darkride Adventure, and a play card for Arcade City + discounts at participating restaurants, shops, and more. Here is some more detailed information on some of our favorite attractions at Icon Park.
The Wheel at Icon Park
The wheel takes you on an 18-minute observation ride where you and the family can see all of Orlando from your own private glass capsule. One of the coolest parts is that you can bring drinks or a snack for the kids to enjoy while you take your ride around on The Wheel. This is one of the coolest experiences in all of Orlando and the kids will be in amazement.
Madame Tussauds Orlando
Madame Tussauds was surprisingly one of our girl’s favorite attractions. For those of you not familiar, this is a wax museum where you can get up close and personal with the hottest celebrities and go back in time to meet our greatest leaders. Our favorite part was a newer addition to the museum where you can interact with your favorite superheroes like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman and help save the day. We had such a great time taking pictures throughout the self-tour and learning more about each of the figures.
SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium
Coming from Tampa, we have some really great marine aquariums, but SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium is one of a kind. It is jam-packed with interactive elements fun for all ages. The touch tank is always a kid favorite and they have some really cool sea creatures to explore. Throughout the aquarium, you can observe majestic sea turtles, get up close and personal with sharks and stingrays, and submerge yourself in all the wonders while learning more about these stunning animals.
Orlando StarFlyer
The Orlando StarFlyer is not for the faint of heart! It is the tallest StarFlyer in the world and has you dangling in a swing that circles high above the park. While it is intended for older riders and those seeking more thrills, young ones are also able to ride, but there are height restrictions.
Pearl Express Train
One of our kids’ favorite things to do at the park is climbing aboard the Pearl Express Train. Hop on to explore all the highlights of the Icon Park complex as it makes laps around the streets and delights kids and adults alike. Such a fun little tradition!
In The Game
In The Game is so much fun for the entire family! This area is newly renovated and offers some real state-of-the-art gaming. If your family is into games, this is a must-experience.
Museum of Illusions Orlando
This attraction was easily my favorite and the kids had an absolute blast as well. In the museum, you will enter the fascinating world of illusions that will both confuse you and amaze you all at the same time. We such a fun time together at each exhibit took some unforgettable pictures, and laughed a ton! A must-see attraction for families with kids while in Orlando.
WonderWorks Orlando
WonderWorks is an indoor amusement park with a focus on science. It combines education with entertainment, offering over 100 unique hands-on exhibits. From the Hurricane Shack with 84mph hurricane–force winds to the Bubble Lab where we all made larger-than-life bubbles, there was something awesome for us all. We laughed and played all day and there were still things left to do on our next trip. The kids will absolutely love WonderWorks!
Things to know before visiting Orlando
- The weather in Orlando is very unpredictable, bring an umbrella and plan for rain
- There are lots of transportation options in the Orlando Area
- The traffic can be very heavy getting around Orlando, build time into your plans
- Buy most tickets in advance as lines can be long at parks and attractions
A huge Thank you to Visit Orlando for hosting us on this trip! Thank you for reading along, I hope this gives you some great insight on the wonderful things to do in Orlando with kids.
If you have some great experiences to add that would help others that are planning their next trip to Orlando with kids, please leave them in the comments below.
Read about our other family travel guides HERE.
