Outdoor Adventures in Orlando, Florida

Although Orlando is best known for its theme parks, the city offers many unique outdoor adventures that make for an unforgettable vacation experience. From skydiving to horseback riding to surfing and auto racing, Orlando has endless opportunities for adventure without limits.

Aim high

Hot Air Balloon Rides – According to lawschoolsinusa, the three established balloon specialists in the area include Bob’s Balloon Flights , Orlando Balloon Rides and Magic Sunrise Ballooning . After boarding, the guest is carried through the air by a warm breeze and enjoys breathtaking views that are only possible from a balloon.

Helicopter Tours – International Heli-Tours offers scenic flights over Orlando, Walt Disney World Resort, SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Orlando Resort, celebrity homes and more. Passengers get a glimpse of the region’s attractions, numerous lakes and diverse wildlife.

Skydiving – Orlando Skydiving and the Skydive Space Center offers the world’s highest tandem skydive from 17,000 feet. Anyone who lacks the courage to do so can relive the feeling at IFLY Orlando on International Drive in an indoor wind tunnel, and that at any age.

Hang Gliding – At Wallaby Ranch Hang Gliding Flight Park , visitors are taken aboard a specially constructed microlight aircraft to a height of 2,000 feet and then enjoy views of Central Florida’s pristine natural landscapes from the kite.

Historical Flights – Airplane enthusiasts can take a trip back in time aboard double-decker airplanes or fighter jets. Fantasy of Flight in neighboring Polk County offers open-cockpit biplane flights in a 1930’s New Standard D-25 or 1940’s Boeing Stearman PT-17. Warbird Adventures operates flights in a WWII T-6 Texan fighter jet.

On solid ground

Horseback Riding – Trail rides, pony trekking, and horsemanship and horseback riding lessons are available at a variety of locations for both novice and experienced riders, including Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida and Westgate River Ranch .

Eco Tours – Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida eco safaris take you on horseback, zipline or swamp buggy through a nature reserve of nine distinct ecosystems. The Swooping Crane carries visitors across the treetops to a height of around 17 metres. With the Cypress Canopy Cycle, a web of taut cables 7.6 meters high with recumbent bikes hanging from it, guests can cycle at leisure through the impressive 1,900 hectare ecosystem. Grande Lakes Outfitters eco-tours also include guided canoe and kayak trips where guests learn all about the history of Shingle Creek and local wildlife such as alligators, bald eagles, osprey and barred owls in their natural habitat.

Bike Tours – Orlando has been named a ” bike -friendly community” by the American Cyclists’ League because there are a variety of paved fitness trails past idyllic lakes and parks, so that cyclists, roller bladers or hikers can add a little variety to their exercise program. The West Orange Trail , for example, is a good 30 km long and has restrooms and picnic facilities.

Camping – Orlando’s sunny weather makes it great for camping. From public parks like Moss Park and Wekiwa Springs State Park to campgrounds like Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground and Tropical Palms Resort and Campground , the options for sleeping in the great outdoors are almost endless.

Motorcycling – Visitors to Orlando can safely leave their motorbikes at home and rent a fire chair from one of the many rental companies for a few days, a week or even months. Solo travelers and couples can easily join a group ride. Whole groups can book an unforgettable experience that bonds the group as a team. Orlando Harley-Davidson is the ideal place for it.

Off-Road Driving – Revolution The Off-Road Experience puts visitors behind the wheel of an ATV, Hummer, Jeep Dune Buggy or Rally Vehicle for hours of off-road fun. Fishing and water sports are also possible here.

Stock Car Racing/Driving – NASCAR fans can drive a real race car around the one mile Walt Disney World Speedway at Richard Petty’s Driving Experience . The Junior Ride-Along program allows children between the ages of 6 and 13 and who are at least 122 cm tall to do three exciting laps with a professional racer.

Bird Watching – Bird lovers will find around 20 bird stations along the Great Florida Birding Trail in central Florida alone. There are 445 stations throughout Florida along the 2,000-mile trail designed to help preserve and improve native bird habitat through bird watching and environmental education.

Ziplining – Florida Eco-Safaris at Forever Florida features the state’s first high wire adventure and the nation’s first zipline roller coaster called The Rattlesnake. On the Zipline Safari, guests float through the treetops at heights of up to 16.8 meters. They reach speeds of up to 32.2 km/h. Central Florida ZOOm Air Adventures and Zip Orlando Canopy Tours also offer ziplining opportunities. The Eco Zip Line in Gatorland transports visitors at adventurous heights of up to 17 meters over 366 meters at a speed of almost 50 km/h over ravenous alligators.

Water adventure

Fishing – In the more than 2,000 named lakes, rivers and springs surrounding Orlando, anglers will find an underwater paradise with largemouth bass, red and spotted croaker. BASS_Online , Pro_Bass_Guide_Service and Incentive Fishing Charters are just a few of the professional fishing camps that also offer a counseling service. Grande Lakes Outfitters also offers a G. Loomis Fly Fishing School, full-day seminars, professionally guided fishing trips and privately guided eco-tours in Shingle Creek.

Swimming and Water Sports – Water lovers can have fun year-round at Buena Vista Water Sports and Sammy Duvall’s Water Sports Center at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The Orlando Watersports Complex is the only two-lane facility in the United States for unlimited waterskiing and training for all skill levels. Fun 2 Dive Scuba and Manatee Snorkeling Tours also offer full-day snorkeling adventures with manatees as part of a Manatee Awareness program. At Florida Dolphin Tours, Inc. , guests can take excursions and swim up close with dolphins and manatees.

Paddleboarding – At Paddleboard Orlando, guests can book beginner classes, rent paddleboards, and take stand-up paddleboard adventure tours or even yoga classes.

Boat Excursions – Visitors can enjoy a variety of ways to experience Florida’s natural and unspoiled nature from the water, whether it’s the romantic Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour or a speedy ride across the swamps on airboats with Boggy Creek Airboat Rides , Kissimmee Swamp Tours , Airboat Rides at Midway , Old Fashioned Airboat Rides , WildFlorida or Black Hammock Adventures .

Surfing the Waves – Fantasy Surf is an interactive watersports attraction where guests of all ages can ride the ‘ultimate’ wave on the patented FlowRider. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, one of Walt Disney World’s two water parks, offers surf lessons in North America’s largest wave pool.

Sports

Golf – Eagles, birdies and pars can be booked by visitors on their score cards. The approximately 176 golf courses in the Orlando area were designed by such famous architects as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Robert Trent Jones and Tom Watson. Golfers looking to improve their game can visit one of Orlando’s 23 renowned golf academies, including the world headquarters of the David Leadbetter Golf Academy at ChampionsGate, which offers tailored instruction for individuals and groups alike. ANNIKA Academy , named for LPGA Champion Annika Sörenstam, is housed at Reunion Resort and Club and Wyndham Grand Resort.

Tennis – Over 800 tennis courts are available at Orlando’s tennis centers, resorts and hotels. Visitors can safely leave their clubs at home. Most establishments rent or sell tennis equipment and also offer lessons or games for beginners and advanced players.

School and College Athletics – The University of Central Florida and Rollins College offer the finest collegiate athletic programs. Every year in January, thousands flock to Camping World Stadium to cheer on their favorite Big Ten or SEC team for a classic football game. Each November, the Florida Classics pits historic rivals Bethune-Cookman University and Florida A&M University against one another.

Pro sports fans can enjoy Orlando’s basketball games from the NBA’s Orlando Magic and the Arena Football League’s Orlando Predators at the state-of-the-art Amway Center. Orlando is also home to a Premier League hockey team, the Orlando Solar Bears. Professional soccer also has a team with the Orlando City Soccer Club . Spring preseason highlights include MBL baseball team Atlanta Braves training at Disney’s Wide World of Sports , Detroit Tigers football team in Lakeland and Houston Astros baseball teams at Osceola County Stadium . Top American riders compete in USA BMXin Orlando for highest honors.