How to Explore Orlando Like a Local
From hot spots to hidden gems, these are the top 7 things to do in Orlando that only a local would know.
Think you know Orlando? If you’ve only experienced the tourism districts, think again! Beyond the theme parks and attractions, Orlando’s neighborhoods offer endless adventures with dining, arts and culture, outdoor recreation, shopping, and other hidden gems that locals love.
To help you explore the city like a local, we’ve rounded up some of the best non-touristy things to do in Orlando.
- Explore the fun and funky Milk District
Located about 10 minutes east of downtown Orlando, the Milk District is a fun and funky neighborhood full of shops, restaurants, bars, live music venues, and more. Named after its centrally located T.G. Lee dairy plant, which features an eye-catching, rooftop cow statue, the Milk District is lined with street art and vibrant murals, making it the ultimate backdrop for a picture-perfect getaway.
Want a picture-perfect Orlando vacation? Here are 5 ideas to help you capture the best photos during your Orlando vacation.
- Wander the Leu Gardens
Among all of Orlando’s idyllic parks, the Harry P. Leu Gardens is one of the most sublime. An amazing 50-acre botanical oasis just minutes from downtown Orlando, the Leu Gardens has a dazzling collection of more than 15,000 plants, a sprawling butterfly garden, whimsical works of art, and the Leu House—one of Central Florida’s most historic estates that offers daily tours.
- Attend a sports game
Play ball! Orlando is a sports lover’s dream. Home to the Orlando City Soccer Club and Orlando Pride teams, the state-of-the-art Exploria Stadium in downtown Orlando is an unbeatable place to catch MLS and NWSL matches. Also in downtown, the Amway Center hosts the NBA’s Orlando Magic, which plays a minimum of 44 home games each year. Other teams that play in the Amway Center include the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears and the Arena Football League’s Orlando Predators.
- Plan an outdoor adventure
Millions of people visit Orlando and miss the very best part—the beautiful parks, lakes, and nature trails of “authentic” Florida. For your next Orlando vacation, allow yourself to really get away from it all and plan an outdoor adventure at one of the city’s 148 parks.
Some of our favorite parks in Orlando include:
Lake Louisa State Park – A picturesque park located just 20 minutes from Walt Disney World® with miles of hiking trails, orange groves, and majestic live oaks.
Shingle Creek – A regional park within 25 minutes of Orlando’s theme parks that offers guided tours or rentals of kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards.
Tibet-Butler Preserve – A great option if you don’t have a lot of time, this gem is 15 minutes from Disney’s Magic Kingdom® and has trails and boardwalks passing through cypress swamps, pine flatwoods, and creeks.
Check out this guide for planning epic outdoor adventures in Orlando.
- Shop till you drop
Orlando is a shopper’s paradise. The Mall at Millenia and The Florida Mall are Orlando’s premier shopping malls. But if you love a discount, Orlando has three factory outlet centers with top brands and designers, including Orlando International Premium Outlets, Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores, and Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets. And, for a true Orlando experience, we recommend spending a day at Disney Springs®, a charming waterside destination for dining, entertainment and shopping, with over 100 retailers that range from well-known brands to Disney-centric boutiques.
TIP: Stay at a Walt Disney World Good Neighbor® Hotel for close proximity and complimentary transportation to all Disney properties, including Disney Springs®. This will help you bypass long lines at the entrance and save money on parking costs. Plus, you can even purchase tickets in advance at your resort’s concierge to skip the crows at the admission gates.
- Collect stamps in your (beer) passport
Launched in 2017, the Central Florida Ale Trail is Orlando’s official (and free!) beer trail program. The Central Florida Ale Trail is a fun, adventurous and scavenger hunt-esque beer passport program that encourages you to visit local craft breweries, engage with the people making your beer, and collect a stamp at each location. With dozens of local brews to try, you might want to opt for beer flights. And, some breweries offer tours, so don’t be shy about asking.
- Have dinner at the Venetian Chop House
A visit to Orlando would be remiss without dinner at the Venetian Chop House, a premier AAA Four Diamond Restaurant offering classic steakhouse dishes, local flavors, and attentive service. Favored by locals and located at Caribe Royale Orlando, the Venetian Chop House pairs quality cuts with a vast selection of wine, fresh Florida seafood, and farm-to-table ingredients for an elevated experience. You haven’t tasted the best until you’ve been to the Venetian Chop House.
Ready to explore Orlando like a local?
For an authentic and unique Orlando getaway, there’s no better place than Caribe Royale Orlando. With sprawling resort pools and waterslide, onsite tennis, basketball and fishing, scenic jogging trails and complimentary bike rentals, plus engaging kid-friendly activities and laid-back alfresco dining, Caribe Royale Orlando is the perfect place to experience the city.
Plus, as a Walt Disney Good Neighbor® Hotel, Caribe Royale Orlando is conveniently located just 1.5 miles from the main entrance to Walt Disney World® Resort and provides complimentary shuttle transportation to all Walt Disney World® Theme Parks & Disney Springs®.
Plan your escape to Caribe Royale Orlando now. Visit to learn more.