Orlando, Florida: Unexpected Outdoor Thrills

Whether you’ll be renting a bike or lacing up your hiking boots, Orlando will be waiting with over 240 scenic kilometers of paved trails. Enjoy a leisurely jog around Lake Fran on the Shingle Creek Trail or explore the impressive 35-kilometer West Orange Trail on two wheels. And if you happen to be staying at the beautiful JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, don’t miss the chance to take an exhilarating ride on the guests-only Hidden Lake mountain bike trail.

Golf fanatics, rejoice: The entire state of Florida is known for its outstanding golf opportunities, and Orlando is certainly no exception. Home to 150 world-class courses, including some designed by professional golfers Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, Orlando is a golf destination in and of itself. In addition to the city’s real-deal courses, Orlando is also home to dozens of miniature golf courses. From pirate- and alligator-themed courses to resort options and hole after hole of glow-in-the-dark fun, there’s something for the entire family.

No trip to Orlando would be complete without exploring its serene waterways teeming with wildlife. Search for manatees and alligators through the clear bottom of your kayak on a tour through the turquoise waters of Rock Springs Run with the guides of Get Up and Go Kayaking. Companies like Epic Paddle Adventures offer unique stand-up paddleboarding experiences like sunset bioluminescence tours and evening stargazing adventures on neon-lit paddleboards.

Can’t get enough of Orlando’s scenic lakes, swamps and natural springs? Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures and Spirit of the Swamp Airboat Rides offer private airboat tours through the wildlife-rich waters of Central Florida’s Everglades. Urban adventurers will love taking in the downtown Orlando cityscape from a giant swan boat on Lake Eola.

When it’s time to get off the boat and into the water, enjoy one of Orlando’s wet and wild attractions like the Nona Adventure Park. Navigate the inflatable obstacle course, lounge on the sandy beach and learn how to wakeboard on the park’s beginner-friendly cable system. At the Orlando Watersports Complex, there’s plenty more inflatable and wakeboarding fun to be found.

Steel your nerves and prepare for an exhilarating time as you navigate Orlando’s many aerial outdoor adventures. Reaching speeds of up to 48 kilometers per hour, the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line at Gatorland will send you soaring over alligator and crocodile exhibits. At the Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park, four aerial challenge courses await. Ranging from green for easygoing thrills to red for more extreme challenges, the courses increase in elevation and difficulty and promise an adventure you’ll never forget.

Fly into either Orlando International Airport (MCO), Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) or Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) and rent a car to begin your exploration of Orlando’s off-the-beaten-path attractions. The Brightline Train Station at MCO is also an excellent jumping-off point for exploring Orlando and other Florida cities.