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Activities in Orlando That Don’t Suck

Disney World, The happiest place on Earth, Universal Studios, Tourists….blah blah blah

My old stomping grounds, oh how I miss thee. Orlando is obviously home to one of the most magical places in the world. Yes, we know. Having lived there for over three years though, I found it to be so much more than some random tourist destination. Aside from all the Mickey Mouse and Harry Potter bullshit, this city has more to offer than overpriced beer and attractions.

I want to give you MY inside scoop on all the activities in Orlando that DON’T SUCK!

BRUNCH


A staple in any city I would imagine, but Orlando takes brunch to a whole other level. They give a new and exciting meaning to SUNDAY FUNDAY. We live for this. Almost any place downtown you can find people poppin’ bottles and curing their Saturday night hangovers. (Some haven’t even gone to bed yet!) From 9 am until sundown, Orlando is sure to take your brunch virginity to 3rd base ๐Ÿ˜‰

brunch

brunch

Any sporting event


Let’s face it. Orlando City Magic…sucks. I’m not gonna sugar coat that shit. Regardless, the games are more than exciting to go to! Personally, have never been to an Orlando City Soccer game either, but my friends love to update me via Snapchat of their tailgating skills so I can only assume it’s awesome!

I think as long as you have good company, a decent team and lots of alcohol, there is no way you’ll have a bad time. My favorite part about attending these kinds of events is the energy you feel. Shitty team or not, Orlando knows how to show support!

magic game

orlando city magic game

Drinking Around the World at Epcot


I know I said blah blah blah about Disney World, but Epcot has grown to be the “adult” part of the park…why? You can hop around to each country and taste a little bit of their culture. From Canada to Mexico, all the way to Norway…you are sure to find a country fit for your eating and drinking needs.

epcot

I remember trying to make it around the first time; once I got to Mexico though I was shakin’ too much of my Moraccas to be appropriate around little kids. Let’s just say “pace yourself” and you’ll do just fine!

Countries included are: Canada, UK, France, Morroco, Japan, America, Italy, Germany, China, Norway, and Mexico. My favorite? The one that had champagne (I actually can’t remember because well, alcohol.)

Orlando Eye


Call me a kid but I like flying thousands of feet off the ground, being able to see the whole city from up high. I’ve seen the London Eye and now, the Orlando Eye. It might just be some large, overly expensive cement piece, but to me, the view from the top is worth it. Not only that, it’s located close to the iconic International Drive that has TONS to do. Orlando is full of surprises. A ride around will only set you back about $20…the price of a small Coca Cola at Disney haha.

orlando eye

Wekiva Springs/ Island


Not exactly in the heart of Orlando, but close enough to make an entire day out of it. Wekiva Springs was one of my favorite past times. Gather up all your friends, pack a LARGE cooler, and chill by the water. Fun in the sun without getting sand in your ass. Not only can you swim, go biking or even horseback riding…you can also go CABREWING. It’s a boozy canoe trip down the waterway haha. It’s not a real thing but we made it one. (Technically you aren’t even allowed to drink while canoeing but what do they know)

weikiva

kayaking

You can look it up here to see for yourself. The natural spring water is perfect for those intense Florida summer days. Guess what? They even have a bar! SCORE!

Bar Hopping on Wall St.ย 


You may say, Tatum…why is all of your suggestions about alcohol…umm it’s not annoying commenter who doesn’t know my life. I said Orlando Eye…that wasn’t at least ;). Who am I kidding, it all is, but for good reason? I will never forget coming down to Orlando before I lived there, illegallyย  drinking my way through the city. I fell in love with the diverse style of nightlife and reminisced on it ever since. As large as Orlando is, the city is pretty intimate, unlike NYC or Atlanta. You can walk the entire strip in one night, tasting bits and pieces of every place.

wall st.

Specifically though, Wall St. is my favorite to hop around on. Taco Tuesday is the best night of the week. $3 Tacos, Margaritas, Coronas, Dos XX, and Tequila Shots! I mean holy shit, you can’t beat that! The rope off the street and it becomes one big block party as you drink yourself drunk. Wall St. Cantina for the Mexican vibe…The Other Bar for great music and Hooch for their signature Apple Pie Moonshine. You won’t ever be able toย  want to leave!

orlando

Rising Star at City Walk


Who wouldn’t want to get up on stage while hundreds of people watch you die a slow death trying to sing Spice Girls on stage? (raises hand!) Since City Walk is the free part of Universal Studios, you can try your luck at becoming the next American Idol! How it works is, you grab some friends, sit at a table and if you’re feeling frisky…you can put your name and the song you want to sing in a bucket to be called. If you are a pussy, however, you can just point and laugh at the others on stage. Fun right?

rising star

I really wish I had a picture of our crazy Senor Frogs employee nights here. After drinking in the sun all day, riding roller coasters we would find ourselves on stage dancing to Backstreet Boys and yelling out Aretha Franklin songs. Good times, good times.ย 

Lake Butler / Bird Island


This gives a whole new meaning to Booze Cruise. Every weekend hundreds of people will gas up their boats for a party on Bird Island. Located in the middle of the Lake Butler Chains, BI is the ultimate weekend place where you can jam out with your clam out. Drinking beer out of noodles, linking up boats and making new friends. Seriously what else could you want?

The very prestigious Lake Butler is known to house celebrities like Shaq, Joey Fantone and close to where Tiger Woods wife had her meltdown. Cool right?

shaq

Farmers Market at Lake Eola


In between brunching downtown on a Sunday, stumble over to Lake Eola for their incredible Farmer’s Market! Fresh and organic fruits, veggies, street art, vendors etc. Typical of most markets but nonetheless, a great time to soak up some Florida sunshine and take a stroll. Lake Eola isn’t exactly terrible to look at either.

lake eola

Concert at Guilt Nightclub


Orlando was my shit. I went to concerts probably 2-3 times a week. The city never ever sleeps. Watch out, New York! There is something for everyone on any given night…but the newly renovated Roxy turned into Guilt nightclub. I fell in love with Electronic Dance Music here and have been hooked ever since. Orlando is like the holy mecca of shows, so if you are into that (and even if you aren’t) I suggest hitting up a show here!

concert

Kings Bowling Alley


Bowling, for the grown and sexy. This ain’t no backcountry wanna be bowlin’ alley where ya gotta keep ya own score and drink Coors Light on tap. No no no, this is a place to enjoy some fine cocktails, roll some balls and mingle with a more upscale crowd. It gets rowdy, just like every other place in Orlando, but not in a negative way.

kings bowling

So there you have it, bitches. I loved writing this post because Orlando was such a whirlwind of emotions while living there. Opportunities out the ass! Ha. I would LOVE to hear any fun spots or secret places you have visited while in Orlando so I can try them out! Leave them in the comments below. Until next trip…

xo Bonvoyage Babes


  1. Chloe says:

    Ahhh so fun!! Drinking around Epcot is on my bucket list! Love Orlando and your weather! So many great ideas!

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      Yes it’s so much fun as long as you pace yourself haha. The weather can get tricky but it’s so worth it!!

  2. Well that is certainly not your typical list that you are used to seeing in numerous travel posts elsewhere. A very interesting and enjoyable run down of things that would be fun to try. Haven’t been to Orlando yet, but I now know some fun options.

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      It is so much more than people ever tell you about! And living there I got to do so many fun things that wasn’t necessarily a theme park haha. You have to visit!!

  3. Paulina says:

    Wow Orlando looks like such a cool place! I ve never been! I really would enjoy the orlando eye ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Jamie says:

    Wekiva Springs is perfect – you get the sun and water without the salt and sand. I’ve been to Orlando and done the touristy stuff so this list is nice to have for other activities. Thanks!

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      It is soooooo much fun! Especially with a big group of friends playing corn hole and playing with peoples dogs ๐Ÿ™‚ haha

  5. We have been hearing a lot about Orlando especially the Disney part. But its always great to have an insight into nontouristy things to do at a destination we want to visit. The Orlando Eye looks fab and the Wekiva Springs looks like a perfect weekend getaway.

  6. Edoardo says:

    On my top places to see in Orlando there is Wekiva Springs because it seems there are a lot of outdoor activities to do.
    I never expected soccer was popular in Orlando like it is in Europe, so GO ORLANDO!!! Nice that you include even EPCOT, which it sound so vintage ๐Ÿ˜€

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      haha yeah soccer got really big in Orlando when they recruited KaKa!! So ya, GO ORLNDO haha. The Springs are one of my favorites!!

  7. shannon says:

    I’m one of those people who go to Orlando and just do the theme parks. Not that there’s anything wrong with that but wow holy cow I really didn’t know there was so much more. I’m actually headed there this June so hopefully I’ll be able to check a couple of these places out.

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      June is a pretty busy month there so definitely plan stuff ahead!! Overall it’s a relatively cheap place…I mean, did you see those Taco Tuesday prices? haha

  8. These are awesome things to do in Orlando! I would like to go Epcot theme park. I have read a lot of good reviews about that place. I like that you can do hiking, swimming, kayaking, and camping in Wekiva Springs.

  9. That is a really interesting compilation of offbeat activities in Orlando. As the pictures show, you seem to have had a blast! I should share this post with every parent I know who’s planning a trip there ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. Bhusha says:

    Haha! I love the how you’ve framed the topic. I’d love to do that Bar Hopping at Wall St and Drinking around the world at Epcot! I’d spend my entire evening relaxing at Wekiwa Springs! Thanks for this list. Hope I’ll make it there in future!

  11. Ling Ge says:

    I remember years ago when I visited Orlando, other than the sports teams and Disney/Universal, I didn’t know what else there was to do there. My friends would visit years later and outside of going to the main attractions, they stayed at their hotel and swam in the pool. Nice to see a list that shows that there’s more to Orlando than tourist attractions and will keep it in mind if I’m back there.

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      I really wish people would go out and explore more of Orlando!! Way more to offer than people think!

  12. I go to Orlando every January to visit Disney–it’s a family tradition. I’ve never really gotten outside Disney to see some of the other attractions, but they sound fun! I would especially like to see the Orlando Eye. I’ve tried Snacking Around the World at Epcot, but I’m a little scared to try Drinking Around the World. I think it would end up being more like Puking Around the World in my case.

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      hahaha, yeah I mean if you mix the eating and the drinking you might not be puking around the world!! Check some of the other activities out too!

  13. Jodie says:

    I do love a good farmers market! Used to love all the partying too but I’m old and tired now haha awesome post and reference for a future trip to Orlando!

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      Glad someone actually commented on that because I love a good one too! Especially on a nice Orlando afternoon.

  14. Ana Ojha says:

    Orlando is one of my favorite cities and next home! I also love visiting Old Town, where you can see some really good vintage beauties!

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      Completely forgot about Old Town!! That’s like the hidden little theme park but oh so adorable! Glad you reminded me!!

  15. Colby says:

    Wow! Great post! Honestly, when I think of Orlando, like most people, my mind automatically goes to Disney World. I’ve been twice, once when I was super young and can’t even remember, and again in high school, but it was only to Disney World. Now, I see that there’s sooo much more to Orlando and I want to call up my friend who lives there and make a visit haha. You won me over with the brunch, that’s all I needed to hear. I live for a good brunch.

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      You totally should! This past weekend I did a lot of brunching there so you gotta go back and try some more!!

  16. Gokul Raj says:

    Orlando Eye looks amazing. Seen enough of the London one.

  17. Indrani says:

    Wow so many off beat stuffs in addition to all must sees there. I wonder how many days would be required to enjoy Orlando in totality. Love the fun way you explain things, very different from others and great read too. ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      If you want to do everything on the list, I think a long weekend would be enough!! Most of these you could do back to back…spend half the day drinking around the world and end up at the springs. Enjoy brunch, then the farmers market and end the day at Rising Star. Then you could ride the Orlando eye which is close to the bowling alley and make that your pregame for Wall St! Possibilities are endless!!

  18. Suruchi says:

    All these seems like so much fun and so different from the ususal to do list. The orolando eye looks fascinating and the views of the whole city litup from top will be amazing. Lake Butler too will be cool.

  19. eebest8 best says:

    “Thank you for your article.Much thanks again.”

  20. Greetings from Delaware. I bookmarked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Certainly a lot of things to take into consideration.

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