Central Florida Family Adventures That Go Beyond the Theme Parks

When families think of Central Florida, theme parks usually come first, and we love those too. But Florida has a way of surprising you — and on our recent family getaway, we found a different kind of magic waiting just beyond the expected: Crystal-clear springs, small-town charm, glamping under the stars, airboat rides, wildlife encounters and plenty of kid-approved fun beyond the parks.

If you’re looking for things to do in Central Florida with kids — especially if your family enjoys a mix of adventure, nature and downtime — these stops in Mount Dora and Kissimmee are worth adding to your Florida travel plans.

This article is sponsored by VISIT FLORIDA. The author was provided a complimentary stay and attraction tickets to facilitate this review.

Small-Town Charm in Mount Dora

Our first stop was Florida's Lakeside Escape, in Lake County. We stayed at Florida’s most historic hotel, Lakeside Inn, centered in the heart of Mount Dora. It’s a charming small town with brick-lined streets full of boutiques and restaurants serving delicious meals to satisfy any palate. When you need relief from the sunshine, you can visit an art or history museum, tour the streets by carriage or take a sunset boat tour around Lake Dora and the Dora Canal. Fun fact: Mount Dora’s carriages are electric and horseless. Save room for ice cream and cold drinks along the way.

Family-friendly restaurants we liked:

• The Yardery: They offer tasty burgers, fish tacos, salads and sides. In the yard, you can play ping-pong or foosball, or play on the tire swing while you wait for your meal. 
• Wave Asian Bistro & Sushi: Try their creative Asian-fusion dishes, including sushi presented as burgers, pizzas, burritos, doughnuts and more! 
• PizzAmoré: Because who doesn’t love good pizza and pasta? Their pizza and spinach artichoke dip were worth the drive. 
• Mystic Ice Cream: So many yummy homemade flavors for the kids, and they offer “adult” ice cream flavors too! 

Snorkeling, Canoeing & Wildlife at Alexander Springs

On day two, we took a quick 40-minute drive north of Mount Dora to play at Alexander Springs Recreation Park. It has a rich history and is known for having one of the best swimming holes in the Ocala National Forest. We snorkeled in the 72-degree, crystal-clear turquoise spring. Swimming with the fish and turtles was fun, and it was also fascinating to learn that this spring discharges up to 70 million gallons of fresh water every day!

We rented a three-person canoe and paddled through Alexander Run, and it did not disappoint. The water was lined with lush vegetation, and we spotted countless turtles and over a dozen alligators just lounging on logs like they owned the place. It's a serious birdwatcher's spot too — anhingas, herons, wild turkeys — so keep your camera handy. We even paddled through a little rain, serenaded by frogs and songbirds the whole way. Not a bad afternoon.

That's the Florida Feeling — that perfect mix of laid-back and completely alive that sneaks up on you when you least expect it.

Free Family Fun on the Downtown Clermont Art Walk

On day three, we strolled through Historic Downtown Clermont and enjoyed a waterfront lunch at Salt Shack and dessert from Oliver’s Crepes at Montrose Street Market. Don’t miss the free Clermont Art Walk to view stunning murals and interactive photo spots. You’ll find this colorful gem between Osceola Street and Montrose Street.

Glamping at Lake Louisa State Park

We embarked on our evening adventure: glamping at Lake Louisa State Park! We reserved one of their Luxury CareFree Camping spots. What a treat to drive up and have everything set up for a night under the stars in a 200-square-foot bell tent with air conditioning! Bring easy food items to grill on the campfire. My daughter relaxed with her book, and we all tried to master the wooden pegboard game.

The following morning, we rented bikes and rode to Lake Louisa Beach. It was an easy ride, but there's little shade along the way. Remember to wear sunscreen and hydrate! Watch out for tortoises or deer crossing the roads. They also offer fishing, horseback riding, paddling, hiking and more! 

A Family-Friendly Villa Stay in Kissimmee

Just south of Orlando’s world-famous theme parks is Kissimmee. We stayed at the Magic Village Views luxury villa, a beautiful, fully furnished condo. There's a clubhouse and amenities including a pool, cabanas, fitness center, children’s playroom, tennis court and more! It was the perfect home away from home, with a central location to access all the iconic theme parks, dining and entertainment. 

Dinner Shows, Airboats & Water Park Fun in Kissimmee

Our next adventure included an evening at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament Orlando Castle. This is a unique dining experience with a live show featuring knights, horses and tournament entertainment. The show is impressive, and the four-course feast is an 11th-century, hands-on experience with no utensils!

The next day, we drove less than one hour from our condo to check out Wild Florida Adventure Park. The airboat tour was breezy, exhilarating and fun as it glided through the waterways over the marshes and sawgrass. 

The drive-thru safari was slower paced, and you could observe a variety of animals like giraffes, camels and more relaxing and roaming freely in their spacious habitats. The gators in the park were fun to watch because they were more active than the ones we saw out in the wild. 

Our last day at Island H2O Water Park was a great way to cool off after all the wildlife encounters. There were so many thrilling water slides. Floating in the lazy river and relaxing in the cabana was my favorite part!

Florida isn't just a destination — it's a state of mind. Whether you're snorkeling springs, glamping under the stars, or floating a lazy river, there's always more of that Floridays feeling waiting for you. Start planning your family's next Florida adventure →