10 Best Things to Do in Downtown Orlando

Church Street really is the place to go for first timers wanting to get to know the city a little better. It’s home to some of the city’s best restaurants and a bustling nightlife scene. The iconic Railroad Depot was built in 1889 and still stands as a reminder of the city’s long-lost past, especially as it now sits alongside the cheerful SunRail station that links Church Street with 3 other downtown areas of Orlando.

Activities on this central street include marvelling at the intriguing architecture, or a spooky ghost tour of the area’s most haunted buildings. Come nighttime, why not play a few retro arcade games at 1-up Orlando, or dance all night long at Studio 27?

One of the main draws of Downtown Orlando, the Kia Center is the city’s main sports and live entertainment venue, located near the Church Street station. Opened in 2010, this multi-purpose venue can transform into a live music hall, a basketball court, an ice hockey rink and an indoor soccer field.

Currently, the Kia Center is home to Orlando’s 3 major sports teams: the NBA’s Orlando Magic of the NBA, the AFL’s Orlando Predators and the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL. It's known for putting on the hottest concerts and festivals too, so you’re sure to find an event for you. For food, we recommend the delicious street food stalls found in Orlando Market on the Terrace Level.

The 23-acre Lake Eola Park off East Washington Street features an almost mile-long walkway around the lake perimeter, as well as an amphitheatre, a children’s playground, a bright red Chinese pagoda and a famous fountain.

Lake Eola Park is affectionately considered one of Orlando’s top ‘natural’ playgrounds that doesn’t involve Disney or Universal, and is a pleasant downtown spot for picnics, exercise, paddle-boating or just a quick escape from the nearby high-rises. Don't miss the farmers' market every Sunday.

The range of exhibits at the Orlando Science Center is "designed to inspire curiosity and exploration," according to the interactive museum. These exhibits along with a range of shows, presentations and hands-on interactions are great for the whole family.

Highlights include Life, an exciting new exhibit about nature and conservation in the rainforest, the ocean and the swamp. There’s also KidsTown, a miniature town full of fun and interactive roleplaying games. For the budding palaeontologists out there, DinoDigs is where you can uncover fossilized dinosaurs and inspect huge dinosaur eggs. If you've got hungry mouths to feed but are short on time, order online from the onsite café and pick up your order without waiting in line.

This hub of day and nighttime entertainment is one of the top places to have fun in Downtown Orlando. Home to shops, restaurants and plenty of bars that turn into electric night clubs after dark, you could easily start and finish your night without ever leaving Wall Street Plaza.

The outdoor square gets packed-out for special events such as New Year’s Eve, St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween and a few local events such as RumFest and Florida Music Fest. The road is also closed off to traffic every Friday and Saturday night from 9pm for their weekly Block Parties, with live DJs and no cover charge.

A 2-storey destination that showcases the best of what Central Florida has to offer in terms of food, art and fresh produce, the East End Market has become one of the city's premier shopping destinations.

For shopping, find intricately crafted leather goods, artisan cheeses, delicate handcrafted jewellery and vintage clothing. When it comes to mealtimes, you'll be spoilt for choice with their world-class restaurants. Fill up on mouth-watering bowls of ramen with handmade noodles from Domu before indulging your sweet tooth with a classic chocolate chip cookie from Gideon's Bakehouse. Keep an eye on their social media for seasonal goings on in their dedicated event space and demo kitchen.

You’ll think you’ve escaped the city for the suburbs in the cool and quiet neighbourhood of Thornton Park, east of the central Lake Eola. You’ll find plenty of hip cafés and trendy galleries, all set around quaint, cobbled streets. 

At the TPD Circle, there’s a weekly market with a carefully curated selection of makers and artists. Visit the Stubborn Mule for a craft beer on their shaded patio or rock out to live music at the Abbey. If you want to take the wine and art walk on every second Thursday evening of each month, purchase tickets in advance to save money. Then, check out the art vendors, sample delicious wines and be entertained by DJs and live music.

Downtown Orlando really is the place to come if you want a real party in the city, away from the more family-friendly entertainment around Disney World and Universal. For relentless dance music, check out the neon-lit Eve club on Orange Avenue, or venture into the world of lasers and lights in the highly rated Tier club.

The Beacham provides a huge space set in a converted old warehouse and is known for its electric live bands and DJ sets. Barcodes is super popular with the LGBTQ+ community, thanks to its friendly staff, pool table and themed nights like Ru Paul's Drag Race watch parties.

This is where you’ll find the largest collection of art in the whole of Orlando. Located on the corner of East Pine Street, walking distance from both Lake Eola and Church Street, the multi-storey CityArts is home to both locally produced art and international pieces, classic and contemporary.

There are 7 individual galleries to admire, with lots of special and rotating exhibits to ensure that every visit is exciting. Take a moment to reflect on the art you've seen over a coffee in their onsite café, with proceeds helping to support local artists. Admission to CityArts is free, and you should check their calendar for special events before visiting.