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What to Do Near Orlando Airport – 19 Activities to Pass Your Layover

Layovers – long or short – are often the bane of most travelers’ existence. It can feel like you’re either racing to catch your next flight or killing several hours waiting for your plane to take off. But layovers can be a good thing! A long layover is a hidden opportunity to check out a city you might not otherwise have an opportunity to explore. And if you have a layover in Orlando, Florida? There are dozens of ways to keep busy right near the airport while you wait for your next flight.

We’ve made it easy and compiled a list of fun things to try in Orlando — whether you’re traveling solo, with friends, or with your family and kids. Keep reading to learn about the best activities to try within 15, 20, and 30 minutes of Orlando International Airport (MCO).

What to Do Near Orlando International Airport (MCO)

You try to avoid them, but sometimes, layovers are unavoidable.

If you have a lengthy layover and want to keep busy outside the walls of Orlando International Airport, there are a ton of ways to have fun nearby. But be aware that travel experts and enthusiasts don’t recommend leaving an airport if your layover is less than around five to six hours.

We’ve compiled a list of things to do in the Orlando area that are less than 30 minutes away — unless you run into traffic. Be sure to check estimated travel times and security wait times before venturing out. Travel times can vary significantly depending on the day, time, and season.

Activities to Try Within 15 Minutes of Orlando Airport (MCO)

1. Kidiverse

Address: 7149 N. Frontage Road Orlando, Florida, 32812

Approx. distance from MCO: 7 minutes (3.8 miles)

Activity Length: Unlimited

Cost: $14.99 (per child, 0 to 12); Free (infants 0-12 months with paid sibling admission); Free (two parents or caregivers; third adult is $6.99)

Recommended ages: 0 to 12

Purchase tickets onsite.

If you have a long layover with small kids, head straight to Kidiverse. This indoor play place is a climate-controlled place for children of all ages to have a blast and burn off extra energy. Kidiverse offers hands-on discovery activities, role-playing, physical activity, and plenty of opportunities for parent-child interactions. Your kids will enjoy the jungle gym, enormous slide, mind-boggling obstacle course, and interactive games room. Even your toddler will have their own area where they can have fun while playing safely.

2. B-52 Memorial Park

Address: 1 Jeff Fuqua Blvd, Orlando, Florida 32827

Approx. distance from MCO: 7 minutes (3.5 miles)

Activity Length: Unlimited

Cost: Free

Recommended ages: All ages

This one is for aviation enthusiasts. Located right within the Orlando airport, the B-52 Memorial Park is the perfect way to waste layover time without going too far. Explore the relatively hidden park, which features a retired B-52D Stratofortress, an American long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber. The aircraft was previously assigned to the 306^th Bomb Wing of the now-defunct McCoy Air Force Base.

3. Crayola Experience Orlando

Address: 8001 S. Orange Blossom Trail Orlando, Florida 32809

Approx. distance from MCO: 14 minutes (8.7 miles)

Activity Length: Three to four hours

Cost: $25.99 (ages 3+); Free (ages two and under)

Recommended ages: 3 and up

Book here.

Perfect for travelers with children and a long layover, the Crayola Experience Orlando brings the magic of the Crayola family of products to life. Explore 70,000 square feet of attractions in what’s sure to be Florida’s most colorful place to visit. You’ll find 27 hands-on attractions to investigate on your whimsical adventure. Learn how crayons are made in a live show, embark on a 4D coloring adventure, name and wrap your own Crayola crayon, and more!

4. Nona Adventure Park

Address: 14086 Centerline Drive, Orlando, FL 32827

Approx. distance from MCO: 14 minutes (7.3 miles)

Activity Length: Two to four hours

Cost: Starting at $25.00

Recommended ages: Minimum age 5 (must have basic swimming ability)

Book here.

Ideal for an extra-long layover or adventure lovers, the Nona Adventure Park is a sprawling water-based family entertainment center in Lake Nona. With more than 1,000 feet of floating inflatable obstacle course, this is a great place for the ultimate outdoor adventure during your Orlando stay. You’ll have a blast trying out the wakeboarding, ropes courses, and climbing walls!

5. The Florida Mall

Address: 8001 S Orange Blossom Trail Orlando, Florida, 32809

Approx. distance from MCO: 14 minutes (8 miles)

Activity Length: Unlimited

Cost: Free to enter

Recommended ages: All ages

Sometimes browsing the mall is the simplest and easiest way to beat boredom. The Florida Mall is located right near Orlando airport and is Central Florida’s largest shopping center spanning 1.8 million square feet. Browse more than 250 retail, dining, and entertainment options. With more than 23 restaurants and eateries, you’ll find a tasty bite that beats airport food every time.

Activities to Try Within 20 Minutes of Orlando Airport (MCO)

6.Gatorland

Address: 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail Orlando, Florida 32837

Approx. distance from MCO: 14 minutes (11.4 miles)

Activity Length:

Cost: $32.99 (per adult); $22.99 (per child, ages 3 to 12); $31.98 (senior)

Recommended ages: All ages

Book here.

Seeing some alligators should be mandatory if you have a long layover in Florida. At Gatorland, you’ll have a blast – especially if you’re traveling with kids. You’ll see crocodiles of all shapes and sizes, from babies to 14-foot terrors. But more than an alligator observatory, Gatorland is home to a petting zoo, animal shows, a zip line, and even an off-road adventure. There’s more than enough at Gatorland to kill some time between flights and snap some memorable pictures.

7. iFly

Address: 8969 International Drive Orlando, Florida, 32819

Approx. distance from MCO: 15 minutes (13.3 miles)

Activity Length: 1 hour and 45 minutes (including check-in, training, flight, and post-flight time to remove gear and view any photos and videos)

Cost: Starting from $69.99 per person

Recommended ages: 3 and up

Book here.

Take a flight while waiting for your next flight at iFly Orlando. At this one-of-a-kind indoor skydiving experience, you’ll experience the thrill of a lifetime as you’re suspended mid-air in the wind tunnel. With certified, world-class instructors on staff, you’ll learn everything you need to experience skydiving without falling tens of thousands of feet through the air.

8. Sea Life Orlando Aquarium

Address: 8449 International Drive, Orlando, Florida, 32819, in the ICON Park Complex

Approx. distance from MCO: Approx. 16 mins (13.6 miles)

Activity Length: 1 to 2 hours

Cost: $35.99 (per adult); $30.99 (per child ages 3 to 12)

Recommended ages: 3 and up

Book here.

Sea Life Orlando Aquarium is an enormous, 25,000-square-foot indoor aquarium with nine exhibits to keep you busy and entertained while you wait for your next flight. Get up close and personal with amazing sea creatures like sharks, sea turtles, sting rays, jellyfish, and more! You can also explore the 360-degree ocean tunnel, which allows visitors to have an immersive ocean experience without ever getting wet. You’ll see aquatic life swimming above, below, and all around you. During your visit, be sure to look out for Chely, Sea Life Aquarium’s rescued green sea turtle!

Bundle Your Aquarium Visit with Madame Tussauds

Want to make it a bundled experience and explore for a bit longer? Sea Life partners with the Madame Tussauds Museum, the next activity on this list. You can get tickets for both the Sea Life Aquarium and Madame Tussauds starting at $44.99 per adult.

9. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

Address: 8387 International Dr, Orlando, Florida 32819, in the ICON Park Complex

Approx. distance from MCO: 16 minutes (13.7 miles)

Activity Length: 45 to 60 minutes

Cost: $34.99

Recommended ages: All ages

Book here.

What better way to spend a layover than snapping photos with A-list stars, pop icons, and sports legends? At Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Orlando, you can do just that! For more than 200 years, Madame Tussauds wax museums have delighted visitors with waxworks of famous and historical figures — and even popular film and television characters. This wax museum is a fun way to kill some time during a lengthy layover. And, if you bundle tickets with the Sea Life Aquarium nearby, you’ll have plenty to see and do while you wait for your next flight.

10. Museum of Illusions Orlando

Address: 8375 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, in the ICON Park Complex

Approx. Distance from MCO: 16 minutes (13.6 miles)

Activity Length: 45 to 60 minutes

Cost: $26.99 (per adult); $22.99 (per child, ages three to 12)

Recommended ages: 3 and up

Book here.

Imagination runs free throughout this attraction. With more than 50 exhibits to explore, the Museum of Illusions is an eye-fooling adventure unlike any other. Are you confident you can trust all your senses? The Museum of Illusions will both surprise and confuse you. From holograms to puzzles that mess with perception, these brain-bashing illusions are sure to help you kill time before taking off.

11. Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Address: 8201 International Drive Orlando, FL, 32819

Approx. Distance from MCO: 16 minutes (14.8 miles)

Activity Length: 45 to 60 minutes

Cost: Starting at $27.99 (per adult); $18.99 (per child, ages 3 to 11)

Recommended ages: Any

Book here.

Truth is certainly stranger than fiction at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! In this 10,000-square-foot building, you’ll explore oddities and irregularities in 16 unique galleries. With hundreds of rare and unusual artifacts like a 3,197-pound meteorite, a piece of Mars, ancient alligators, or more than 100 shrunken heads (one of the most popular attractions). You can also make your way through Ripley’s Mirror Maze, full of endless hallways with LED lights to challenge your perception and sense of direction.

12. Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition

Address: 7324 International Drive Orlando, FL 32819

Approx. Distance from MCO: 16 minutes (15.3 miles)

Activity Length: Two hours

Cost: $23.95 (per adult); $19.75 (senior, 65+); $17.95 (per child, 11 and under)

Recommended ages: All ages

Book here.

Head back in time to April 1912 when the infamous Titanic embarked on its maiden voyage across the North Atlantic. At Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, you’ll receive a boarding pass replica, play the role of a passenger, and follow the chronological journey through life aboard the Titanic. You’ll learn about the various passengers while exploring the galleries featuring the Grand Staircase, First Class Parlor Suite, and more. Ever touched an iceberg? Here, you’ll get to feel an iceberg that is the same temperature as the water that engulfed the ship on that fateful night. Be sure to snap a photo of the second largest piece of the actual Titanic ever recovered — a two-ton section of the ship’s hull!

13. The Escape Game Orlando

Address: 8145 International Dr #511, Orlando, FL 32819

Approx. Distance from MCO: Approx. 17 mins (15.1 miles)

Activity Length: 60 minutes or less

Cost: $39.99 per person per game

Recommended ages: 13 and up

Book here.

Heading to a nearby escape room is the perfect way to distract yourself during a lengthy layover. In 60 minutes or less, you can solve a mystery, find hidden treasure, or even head to Mars.

With more than 15,000 reviews and a 5.0-star rating, The Escape Game in Orlando is a great way to have a blast and kill some time. You can choose from seven escape room themes for players at every skill level at this location.

But be warned – you have a flight to catch, and while you will have fun, you only might escape from these highly-rated rooms!

14. Universal CityWalk

Address: 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819

Approx. Distance from MCO: 18 minutes (16.6 miles)

Activity Length: Any

Cost: Free to enter

Recommended ages: All ages

Known as “The Epicentre of Awesome,” Universal CityWalk is a place for unforgettable family entertainment, dining, and shopping sprawled around a lagoon. Free to enter, you won’t pay unless you grab a bite, drink, or try an activity. Choose from tasty eateries like Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Panda Express, and Voodoo Doughnut, or head to a music venue like Rising Star and try some karaoke. CityWalk is a great place to relax and enjoy the views while waiting for your flight. If you need to kill extra time, check out the Cinemark to catch a movie, play 18 holes of golf at Hollywood Drive-in Golf or take on a challenge at Universal’s Great Movie Escape.

Activities to Try Within 30 Minutes of Orlando Airport (MCO)

15. Orlando Science Center

Address: 777 E. Princeton Street, Orlando, Florida, 32803

Approx. distance from MCO: 25 minutes (24.9 miles)

Activity Length: Two hours

Cost: $24.00 (per adult); $22.00 (senior 55+); $18 (youth ages two to 11)

Recommended ages: All ages

Book here.

Featuring four floors of interactive exhibit halls, labs, workshops, and an observatory, the Orlando Science Center always has something exciting going on. Spend some of your layover time enjoying the experience-based opportunities to learn more about science and technology. The exhibit halls boast interactive experiences from Earth explorations in natural science to high-tech simulations. While at the Orlando Science Center, be sure to stop by the DinoDigs exhibit to uncover the past and step into the prehistoric world!

16. Harry P. Leu Gardens

Address: 1920 North Forest Avenue, Orlando, Florida, 32803

Approx. distance from MCO: 25 minutes (13.9 miles)

Activity Length: Two to three hours

Cost: $15 (per adult); $10 (child; ages four to 17)

Recommended ages: Any

Book here.

Botanical gardens are wonderful places to visit, and the Harry P. Leu Gardens are no different. During your layover, explore an awe-inspiring 50-acre botanical oasis just minutes from Downtown Orlando. Enjoy azaleas, bromeliads, camphor trees, elms, oaks, and more as you breathe the fresh air of this garden. With more than 40 different collections, it’s Florida’s largest formal rose and butterfly garden. At Harry P. Leu Gardens, something is always blooming!

17. Lake Eola Park

Address: 512 E Washington St, Orlando, Florida, 32801

Approx. distance from MCO: 25 minutes (13.2 miles)

Activity Length: Any

Cost: Free to enter

Recommended ages: All ages

Nestled in the heart of Downtown Orlando, Lake Eola Park is a stunning park with tons of activities to keep you busy while you wait. While here, you can rent swan-shaped paddle boats, snap photos of live swans, catch a concert or movie in the Walt Disney Amphitheatre, or just relax amid beautiful flowers and an expansive view of the Orlando skyline.

18. Orlando Museum of Art

Address: 2416 N. Mills Ave. Orlando, Florida, 32803

Approx. distance from MCO: 28 minutes (24 miles)

Activity Length: One to two hours

Cost: $20 (per adult); $12 (seniors, ages 60+); $8 (per child, ages six to 17)

Recommended ages: All ages

Book here.

Viewing art beats sitting in the airport waiting for your flight! Each year the Orlando Museum of Art features 10 to 12 exhibitions onsite. These exhibits often change, so each visit is a new experience. Enjoy more than 2,400 objects in the collection, including contemporary art, American art from the 18^th century to 1945, African art, and more.

19. The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

Address: 445 North Park Avenue Winter Park, Florida, 32789

Approx. distance from MCO: 28 minutes (16.8 miles)

Activity Length: One to two hours

Cost: $6 (per adult); $5 (seniors, ages 60+); Free (children 12 and under)

Recommended ages: All ages

Purchase tickets onsite.

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum is home to the world’s largest collection of works from Louis Comfort Tiffany, one of the most creative and prolific designers of the late 19th century. During your layover, you can explore Tiffany’s jewelry, pottery, paintings, art glass, and more. The museum features more than 800 pieces in its pottery collection and exhibits that change periodically.

Conclusion

Exploring a new city during a long layover is the best use of time! But remember, leaving the airport before your next flight always carries some risk. Triple-check your travel times and estimated security wait times before leaving the airport. Once you’re sure you can make it out and back, Orlando has so much to offer travelers who want to grab a bite, explore a garden, see museums, or have an adventure. Bon voyage!