It’s easy to get caught up in the coasters and characters of the “Theme Park Capital of the World.” But rent a car and venture beyond the tourist corridor for verdant parks, good eats, a rich arts scene, and—of course—good ol’ family fun. Before you plan your trip, tell us more about you.

The hub of Central Florida’s food culture is inside a once-abandoned, two-story church in the funky Audubon Park Garden District. East End Market, opened in 2013, features an array of local farmers and vendors—from a cheesemonger to a pasta maker—retail spaces, a demo kitchen, cooking courses, and a world-class Basque restaurant. Where to begin? We like Houndstooth Sauce Company for its brisket tacos and addictive white barbecue sauce, Skyebird for kombucha or lemonade, and Olde Hearth Bread Co. for some crispy carbs. 

Luma on Park:

Chef Brandon McGlamery’s refined menu changes daily to reflect the bounty brought in by local purveyors.

The Ravenous Pig:

Start with a bacon-infused Old Fashioned and end with an order of crunchy “pig tails”—warm fritters tossed in cinnamon sugar with a chocolate espresso sauce. 

Fishbones:

The Chilean sea bass is flown in daily from Harris Seafood in Mulberry. Get it grilled at 1,200 degrees over Florida citrus and oak wood.

Axum Coffee:

Philanthropic javaphiles should jolt to this Winter Garden cafe, which donates profits to charity.

Showcase of Citrus:

Pick fresh fruit from the groves, and then cool off with a tangerine slushy from the country store.

The Imperial at Washburn Imports:

Imbibe boutique wines and craft beers amidst worldly wares at this furniture store by day and neighborhood hot spot by night.

It’s true: Orlando isn’t exactly regarded as a destination for budget-friendly family thrills. But for a half-day antidote to the area’s pricier amusements, head to the endearingly kitschy Gatorland. Snake past hundreds of alligators from the breeding marsh’s boardwalk, spy more than a dozen bird species in the free-flight aviary, and then get your own bird’s-eye view of the swamps on the 1,200-foot zip line. For more scaly exploits, head north to Lake Jesup (home to one of the densest gator populations in the state) and take an airboat ride or pontoon tour led by Black Hammock Adventures. 

Floridas Resort:

If you can peel the kids away from the fountain-filled pool, this all-suite spread on I-Drive is located near a number of main attractions. 

CLC Encantada Resort:

This Kissimmee retreat offers a full program of children’s activities, including face painting, board games, and fishing.

Bahama Bay Resort & Spa:

Two- and three-bedroom condos come with multiple bathrooms, a full kitchen, and a washer and dryer set—so feel free to pack light. 

Walt Disney World Resort:

Guided bass fishing excursions lure anglers of all abilities to Bay Lake, Seven Seas Lagoon, and other Disney waterways.

Universal Studios:

Hang out near the nine-month-old NBC Media Center and you could be selected to preview pilot shows as part of a focus group—and get paid! 

Hard Rock Cafe Orlando:

Ask a host for a backstage tour to glimpse memorabilia, including the couch where John Lennon wrote much of his music.

A city built on imagination deserves a vibrant art scene, right? Enter the Morse Museum of American Art in nearby Winter Park. The gallery houses paintings and graphics, nearly 500 pieces of Rookwood pottery, and the world’s most comprehensive collection of glasswork by Louis Comfort Tiffany. A can’t-miss: Tiffany’s Byzantine-inspired chapel interior, originally created for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. The intricate chapel was reassembled here in the late 1990s, a painstaking process that took nearly two-and-a-half years to complete.

Harry P. Leu Gardens:

Plant your eyes on abstract paintings in the welcome center, and then watch for whimsical sculptures scattered among the botanical offerings.

CityArts Factory:

Hop between six rotating galleries, meet creatives, and jive to live music during the monthly third Thursday art walks.

Café Tu Tu Tango:

Original works adorn the walls at this lively tapas joint, where artists are known to paint while you dine. See a piece you like Everything’s for sale.

Cornell Fine Arts Museum:

This lakeside gallery offers a range of early Renaissance to modern works, at no charge. 

Orlando Museum of Art: 

Marvel at the diversity of artistic styles among the Maya, Aztec, Zapotec, Moche, and Inca in A Trek from North to South. 

Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens: 

Glimpse more than 200 pieces by sculptor Albin Polasek inside his former home.

How did The City Beautiful earn its nickname? We think it has something to do with its serene—and swan-filled—43-acre centerpiece: Lake Eola Park. Jog the nearly mile-long path that rings the lake, feed waterfowl, and take in a live concert at the amphitheater. Want to get even closer to the water? Rent a swan-shaped paddleboat and float toward Centennial Fountain, the city’s official icon. After working up an appetite, sate your hunger at Relax Grill, a casual spot serving fish and finger foods, or explore the neighboring Thornton Park District for plenty of patio dining options. 

Orlando Watersports Complex:

First time wakeboarding? Learn the ropes during the “Get Up Guarantee,” which includes a lesson, a four-hour pass, and basic gear.

Disney Wilderness Preserve:

This 12,000-acre, donation-only sanctuary is home to bald eagles, gopher tortoises, and Central Florida’s best hike.

Wekiwa Springs State Park:

Rent a kayak and paddle through parts of the Wekiva River that haven’t changed much since the Timucuan people hunted and fished here.

Bay Hill Club & Lodge:

Open to club members and resort guests only, the par-72 Challenger/Champion course hosts the PGA’s Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Champions Gate:

The brainchild of Aussie golf legend Greg Norman, the links-style International Course features grassy dunes and slick, undulating greens. 

Southern Dunes:

Although many of the course’s nearly 200 bunkers never come into play, high handicappers might wear out their wedges by the 18th.