Top Things to Do with Teens in Orlando Besides Theme Parks

By Noelia Trujillo 
June 5, 2025 

 

If there’s one destination that offers fun activities for everyone in the family to enjoy, it’s Orlando. 

Yes, that includes entertainment for your discerning teen, too! 

Whether they love being active outdoors or prefer an air-conditioned, mellow experience, you’ll find something fun in The City Beautiful to help your teenager have the best vacation ever.  

 

From ziplining and airboats to space launches and Instagram-worthy hangouts, here are the top things to do with teens in Orlando. 

 

Key Takeaways

 

ICON Park 

 

A large observation wheel towering over a building with signs for Icon Park, SEA LIFE Aquarium, and Madame Tussauds.

 

Located on International Drive, ICON Park is a vibrant entertainment complex features various attractions your teenager will love.  

Offer them the coolest panoramic view of the city aboard The Orlando Eye, a 400-foot observation wheel. 

If your teenager is a thrill-seeker, have them ride the Orlando SlingShot, where they’ll be catapulted 450-feet into the air, reaching speeds of 100 mph.  

After an exciting yet grounded family experience, take the kids to the Museum of Illusions for a wonder-filled sensory experience or to the SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium for a stroll through the 360-degree underwater tunnel.  

Is your teen a fan of celebrities? Take them to Madame Tussauds to see life-like wax figures of their favorite actors, singers, and beyond. Or, if they’re video game lovers, take the family for an immersive 7D Dark Ride Adventure where you’ll defeat zombies, robots, and other villains.  

 

Indoor Karting and Games 

Air-conditioned fun in Orlando is always a treat. 

Combine A/C with activities like high-speed go-karting and arcade games, and it’s a winning formula for things to do indoors with teenagers in Orlando. 

Places like Andretti Indoor Karting & Games provide high-speed karting tracks, arcade games, and virtual reality experiences that are sure to excite your teens. 

The facility also features laser tag and bowling for added entertainment for the whole family. 

 

Gatorland 

 

A close-up of a small alligator snout with its mouth open and teeth bared.

 

The Alligator Capital of the World is a great place to visit with teens in Orlando. 

Gatorland offers up-close encounters with alligators and crocodiles, plus shows and rides throughout the park.  

For a truly exhilarating, brag-worthy experience, your teen can enjoy the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line, which soars above the park’s main attractions.  

Voted Best Zip Line in the USA and Best Zip Line in Orlando, this exciting outdoor adventure will have your teen zipping over the Alligator Breeding Marsh featuring more than 130 alligators. 

The Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure offers more thrills, where your family can board a 12-foot-high monster truck for a 15-minute off-road adventure full of interactive tour guides and, of course, hundreds of alligators! 

 

Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park 

Do you have an athletic teenager who loves a challenge? 

Take them to enjoy the aerial obstacle courses and zip lines at the Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park.  

There are courses designed for beginner, intermediate, and advanced skill levels, plus two kid's courses featuring 21 challenges for the younger ones in your group.  

Combine physical activity with fun for your teen at Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park on your next visit to Central Florida.

 

Escape Rooms 

 

A man and a woman in a futuristic Escape Room with lockers and a computer system.

 

Test your family’s problem-solving skills by tackling an escape room challenge together.  

Orlando offers various themed rooms that cater to different interests and difficulty levels, ensuring you’ll find one that fits your teenagers' interests perfectly.  

Venues like The Escape Game provide immersive experiences that are both fun and challenging, making this activity one your teen is sure to enjoy.  

 

Kennedy Space Center 

An out-of-this-world experience just an hour's drive from Orlando.  

Inspire your teen’s curiosity with a visit to the Kennedy Space Center. Explore space exhibits, meet astronauts, and even witness a rocket launch, if timed right.  

The center also offers educational programs and overnight adventures that can provide your teenager with a deeper dive into space exploration.  

Traveling to Orlando with your pet in tow? You can take them with you to the Kennedy Space Center and board them at the free on-site pet kennel.  

Be sure to check out their pet boarding requirements before bringing your furry friend on your space adventure. 

 

Mini Golf or Topgolf 

 

A close-up of feet wearing white sneakers and high socks standing on turf beside a mini golf club and a green golf ball.

 

Whether your kids prefer to swing for the hills or take strategic putts, there’s no shortage of golfing fun for the whole family in Orlando. 

Enjoy a friendly competition with a round of mini golf with your kids of all ages at themed locations like Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf or Congo River Golf on International Drive.  

For your teens, take them to a hitting bay at Topgolf Orlando, fitted with cooling features in the summer and heating in the winter.  

Enjoy food and beverages brought to your bay as your teen takes on a variety of games with different themes and point-scoring methods.  

 

Airboat Tours 

If there’s one thing Florida has a lot of its water (and alligators, of course).  

Experience Orlando’s natural beauty with an airboat tour of various lakes, rivers, and waterways.  

Companies like Wild Florida, located near Orlando, offer thrilling airboat rides that glide through the headwaters of the Everglades. 

 

Natural Springs 

 

Four colorful kayaks floating along a quiet river surrounded by greenery and tropical foliage.

 

Take a day trip to one of the nearby natural springs like Wekiwa Springs or Rock Springs Run. 

These spots just outside Orlando offer a refreshing break from the city’s hustle and bustle. Teens can swim, snorkel, or simply relax in the refreshing Florida waters.  

Many of these springs also offer opportunities for kayaking and paddleboarding, letting your kids explore the waterways while having fun. 

The vibrant and lush scenery also makes for incredible photos, perfect for sharing on social media.  

Plus, the nicely temperatured spring water is a great way to cool off and escape the Florida heat. 

 

Your Teen-Approved Stay at Rosen Inn Closest to Universal 

With so many exciting things to do with teens in Orlando, planning the perfect trip has never been easier or more fun.  

After enjoying an adventure at one of these exciting local attractions, rest and recharge at Rosen Inn, closest to Universal. 

Our hotel provides the ideal home base for your trip to Orlando, with comfort, convenience and family-friendly amenities just minutes from the action.  

Book your stay today and turn your teenager-approved itinerary into unforgettable memories with your family. 

 

A glowing sign for Rosen Inn and Shogun at twilight. Make our hotel your destination when looking for things to do with teens in Orlando besides theme parks.

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