Orlando is the perfect holiday destination for those looking to discover something new. Whether it’s riding roller coasters for the first time, exploring new places or seeing your favourite characters come to life like never before, Florida can help you create some unforgettable and unique experiences!

Many people come to Orlando for its incredible parks and attractions. However, for some, the real fun is in discovering the countless quirky and one-off spots that you can find here. At Debbie’s Villas, we’ve been helping people enjoy Orlando to the full for many years and have discovered some of Florida’s most surreal destinations! Take a look at some unusual things to do in Orlando.

Experience the Gravity-Defying Hill

We can’t talk about unusual things without mentioning Spook Hill, although we don’t think it’s that spooky!

Discover one of the region’s oldest and oddest attractions in Lake Wales, a city about one hour south of Kissimmee. Known as Spook Hill, the mysterious incline is renowned for having stationary vehicles ‘roll uphill’. It became ‘famous’ during the 1990s and remains something of a cult favourite for locals.

It works via an optical illusion, where the surrounding landscape makes it appear like an ascent when it’s actually a descent. The illusion can also make for a cool video to show your friends back home!

Watch Classic Films in an American-Style Cinema

As the saying goes, ‘There’s no business like show business’, and for many of us, that means the glitz and glamour of Hollywood! Nowadays, Tinseltown is most famous for its giant franchise blockbusters, but its ‘Golden Age’, in the early 20th-century, still holds a dreamlike wonder for film buffs. In Maitland, just north of Orlando city centre, sits a quiet little cinema that is perfect for replaying those glory years.

Hidden behind beautiful oak trees, the relatively small Enzian Theatre is Florida’s only full-time alternative cinema, specialising in independent films and artistic classics. Their schedule is planned long in advance, and every fourth Sunday of the month, kids 12 and under, enter free for a family favourite, such as The Wizard of Oz! There is also a locally-run bar with outdoor seating as well as food and drink for all ages.

Step Inside An Upside-Down Science Adventure

Instantly recognisable, the upside-down house of WonderWorks is one of Orlando’s most popular attractions outside the theme parks. The story goes that Professor Wonder and his group of scientists were trying to harness the power of tornados. However, their operation went awry, the tornados ripping the building from its foundations and sending it flying to Orlando. Luckily, the experiments remained intact, and once visitors have had their gravity flipped via the inversion tunnel upon entry, they can enjoy all the science fun for themselves!

This hugely popular attraction is full of exciting exhibits for kids and adults to discover, the majority split into areas known as Wonder Zones. The Natural Disasters Zone allows people to discover the power (and visual effects) of a giant tesla coil, while the hurricane shack enables you to experience the strength of 74mph winds! The Physical Challenge Zone includes a bed of nails that can excite and amaze young minds, while the Imagination Lab has a stomping game and colouring stations that are great for toddlers and young children. There is also a unique 4D XD Motion Theatre experience and laser tag on site, meaning there really is something for everyone at WonderWorks!

Karaoke, Orlando Style

Orlando has a habit of doing things bigger and better than everywhere else, and Universal’s CityWalk is a perfect example. A glistening district of bright lights and exciting venues, it is the ideal place to spend the evening. However, if you want to really let loose during your stay, then why not head over to CityWalk’s Rising Star?

Rising Star is karaoke taken up a notch. Here, you’ll get the chance to perform as a headliner on stage, belting out your favourite tracks with the support of a live band and backing singers. Taking ‘15 minutes of fame’ to the next level, this is a truly unforgettable experience that even beginners can enjoy.

Please bear in mind that this is an adult-only experience. Guests must be 21 years old or over on a Friday and Saturday and 18 and over if visiting the rest of the week.

Eat Giant Doughnuts

Americans love good food, and in Orlando, there are plenty of opportunities to discover some awesome sweet treats. One of the USA’s great sugary staples is the doughnut, the deep-fried favourite now widely available across the world. However, you can test your love for doughnuts, and your appetite, to the max in Orlando!

There are many fantastic doughnut places in Orlando. What’s more, many of these offer giant doughnuts to chow down on! Valkyrie Doughnut’s BFD is a giant square doughnut squeezed into a 14” pizza box and is available in a range of flavours, including Peanut Butter and S’mores. Another hugely popular doughnut shop is Lard Lad Donuts in Universal Studios. Their most popular choice is The Big Pink, a large doughnut covered in pink frosting and coloured sprinkles - a treat Homer Simpson would surely love! You can discover more sweet treats in our recent blog on the best places for dessert in Orlando!

Float in a Vintage Car

The old-school American dream can evoke many wonderful images. Classic diners and vintage cars driving down open streets, it’s a vision that has inspired many filmmakers and artists throughout the years. One such person is Walt Disney, who was known to have an affection for this perfect view of American life. With that in mind, he would have probably loved the vintage amphicar experience available at The Boathouse at Disney Springs!

The Boathouse is a seafront restaurant with fantastic food and a beautiful view over Village Lake. However, its main attraction is their 1960s cars that also double as boats! For $125 per car (holding 3-4 passengers each), you can experience a 25-minute tour of Disney Springs from the lake with a captain at the wheel. This trip is undoubtedly one of the more stylishly surreal experiences you can hope to find in Orlando!

Explore a House of Oddities

If you’re one to celebrate the weird and wonderful, then Ripley’s Believe It or Not on International Drive is a must-visit. A celebration of all the odd wonders of the world, this small museum is full of eye-catching sights, such as a wax replica of the world’s tallest man. Walking through this attraction takes just over one hour on average, making it the perfect little discovery to include on your adventure along International Drive!

Experience 7D

Remember when 3D films were popular? In Orlando, you can take your immersion to the next level with the 7D Dark Ride Adventure at ICON Park. An interactive first-person shooter, this attraction will see you seated in a car with other players as your group fight off zombies and other baddies in an immersive experience with light, wind and even smell effects!

Hear the Singing Tower

Beyond the extravagant theme parks, Florida is also full of serene landscapes that hold natural wonders of their own. One such example is the Bok Tower Gardens, a beautifully-designed 25-acre estate in Lake Wales. This stunning location is perfect for those looking to discover some peace during their stay.

The gothic Bok Tower, at the heart of the gardens stands, at 205ft tall and contains 23 carillon bells. Known as the Singing Tower, the bells are played via a keyboard daily at 1pm and 3pm, helping to create a wonderful atmosphere in this tranquil space.

Visit the Holy Land Theme Park

Orlando isn’t known as the theme park capital of the world for nothing! While locations like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios garner most of the attention, there are almost more parks to discover than you can count! If you’re interested in trying something a little different from the mainstream, then why not try the Holy Land Experience, just north of ICON Park?

Designed like a walled city mimicking the lands of the Bible, this immersive experience brings to life the Jewish and Christian religions that are so valued by many Americans. Full of theatrical performances, this educational and inspirational park is aimed at religious believers, but is welcoming to anyone who wishes to learn about its roots. This park is certainly one of the more unique entertainment locations!

Learn the History of Tupperware

Like with the theme parks, Orlando is also full of historical museums and art centres to explore. Many of these celebrate fantastic local artists or the notable history that has taken place in Florida over the years. However, just south of Gatorland sits one of the most niche museums around, dedicated to the history of plastic containers!

The Tupperware Confidence Center isn’t as random as it first seems, though. Tupperware’s headquarters are located in Kissimmee, and this small museum is attached to the side. Take a walk through the colourful history of kitchenware, as formed by one of its most successful brands. Entry is free, and there is also a gift shop, perfect if you are short of a pot or two.

Frequent visitors to Orlando, and those arriving for the first time, will love adding these quirky places to their holiday itinerary! Whether it’s something to make the kids laugh or that perfect photo for social media, Orlando has countless opportunities to discover something completely unique.

If you are planning your next adventure, why not take a look at the Orlando villa holidays on offer here at Debbie’s Villas? If you would like to know more about our luxury properties or the attractions mentioned here, feel free to get in contact with us. We would love to help you make your next holiday, the best one yet!