Things for Adults to Do in Orlando, Florida

Orlando is filled with theme parks and activities catering to families, but some do not realize that there is plenty to do in the area for adults and parents leaving the kids behind. Adults can head to the downtown area and enjoy shopping, night clubs and dining or spend the day again being a kid at Walt Disney World or Universal Studios. Just because one has grown up, does not mean they have to miss seeing Mickey Mouse when in Orlando.

Theme Parks

The Walt Disney World theme parks offer adults a chance to be a kid again, while Universal Studios takes them right into the movies. SeaWorld is fun, even for adults, but is geared more towards kids, while the other theme parks accommodate everyone of all ages.

In addition to the major theme parks, there are some smaller attractions in the area including Gatorland and Old Towne just minutes from Orlando in Kissimmee. Gatorland offers an up close look at the Florida Alligator and other related reptiles with live entertainment featuring the parks trainers. Old Towne is more for shopping and dining, but does offer thrill seekers some rides such as the Sky Coaster, bumper cars and a go-kart track.

International Drive

The International Drive, or more commonly known as I-Drive, area offers tourists everything on one strip. For the adults there are night clubs, fine dining, plenty of shopping at The Pointe and Wonder Works. Wonder Works, cannot be missed, it is the building left upside down in the middle of I-Drive offering a hands on approach to science.

Other attractions on I-Drive include the Titanic Museum and a few miniature golf courses.

Shopping

There is no lack of shopping opportunities in the Orlando area with a souvenir shop on almost every corner of major intersections. The Premiere Outlets is located just across from Walt Disney World offering shopping from some of the finest outlets, including Banana Republic, Nike, Rebok and Nautica.

The Downtown Disney area offers dining and shopping venues featuring Disney themed items, including household goods, clothing, toys and jewelry.

There are also other mall shopping opportunities, including the largest mall in the area, the Florida Mall, with shops such as Ritz Camera, Dillard's and Macy's.

Golfing

Adults can turn their Orlando vacation into a golfer's dream vacation by making plans to visiting some of the nicest courses in the area. The area is filled with many private and public courses and some of the private courses will allow guests who are staying at certain hotels in the area. Courses in the area include Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club, Eagle Creek, Falcon's Fire Golf Club, Lake Buena Vista, Palm and Oak Trail.

For those not interested in a full-scale golfing experience there are many miniature golf courses in the area, including Pirate's Cove, Fantasia Gardens and Disney's Winter Summerland.

Spa Treatments

Adults can take time to escape from the busy day to day life and enjoy a day at the spa getting pampered with pedicures, massages, facials and hair styling. Some spas in the area include Relache Spa at Gaylord Palms, Papillion the Spa and Pierre Day Spa. Many of the hotels in the area, including the Marriott World Center and the Hyatt Regency offer spas in their hotels. Spa services are also available at Disney's Saratoga Springs, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Yacht and Beach Club Resort, Coronado Springs and Grand Floridian Resorts.