8 fun destinations to enjoy Orlando without stepping into Disney or Universal

The world is in love with the movies and a particular white-gloved mouse, and summer can be the perfect time to visit the Central Florida meccas inextricably tied to them. Universal Studios and Disney World are indeed worthy draws.

And over the summer Orlando can be a bargain for Sunshine State residents — Universal Orlando Hotels, like many in the region, is running a promotion with up to 45% off room rates for Floridians at select hotels.  But they aren't the only reason to visit Orlando.

If you've tapped out of the mega parks experience, but want to get out and explore, or if you want to go somewhere different in your Florida adventures, we recommend you check out these other Orlando-based adventures.

1. The Orlando Eye at ICON Park 

Soar above the city for 20 minutes on the Orlando Eye, a 400-foot-tall observation wheel that exposes breathtaking, white-knuckle 360-degree views of the heart of Orlando. On a clear day you can see Cape Canaveral. The Eye opened in 2015 as the tallest wheel on the East Coast. It’s fitted with 63,000 LED lights that set it aglow each night.

Tickets start at $29.99 for adults online, but Florida residents pay $26.99 online, $31.99 at the gate, which includes a digital photo pass.

In addition to the Orlando Eye, there are more than 50 restaurants, shops, and on-site attractions in ICON Park, including SeaLife Orlando Aquarium, the Pearl Express and the Muse Orlando Aquarium, the Pearl Express and the Museum of Illusions Orlando.

The Orlando Eye at ICON Park, 8375 International Drive, Orlando;  theorlandoeye.com

2. The Orlando StarFlyer 

First there was the London Eye, and the London StarFlyer came right behind. Then in 2015 came the Orlando Eye and it wanted its own StarFlyer. The Funtime developers obliged by building a huge swing ride.

At 450 feet, StarFlyer is the world’s tallest stand-alone swing ride. It has 12 sets of double seats. The minimum height for the ride is 44 inches, but there is no age limit and no weight limit. Riders must be able to fasten the seat belt/lap belt properly, including a harness between the legs that can only be unlocked by the operator. Each ride lasts three to four minutes. Tickets are $12.21 online, $14.09 plus tax at the gate. A second ride the same day is $8.45. A ticket for two riders with a video is $37.56 plus tax at the booth.

The world-famous International Drive has family entertainment options like Ripley’s Believe it or Not and Sleuth’s Mystery Dinner Show plus dozens of dining options from Charley’s Steakhouse to Cafe 34 Istanbul.

The StarFlyer, 8265 International Drive, Orlando. starflyer.com

3. Tree Trek Adventure Park

Your Ninja Warrior will face 97 aerial challenges and a maze of rope courses at Tree Trek. There are two separate kids’ courses with 21 challenges. Swing on ropes like Tarzan, climb 50-foot ladders like a high wire pro, and cross wobbly suspended bridges like Indiana Jones. Tree Trek’s four increasingly challenging obstacle courses will test your limits. The giant 425-foot zip line is not to be missed.

Tickets are $59.95 for ages 12 and older including the giant zip line; $46.95 for ages 9-11, $34.95 for ages 6-8.

Tree Trek Adventure Park, 7625 Sinclair Road, Kissimmee; 407-390-9999 or worlandotreetrek.com 

4. Epic Paddle Adventures

This tour is the perfect way to bond with family and enjoy nature's beauty. Spend two hours on the water in your clear one- or two-person kayak or standup paddleboard exploring the lake system with your guide. No experience is needed. The tours meet at the Lake Ivanhoe boat ramp. You’ll see birds, fish, turtles and even otters, but no alligators!

A clear 2-person kayak is $130. A single is $65. Adult paddleboards are $65 and child-size for ages 6-12 are $55. (Prices are subject to change.)

There’s also a Glow in the Dark clear kayak or clear paddleboard tour. You'll glide through the stunningly clear waters of Lake Ivanhoe where the water is aglow with the vibrant colors from the powerful, multi-colored LED lighting systems. The city lights of Orlando reflect off the water.

A clear two-person kayak is $150. A single is $75. Adult paddle boards are $75 and child-size for age 6-12 are $65. (Prices are subject to change.)

After the tour, visit Ivanhoe Village, where you’ll find a playground for little kids, a sand volleyball court and dozens of restaurants, bars, gift shops, and antique shops within walking distance.

Epic Paddle Adventures, 1600 N. Orange Ave., Orlando; epicpaddleadventures.com

5. The Crayola Experience

Plan on spending three or four hours at the Crayola Experience, depending on how much your kids (or you!) love to color. There are 27 hands-on creative activities in 70,000 square feet of space. Climb colorful towers, cross bridges, make your way through obstacles, and go down a crayon box slide. Do some drip art with melted crayons and use markers to make custom colors. Learn the why behind how color works and find out how crayons are made. See the world’s largest Crayola crayon, 15 feet long and weighing 1352 pounds.

Admission for ages 3 and older is $26.99 online, a savings of $3 off the gate price. Ages 2 and younger get in free.

The Crayola Experience, At the Florida Mall, 8001 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando; 407-757-1700 or crayolaexperience.com/orlando

6. Orlando Science Center

Way more than half a million people visit the OSC’s four floors of interactive exhibits, labs and workshops annually. For more than 60 years, the center has brought cutting-edge science to the community.

At the Science of Guinness World Records, you can try to break a world record. Dr. Sarah Layton presents “Life,” an all-new nature and conservation exhibit that looks at animals, humans and climate change. In KidsTown, kids younger than 7 are encouraged to “splash, climb, tinker, and explore.” In Our Planet, Our Solar System, explore how the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere and hydrosphere interact to make life on Earth possible.

Tickets are $27.99 for adults, $25.99 for seniors and students, $20.99 for youths and free for ages 2 and younger. To guarantee entry and receive the best price, purchase tickets online.

Orlando Science Center, 777 E. Princeton St., Orlando: osc.org or 407-514-2000

7. WonderWorks

When you enter the building, don’t panic. Everything will be upside-down. But step inside the inversion tunnel and you’ll be right side up and ready to visit more than 100 hands-on exhibits. You can start your journey in any of the Wonder Zones: Extreme Weather Zone; Physical Challenge Zone; Light & Sound Zone; Space Discovery Zone; Imagination Lab; and the Wonder Art Gallery. Feel the power of hurricane–force winds, make life-sized bubbles in the Bubble Lab or experience zero gravity in the Astronaut Training Gyro.

The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show features nightly live performances and includes unlimited food and beverages during the show.

Open 9 a.m. until midnight daily. Tickets are $36.99-$46.99 for adults, and $27.99-$37.99 for ages 4-12 and seniors age 60-plus. The dinner show with unlimited pizza, salad, beer, wine and soda is $36.99 adults, $26.99 for kids and seniors.

WonderWorks, 9067 International Drive, Orlando; 407-351-8800 or wonderworksonline.com/orlando 

8. Titanic exhibition and dinner gala

7324 International Drive, Orlando; 407-248-1166 or titanicorlando.com/dinner-gala

They called her “the Ship of Dreams” and she was a marvel of men’s ingenuity. Imagine being served that first dinner at sea, with every bit of opulence and finery on display. Now you can dine as her guests might have before the great ship sank into the frigid sea.

The Titanic First Class Dinner Gala includes a captain’s cocktail party, a first-class dinner with first, second, main and dessert courses, a tour of the artifacts in the exhibition and reenactments of the night of April 14, 1912.

Tickets for the dinner are $74 adults, $47 ages 7-11, which includes admission to the exhibition during daytime hours on the same day as your reservation. You can also enjoy teatime on select Saturdays for $54.95 and $39.95. Admission to “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition” is $26 for ages 12 and older, $19 for ages 11 and younger. Seniors, military and Florida residents pay $22. A family of four is $79.

Janis Fontaine is a regular contributor to the Palm Beach Post.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: When you can't do any more Disney: Orlando's other fun destinations