Winter Park Saturday Farmers Market
Sat, Oct 24
Central Park West Meadow
6 min readSeptember 14, 2026Oct 18, 2026
10 Things To Do in Orlando (Not Theme Parks)
Orlando gets a reputation as theme park central, and sure, they're great. But if you live here (or you're visiting and want to see the real city), there's a whole other Orlando waiting. Here are ten things I keep coming back to.
1. Play pickup soccer at Lake Eola
Sunday mornings on the east lawn. Teams get split on the spot and nobody cares if you're rusty. It's the fastest way I know to meet people downtown.
2. Spend a Saturday morning at the Winter Park Farmers Market
Pastries, flowers, coffee, and a stroll down Park Avenue after. It's the most wholesome three hours you'll have all week. See things to do in Winter Park.
3. Join a run club (even if you hate running)
Most Orlando run clubs are no-drop, which means nobody gets left behind. The real reason people go is the coffee after. Browse Orlando clubs.
4. Paddleboard Lake Virginia at sunset
Launch from the Dinky Dock, paddle past Rollins, and watch the sky do its thing. Beginners are standing within minutes.
5. Go to a board game night in Mills 50
Walk in solo, get seated with a group, leave with new friends. Mills 50 is also where you go after for late-night food.
6. Walk the Thornton Park art walk
First Fridays, local artists, brick streets, string lights. Free and very date-friendly.
7. Find your third space
A coffee shop with good light, a library corner, a bookstore armchair. Check out the best cafes to work from in Orlando.
8. Try a beginner salsa night
No partner required. The lesson is 45 minutes and then everybody just dances. Terrible at first, then really fun.
9. Catch a picnic movie night
Blankets, string lights, a big inflatable screen. Dr. Phillips and downtown both run them, and they're usually free.
10. Volunteer at a community garden
The College Park garden has volunteer mornings with the friendliest people in town. Then go get brunch on Edgewater.
Quick Answers
- What are the best things to do in Orlando besides theme parks?
- Pickup sports at Lake Eola, the Winter Park Farmers Market, run clubs, paddleboarding on the Winter Park chain of lakes, art walks in Thornton Park, and board game nights in Mills 50 are all local favorites.
- Is Orlando fun if you don't like theme parks?
- Very. Orlando has walkable neighborhoods, hundreds of lakes, a strong food scene in Mills 50, and an active calendar of free community events.
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Free Things To Do in Orlando This Weekend
Free things to do in Orlando this weekend: pickup games, run clubs, farmers markets, art walks, book clubs, and outdoor movies.
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