It’s no secret that Orlando is an awesome place to spend your birthday. On any day at Disney World, you will see dozens of guests wearing big birthday badges to mark their special day. However, a day at a theme park is just one of the many fun things to do for a birthday in Orlando!
In this post, I will share all sorts of ways to celebrate this once-a-year occasion. I have broken it up into outdoor, indoor, family-orientated, nightlife, theme parks, and free things to do on your birthday. No matter how you want to celebrate a birthday in Orlando, this blog post should have a unique idea for your day.
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Outdoor Things to Do on Your Birthday
If you want to spend your birthday in Orlando outside, these eleven ideas will help make the most of a beautiful day. For those who love nature, most of these outdoor things to do in Orlando are affordable and may include wildlife sightings. However, I also included some active outdoor activities to try as well. Whether you go alone, with family, or bring a whole party, there are plenty of unique ways to enjoy your special day outside
1. Swim in a Freshwater Spring
The freshwater springs of Central Florida are a sight not to be missed! If you want to spend your special day in nature, it is worth it to take a drive to the springs. There you can explore, kayak, or swim with your friends and family. Here are the best springs for a birthday in Orlando:
- Blue Springs State Park in Orange City
- Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka
- De Leon Springs State Park in De Leon Springs
2. Spend a Day at the Central Florida Zoo
Seeing animals of all types is one of the most fun things to do in Orlando! This zoo is home to giraffes, bears, sloths, crocodiles, and more, which can be viewed any time of day. Along with learning about the different animal species, there are also exhibits about the animal’s natural habitats and gardens to explore
3. See Gators on an Airboat Ride
For an exhilarating trip through the swamp, visit Wild Florida for an airboat ride on your birthday. Here you can take an hour-long airboat ride and get up close and personal with alligators, birds, and the rest of the wetlands. Afterward, you can explore the drive-through safari and check out the animal encounters as well!
4. Have a Pool Day at a Resort
If you want to relax by a pool for your birthday but do not feel like staying at a hotel for the night, Orlando has plenty of resorts that offer Resort Pass! This allows you to book a pool day and use the resort amenities starting at just $20 per person! You can even get a cabana for all your friends and bottle service if you want to splurge.
5. Take a Tree Trek Course
Another exciting birthday thing to do in Orlando is to take a tree trek. Orlando’s Tree Trek Adventure Park has ziplines, Tarzan swings, suspension bridges, and all sorts of climbing for an epic birthday. You and a friend can book a tour, or you can even do a private trek for an adventurous birthday party
6. Stroll Through the Harry P. Leu Gardens
For a beautiful and affordable day outside, plan a visit to the Leu Gardens. There are 12 different areas to explore, each with a variety of plant species to see. This is ideal for a relaxing birthday.
7. Try a Foodie Tour
One way to experience Orlando from a local’s perspective is to take a culinary tour around Ivanhoe Village. Here, you will get a guided experience at multiple new and exciting restaurants. This is fun for a couple or a whole private tour for a birthday party!
8. Go Backstage on a Theme Park Tour
All the Orlando theme parks offer backstage tours that provide a unique perspective instead of riding rides. Some of my favorites include the Keys to the Kingdom or the Wild Africa Trek Tour at Disney World, and the Penguin Up-Close Tour at SeaWorld. They are an additional cost after park admission, but if you have an annual pass it can be a unique birthday experience!
9. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride
See Orlando from above with a hot air balloon flight! Disney Springs offers fifteen-minute experiences for only $25 per person and you can see Walt Disney World Resort from above. If you really want a birthday splurge, you can also book a private hot air balloon tour over Orlando for $425 for a couple!
10. Play a Game of Mini Golf
Those looking for a classic birthday experience can find a variety of excellent mini-golf courses in Orlando. Fantasia Mini Golf at Disney is a cute and colorful experience. Universal Orlando Resort also has Hollywood Drive-In Golf, where you can do either a haunted house course or a space course. Both have way better theming than mini golf in any other city and you can bring as many people as you like!
11. Try a Watersport
If you want to cool off on the water for your birthday, jet ski or water ski rental can be an exciting way to do it! There are tons of places to rent jet skis, like Buena Vista Water Sports, where you can zoom through the water. Orlando Watersports Complex is also a fun birthday attraction with water skiing, wakeboarding, and kneeboarding rentals or lessons. You can even book a party at the Aquapark for anyone over the age of 6.
Birthday Things to Do Indoors
Conversely, Orlando weather can be unpredictable, so it is often smart to plan for a birthday indoors. These next fifteen ideas are great for planning birthday celebrations in advance, especially ones that include multiple people. Keep these ideas for indoor things to do in Orlando in mind for the summer especially!
12. Race Go-Karts at Andretti Indoor Karting
One of my favorite things to do in Orlando any day is race go-karts at Andretti! This is one of the best go-karting courses in Florida and you can race around the track as many times as you like.
In addition to go-karts, Andretti also has all sorts of stuff to do inside including laser tag, arcade games, and an obstacle course that will keep you busy on a rainy day. They do offer birthday parties for all ages that can include unlimited arcade play and refreshments.
13. Play Some Golf at TopGolf
Another activity near Icon Park I love is TopGolf. Though technically it’s not entirely indoors, this is a great place to plan a birthday thanks to the covered and temperature-controlled bays. You can bring up to six people for bay and take turns playing games on the interactive driving range. There is also a restaurant to have a birthday meal, or you can order food and drinks while you play!
14. Escape from Prison at the Escape Game Orlando
Orlando is home to many escape rooms and even an escape hotel! One favorite is The Escape Game where you have to figure out how to break out of prison, among other games. Even if you have done one before, there are always new challenges that make it worth checking out for a birthday. With the ability to add up to twelve people in a room, it makes for a fun party idea too!
15. Take a Cooking Class at Truffles and Trifles
For those looking to have a tasty birthday, Orlando has multiple places that offer cooking classes. Truffles and Trifles have weekly classes where you can learn a number of cooking techniques from French pastry and dessert techniques to sushi making. At the end of class, you get to eat your creation as well and leave with the knowledge to cook it at home in the future! You can book a class for you and a partner or plan a private class for your birthday party.
16. Have Dinner and See a Show at Medieval Times
For a family-friendly Orlando birthday, book a dinner at Medieval Times. You can pretend you are back in the Middle Ages by watching a jousting show and eating a 4-course dinner with your hands! They offer packages for group outings of any age too!
17. Go to a Food Hall
Another delicious experience for a birthday in Orlando is going to Plant Street Market. This is an indoor food hall (though lots of seating is outside), where you can try all sorts of cuisines. I love ordering a dish from multiple booths to have my own unique meal. You can also get craft beer from one of Orlando’s best breweries, Crooked Can here, and find live music on weekends.
18. Take a Cheese and Charcuterie Board Class
Foodies will be thrilled to take a cheese and charcuterie board-making class for their birthday. Wandering Palms Adventures offers private classes where you can learn how to assemble a stunning charcuterie board! And of course, you get to indulge in it after. This is just the thing for an intimate foodie birthday.
19. Visit the Quantum Leap Winery for a Tasting
Wine enthusiasts can visit Florida’s only sustainable winery, Quantum Leap for a tasting on their birthday. The taproom in Winter Park is open Tuesday through Saturday for tastings on afternoons and weekends. You can also host a birthday party here in a private room for thirty-five people or less.
20. Taste Your Way Through the Chocolate Museum
If you have a sweet tooth, visit The Chocolate Museum & Café for a decadent birthday. You can start with a tour to learn about the origins and history of chocolate, followed by seeing how chocolate is made and some remarkable sculptures made out of chocolate. Of course, the tour ends with samples of all different kinds and a chance to purchase more in the café! Bring a few friends on the tour to celebrate or book a private tour for a chocolate party!
21. Visit the Orlando Museum of Art
For those who want to get the creative vibes flowing, a visit to the Orlando Museum of Art is sure to provide that for your birthday. This expansive gallery features an array of exquisite art from many cultures, that offers so much to learn about. Taking a walk-through is a peaceful and informative experience.
22. Go for a Spa Day at Blue Harmony Spa
There’s nothing better than being pampered on your birthday, Orlando has so many world-class spas to visit. For a relaxing day, visit the Blue Harmony Spa or the Relâche Spa for a massage, facial, or treatment. Afterward, treat yourself to some champagne in the lounge and relax in the outdoor hot tub or indoor sauna!
23. Take a Dirty Pour Painting Class
For a hands-on birthday experience, a painting class is a fun way to celebrate. You can try painting a canvas at Painting With a Twist, pottery with Super Awesome Cool Pottery, or fluid painting with The Dirty Pour Project. This is another option for going on your own, with a friend, or booking a private birthday party.
24. Catch a Show at the Dr. Phillips Performing Center
Orlando has some of the best theater in the state, and Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando is the perfect place to see it. For a birthday treat, I love getting tickets to see a Broadway show or concert. You can find the full lineup here, and be sure to plan a special meal in Downtown Orlando before or after the show.
25. Go Rock Climbing at Aiguille Rock Climbing Gym
If you are looking for a birthday activity that burns some calories, rock climbing gyms are a great way to test your upper body strength and do some climbing. Aiguille Rock Climbing Center has both rock walls and bouldering walls that offer a variety of challenges. This activity is for young and old to celebrate their birthday with a group of friends.
26. Go Bowling at Splitsville
In my opinion, the best bowling alley in Orlando is Splitsville at Disney Springs. Not only do they have colorful lanes and awesome music playing, but you can also eat a top-notch meal while playing! Birthday parties are available for any age so you can reserve multiple lanes for your group.
Free Things to Do on Your Birthday in Orlando
If you are looking for a fun way to celebrate without breaking the bank, there are many places in Orlando where you can have fun for free. Though you may spend a little on gas or food, these next six ideas do not charge an admission fee. Here are my favorite ways to have a fun and free birthday in Orlando.
27. Walk Around Lake Eola During a Weekend Festival
Not only does Lake Eola Park have a weekly farmers market every Sunday, but also frequent festivals. I find that coming here on a Sunday is an event itself with music, food and art vendors, and all sorts to see. Bring a picnic blanket and relax in the sun after trying some kettle corn and other treats from the vendors!
28. See an Outdoor Movie
There are so many places to catch a free outdoor movie each weekend in Orlando. Some of my favorite locations include Winter Park, Ivanhoe Park Brewing, and Avalon Park. Bring some snacks and drinks and use this as an opportunity to relax under the stars!
29. Steal the Magic at Disney
It’s not actually stealing, I just mean spending a free day at Disney World! Most people do not realize that you can visit Disney Springs, the Boardwalk, and Disney Resorts for free. I think one of the most fun things to do in Orlando is to spend some time walking around Disney Springs, taking a free boat ride, and grabbing a meal or shopping.
You can also enjoy a walk on the Boardwalk or a surrey ride rental. For a birthday experience at the resorts, I recommend making a dinner reservation and then taking a monorail or a skyline ride! If you time it right, you can even see the fireworks while you are there!
30. Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
For a birthday in nature, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is one of the best free options in Orlando. This is an 11-mile drive filled with opportunities to see wildlife and includes a free audio tour. Keep an eye out for alligators and expect to see tons of birds. There are even places to pull over and walk around for better views.
31. Take a Mural Tour through Mills 50
Orlando is right behind Miami with some of the best street art in the state. Whether on foot or by car, make your own self-guided mural tour of Orlando and see how many colorful murals you can spot! Make sure to get some pictures!
32. Check out the Winter Park Farmers Market
Winter Park is a lovely place to spend your birthday and if you do it on Saturday, you can experience the free Farmer’s market. There are tons of vendors with everything from produce to plants to art and you are sure to see plenty of dogs. You can easily spend a few hours strolling through here and getting a little treat for your birthday.
Family Things to Do for an Orlando Birthday
If you are looking for a kid-friendly birthday experience in Orlando, the options are endless! Though the things to do listed above are great for all ages, this next section includes ideas specifically aimed at a child’s birthday. All of these options offer birthday parties for kids, or you can take them on their own!
33. Get Colorful at the Crayola Experience
For a creative birthday, kids will love the Crayola Experience at the Florida Mall. This activity center offers all sorts of things to do, like crafts, drawing, making your own crayon, and climbing in the playground. Kids can let their minds and bodies run wild with their family or a party with fifteen guests.
34. Touch the Sky at a Trampoline Park
I know trampoline parks are all the rage with kids these days and luckily there are plenty in Orlando perfect for celebrating birthdays. Kids can bounce off energy inside at Sky Zone, Jump Start, Outer Limitz Arena, and more! Most places cost offer birthday parties where you get a group jump time and a party room for pizza and birthday cake.
35. Have a Tea Party with your American Girl Doll
Another birthday thing to do at the Florida Mall is to take a visit to the American Girl doll store. For kids who have their own American Girl, this place has an assortment of unique activities to experience with their doll! Options include pizza birthday party packages where kids can do a doll-themed craft and even get a makeover with their doll. It’s a special way to celebrate a birthday for any child over eighteen months old.
36. Take a Visit to WonderWorks
One Orlando birthday attraction kids love is the “edu-tainment” complex WonderWorks. This is that crazy upside-down building on I-Drive that has all sorts of hands-on exhibits inside. Here you can experience all the WonderWorks exhibits, the ropes course, laser tag and so much more. Kids will have a blast running around and they offer party rooms and birthday packages.
37. Explore the Orlando Science Center
The Orlando Science Center offers the most educational exhibits of any place in the city. Both young and old will love the exhibits about space, dinosaurs, tiny homes, and food sustainability. You can visit on your own, or have a themed birthday party here with options like Weird Science or Fantastic Jurassic. It’s a great place for kids to learn and have fun on a birthday!
Nightlife Ideas for an Orlando Birthday
For those who want a night on the town to celebrate their birthday, Orlando has so many unique options! With restaurants, bars, and clubs of all sorts, you can have a night out unlike any other here. These next seven ideas are ideal for an adult birthday night out in Orlando.
38. Have Dinner and Drinks at CityWalk
Locals and tourists alike love CityWalk at Universal Orlando for a birthday celebration. This nightlife spot has all sorts of themed restaurants and bars to celebrate. For dinner, go to Big Fire for a classic steak dinner or Toothsome Chocolate Emporium for a sweet and savory meal. Make sure to make reservations in advance!
Afterward, hit the bars for a night of drinks and dancing. Rising Star is a hit for karaoke and the Red Coconut Club has Latin music and dancing. Even if you just want to relax with a margarita and easy listening you can visit Margaritaville. There are so many places to celebrate a birthday here, day or night!
39. Play Some Games at the 1-Up Barcade
For adults that want to relive the 80s, the 1-Up Arcade bar offers all your favorite arcade games to enjoy in a bar setting. You can sip on co*cktails, beer, and mocktails while playing games like Ms. Pac-Man, Air Hockey, and Donkey Kong Junior. It’s open every night for a retro way to spend your birthday in Orlando
40. Spend the Night in the Historic Church Street District
A classic Orlando spot for birthdays is Church Street. This place is always hopping on Fridays and Saturdays with bars hosting live music and events. Check out places like Irish Shannon’s Pub and Harry Buffalo for a fun night. If there is an Orlando City game going on, you will find this area even more lively than usual and can even attend the game for a fun birthday yourself!
41. Grab a Drink at a Themed Bar
For a unique night out, Orlando has a variety of themed bars to visit. One of my favorites, co*cktails, and Screams, offers a Halloween setting all year! There is also Vault 5421, an apocalypse-themed bar with an eerie atmosphere and creative drinks.
Other interesting bars in Orlando include Trader Sam’s at the Polynesian Resort, IceBar on I-Drive, and Hanson’s Show Repair speakeasy. As long as you get there early, you can bring a bunch of friends and have a celebratory night out at one of these bars.
42. Celebrate With a Meal at Disney Springs
I have spent many a birthday at Disney Springs and each one is magically memorable! There are so many fabulous restaurants with a variety of cuisines. Raglan Road, Boathouse, or Jaleo are my picks for a celebratory dinner.
Then you can spend the rest of the night checking out unique bars like Wine Bar George, listening to live music around the Springs, or even going to a concert at The House of Blues! With so many hotels close by, you can book one for the night and not worry about driving either.
43. Go Out on International Drive
For every type of restaurant and bar you can imagine, I-Drive is the perfect place to celebrate a birthday. You can start at Icon Park, which has plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from for the whole family. Then move on to one of the best bars in Orlando like Mango’s, Howl at the Moon, or O’Shucks Karaoke Bar. The Pointe also has some cool bars nearby, like Blue Marini Louge and the Improv Comedy Club.
44. Plan a Downtown Orlando Brewery Crawl
There are so many amazing Orlando breweries, that I recommend beer lovers spend their birthday downtown and try a few. You can quickly get from Persimmon Hollow to Motorworks to Broken Strings and order a flight at each!
Birthday Ideas for the Orlando Theme Parks
As I mentioned at the beginning, the Orlando theme parks are an unforgettable place to spend a birthday. Young and old will enjoy the rides, shows, and experiences that you can only find in Orlando. In this last section, I have broken up what to do in each theme park for the ultimate birthday experience.
45. Have a Magical Birthday at Walt Disney World
With four different theme parks, Walt Disney World has so many unique ways to celebrate a birthday. Magic Kingdom is the classic option, especially for those who love princesses or movies. Spend the day here riding the rides and finish off with fireworks and ice cream in front of Cinderella’s Castle.
As for the other four parks, Epcot is definitely the best for an adult birthday. Drinking around the world is always a challenge for those who want to try all sorts of libations the celebrate. Hollywood Studios is ideal for the daredevil crew with some of the craziest rides, as well as those who love Star Wars and Toy Story. Lastly, don’t underestimate Animal Kingdom as a fun birthday theme park, especially for nature lovers. No matter, where you go, make sure to get a free “Happy Birthday!” button to wear for special greetings throughout the day!
46. Ride the Coasters at Universal Orlando Resort
Whether you spend your birthday at Universal Studios or Islands of Adventures, it’s sure to be a wild day. Both have plenty of roller coasters and their own Wizarding World of Harry Potter for wizards young and old. Thrill seekers should head to Islands of Adventure to ride the Hulk and the Velocicoaster, whereas movie buffs, should check out the Despicable Me and The Mummy at Universal Studios.
47. Seize the Day at SeaWorld
Another great theme park to celebrate your birthday in Orlando is SeaWorld Orlando. This park has some crazy roller coasters, water rides, and tons of aquatic exhibits. Whether you like animals or thrills, SeaWorld is perfect for an exciting birthday.
48. Go for a Ride at Icon Park
A big attraction on I-Drive is Icon Park, which I would say is similar to a theme park. It is free to visit and walk around and get some food. However, if you are not afraid of heights, you can pay for admission to ride the giant Ferris Wheel or spin on the swings. They also have an aquarium and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum for an indoor experience.
49. Slide Down Waster Slides at a Water Park
There are four water parks in Orlando (Volcano Bay, Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, and Aquatica) and all of them are so much fun for a birthday! You can have on tube slides, wade in the lazy river, and soak up the sun at a water park.
50. Relax in Paradise at Discovery Cove
This next one is a splurge but is sure to be an amazing birthday experience. Entry to Discovery Cove includes swimming with dolphins, snorkeling with fish and rays, relaxing on the lazy river, and unlimited food and drinks. They have everything you need for a fun-in-the-sun birthday!
Know Before You Go: Things to Do for a Birthday in Orlando
I hope this guide helped you find some fun ways to celebrate a birthday in Orlando! For those visiting Orlando for a birthday vacation, there are so many things to do here to make it special! And if you are a local looking for a special day, this is one of the best cities to be in. Before you start planning, here are some things to keep in mind for planning a birthday in Orlando.
- Keep an eye on the weather for the day of your celebration. Orlando weather can change quickly, especially in the summer with storms popping up. It also is much hotter here than on the coast, so do not plan to be outside all day in the summer.
- If you are looking to visit any of the theme parks, make sure to look for Florida Resident deals! Kelly, the blog’s trusted travel agent, can help you find the best rates!
- You will have to pay for parking in the city and near tourist locations. Pretty much most places in Downtown Orlando and on I-Drive have a small parking cost. If you are concerned, look it up ahead of time or take an Uber.
- Avoid I-4 during rush hour as much as possible. This is where there is the worst traffic! Traffic in the city is bad all around between 4 PM to 7 PM most days though.
- If you are looking for a place to grab a meal after your birthday celebration, check out my complete Orlando restaurant guide.
Did I miss one of your favorite ways to spend a birthday in Orlando? Let me know in the comments if you have any other birthday party ideas!
Looking for more birthday ideas? Check out this guide for OVER 100 Florida birthday ideas for any age or budget!
For more ideas for things to do in Central Florida, check out my Central Florida Attractions guideand my Central Florida Date Ideas posts! I have also compiled the top destinations for a day trip from Orlando if you need ideas for that!
If you want to keep track of the things you have done in Orlando, I have a Printable Bucket List available on Etsy! It usually costs $5 dollars, but you can get it for free when you sign up for my email newsletter here.
