ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 5, 2026 /CNW/ -- As temperatures drop this winter, Orlando heats up for the ultimate sunny escape. In addition to enjoying the destination's world famous theme parks, visitors can soak up the sun with nature-filled adventures, vibrant outdoor festivals, refreshing pools, dining al fresco and exciting sporting events. For more information on Orlando's outdoor experiences and planning a warm-weather getaway go to visitorlando.com.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

From soaring above alligators and towering climbing parks to guided boat tours and nature strolls, Orlando offers a variety of open-air activities.

• At Wekiva Springs State Park, visitors can swim, kayak and paddleboard through crystal-clear waters.
• Spirit of the Swamp Airboat Rides, Wild Florida Airboat Adventures and Boggy Creek Airboat Rides offer a classic Florida airboat experience along the headwaters to the Everglades, where visitors can see native wildlife like bald eagles and alligators.
• At Gatorland, thrill-seekers can soar 1,200 feet over live alligators and crocodiles on the Screamin' Gator Zip Line.
• Harry P. Leu Gardens includes a butterfly garden, 3 miles of paved scenic sidewalks and the largest camellia collection outside of California.
• Watersport novices and aficionados can explore Nona Adventure Park, featuring a floating aqua park; cable park for water skiing and wakeboarding; 60-foot climbing tower; and ropes course.
• The Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour provides an entertaining pontoon boat tour through the Winter Park Chain of Lakes, which are linked by a series of beautiful Venetian-style canals.
• At Epic Paddle Adventures, visitors can explore Central Florida's natural waterways by clear kayak or paddleboard, offering a unique view of the native wildlife below the surface.

SUN-FILLED OUTDOOR FESTIVALS

• The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts Presented by Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game (Jan. 15 – March 1) is a celebration of visual, culinary and performing arts.
• Florida's biggest Christian music festival, Rock the Universe (Jan. 22-23, 2027) returns to Universal Orlando Resort.
• SeaWorld's Seven Seas Food Festival (select dates Jan. 29 – May 16) invites guests to dine and delight in flavors from around the world with local craft beers, live performances and more.
• Universal Orlando Resort's Mardi Gras: International Flavours of Carnaval (Feb. 6 – March 27), will bring culinary experiences and Carnaval festivities from around the world to Universal Studios Florida including a nightly parade with vibrant floats, street performers, colorful beads and a lineup of superstar performances.
• IMMERSE Fest (Feb. 19-21), a large-scale celebration complete with live performances, immersive art installations and unexpected creative moments.
• The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival (March 19-21), one of the nation's oldest, largest and most prestigious juried outdoor fine art festivals.

COOL POOLS

Guests can soak up the sunshine and dive into Orlando's collection of resort pools.

• Evermore Orlando Resort, Orlando's first beach-like property, offers an 8-acre Crystal Lagoon and a 20-acre sandy beach with hammocks, cabanas and recreational activities. Conrad Orlando the destination's first Hilton luxury brand, offers a spa featuring an immersive water garden, a spacious zero-entry pool and kid-friendly splash pad.
• Villatel Resort Orlando features a water park-style pool complex complete with a lazy river, water slides and a dedicated splash pad with a water bucket drop for younger children. 
• Nestled among 500 acres of lush woodlands, Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek offers a tranquil poolside oasis with five lagoon-style pools, two lazy rivers and two splash pads, all connected by lush walking paths and pristine boardwalk trails.
• Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress offers a 800,000-gallon lagoon pool featuring 12 waterfalls, 2 hot tubs, a splash pad and waterslide along with two pickleball courts, scenic walking and biking trails, five-hole mini-golf and seven-hole Pitch 'n' Putt course.
• Caribe Royale Orlando offers a tropical pool complete with towering waterfalls and a twisting 75-foot waterslide.

OUTDOOR DINING OFFERINGS

From charming neighborhood patios to upscale terraces, Orlando offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy a meal while enjoying the winter sunshine.

• À La Cart offers craft beer, food trucks, murals and more in three locations, featuring vibrant open-air pavilions with culinary variety including pizza, sushi, crepes, arepas paella, noodles and more.
• Boxi Park, the shipping container food truck park located in Lake Nona, offers gourmet quick-service dining, award-winning beer, live entertainment and more.
• MICHELIN Bib Gourmand honoree The Ravenous Pig serves seasonally inspired gastropub fare in Winter Park with an outdoor beer garden.
• Anchored by Crooked Can Brewing Company, Plant Street Market is an artisan market in Winter Garden featuring an assortment of local merchants.

WINTER SPORTING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

• The NBA's Orlando Magic season heats up in the winter with home games at downtown Orlando's Kia Center through April.
• Camping World Stadium and the University of Central Florida's Acrisure Bounce House will host several classic college football bowl games, select dates Nov. 21 – Jan. 2.
• Soccer fans can immerse themselves in the excitement of Orlando City SC at Inter&Co Stadium as MLS season completes in November.
• Home to more than 100 golf courses and dozens of championship greens, golfers can enjoy championship courses.
• The USTA National Campus features 100 courts including pickleball and padel, world-class facilities and is open to the public for play, lessons and events.
• From family-friendly fun runs to marquee events like the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (Jan. 6-10) and Orlando Magic 5K (Jan. 30), the destination offers scenic courses and unforgettable race-day experiences for participants of all levels.

About Visit Orlando 

Visit Orlando is The Official Tourism Association® for Orlando, the most visited destination in the United States, Theme Park Capital of the World®. Visit Orlando connects consumers and business groups with all facets of Orlando's travel community, whether for a vacation or meeting. Home to eight of the world's top theme parks — as well as refreshing water parks, activities to connect with nature, vibrant neighborhoods, a dynamic dining scene with Michelin recognized restaurants, and a robust calendar of entertainment and sports events — Orlando is a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive community for all travelers. Find more information at VisitOrlando.com.

SOURCE Visit Orlando