From ziplines to boat rides: Best ideas for experiences to gift holiday season
- 15 hours ago
Patrick Connolly, Tribune News Service
While many children, family members and significant others will awake on Christmas morning eager to unwrap presents placed carefully under the tree, sometimes the best gifts can come in the form of shared experiences. With a vibrant community of artists, dreamers and doers, Orlando has no shortage of places to learn how to make art, high-adrenaline adventures and family-fun outings for all ages. While Central Florida has many such opportunities, here are just a few ideas for outings that would make for great gifts and quality time with loved ones.
The City of Orlando has its own pottery studio featuring classes on hand building and wheel throwing as well as family-friendly workshops. Most of the classes that begin in January are full, but stay tuned to the online registration site for upcoming workshops as they are announced.
All Fired Up Pottery Painting has locations in Winter Park and Waterford Lakes. Visitors can select their pottery, design and paint in the studio and then leave the piece to be glazed and fired. Four days later, the finished piece is ready to take home. No reservations are needed and walk-ins are welcome.
Super Awesome Cool Pottery hosts family-friendly events that involve painting ornaments or learning how to throw on a potter’s wheel.
Stroke of Art provides art classes from wheel throwing to ceramic painting to hand building and date nights.
Crealdé School of Art hosts artists of all ages and skill sets for various workshops and classes — and not just limited to ceramics.
Central Florida offers a number of experiences that fit into the category of “high adrenaline.” Tank America gives guests the chance to take control of a 17-ton tank and even crush a car, which is included in select packages.
Get a high-angle perspective on the Sunshine State while skydiving at Skydive DeLand or Skydive Space Center on the Space Coast.
With so many lakes, rivers, and spring runs to explore, Orlando offers many outlets where you can spend a day on the water. Enjoy a popular experience on the Winter Park Chain of Lakes by taking a scenic boat tour, a tradition that began in 1938. Head on a dining and sightseeing adventure with the St. Johns Rivership Co. with cruises that depart multiple times a week from Sanford on the Barbara-Lee. Hop onboard for lunch or dinner cruises or explore a slate of special events this holiday season.
Embark on a scenic boat tour of the Wekiva River with Wekiva Wild, an outfitter launching from Wekiva Island. Try cable park wakeboarding at the Orlando Watersports Complex or Nona Adventure Park.
Ski World Orlando offers e-foil lessons, giving watersports enthusiasts the chance to learn how to ride a board that glides on top of the water with an electric motor. When it comes to a fun date night or friends’ night out, find a painting class — some of which include the option to drink and create. Other events are more family-friendly in nature. Painting with a Twist, located near Universal Studios, provides in-studio events, private parties and at-home paint kits. An in-studio bar offers wine, beer, sodas and water (not included in the price of classes). The Art Room presents classes and activities, including workshops, camps and events in Windermere.
Crealdé School of Art has numerous offerings for courses that span several weeks or two-day workshops. Abstract Orlando has pour painting classes with a variety of projects to choose from and beverages available for purchase in the studio. Gift cards are also available.
Experience the sensation of flying through the air or exploring the treetops on a Central Florida zipline or rope course adventure. Orlando Tree Trek offers four adult high ropes courses, two kids’ courses and two 425-foot ziplines. The park offers specials for Florida residents and early bookings. orlandotreetrek.com Seminole Aerial Adventures at the Central Florida Zoo is designed for kids with an obstacle course through the trees created to challenge the body and mind. Adult chaperones can accompany young adventurers.
The Canyons Zip Line and Canopy Tours takes guests on a high-flying adventure soaring over a former limestone quarry. The Ocala-area attraction also offers horseback tours and kayaking. Gift cards are on sale this holiday season.
From freshwater springs to animal encounters, Florida offers outings for nature lovers of all ages and interests.
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens has more than 100 species of animals for guests to view, including birds, reptiles, mammals and amphibians. Annual memberships are available on an individual or family level and can be gifted to others.
Wild Florida offers a drive-thru safari, sloth encounters, a gator park and airboat tours on Cypress Lake south of St. Cloud. Gatorland, which was around before Walt Disney World ever set up shop in Central Florida, has wild cats, crocodiles, snakes, tortoises, birds and plenty of gators to see. gatorland.com
Leu Gardens, Orlando’s 50-acre botanical oasis, provides a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of Central Florida.
Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre in Lakeland has two screens showing first-run movies with double features seven nights per week. Enzian Theater, Central Florida’s nonprofit arthouse movie theater, hosts screenings of independent films, cult classics and the annual Florida Film Festival.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers the chance to see a rocket garden, take a bus tour or view the Apollo 11 moon lander, the Saturn V rocket, Space Shuttle Atlantis and more. Orange County Regional History Center presents four floors of exhibits exploring 12,000 years of Central Florida heritage. Orlando Science Center presents educational experiences for toddlers and school-aged visitors in a family-friendly environment. Explore special events, parties and guest speakers on a regular basis. In the realm of visual art, visit the Mennello Museum of American Art, the Morse Museum, Orlando Museum of Art, the Polasek Museum or the Rollins Museum of Art, just to name a few.
