If you’re planning a trip to Orlando, you’ve probably got all your daytime activities organised, but what about the evenings? After my trip out to the airboat and wildlife park, a stop-off at ICON Park Orlando was the perfect end to the day
Located right on International Drive, this lively entertainment hub is more than just a place to ride the The Orlando Eye, the best-known ICON Park attraction. It’s packed with other things to do, including dining, shops and family-friendly fun. And you don’t even need to spend money just to enjoy the vibe! ICON Park offers something for everyone.
In this post, I’ll share the top things to do at ICON Park Orlando to help you plan your visit, along with a few photos I took while there.
Disclaimer: When you make a booking or purchase through links on this site, I may earn commission from partners at no extra cost to you. This helps me to build the site and bring you more great posts!
⌛ Short on time? Here are Top Things to Do at ICON Park Orlando
🎡 The Orlando Eye
🧑🎤 Madam Tussauds Waxwork Museum Orlando
🐟 SeaLife Orlando Aquarium
🌠 Orlando Starflyer – world’s tallest swing ride!
🎩 Orlando Museum of Illusions
Discover the Best Things to Do at ICON Park Orlando
I headed over to to ICON Park while the younger ones were still having their last rides for the day at Universal. I arrived shortly before sunset and this was the perfect time as I could see the park in daylight, enjoy sunset views and enjoy the evening vibe as darkness fell. As I went mid-December, I had the added bonus of the Christmas decorations and festivities.
Families will love the kid-friendly activities, such as the charming carousel and arcade games while adults can enjoy the nightlife. The park is walkable, safe and full of entertainment for all ages.
The Orlando Eye
Towering 400 feet high, The Orlando Eye, previously known as The Wheel at ICON Park, offers fabulous 360-degree views of the city, including theme parks and natural landscapes. It doesn’t really matter whether you ride during the day, at sunset, or at night as the views are always going to be great.
It’s also worth checking the timings of firework displays at nearby theme parks for an even better experience.
Madame Tussauds Orlando Waxworks Museum
At Madame Tussauds Orlando Waxworks Museum, you can get up close to lifelike wax figures of your favourite celebrities, from movie stars to sports legends. Wander through the themed exhibits and take a selfie with your idols.
🎫 Buy tickets for Madame Tussauds Orlando
SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium
Sea Life Orlando Aquarium has several aquariums with marine life from around the world and a walk-through tunnel where you’ll see fish swimming around and above you as if you’re in the sea! As well as fish, you’ll see jellyfish, seahorses, sharks and even turtles.
Interactive exhibits help you learn more about the creatures in the sea and add-on experiences are available too. Sea Life Orlando is popular with families and a great educational experience.
➡️ Buy tickets for Sea Life Orlando
Museum of Illusions Orlando
Enjoy this museum full of optical illusions that challenge your perception of reality. Fun for children and adults alike and a great spot for some cool shots for your photo album or Instagram.
The Starflyer
If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, the Starflyer at ICON Park is an experience you can’t miss. Standing at a staggering 450 feet, it holds the title of the world’s tallest swing ride. Once secure in your swing seat, you slowly start to ascend and the swings begin to rotate.
As the ride reaches the top, the swings fly further out and you can feel the thrill of soaring high above Orlando. This also makes it a great alternative to The Orlando Eye as it’s even higher and, better still, it’s much cheaper at just $10. I think that’s well worth it, for both excitement and incredible views but are you brave enough?
The Orlando Sling Shot
If you fancy being catapulted high up in the air, this one is for you! Let’s just say that I passed on that! Unfortunately, I didn’t get an action shot, but you’ll be catapulted 450 feet straight up on ‘elastics’ hanging down from the tops of these pylons. It doesn’t come cheap though at $40.
Dining at ICON Park
ICON Park is a foodie’s paradise with options for everyone. Some of the top-rated are Helena Modern Riviera with Mediterranean cuisine, The Yard House with American favourites, Tin Roof for a lively vibe with great food and live music and Sugar Factory, the go-to spot for indulgent desserts and drinks (but they serve burgers, quesadillas, etc too.
If you love traditional British fish and chips, try Gordon Ramsay’s Fish & Chips. These are just a few of the options. I loved the churros at Churros & Cream 😋
More Fun and Games at ICON Park
- Old-fashioned Carousel – enjoy a gentle ride on a good old-fashioned merry-go-round
- Pearl Express – miniature train travelling around the park
- 7D Motion Theater – immersive gaming experience and arcade
- Max Action Arena – virtual reality games
Entertainment and Nightlife
As the sun sets, ICON Park comes alive with live music, entertainment, and nightlife. Relax at one of the cafes, bars or lounges, like the Sky Lounge, while soaking up the vibrant atmosphere. With a variety of places, you can enjoy a quiet evening drink or a live performance, depending on your mood.
Shopping at ICON Park
Browse the boutique kiosks and shops and stock up on souvenirs at the larger stores. As well as ICON Park-branded merchandise, you’ll find lots of Disney and Universal gifts, clothing, etc.
Stroll and Soak up the Vibe
Just stroll around and enjoy the vibe! Sit on a bench and people watch, enjoy the sights and the lights.
Tips for Visiting ICON Park Orlando
Getting to the ICON Park
Getting to the ICON Park by car was very easy and the parking in the multi-storey car park was well sign-posted and also free of charge. Some hotels operate a shuttle to ICON Park so check with the concierge. Otherwise, an Uber or Lyft won’t cost much if you’re staying in International Drive.
Best Time to Visit ICON Park
Visit late afternoon to avoid the heat and crowds, get a full view of Orlando from the Eye or Skyfall and enjoy the sunset. You can arrive earlier if you’re doing indoor activities. For a family outing, plan for earlier and for more of an adult night out, you can plan for later.
Combo Tickets
Save money with bundles for attractions at ICON Park or dining discounts. You can buy a combo ticket for The Orlando Eye, Madam Tussauds and Sea Life on Get Your Guide. You can also find some combos at The Orlando Eye website and at the park itself on the day. Bear in mind that The Orlando Eye may no operate if weather conditions are bad.
Is ICON Park worth visiting?
If you have time between your other activities and just want to chill a bit or enjoy good food, it’s definitely worth visiting. It’s also worth spending an afternoon evening there just to visit the different attractions but note that most don’t open until 2pm. This can work well for your day of arrival or a quieter day between theme parks and other activities.
Wrap-up on the Best Things to Do at ICON Park Orlando
ICON Park Orlando offers something for everyone. You can experience the thrill of soaring high on The Orlando Eye, Starflyer or Slingshot, the fun of playing VR games and exploring museums or the educational wonder of SEA LIFE. Prefer a more relaxed vibe? Enjoy a leisurely wander, a ride on the carousel or dining on the terrace with great views.
If you’re planning a trip to Orlando, an evening at ICON Park is the perfect addition to your itinerary. Whether you prefer to plan every detail in advance or just turn up and see where the evening takes you, the attractions and lively atmosphere at ICON Park will leave you with even more happy memories of your Orlando adventure.
If you liked this post, you might also like Best Airboat Ride near Orlando or Kayaking near Orlando with Manatees.
Follow on Instagram or Facebook
Read about our trips to Oman
Visit my website on the United Arab Emirates