Tours and other things to do in Downtown Orlando

Discover Downtown Orlando through the many tours offered in the area. Get a general overview of the vibrant district or a blow-by-blow account of its history from Downtown Orlando Information Center staff.

Here are some tours and activities to check out:

Downtown Historic Tour

Get a glimpse of Downtown Orlando’s storied past. See an array of beautifully preserved historic buildings that have retained their character and have been repurposed for modern use. Led by Richard Forbes, a local historic preservation expert, this walking tour starts at the Downtown Orlando Information Center and takes you all the way to the Orange County Regional History Center.

Tours take place on the first Friday of each month, from October to May. A virtual tour is available here.

Downtown Food Tour

Sample everything from burgers and oysters to coffee and tequila by joining the Downtown Orlando Partnership’s Downtown Food Tours on Saturdays from 2 to 4 p.m. You’ll go on a walking tour of the Central Business District, where you’ll find some of the best-loved bars and restaurants in the city. American, Italian, German, Spanish, and Japanese are just some of the cuisines to try.

The tour’s founding restaurant partners include dining hotspots Avenue Gastrobar, Artisan’s Table, Ferg’s Depot, Le Gourmet Break, and Golden Knife. Tickets cost $35 and may be purchased here.

Thornton Park Food Tour

Thornthon Park District is known for having some of the finest restaurants in Orlando. Sample French, Mexican, Thai, Japanese, and Southern fare at several restaurant locations during the tour. Check out the pubs and wine bars that serve amazing drinks while you’re there, and take a moment to appreciate the neighborhood’s gorgeous oaks and brick-paved streets.

Called “Downtown for Grownups,” Thornton Park has an air of worldliness that will bring out the urban sophisticate in you. It was granted a Main Street Program opportunity by the City of Orlando in 2012. Its revitalization has transformed it into one of the most exciting districts in the city today.

Downtown Orlando Gallery Tour

Get acquainted with some of Orlando’s finest galleries and creative spaces by joining this guided tour. You’ll visit four local galleries at the Downtown Arts District – Loft 55 Gallery and Boutique, Grand Bohemian Gallery, City Arts Factory, and Gallery at Avalon Island.

Immerse yourself in the city’s vibrant art scene. Named the second most creative city in the United States, Orlando harbors countless artistic gems and is home to a thriving population of creatives.

SEE Art Orlando (SAO)

Go on a self-guided tour of SEE Art Orlando (SAO), a permanent collection of eight contemporary public sculptures created by internationallyacclaimed artists, including Florida’s very own Jacob Harmeling. Supported by a non-profit, SAO brings creativity to the fore and embodies the city’s dynamism.

The outdoor sculptures can be found at various locations around Lake Eola and S. Orange Avenue. A virtual tour of SAO is available here.

American Ghost Adventures (AGA)

Join this hair-raising tour for something out of the ordinary. Go ghost-hunting throughout Downtown Orlando and learn about old mysteries, chilling tales, and ghost sightings. Enter a haunted building fitted with EMF detectors for a supernatural encounter.

This interactive tour was voted one of the world’s top 10 ghost tours and is among the country’s top 5. Visit the AGA website for more information.

For more tours, check out the Downtown Orlando website.