When the heat is up and the kids need to get out of the house, head to one of these Orlando museums that are perfect for families. You can spend your day learning about fire engines, trying science projects and exploring the history of chocolate. Whatever adventure you choose, the kids will have the best day!
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Orlando Science Center
The Orlando Science Center’s mission is to inspire science learning for life with four floors of interactive exhibit halls, labs and workshops, theaters, an observatory, and experiences that change with the seasons. Learn how to be a spy, check out innovations in AI and meet live animals that are Florida residents.
777 E. Princeton St.
Orlando, FL
Online: osc.org
Chocolate Museum
What’s not to love about free chocolate samples and a factory tour to see how chocolate is made? Tour guides make sure the tour is interactive and entertaining for all ages as they educate guests about the origin of chocolate, how it’s made, and how healthy it is for you (true story!). Your little artists will also love the chocolate sculptures, which feature landmarks like the Great Wall of China and Mount Rushmore and range in size from about 3 feet to over 6 feet.
11701 International Dr suite 400
Orlando, FL
Online: wocorlando.com
Orange County Regional History Center
The Orange County Regional History Center, housed in a historic courthouse in the heart of downtown Orlando, offers four floors of exhibits exploring 12,000 years of Central Florida’s rich heritage. A Smithsonian affiliate, the museum also offers visiting exhibitions and a wide range of programs for families and kids.
65 E. Central Blvd.
Orlando, FL
Online: thehistorycenter.org
Central Florida Railroad Museum
Memorabilia on display in the Central Florida Railroad Museum includes historic photographs (including an extensive collection of Tavares & Gulf Railroad photographs from its early steam era until its last run), lanterns, locks and keys, telephones, telegraphs, signs, stoves, tools, furniture, timetables, dining car china and silver, tinware, marker lights, ticket punches, lamps, uniforms, locomotive bells and whistles, a 1938 Fairmont motorcar, and a velocipede hand car. Outside, the former Clinchfield caboose #1073, a three-head interlocking signal from the former ACL-SAL junction in Plant City, a set of narrow-gauge wheels and several switch stands and crossing signals are displayed.
101 South Boyd Street
Winter Garden, FL
Online: cfrhs.org/museum
Mennello Museum of American Art
The Mennello features American art of all genres and is home to a permanent collection of paintings by "primitive" artist Earl Cunningham. Outside, a lakeside sculpture garden is where the Mennello hosts the annual Indie Folk Fest, held the second week in February. Every second Sunday is Family Day, which brings child-friendly activities and free admission with mini-tours for kids in the afternoon.
900 East Princeton St.
Orlando, FL
Online: mennellomuseum.org
Orlando Fire Museum
Learn about the history of the Orlando Fire Department at this museum that includes a restored 1926 American LaFrance fire engine in its collection. The museum operates on a donation basis and is staffed by retired fire fighters.
814 E. Rollins St.
Orlando, FL
Online: orlandofiremuseum.org
—Kate Loweth
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