Florida summers are no joke, and while cranking the AC is always an option, there's a whole lineup of refreshing — and mostly affordable — alternatives scattered across Central Florida. The Orlando Sentinel rounded up 10 ideas for staying cool, ranging from a dip in the springs to an afternoon at a tiki bar.
Florida's freshwater springs are among the best bargains around. Most state parks charge just $6 per car, giving the whole family access to water that stays a steady 72 degrees year-round. Popular options within an hour of Orlando include Wekiwa Springs, Blue Spring, Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, Silver Glen Springs, De Leon Springs, Rock Springs and Rainbow Springs. Just keep in mind that Blue Spring, Wekiwa Springs, Rainbow Springs, Alexander Springs and Silver Glen Springs now require advance online reservations.
Water parks are another solid option — Island H2O Live, Universal's Volcano Bay, Aquatica Orlando, CoCo Key and Disney's Blizzard Beach all fit the bill. Those who'd rather skip the crowds can look into ResortPass, which unlocks day passes to hotel pools and spas across Florida, or check whether a local public pool offers free or low-cost entry for county residents.
When you want to stay completely indoors, Central Florida's museums deliver air-conditioned culture. The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park, the Mennello Museum of American Art, the Orlando Science Center and the Orange County Regional History Center are all worth a visit. Tiki bars like Aloha Beautiful, Aku Aku, Suffering Bastard and Trader Sam's Grog Grotto offer a cooler spin on the happy-hour crawl — and for the truly heat-averse, Icebar Orlando on International Drive keeps part of the venue below freezing, with coats and gloves provided.
This guide was originally published by the Orlando Sentinel.
