Top Things to do in Central Florida
Top Hotels in Central Florida
- 1. Universal's Endless Summer Resort - Surfside Inn and Suites
- 2. Universal’s Endless Summer Resort - Dockside Inn and Suites
- 3. Holiday Inn Orlando - Disney Springs Area, An IHG Hotel
- 4. Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort
- 5. Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek
- 6. Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando
- 7. Holiday Inn Orlando - Disney Springs Area, An IHG Hotel
- 8. Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
- 9. Hyatt Regency Orlando
- 10. Avanti International Resort
10 History Museums in Central Florida That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Central Florida, United States including Paquette's Historical Farmall Tractor Museum, L. B. Brown house, Wonder House, The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center, Fantasy of Flight, Frostproof Historical Museum Library, The Orange County Regional History Center, Mount Dora Historical Society Museum, Lake Wales History Museum, Osceola County Historical Society Pioneer Village.
Restaurants in Central Florida
1. Paquette's Historical Farmall Tractor Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 95 reviews
Dedicated to the Preservation of International Harvester Farming and Construction Equipment. New Dates for Tractor Show & Pull: Feb 4-6, 2021. Show Barn & surrounding grounds available for weddings and events accommodating 250+. Museum Admission $20 per person, military & veteran ID $15 per person, children under 9 are free, groups of 10 or more $15 per person. Call for children organization rates (i.e. schools, scouts or camps).
Reviewed By T5010AZemilyc
Excellent. Many more treasures than I was expecting. We loved it! My dad has 2 pieces in the museum and it was so special for my son to get to see them, too.
2. L. B. Brown house
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By steveaD310JW
You must call ahead to arrange a visit. Our guide, Mr. Lewis was very knowledgeable and entertaining. He spent spent 90 minutes giving us a tour of the house and recounting Mr. L. B. Brown’s life history. The house was built in 1882 and contains many interesting items.
3. Wonder House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 227 reviews
Wonder House tours can only be booked online in advance by going to our website. Please note that the Wonder House is a private residence and we cannot sell tickets at the door.
Reviewed By terrypT7516FB - Cape Canaveral, United States
Absolutely amazing. To be honest, I didn't expect much, being a Florida native and never having heard of the place. I hate the theme parks and figured this is one of those "feed the lazy gator" deals. After a two-hour drive, my family & I (with a couple 20+ year olds) were stunned. Drew & Kris are involved in an absolutely fantastic journey renovating a fascinating piece of Florida history from the 1920's. And Drew's telling of the history of the house left us agape. Were I a younger man (& not two-hours away), I'd love to help Drew with the reconstruction. I'll not list out the inventor's devices & genius; that'd spoil the tour some. Instead I'll just say, "You MUST see this House". Drew and Kris will make you feel like family and take you on an amazing intellectual journey that you'll not soon forget. We're still talking about the House and the inventions days after the our tour. Thank you Drew & Kris. (fwiw, a keg and the townies could throw that shed roof up in one day. Piece of cake.)
4. The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
One of the oldest Holocaust Centers in the nation, this facility has a large permanent exhibit area, rotating exhibits of world-class Holocaust-related visual art, and regular community programming. Offerings include community observances of Kristallnacht and Yom HaShoah, a series of documentary films, adult education classes, and a comprehensive teacher training program.
Reviewed By _carolynshaffer9 - Maitland, United States
The exhibit and events at the Holocaust Museum Center challenges anti-Semitism, and racism. "This small museum was founded by a lovely woman named Tess Wise, and was the first Holocaust memorial museum in the southeast, and one of the first of its kind in the United States. The permanent exhibit showcases the Holocaust through artifacts, videos, text, photographs, and artwork. Visitors have an opportunity to listen to the recorded testimonies of several Holocaust Survivors who settled in Central Florida. Holocaust Center in Maitland who is host for a number of films, seminars, discussions and special events?Tours are available for schools from all over. Call 407-628-0555. (This information was taken from their official site so as to get the facts correct.)
5. Fantasy of Flight
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 348 reviews
Central Florida's premier aviation attraction. More than 100 rare vintage aircraft, themed immersion experiences, flight simulators, interactive exhibits, tram tour of aircraft maintenance areas, restoration and back lot tours and daily aerial demonstration (weather permitting). Audio tours, Biplane Rides are also available. Wing WalkAir A thrilling outdoor attraction featuring a 600-foot zip line suspended four stories above water and a three-level ropes course complete with 33 midair challenges to be performed while tethered to an overhead line at heights of up to 45 feet.
Reviewed By JayMcOtown
We all owe Kermit Weeks a big Thank You for all the work he has done to single handedly save many of our historical aircraft from the junk heap. Weeks has his airplanes meticulously restored and then allows us to come and see them. My only regret is that they are only open three days a week now to the general public. I have been to some other great aviation museums such as PIMA Air and Space Museum in Tucson and Mid-America Air Museum in Liberal, Kansas but Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida is the only one I know of in which most of the aircraft are restored to air worthy condition. Fantasy of Flight is truly a "Must See" when you are in Central Florida and Mr. Weeks, THANK YOU for all you are doing to save and restrore so many aircraft!
6. Frostproof Historical Museum Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
7. The Orange County Regional History Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 164 reviews
The Orange County Regional History Center, housed in a restored historic 1927 courthouse in downtown Orlando, showcases the vast collections of the Historical Society of Central Florida. Three floors of permanent exhibits showcase 12,000 years of Florida history. The museum, a Smithsonian Institution affiliate and AAM accredited museum, also presents nationally important limited-run exhibitions.
Reviewed By Arielfl - Coconut Creek, United States
The Orlando Regional History Center is located in the old Neoclassical Orlando courthouse built in 1927. One of the most famous trials held here was for Ted Bundy. When the city outgrew the courthouse they built a new annex next door in 1960. In 1995 community leaders voted to make the 1927 courthouse a regional history museum. By this time the courthouse annex had been closed down due to asbestos. In 1998 it was torn down and Heritage Park was built on the site. The Orange County Regional History Center opened in the restored courthouse in 2000. Parking for the museum is available at the Central Boulevard garage across from the Orlando Public Library. There are four floors of exhibits starting from 12,000 years ago. The fifth floor houses the Joseph L. Brechner Research Center. The story of Florida's history in the museum starts with Native American settlements that turned into pioneer towns that raised cattle and farmed citrus. In the 1970's the tourist industry blossomed turning Florida into the vacation destination it is today. More current events like the shooting of Trayvon Martin, the trial of Casey Anthony,and the 2016 Pulse Nightclub mass shooting are also examined. Exhibits focus on African American history, aviation, the cattle and citrus Industries, the history of tourism in Florida, Florida's indigenous people, the first settlers, the environment, and the impact of the theme parks. One exhibit I really liked was the recreated court room. On one of the tables the name Ted Bundy has been carved. Whether it was actually by him is up for debate. In addition to the permanent collection, the museum also showcases special exhibits. They also offer camps, workshops, lectures, and activities. This museum is associated with the Smithsonian. The museum offers free admission on the third Thursday of each month from 6 to 9 PM. It will also offer free admission on April 4, 2020 for Museum Day. Regular adult admission is $8 but I saved money by purchasing a Groupon. That is a great, inexpensive activity. Lake Eola is nearby and there are a ton of great places to eat in the area. I highly recommend this fantastic museum.
8. Mount Dora Historical Society Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By davesQ624MZ - Wellingborough, United Kingdom
We were stopping in Florida and went for a day trip to Mount Dora. We found the little Historical Society Museum hidden up a side street. It cost just a couple of Dollars for the entrance fee and is quite small inside, but it is crammed full with interesting bits and pieces of history from the area. The building was originally the fire station back in the 1920's and then a jail, so some of the exhibits are connected to the building's origins. The three prison cells are still there to view (or lock someone up in if you wish). The lady that runs the museum is very helpful with answering questions. It took my wife and I around 45 minutes or so to get around and see the items and read their descriptions. Mount Dora was a really nice town to visit and finding the museum was a bit of a bonus for us.
9. Lake Wales History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
Created in 1976, the Lake Wales History Museum is housed in the former 1928 Atlantic Coast Line Railroad station, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is free to the public, offering self-guided tours of permanent exhibits with artifacts, images and documents in our permanent exhibit, changing exhibits, and train cars. Upon entry, visitors are given a boarding pass which identifies a specific Lake Wales pioneer to follow through their museum visit. Visitors learn about the natural history of the Lake Wales Ridge beginning with Florida’s native people to the development of Lake Wales’ railroad, industry and residents of the 20th century. Visitors can now hear over 80 stories of Lake Wales’ pioneers and history through our new audio tour launched in the summer of 2018. Guests may visit our newly restored 1926 Seaboard Air Line Railroad caboose, the 1916 office car and 1944 US Army locomotive engine.
Reviewed By susana925 - Holly, United States
My husband and I spent about an hour here and it was worth every minute!! All the local history was well done and the historical information area about the prohibition was outstanding!
10. Osceola County Historical Society Pioneer Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 164 reviews
History meets nature at Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek Regional Park! Step back in time as you tour the fully-restored dwellings of some of Osceola County's earliest settlers, furnished to depict lifestyles in the late 19th century. Visit the Seminole Settlement to see how Florida's natives lived off the land. Explore the hiking, biking and paddling trails to get in touch with Florida's nature on the Headwaters of the Everglades.
Reviewed By keithc950 - Davenport, United States
Well what a find. How can you live near something for donkey's years and not know it exists. We really only found out about it by going into a Tourist Office for info on something else. They even gave us dicount tickets for it. Not that it is expensive anyway but it was a bonus. You need to look it up on the web to get the low down on the attraction. The way I would describe it is an Old Wild West Original Town. It has the buildings of homes, church, farming, railway station etc. Some origional and some built to exact copy. This is not only a place for adults but is wonderful education for children of all ages. If you get a chance then please put it on your list of things to do. Once you know it exists then it is a doddle to find. Thanks for a fantastic visit. One down side : If only you could get a coffee there, perhaps something to think about. Keith C
