Orlando is a great city to visit and going to the museums in Orlando is an incredible experience.
Most people travel to Orlando for its amusement parks and even though these are great, you definitely shouldn’t miss out on the museums in the city. Whether you want to learn something or you want to have a fun time, the museums are incredible.
I included a large variety of museums in this list. From art and history to museums with fun exhibits, there’s something for everyone’s liking on this list! There are also museums that are perfect if you’re in the city with kids and I also included these in this Orlando museums guide.
Best Museums in Orlando
Orlando Museum of Art
Want to see great art when you are in the city of Orlando? Then, the Orlando Museum of Art is a museum that you have to check out!
This is a museum without a permanent exhibition, instead, you can see great changing exhibitions at this place throughout the year.
These are exhibitions with objects from the permanent collection of the museum that are often supplemented with objects from other museums and galleries.
Because there are always new and changing exhibitions, you never know what to expect at this museum, which means that you can always discover new art here!
Besides great art exhibitions, you can also go to the museum for a lot more.
That’s because, there are workshops, lectures, guided tours, and many other activities that take place at the museum all year round.
These activities also include activities that are fun for children.
Address: 2416 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803
Orlando Science Center
If you want to learn about science, the Orlando Science Center is the place to check out!
This is a science museum that is a lot of fun for everyone. Whether you are going here with children or without them, you can have a fun time here.
At the science center, there are fun and interesting interactive and immersive exhibits through which you can learn about a variety of science aspects.
For example, there is one exhibit that focuses on dinosaurs.
Also, there is an interesting exhibit where you can learn about a variety of forces, including gravity and electricity.
Besides these, there are many other exhibits that are interesting. And what’s great is that the exhibits often change.
Address: 777 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803
Orange County Regional History Center
The Orange County Regional History Center is a fun and interesting place to check out if you want to learn about history.
At this history museum, which you can find in downtown Orlando, you can learn about local and regional history.
The museum covers a period of about 12,000 years, which means that you can see a large variety of objects at this place and learn about many different periods in time.
You can find both permanent exhibitions as well as traveling exhibitions at the center. Each exhibition focuses on a very specific part of history.
Also, there is a research library at the history center. This library contains a collection of more than 5,000 books.
Address: 65 E Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801
Madame Tussauds Orlando
Madame Tussauds is a wax museum that you can find in Orlando.
This is one location of the famous brand of wax museums that you can find in many places around the world, with its original location being in the city of London.
At this museum, you can see wax sculptures of historic people and celebrities, which can be very interesting.
You’ll be able to see the sculptures from very close and see how real they look.
Also, what can be fun is to take a selfie with the sculptures. That way, it looks like you took a photo with the celebrity.
Also, you can see wax sculptures of fictional characters at this place, including wax sculptures of characters from the movies of DC Comics.
Address: 8387 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
The Auto Museum at Dezerland Park Orlando
Do you like cars? Then, this is one of the museums in Orlando that you have to check out!
You can go to the Orlando Auto Museum at Dezerland Park Orlando.
At this very large museum, you can find a very interesting collection of historic cars.
What’s great is that this collection includes cars from many places in the world. For example, you can see historic cars from the country of France.
Furthermore, you can see military vehicles at this place that are very interesting to see as well.
But you can see much more than cars at this museum. You can also see other motorized vehicles here, including motorbikes. For example, you can see Harley Davidson motorbikes here and one section of the collection focuses on Vespas.
Address: 5250 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
Art & History Museums of Maitland
The Art & History Museums of Maitland are very interesting to visit as well.
You can find these museums in Maitland, which is located in Greater Orlando, and very close to downtown Orlando.
At this place, you can see interesting art exhibitions that are at the museum for a couple of months.
These art exhibitions vary a lot in topic.
For example, there are art exhibitions with historic art through which you can learn about a specific part of history. For example, you could learn about the time that Florida got its statehood at the museum.
Besides that, there are art exhibitions with contemporary art that can be very interesting to see as well.
Depending on when you visit, there can be an exhibition that you like or not. You can check out the museum’s website to see what’s currently on.
Address: 231 W Packwood Ave, Maitland, FL 32751
Ripley’s Believe It or Not
One of the most fun museums in the city of Orlando to check out is Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
This is a museum that, like Madame Tussauds, has several locations, of which you can find one that is in Orlando. In total, there are about 30 museums in the world.
At Ripley’s Orlando, you can check out a variety of fun exhibits.
These exhibits showcase all kinds of rare and unusual objects.
For example, you can learn about world records at this place.
Also, you can see and learn about animal oddities at Ripley’s Orlando.
Address: 8201 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens
The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens is the next museum that you can check out when you are visiting the city.
At this place, you can see the works of the Czech-American sculptor Albin Polasek.
The art collection at the museum includes a lot of beautiful sculptures by the artists. In total, there are about 200 works by the artist.
But that’s not all!
This museum is located inside the former retirement home and studio of the artist, and you can see a lot of original furniture at the museum.
Also, there are often changing exhibitions that showcase art by local artists.
Address: 633 Osceola Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
The Morse Museum is another interesting museum to visit if you are a lover of art.
At this museum, you can find a collection of American art that varies in medium.
For example, you can go here and see American paintings, decorative art, and graphic art.
Moreover, the museum focuses on the 19th and 20th centuries.
The collection of the museum contains art nouveau works, and there is a very large collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The museum has a lot of different works by the artist throughout his lifetime. For example, you can see here jewelry, lamps, furniture, mosaics, and many other objects.
Also, you can see beautiful high-quality American pottery works at this place.
Address: 445 N Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789
Museum of Illusions Orlando
One of the most fun museums to visit is the Museum of Illusions Orlando.
This is a museum that you can find at ICON Park where you can find a lot of other places with fun entertainment. For example, you can find a very large Ferris wheel here that you can ride to see the city from above.
What’s amazing is that the museum has a very large collection of fun illusions. In total, there are more than 50 different exhibits with very special and unique illusions.
For example, you could go to an exhibit where you look very small. Or you could check out an exhibit where it appears you are walking on the ceiling.
These illusions are great to see and the illusions are also a lot of fun to take photographs of!
Address: 8375 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
Mennello Museum of American Art
Another museum for art lovers that can be great to check out is the Mennello Museum of American Art.
This is an art museum that you can find in Loch Haven Park.
At the art museum, you can find a wonderful collection of the most beautiful paintings by the painter Earl Cunningham.
Furthermore, there are exhibitions of art that showcase the works of other American artists, and this includes both historical as well as contemporary works.
Also, what’s nice is that there is a sculpture garden at the Mennello Museum of American Art.
This garden is perfect for a relaxing stroll during which you can check out a tree that is about 350 years old and see the most beautiful sculptures.
Address: 900 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition is one of the most special Orlando museums.
At this museum, you can learn about the famous ship The Titanic from the year 1912.
At the museum, you can see more than 300 historic artifacts from the Titanic.
Also, there are costumed actors that give you a lot of information and that tell stories through which you can learn about the famous ship.
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What’s interesting as well is that there are room recreations of the ship. Through these recreations, you can learn about what the ship used to look like.
Also, you could do a guided tour of the museum and learn about the Titanic from an expert guide.
There are a variety of tours to choose from, including interesting and fun guided tours for children.
This museum is also great to visit for all ages.
Address: 7324 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
Rollins Museum of Art
The Rollins Museum of Art is yet another great museum for art lovers.
This is a museum that is part of Rollins College in Orlando.
It is a teaching museum where you can see art that is very diverse. You can see historical art at this place, but also contemporary art.
Furthermore, the art that is on display here comes from all around the world. So when you go here you can discover a lot of different great art and learn about cultures from all across the world.
At the museum, you can find a permanent collection of art that includes art that spans many centuries in time. For example, you can see ancient art, art by European Old Masters, and contemporary art here. This permanent exhibition is open all year round.
Also, you can see great rotating exhibits at the museum that are worth checking out too!
Address: 1000 Holt Ave Box 2765, Winter Park, FL 32789
Bronze Kingdom Museum
The Bronze Kingdom Museum is a museum that you can find on International Drive.
At this place, you can see amazing African art, which includes very unique sculptures.
But you can see more than visual arts at the museum!
You can also see great performing arts here. Throughout the year, there are wonderful performances that I’m sure you’ll like to attend if you like great music.
Address: 6464 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
Orlando Fire Museum
The Orlando Fire Museum is one of the most interesting history museums in Orlando.
You can find this museum inside a historic firehouse that dates back to the year 1926.
At this museum, you can learn about the firefighters of Orlando and you can find a lot of historic artifacts related to that here.
For example, you can see a fire truck here.
Also, you can find a lot of objects at this museum that relate to firefighters, including helmets and other equipment.
What’s great is that you can visit this museum in Orlando for free, there’s no admission fee to go to this place.
Address: 814 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL 32803
Chocolate Museum & Cafe
Do you like chocolate? Then, you have to check out this next museum on the list.
You can go to the Chocolate Museum in Orlando.
This is a museum where you can learn about the history of chocolate and the impact of this delicious food on culture.
What’s interesting is that you can do a guided tour of the museum. Through such a tour, you’ll learn a lot about history and learn about the chocolate-making process at the same time.
Also, what’s great is that you can try out the most delicious chocolate during a guided tour.
These guided tours take about 45 minutes.
What’s interesting to see at the museum as well is the large chocolate sculptures of the museum. There are 25 chocolate sculptures in total and these sculptures depict famous people and landmarks from all over the world.
Address: 11701 International Dr #400, Orlando, FL 32821
Central Florida Railroad Museum
Here’s one of the best museums to visit if you want to learn about railroad history.
At the Central Florida Railroad Museum, you can learn about the railroad history of Central Florida.
You can do this through a variety of interesting exhibits that include all sorts of historic artifacts.
For example, you can see photographs, maps, charts, lamps, motor cars, and many other objects at this place. Also, you can see dining car china at this place that is very special to see.
What’s great as well about this museum is that it is a museum that is perfect for families as well. Children will love to go to this place and see historic train cars and much more.
Address: 101 S Boyd St, Winter Garden, FL 34787
CityArts
CityArts is a space that you can find in downtown Orlando.
At this place, you can see both visual arts and performing arts. And you can see a combination of the two.
The venue has seven different art galleries that showcase exhibitions of local art that are of very high quality.
Also, you can see international works of art at this place, which is very interesting too.
Each gallery has something different to offer.
Also, what’s great is that you can see different mediums of art at this place. For example, you can see paintings, sculptures, and many other objects at this place.
Furthermore, CityArts organizes a variety of events that you can attend. For example, there is a fun film series that you can go to.
Address: 39 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum
Architecture lovers, pay attention! This is a great place to go for you when you are in Orlando.
You can go to Casa Feliz.
This is a historic home that is the work of the architect James Gamble Rogers II.
It is a farmhouse with an Andalusian style. The architectural style of this place is very special.
What’s great is that you can do a guided tour of the house during which a docent will show you both the home and the grounds of the home. At the same time, you can get a lot of information about the architecture of the home and the home’s history, which is very interesting.
Address: 656 N Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789
Museum of Military History
The Museum of Military History is another very interesting museum in Orlando to go to when you are in the city of Orlando.
At this museum, you can find a variety of interactive exhibits that showcase historic objects related to the United States military.
Also, you can find a lot of objects here, such as uniforms and personal objects by people that served in the military.
Moreover, there are exhibits about various wars and conflicts.
If you want to learn a lot of new things, this can be a great museum to visit.
Address: 5210 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, Florida 34746
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Orlando Museums Tips
Some of the Orlando museums can be visited for free every day of the year, but many have an admission fee.
However, some of the museums with an admission fee also have days during which you can attend the museum for free. I recommend checking out whether that’s the case for a museum that you want to go to!
Thanks for reading my guide to the best museums in Orlando. As you see, there are many great you can visit in the city!