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The Complete Guide to Outdoor Orlando Fun in January

The Encore Resort Blog
January 5, 2024
January 5, 2024

Finding fun under the sun in January can be a challenge if you don’t choose the right location. In this case, Orlando, Florida is a proper destination for a getaway in amazing weather.

Travelers can visit a variety of areas in Orlando that can bring them closer to nature, and some tours give you a closer look at the area’s wildlife. Other locations provide a more peaceful experience, and activities are designed for fun, whether you are visiting with friends or family.

Staying at Encore Resort Orlando is the way to go to start the year off with a retreat you can spend outside. Here is the complete guide to outdoor Orlando fun in January.

1. Adventures in Florida

Girl kayaking on a river in Florida
Enjoying the outdoors of Orlando requires taking advantage of opportunities to come up-close with local wildlife. That’s where Adventures in Florida comes in, as you can kayak through tropical springs with the chance to spot manatees.
Tours and trips come in different forms depending on who you are traveling with and your experience level with kayaking. Each tour comes with a guide that shows off the natural beauty of Orlando.

2. ICON Park Orlando

A stay at Encore gives you easy access to Orlando’s most popular attractions, such as The Wheel at ICON Park. A view from the gigantic Ferris wheel is perfect for an unforgettable view of the rest of the city.
Take your family to view a variety of aquatic life at ICON Park’s Sea Life Orlando Aquarium or for a ride on the Carousel on the Promenade. You can get a more exciting view from the sky on Orlando Starflyer.
Family riding on the Wheel at ICON Park in Orlando, Florida
© ICON Park

3. Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park

Mom and daughter participating on a ropes course in a forest
Are you looking for an outdoor adventure in Orlando that offers a challenge? If so, then we recommend spending a day at Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park, which features zip lines and rope courses for visitors of all ages.
When you’re not swinging on Tarzan ropes or flying through trees on zip lines, you can leap into hanging nets or walk on wobbly suspended bridges. Courses are available for both adults and kids for families of adventurers.

4. Harry P. Leu Gardens

Parts of your time outside in Orlando can be spent taking in views in between more thrilling activities. This area has a variety of botanical gardens to choose from for a visit, among them being Harry P. Leu Gardens.
Guided tours allow you to check out a wide range of plant life, including the Aroid, Azalea, Bamboo, and Camellia collections. You can take pictures of the Arid, Butterfly, and Perennial Trial gardens to add to your photo collection.
Leu Gardens in Winter Park, Florida
© Harry P. Leu Gardens

5. Jack Nicklaus Golf Course

View of a pond at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Course - The Bear's Den Resort Orlando
Florida is the best state for vacationers in need of time off for golfing, as it is home to over 1,000 courses from which to choose. Those planning a stay at Encore can work on their game at the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at The Bear’s Den Resort Orlando.
This golf course features a Parkland-style layout with long horizon lines and elevated tee boxes and greens to challenge players. Follow your game up with a well-earned lunch or dinner at the Nicklaus Clubhouse.

6. Lake Louisa State Park

A successful vacation in Orlando requires variety, especially when it comes to outdoor fun. When you visit Lake Louisa State Park, you will have multiple ways to explore wildlife and take in views of natural wonders.
You can rent a canoe, kayak, or bike to tour the park if you want to save time compared to traveling on foot. Other trails are designed for horseback rides, and lessons are available so that the whole family can take part in the tour.
Great blue heron standing in shallow water in Orlando, surrounded by lush greenery.

7. Kelly Park

Woman floating down a river in a tube
Another spot perfect for outdoor lovers who plan on spending their Orlando trip at Encore is Kelly Park. Rock Springs Run is a popular part of this park due to the environment fit for swimming, tubing, kayaking, and other fun water activities.
Kelly Park has multiple locations for picnics and camping available to those who wish to enjoy lunch or downtime in nature. We recommend staying for the sunset over the water and trees to update your outdoor photo collection.

8. Orlando Heli-Tours

A successful vacation in Orlando requires variety, especially when it comes to outdoor fun. When you visit Lake Louisa State Park, you will have multiple ways to explore wildlife and take in views of natural wonders.
You can rent a canoe, kayak, or bike to tour the park if you want to save time compared to traveling on foot. Other trails are designed for horseback rides, and lessons are available so that the whole family can take part in the tour.
Couple walking towards a helicopter hanger

What Is the Weather Like in Orlando in January?

Couple walking down Park Avenue in Winter Park, Florida, during the holidays
Photo Credit: Alteredsnaps

January is one of the most comfortable months to visit Orlando, with mild temperatures and low humidity making it perfect for outdoor activities. Expect daytime highs around 70°F (21°C) and cooler evenings dropping to about 50°F (10°C). While cold snaps can occasionally bring temperatures into the 40s (4-9°C), it’s rare for Orlando to experience extreme winter weather.

Rainfall is minimal, with only a few short showers throughout the month, so you’ll have plenty of dry, sunny days to explore theme parks, nature trails, and outdoor attractions. Packing light layers, a jacket for the evenings, and comfortable walking shoes will keep you ready for anything Orlando’s winter weather throws your way.

Whether you seek thrills in the wild or wish to enjoy the peace of nature, Orlando ensures that you can create new memories from your getaways. Book your vacation at Encore today to experience the best of Orlando’s outdoors.
Dani Luna spinning a basketball on her finger

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