When the sun is shining and temperatures are warm, it's not too difficult to get out of the house and find something to do, whether it's a simple walk around the block or a day trip to the beach. But when temperatures are lower or rain is trickling down your windows, you're probably more likely to stay inside—and that's true no matter your age.
A 2020 survey of about 1,000 people from the National Recreation and Park Association showed that 58% of U.S. adults are less active in the winter. Similarly, a 2016 study out of the University of Cambridge found that average activity levels among children dropped to their lowest levels in February at about 48 minutes per day compared to 65 minutes per day in April, the peak month for activity.
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The good news is there are an increasing number of ways to get out and be active, no matter the season and no matter what level of activity you're looking for. There are the longtime staples to visit year-round, from an awe-inspiring and educational visit to an aquarium or planetarium to a culturally stimulating night at the theater to a trip down memory lane at the bowling alley. For the gamers among you—or for those nostalgic for the 1970s, '80s, and '90s—there's always laser tag or an afternoon at the arcade.
Those looking to exercise their minds a bit more than their muscles could try the more recent sensation: escape rooms, which started captivating Americans of all ages in the mid-2010s. Meanwhile, people who want to sweat it out a bit can try to get into the skyrocketing success of indoor rock climbing, the bouncing business of trampoline parks, and the more adult activity that is ax throwing.
To motivate you to try a new activity this weekend, weather notwithstanding, Stacker compiled a list of the best places for popular indoor activities in Orlando using data from Yelp. Data is as of Feb. 21, 2024. Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself.
Arcade: Arcade Monsters
- Rating: 4.7/5 (11 reviews)
- Address: 6362 International Drive Orlando, Florida
- Categories: Arcades, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
Bowling: Primrose Lanes
- Rating: 4.0/5 (65 reviews)
- Address: 400 North Primrose Drive Orlando, Florida
- Categories: Bowling, American, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
Laser tag: Tom's Laser Tag - Orlando
- Rating: 5.0/5 (6 reviews)
- Address: Orlando, Florida
- Categories: Laser Tag, Kids Activities, Party & Event Planning
- Read more on Yelp
Rock climbing: Blue Swan Boulders
- Rating: 4.5/5 (22 reviews)
- Address: 400 Pittman St. Ste 103 Orlando, Florida
- Categories: Gyms, Rock Climbing, Climbing
- Read more on Yelp
Aquarium: Stingray Lagoon
- Rating: 4.7/5 (7 reviews)
- Address: 7007 Sea Harbor Drive SeaWorld Orlando, Florida
- Categories: Aquariums
- Read more on Yelp
Ax throwing: Stumpy's Hatchet House
- Rating: 4.9/5 (49 reviews)
- Address: 8462 Palm Pkwy Orlando, Florida
- Categories: Ax Throwing, Venues & Event Spaces, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
Escape games: The Escape Ventures - Orlando
- Rating: 5.0/5 (46 reviews)
- Address: 570 North Alafaya Trl Ste 109-110 Orlando, Florida
- Categories: Escape Games, Team Building Activities
- Read more on Yelp
Theater: Orlando Shakes
- Rating: 4.8/5 (74 reviews)
- Address: 812 East Rollins St. Lowndes Shakespeare Center Orlando, Florida
- Categories: Performing Arts
- Read more on Yelp
Trampoline park: Sky Zone Trampoline Park
- Rating: 3.5/5 (90 reviews)
- Address: 8010 West Colonial Drive Orlando, Florida
- Categories: Trampoline Parks
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 251 metros.