Orlando is well-known for top-notch attractions. While Disney World and Universal Orlando grab headlines, there are a variety of Orlando museums throughout the city that both entertain and inform.
Some of these museums give a look back at history while others showcase unique pieces of art from around the world. Here is our list of the top museums in Orlando.
Orlando Science Center
The Orlando Science Center boasts over 207,000 square feet of space that allows people of all ages to engage in interactive exhibits. There are four floors of exhibits, including popular permanent installations like NatureWorks, DinoDigs, and Our Planet.
There are several different events at OSC that run throughout the year that cater to the 21 plus crowd like the upcoming Science Night Live on June 2. The Hall of Heroes traveling exhibit runs from May 26-September 3 and it will be a hit with fans of the superhero world.
Orlando Museum Of Art
The Orlando Museum of Art has four permanent exhibits and several rotating exhibits. The American Collection is made up of over 900 pieces of artwork from the 19th century onward, the Art of Ancient Americans Collection has 500 artifacts from Central America and the African Collection has more than 70 artifacts that are mostly from West Africa.
The largest collection at OMA is made up of contemporary art. Locals love to come to the museum during 1st Thursdays, an art party that features live music and a cash bar from 6-9 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month.
Orange County Regional History Center
The Orange County Regional History Center gives visitors a look back at 12,000 years of Central Florida history. The museum is situated right in the heart of downtown Orlando in a building that originally held the city's first courthouse.
The Center has exhibits that highlight Orlando's aviation history, its status as a hub for the cattle and citrus industries and the city's explosion during the modern era of tourism. Every first Friday of the month, there is a Lunch & Learn event at the museum that features an hour-long talk from museum staff and special guests.
Madame Tussauds Orlando
Madame Tussauds is a wax museum located on International Drive that is an offshoot of the legendary London attraction. People flock to the building to see the likenesses of various celebrities and take photos.
Tussauds in Orlando breaks their wax sculptures into six categories: Film, A List Party, HIstory & Leaders, Sports, Music and TV. The Justice League: A Call for Heroes special exhibit also just opened and it transports museumgoers to the streets of Metropolis and Gotham City.
Ripley's Believe It Or Not | Orlando
Ripley's Believe It Or Not brought their unique brand of oddities to a 10,000 square foot building on IDrive that looks like it is falling through a sinkhole. They have 600 artifacts and 16 themed galleries inside that showcase things like shrunken heads, a vampire killing kit and a spinning vortex tunnel.
Ripley's is open 365 days a year from 9 a.m. to midnight each day. They often run ticket specials and the regular price of admission for adults is $21.99 and $14.99 for children ages 3-11.
The Mennello Museum of Folk Art
The Mennello Museum of Folk Art preserves the collection of Earl Cunningham's paintings. They also have a host of regularly rotating exhibits that work their way through the museum.
The Mennello Museum is committed to inspiring youth to be interested and engaged in the arts. They are holding an Elementary Day of Art June 4 and a Middle and High School Day of Art June 11 that gives students the opportunity to create several pieces of art under expert instruction.
Cornell Fine Arts Museum
The Cornell Fine Arts Museum is on the campus of Rollins College and they have over 5,000 pieces in their permanent collection. They have Central Florida's only collection of European Old Masters, an American art collection and the Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art.
They are a museum that believes in educating, hosting a series of conversations, panel discussions and hands-on activities. On the third Thursday of every month, they host the free Throwback Thursdays Tour.
Orlando museums offer something for everyone, so take a visit to one of these great facilities soon! Subscribe for free on 407area and get more tips on great things to do in the city.
Feature Image Provided By Orlando Museum Of Art
