Orlando Museums

Orlando is home to a diverse selection of museums, offering a haven for history buffs, art enthusiasts, families on vacation, and everyone in between. From institutions like the Orlando Museum of Art and Mennello Museum of American Art to whimsical wonders at Ripley's Believe It or Not!, there's a museum to spark curiosity and ignite the imagination of every visitor.

Art Museums in Orlando

Orlando Museum of Art (OMA)

A staple of Florida’s art scene, the Orlando Museum of Art is home to collections that span centuries and continents to showcase a range of art styles and artists, from American modernism to the ancient Americas and everything in between. OMA puts on about a dozen exhibitions annually, offering a unique blend of supporting activities that include opportunities like gallery tours, studio classes, art appreciation lectures, and more.

Mennello Museum of American Art

With roots in folk art and a semi-recent expansion into the full world of American art, Mennello Museum in Orlando is an interesting destination to add to your next trip to Florida. This small but mighty museum draws from the city of Orlando’s Permanent Collection, as well as their own, to feature a wide array of artistic styles, themes, and mediums.

Tip: Mennello Museum of American Art is located in Loch Haven Cultural Park, along with the Orlando Museum of Art, the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, and the Orlando Science Center. With these locations so close by, a museum day in Orlando is easy to plan!

Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

Famous as the home of the most comprehensive collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s art in the world, the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art is a major name in the art scene and a can’t miss stop during your Florida vacation. Fondly called “the Morse,” this museum also houses a large collection of American art pottery, and collections of 19th- and 20th- century paintings, graphics, and painted arts.

Rollins Museum of Art

The Rollins Museum of Art at Rollins College is one of only four American Alliance of Museums (AAM)-accredited art museums in Orlando. One of Florida’s first college museums to be accredited by the AAM and the only teaching museum in the greater Orlando area, Rollins continues to support the art community at all levels in Florida. This museum features a sizable American art collection, a global contemporary collection, and the only European Old Master paintings in the Orlando area.

Albin Polasek Museum + Sculpture Gardens

The Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens houses a collection that focuses on American representational sculpture and prominently features the work of Albin Polasek. With over 200 pieces throughout the property, the museum’s commitment to preserving Polasek’s work is clear. Guests can enjoy guided tours of the historic Polasek residence and chapel, an outdoor garden, rotating exhibits, and a gift shop.

The Art of Disney Gallery at Disney Springs

Located in Disney Springs, The Art of Disney Gallery features one-of-a-kind paintings, collectibles, prints, figurines, and more, plus the coveted Disney Classic Collection. This gallery and art shop combines history and fun, giving visitors the chance to browse and purchase beautifully-framed prints, paintings, animation cels, figurines, souvenir postcards, and more.

Visiting Disney? Opt for a Vacation Escapes resort like Calypso Cay or Barefoot Suites. Both less than 20 minutes from Disney, these resorts are close to the parks and offer plenty of amenities without the price of a park-affiliated resort so you can spend more on fun!

History Museums in Orlando

Orange County Regional History Center

Visiting downtown Orlando? Stop into the Orange County Regional History Center and explore four floors of exhibits that chronicle thousands of years of history across seven counties in Florida including Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, and Volusia. The history center houses over 35,000 artifacts, photographs, and archival materials that document the rich heritage of the region.

Orlando Fire Museum

Just behind the Shakespeare Theatre in Loch Haven Park, the Orlando Fire Museum makes another great stop on any Orlando museum trip. The firehouse, constructed in 1926, houses exhibits that chronicle the area’s firefighter history from the mid 1880s to present day. Browse artifacts, restored vehicles and equipment, and more at this unique Orlando history museum.

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition Orlando

See over 300 artifacts from the ship and immerse yourself in the history of the Titanic at this Orlando history museum. Guests receive a replica boarding pass upon entry, take on the role of a passenger on the ship, and follow a chronological journey through Titanic’s first and only excursion. Feel the chill of the night air on a recreation of the Promenade Deck, and place your hand against a real iceberg that is the same temperature as the water was on the night the Titanic sank.

Historic Leu House Museum

Located on site at Leu Gardens, the Historic Leu House Museum was built in 1888 and today serves as a showcase of 19th and 20th century architectural styles. The Leu family was actually the fourth family to own the home, but are responsible for the property’s extensive gardens – they were seasoned travelers and brought seeds and plants back for their gardens every time they traveled. With nearly 30 collections of plants throughout the property, from vines and vegetables to a citrus grove and azaleas, the gardens are an incredible testament to the legacy that the Leu family left to Orlando.

Kid-Friendly Museums in Orlando

Orlando Science Center

Central Florida’s award-winning science museum, the Orlando Science Center, features nine exhibit halls to explore. With one just for kids, this is one of the top kid-friendly museums in central Florida. From natural science to simulation technology and everything in between, there are educational opportunities and fun everywhere you look in the Orlando Science Center.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando

Offering rotating exhibits, exciting events, and unique experiences, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando is a can’t-miss destination for Orlando vacationers, especially those with kids in tow. From oddities like meteorites and sasquatch footprints to sensory explorations and famous memorabilia, Ripley’s in Orlando is a great place to spend time with your family and escape the Florida heat!

Chocolate Museum and Cafe

See some of the world’s most recognizable landmarks and famous folks made out of chocolate at Chocolate Museum and Cafe in Orlando! This confectionary center gives visitors the chance to explore the history of one of the world’s best-loved desserts. Learn about cacao and the origins of chocolate as we know it, see antique confectionery equipment, and sample some of the finest chocolates from around the world. Counteract the sweetness with a delicious sandwich from the cafe, or lean into the beauty of sugar with drinking chocolates, coffees, gelato, baked goods, and more.

Madame Tussauds Orlando

This internationally-recognized museum chain is home to some of the most incredible life-size wax replicas in the world. Madame Tussauds Orlando is located in ICON Park, and houses wax figures of celebrities from pop icons to movie stars and sports legends, all in unique settings perfect for selfies with your favorites like Harry Styles, Lady Gaga, Superman, Ariana Grande, Kung Fu Panda, and more. Kids 3 and under are free, and the attraction is stroller-accessible.

Orlando Shakes

The Orlando Shakespeare Theater produces contemporary, classic, and children’s plays. In their 36th season in 2024, Orlando Shakes’ will feature Macbeth, A Christmas Carol, Henry VI, Cabaret, Welcome to Matteson, Stuart Little, and What the Constitution Means to Me. Wondering which of these productions are appropriate for your kids? Orlando Shakes has provided a list of content advisories for each production, including a synopsis and a rating that matches the popularly used movie rating scale (like PG-13 and PG) to help you make the right choice for your family.

Where to Stay in Orlando

From imaginative play and fun science to area history and the wonders of the world, Orlando museums offer a wide variety of topics to learn and explore. Book your stay at one of our Orlando resorts today to experience everything Florida has to offer.