13 Great Museums and Galleries in Orlando
Where to Discover Orlando's History, Art and Culture?
Orlando’s diverse range of museums and galleries are sure to surprise anybody who thought the city was only focused on theme parks and fairground rides. Boasting a proud artistic tradition and a council that are committed to preserving the best of Orlando’s heritage, visitors have a whole lot of choice when it comes to exploring the city’s art and culture haunts (including fun venues for children).
Below, we’ve listed some of the most popular Orlando museums and galleries. Please note that some are located in different areas of the city, which means you may need your own car to visit them (alternatively, taxis and public transport are readily available).
What are the greatest museums and galleries in Orlando?
1. Albin Polasek Museum
Explore the former residence of this acclaimed Czech sculptor
Good for: History, Photo, Budget
The Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Garden occupies the former historic home of Czech sculptor, Albin Polasek. While the property is small, it provides the chance to be close to his artwork and take wonderful photographs.
Join the museum’s tour, which includes a short video explaining the history of the property. It also offers a greater understanding of the sculptures and why Polasek created them. There are also hundreds of other works by the artist on-site including sketches, paintings, and molds. Read more
Location: 633 Osceola Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789, USA
Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm, Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +1 407-647-6294
Albin Polasek Museum
2. Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe
A house of pilgrimage and prayer
Good for: History, Photo, Budget
The Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe is a Catholic place of worship, featuring a majestic 2,000-seat main church. Mosaics, paintings, and stained glass adorn the walls and a professional in-residence chorus makes up the Basilica Choir.
You’re welcome to attend mass, which takes place throughout the week, as well as explore the lush Rosary Garden and the beautiful outdoor chapel, the Museum of Christian Art. Read more
Location: 8300 Vineland Ave, Orlando, FL 32821, USA
Open: Monday–Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm, Sunday from 8 am to 2 pm
Phone: +1 407-239-6600
Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe
3. Chocolate Kingdom
A sanctuary for sweet tooths
Good for: Families, History, Food
Chocolate Kingdom Orlando lets you discover how chocolate is created, from the bean to the bar. A visit to this interactive center takes you through a Cacao Tree Greenhouse, onto the Mystical River of Chocolate. You’ll also enjoy the Factory Adventure tour where you’ll discover more about the old-world machinery involved in making chocolate.
This unique tour lasts about 45 minutes, and lets you buy your own customized chocolate bar to keep at the end. Tours run every hour (from midday until 4 pm) and walk-ins are welcome. Read more
Location: 9901 Hawaiian Ct, Orlando, FL 32819, USA
Open: Daily from 11.30 am to 5 pm
Phone: +1 407-705-3475
Chocolate Kingdom
4. Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
A comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany
Good for: History, Photo, Budget
Charles Hosmer Morse Museum displays the world’s largest collection of pieces by Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933) including a dazzling array of pottery, paintings, jewelry, leaded-glass lamps, and ornate windows. During your visit, you can also admire perfectly-preserved American works from the 19th and 20th centuries such as paintings, graphics and decorative art.
A striking exhibit is the reconstructed remains of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s 1893 chapel, made for the World’s Columbian Exposition. The chapel measures 39 feet long and 23 feet wide, and showcases stunning mosaics, Byzantine-Romanesque architecture, and colorful windows. Read more
Location: 445 N Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789, USA
Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 9.30 am to 4 pm, Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +1 407-645-5311
Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
5. Rollins Museum of Art
For European Old Masters and established American talent
Good for: Families, History
Rollins Museum of Art is home to over 5,000 exceptional objects spanning rare antiques to contemporary pieces. Located in Rollins College, it’s right in the heart of Winter Park (a compact city a short drive from Orlando) and overlooks the stunning blue expanse of Lake Virginia.
The museum showcases the only European Old Masters collection in the Orlando area, as well as modern American pieces by icons like Andy Warhol. Admire over 500 paintings, 1,600 prints, drawings, photographs, and archeological artifacts spanning the 14th to the 20th centuries. Read more
Location: Rollins College, 1000 Holt Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789, USA
Open: Tuesday from 10 am to 7 pm, Wednesday–Friday from 10 am to 4 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +1 407-646-2526
Rollins Museum of Art
6. Kennedy Space Center
Explore outer space from the comfort of Earth
Good for: Families, History, Photo
The Kennedy Space Center is a fully operational NASA launch center, as well as a popular family attraction in Orlando. Its visitor center has plenty to keep the whole family occupied for the entire day, with highlights including the original Atlantis Space Shuttle, a Saturn V moon rocket, a 3D IMAX theatre, a launch simulator, and an Astronaut Hall of Fame.
If you’re in Orlando at the right time, you’ll have an opportunity to see actual launches—a full schedule is available on their website. Don’t miss the newest attraction, The Gantry at LC-39, which tells the story of NASA’s relationship between nature and technology and its mission to protect the planet via the exploration of space. Read more
Location: Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953, USA
Open: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm
Phone: +1 855-433-4210
Kennedy Space Center
7. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
Take a selfie next to a waxwork celebrity
Good for: Families, Photo, Unusual
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum Orlando displays life-like wax figures of A-list celebrities including sports stars, musicians, and historical figures. There are 6 sections for you to explore. Find your favorite star to pose with and photograph.
Get up-close and personal with Taylor Swift, Albert Einstein, the President of the United States, Michael Jackson, Shrek, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Beyoncé, and even Angelina Jolie. There are true-life wax representations of pretty much all the most popular and influential people. You’ll have a field day exploring here. Read more
Location: ICON Orlando 360, 8387 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, USA
Open: Monday–Friday from 11 am to 7 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 11 am to 8 pm
Phone: +1 855-450-0581
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
8. Mennello Musuem of American Art
A diverse celebration of American art
Good for: History, Photo, Budget
The Mennello Museum of American Art is a rotating exhibition featuring American art of all genres and periods. A must-see at this prestigious Orlando art gallery is the permanent collection of paintings by self-taught artist Earl Cunningham.
You can also explore the Sculpture Garden, which merges into the Orlando Urban Trail bicycle and pedestrian path. Don’t miss Indie-Folkfest, a vibrant celebration of music, art, and community, which takes place every year. Read more
Location: 900 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803, USA
Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm, Sunday from 12 pm to 4.30 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +1 407-246-4278
Mennello Musuem of American Art
9. Orange County Regional History Center
Not-for-profit museum in a renovated courthouse
Good for: History, Budget
Visit the Orange County Regional History Center for deeper insight into Florida’s rich heritage. Located in the city’s old courthouse, exhibits are spread across four floors. The museum documents around 12,000 years of Florida’s history and includes some riveting interactive displays about Walt Disney.
The Orange County Regional History Center is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, which means several unique exhibitions and events also take place throughout the year. Check the official website for more information. Read more
Location: 65 E Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801, USA
Open: Monday–Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm
Phone: +1 407-836-8500
Orange County Regional History Center
10. Orlando Museum of Art
Where creativity and community come together
Good for: Couples, Families, History
The Orlando Museum of Art is one of the oldest and most renowned in Central Florida, featuring a number of nationally recognized exhibits. Every first Thursday of the month (between 6 pm and 9 pm), you can discover upcoming local artists, listen to live music, and check out the museum’s featured exhibition.
OMA’s Permanent Collection is home to paintings by Georgia O’Keeffe, photography by Ansel Adams, and extraordinary objects from America’s indigenous nations. There’s also plenty of contemporary works from popular art world figures like Philip Pearlstein, Robert Rauschenberg, and Kerry James Marshall. Read more
Location: 2416 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803, USA
Open: Tuesday–Friday from 10 am to 4 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 12 pm to 4 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +1 407-896-4231
Orlando Museum of Art
11. Orlando Science Center
Four floors of exciting exhibits
Good for: Families, History
Orlando Science Center displays an array of exhibits and hands-on activities just outside of Downtown Orlando. A must-see is Nature Works, a huge space on the ground floor that explores the surrounding Central Florida ecosystem and the flora and fauna that can be found there.
A popular section for younger children is Kids Town, a miniature village full of fun interactive games. The 4th floor of Orlando Science Center has a Dino Digs area, where you can uncover fossilized dinosaurs and inspect huge prehistoric eggs. Read more
Location: 777 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803, USA
Open: Thursday–Tuesday from 10 am to 5 pm (closed on Wednesdays)
Phone: +1 407-514-2000
Orlando Science Center
12. Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Museum
A haven of kitschy oddities!
Good for: Families, Photo, Unusual
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium contains so many photographs, interactive exhibits, and objects that you won’t believe are real, like shrunken human heads and bizarre animal skeletons.
Located on popular International Drive, you definitely won’t miss this crazy building, which looks like it’s sinking into the ground… believe it or not! Other must-see attractions include a 3,197-pound meteorite, a mysterious yeti footprint, and a mind-bending Vortex Tunnel, where illusions and a light show transport you to another dimension.
Location: 8201 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, USA
Open: Sunday–Thursday from 10 am to 9 pm, Friday–Saturday from 10 am to 10 pm
Phone: +1 407-345-0501
Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Museum
13. Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
Discover 300 artifacts recovered from the wreck
Good for: History, Photo, Unusual
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition is where you can peruse genuine artifacts from the iconic ship, which were recovered from the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. You can learn more about the fateful events which led to its tragic sinking in April 1912 at this interactive center.
Join a fully-guided tour of the 20,000-sq-ft museum, where trained costumed actors play crucial characters of the time. The venue also displays over 400 pieces of memorabilia from the original iceberg-sunk ship including the second largest piece of the Titanic that has ever been recovered. Read more
Location: 7324 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, USA
Open: Friday–Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday–Wednesday from 10 am to 8 pm
Phone: +1 407-248-1166
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
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