WonderWorks Orlando

WonderWorks Orlando sits on International Drive looking like a building that fell from the sky and landed upside down — which is exactly the point. The zany exterior sets up the experience inside: 35,000 square feet of hands-on, interactive science exhibits spread across multiple floors, with almost nothing behind glass and almost everything designed to be touched, moved, or climbed.

The ground floor covers weather and natural phenomena — there's a genuine hurricane simulator that blasts air at 70 mph (kids love it, though it's loud), an earthquake platform, and bubble experiments. Upstairs, kids can lie on an actual bed of nails (it's safe and a crowd favorite with school-age kids), try a fighter jet simulation, and test their reflexes. The glow-in-the-dark high ropes course occupies the top floor and is genuinely thrilling for kids with enough balance — it's included in the general admission price.

WonderWorks is best for ages 5-14. Younger kids can participate in many exhibits but won't get full value from the science-focused content. Teens with some cynicism about 'kid stuff' often end up genuinely engaged because the exhibits involve real physics, not dumbed-down displays.

This is not a theme park — there are no rides with wait times, no lines to manage, and no set route to follow. Your family moves at its own pace, which is either liberating or frustrating depending on how your kids handle open-ended exploration. Budget 2-3 hours for a thorough visit; speedy families can cover everything in 90 minutes. Evening visits after 6PM are often the quietest time.