Averaging more than 255 days of sunshine every year, Davenport, Florida is one of the best vacation destinations in the world. But it’s not just the great weather that makes Davenport such a wonderful place to visit–-there are also tons of fun and exciting things to do!
With theme parks, fish-filled lakes, amazing restaurants, and more, the biggest problem you’ll have is finding time to enjoy everything the city and Central Florida has to offer.
11 Great Things to Do in Davenport, Florida
No matter when you’re visiting Davenport or how long you’re staying, you’ll find that there are tons of great things to do. Check out some of our favorite things to do in Davenport, Fl.
1. Go Shopping
Whether you’re looking for high-dollar items or deep discounts, Davenport, Fl offers plenty of shopping opportunities to choose from.
- Posner Commons: Also known as Posner Park Shopping Mall, this outdoor mall features a variety of retail stores and boutiques, including Target, JCPenney, and other big box retailers, as well as more focused retail shops, such as Flower Power Florists, RUE 21, and Buff City Soap.
- The Mall at Millenia: Looking for some upscale shopping opportunities? The Mall at Millenia has you covered. Featuring an array of luxury brands, ranging from Gucci to Prada to Chanel, this indoor mall is a must-visit destination for discerning shoppers.
- The Florida Mall: If you want a BIG shopping experience, you’ll definitely want to check out the largest mall in Central Florida. Join the more than 20 million people who visit this mall annually, while shopping at unique outlets, including M&Ms World, Crayola Experience, and Central Florida’s only Disney Store.
2. Watch an IMAX Movie
After you’ve finished shopping at Posner Commons, hang around for a while and catch a flick at Cinépolis Polk County IMAX. Featuring reserved seating and a full bar, this top-notch cinema also offers gourmet snacks, restaurant-caliber food, and special 3D showings. Do note that the cinema recommends arriving early, so you can look around, grab a bite, and find your seat with plenty of time to spare.
3. Relax at a Day Spa
Whether you want a haircut, massage, manicure, or you’d just like to lounge around with cucumbers on your eyes and a tasty beverage in your hand, there are plenty of spas in Davenport, Florida that can help you do so.
A few of our favorite spas in the area include:
- Cenoté Day Spa: Offering manicures, skin care packages, FasciaBlasting, eyelash extensions and more, this is a great spa located near the Champions Gate neighborhood.
- Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa: Offering a variety of massages, including sports massage, couples massage, and prenatal massages, as well as facial and hair-removal services, this upscale spa will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed.
- Elements Rejuvenating Med Spa: If you’re looking for a spa that offers medical services, you’ll definitely want to make an appointment at Elements. Providing everything from Botox injections to RF Needling, this spa will help you look and feel your best during your Davenport, Florida vacation.
4. Grab a Drink
Whether you’re looking for a charming pub, a fancy wine bar, or a lively sports bar, there are plenty of great places to grab a tasty adult beverage near Davenport, Fl. A few of the must-visit spots include:
- Wheelhouse Bar: A party-central sports bar that allows outside food, Wheelhouse Bar offers up great drinks and a variety of themed nights, including trivia, bingo, and karaoke.
- Ovation Bistro & Bar: Honestly, we could have included Ovation Bistro & Bar in our restaurant recommendations, given the stellar food they serve. But given their incredible selection of craft beers, specialty cocktails, and wine, we think of them as a bar first.
- 1845 Taphouse: With 36 rotating draft beers, wine, liquor, and specialty cocktails, this is one of the most beloved bars in Central Florida. They also serve sandwiches and appetizers.
5. Explore Disney Springs
Disney Springs is a sprawling complex that offers tons of things to see and do. With 96 shops, 70 dining opportunities, and 25 fun attractions ranging from movie theaters to performances by Cirque du Soleil, you’ll definitely want to allow plenty of time for you and your family to take it all in.
Best of all, Disney Springs is easier on your budget than some other attractions provided by the famous mouse. Entry to the complex is free, as are some of the attractions, such as the boat taxis.
6. Get in a Round of Golf
Given the fact that you can usually play comfortably in the Davenport area all year long, you’ll want to make sure you leave time in your schedule to play at one of the area’s fantastic golf courses. Besides, few things are as iconic as playing golf during a Florida vacation.
A few of our favorite local courses include:
- White Heron Golf Club: With fairway elevation changes, undulating greens, and more than 100 natural sand bunkers, this is an affordable course that was rated the #1 most improved course in 2020 by Golf Advisor.
- Highlands Reserve Golf Club: Located on an unusual piece of land, this course provides a unique playing experience. Designed to appeal to beginners and low-handicap golfers alike, this is one of the most popular courses in the region.
- Providence Golf Club: Boasting some of the best greens in Central Florida, Providence Golf Club not only gives visitors the chance to play a wonderful round, but it also provides the chance to enjoy great natural scenery (and even wildlife on occasion!)
7. Go for a Hot Air Balloon Ride
The best way to appreciate the natural beauty of Central Florida is by seeing it from up to 3,000 feet above the ground in a hot air balloon. There are several companies that offer hot balloon rides near Davenport, Florida, and most offer rides all year long (weather permitting).
Here are three of the leading hot air balloon ride services to get you started:
- Sky Pirates Ballooning: Ranked as one of the most professional hot air balloon companies in the state, Sky Pirates is family-owned and operated, and they’re located right in Davenport.
- Airhound Adventures: Airhound offers a variety of different balloon trips, including group flights, private flights, and a special romantic package, which features an artisan picnic and photography session.
- Bob’s Balloons: Bob’s Balloons offers several very affordable balloon flight packages, as well as more elaborate options, such as wedding flights. But their specialty is sunrise balloon flights that take off around dawn.
8. Enjoy the Great Outdoors
It’d be a shame to travel all the way to Central Florida and stay indoors for your entire vacation. So, grab the kids and get outside to enjoy all the great weather and beautiful scenery you can by visiting these parks:
- Lake Louisa State Park: One of the most spectacular parks in the entire state, Lake Louisa State Park offers visitors a number of fun nature-oriented adventures, ranging from kayaking to horseback riding to guided eco-tours.
- Northeast Regional Park: A beautiful park with racquetball courts, basketball courts, baseball fields, a concession stand, playground, and screened pavilion, Northeast Regional Park offers just about every kind of recreational activity visitors could want–you can even fish there!
- Kissimmee Lakefront Park: Speaking of fishing, angling aficionados will definitely want to check out Kissimmee Lakefront Park, located about 30 minutes from Davenport, Fl. Located on one of the country’s best bass lakes, this park offers spectacular fishing (as well as a boat ramp), as well as a splash pad and playground for the kids.
9. Grab a Bite to Eat
Just because you have to eat doesn’t mean it can’t be a fun and exciting experience. You just have to pick the right spot to get a bite. While there are surely countless fantastic restaurants in the Davenport area, the following three are all must-visits during your stay:
- Manny’s Chophouse: Boasting the best steaks in town, Manny’s serves up incredible food in a fun, friendly, and courteous manner. We recommend starting with the onion rings, moving on to the porterhouse, and then finishing with the chocolate brownie overdose (you’ll thank us later).
- Mayaki Sushi & Izakaya: Get all of your favorite Asian dishes at Mayaki Sushi & Izakaya. From curry to sushi rolls to boba slushes, you’ll enjoy great food and a fun, relaxed atmosphere at this top-notch establishment.
- Keke’s Breakfast Cafe: Start your day off right by dining on the delicious offerings from Keke’s Breakfast Cafe. They serve all of your breakfast-time favorites, including French toast, pancakes, waffles, omelets, and more.
10. Go for an Airboat Ride
Airboat rides are a great way to get away from the city, soak up the sun, and spend the day with friends and family. There are several great spots to do so, including:
- Wild Willy’s Airboat Tours: Offering affordable airboat tours (check out their early bird special pricing) and the chance to hold a real alligator, Wild Willy’s Airboat Tours will help you make memories that last a lifetime.
- Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures: In business for more than 25 years, Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures knows exactly how to show their visitors a good time! They even offer tours during the day, later in the afternoon, and night tours, which take place after the sun sets.
- Crazy Gator Airboat Tours: Offering one- and two-hour-long tours led by professional guides, Crazy Gator Airboat Tours pride themselves on offering tons of wildlife viewing opportunities, ranging from herons to turtles to–you guessed it–alligators.
11. Visit Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World Gate photo from USA Today.
Chances are, if you’re visiting Davenport, Florida, you’re already aware that one of the biggest theme parks in the world is right up the road in Orlando. But we simply couldn’t list some of our favorite things to do near Davenport without mentioning Walt Disney World! From the Magic Kingdom to Epcot to the Animal Kingdom Theme Park, there are fun things for visitors of all ages and interests to enjoy!
Enjoy Your Davenport, Florida Vacation!
As you can see, Davenport and Central Florida certainly have tons of fun and exciting things to enjoy with your family and friends. You certainly won’t find yourself bored for one second! So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and book the Davenport vacation of your dreams and get started!
