Thanksgiving Day in Orlando: Family Activities at SEA LIFE Orlando and ICON Park

Thanksgiving Day in Orlando can be about more than turkey dinner. Families visiting Central Florida over the holiday can enjoy a full day of attractions, explore indoor experiences, discover new places to eat and make time for memorable moments together.

For families spending Thanksgiving in Orlando, ICON Park on International Drive offers a convenient place to start. Home to SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, Madame Tussauds Orlando and the Orlando Eye, ICON Park brings several family-friendly experiences together in one walkable destination.

Whether you're planning a morning with marine life, an afternoon taking photos with famous faces or an evening enjoying views across Orlando, here are some ways to spend Thanksgiving Day with your family.

1. Explore an Underwater World at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium

Make SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving Day plans. Located inside ICON Park on International Drive, SEA LIFE Orlando is an indoor aquarium featuring more than 5,000 sea creatures, over 250 species and nine themed zones.

It's a great family activity in Orlando when you want to take a break from the larger theme parks and enjoy something everyone can explore together.

Some highlights to discover include:

• 360° Ocean Tunnel: Walk through Florida's only 360-degree ocean tunnel and watch sharks, sea turtles, stingrays and tropical fish swim all around you.

• Jelly Wall: See colorful jellyfish floating through illuminated displays.

• Coastal Rockpool: Get a closer look at fascinating marine creatures and enjoy an interactive touchpool experience with sea stars and anemones.

• Indian Ocean: Meet Ted, the rescued loggerhead sea turtle, and discover more about the animals that call this ocean habitat home.

• Interactive Exhibits: Explore marine environments and discover creatures from oceans around the world.

Families can explore at their own pace, making the aquarium a flexible addition to a Thanksgiving Day itinerary. Most guests spend approximately one to one and a half hours exploring, although families can allow extra time to enjoy the exhibits and any scheduled experiences.

Another advantage is that SEA LIFE Orlando is entirely indoors, so your plans won't depend on Florida's unpredictable weather.

Planning tip: Check the SEA LIFE Orlando opening hours before visiting on Thanksgiving Day, as holiday schedules may differ from regular operating hours. Booking admission online in advance is also a good way to plan your visit.

2. Take Family Photos with Famous Faces at Madame Tussauds Orlando

After exploring the underwater world, continue your family adventure at Madame Tussauds Orlando, also located at ICON Park.

This interactive wax attraction gives families the opportunity to get up close to incredibly lifelike figures of celebrities, music stars, sports personalities and well-known characters.

Walk through themed areas, pose for photos and see how many familiar faces your family can recognize. From music and entertainment to sports and film, there are plenty of opportunities to create fun holiday photos together.

Madame Tussauds is particularly easy to add to a Thanksgiving itinerary because it's within walking distance of SEA LIFE Orlando. Families can visit both attractions without having to drive to another part of the city.

Allow approximately 45 minutes to an hour to explore, depending on your family's pace.

Explore Madame Tussauds Orlando tickets and experiences when planning your ICON Park visit.

3. See Orlando from Above on the Orlando Eye

For another memorable family experience, take a ride on the Orlando Eye.

Standing 400 feet tall, the Orlando Eye offers panoramic views across Orlando from its enclosed, climate-controlled glass capsules. A flight takes approximately 20 minutes, giving families time to relax and enjoy the scenery from above.

It's a different way to experience the city, especially if you're visiting Orlando for the Thanksgiving holiday and want to take in the surrounding attractions from a new perspective.

Each capsule accommodates up to 10 guests, making it easy for families to enjoy the experience together.

Consider planning your flight later in the afternoon or around sunset, depending on the day's operating schedule, for a different perspective of Orlando.

Check the Orlando Eye tickets and opening hours before your visit.

4. Enjoy Thanksgiving Dining at ICON Park

After a day of exploring, make time for a family meal.

One of the convenient things about visiting ICON Park is the variety of restaurants and casual dining options located within walking distance of its attractions. You won't need to travel far to find somewhere to enjoy a meal after visiting SEA LIFE Orlando.

Thanksgiving dining options in Orlando range from traditional turkey dinners and holiday buffets to restaurants serving their regular menus.

At ICON Park, families can explore dining options such as:

Some ICON Park restaurants operate on Thanksgiving Day while others close for the holiday. Check individual restaurant holiday schedules and make reservations where available before heading out.

For families who would prefer a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, Orlando also has plenty of resort and area dining options. Hotels and restaurants throughout the destination often offer special holiday menus, turkey dinners and seasonal buffets.

5. Discover More Thanksgiving Day Activities Around Orlando

ICON Park is a convenient option for families who want to enjoy several attractions without spending the entire day traveling between destinations. However, it's far from the only place to explore during Thanksgiving in Orlando.

Major theme parks, select attractions and a wide array of resort and area restaurants are also open on Thanksgiving Day, giving families plenty of ways to spend the holiday.

Here are a few other destinations to consider:

Thanksgiving schedules vary by destination, so check each attraction's official calendar before making plans.

If you prefer a more relaxed day away from the larger theme parks, spending time at ICON Park is a convenient alternative. With SEA LIFE Orlando, Madame Tussauds Orlando, The Orlando Eye and restaurants all in one destination, families can build a holiday itinerary around the experiences that interest them most.

Planning Your Thanksgiving Day Visit to SEA LIFE Orlando

A little preparation can help make your Thanksgiving Day outing easier, especially during one of Orlando's busiest travel periods.

Keep these tips in mind when planning your visit:

• Check holiday operating hours: Attraction schedules can change for Thanksgiving Day. Check the official opening hours for SEA LIFE Orlando, Madame Tussauds Orlando and the Orlando Eye before leaving.

• Book attraction tickets in advance: Thanksgiving week can be a busy time in Orlando. Pre-booking helps you plan your day and secure your preferred admission times.

• Allow time for multiple attractions: If you plan to visit more than one ICON Park attraction, leave enough time between experiences for your family to explore at a comfortable pace.

• Make dining reservations: Restaurants serving Thanksgiving meals can fill up quickly. Confirm holiday menus, opening hours and reservations ahead of time.

• Plan around the weather: SEA LIFE Orlando and Madame Tussauds are indoor attractions, while the Orlando Eye offers enclosed, climate-controlled capsules.

SEA LIFE Orlando is located at ICON Park, 8449 International Drive, Orlando, Florida. Guests can also enjoy free parking in the ICON Park parking garage.

Make Thanksgiving Day in Orlando a Family Adventure

Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to spend quality time together, and Orlando offers plenty of ways to make the holiday memorable.

From exploring the 360° Ocean Tunnel at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium to taking photos with famous faces at Madame Tussauds Orlando and enjoying panoramic city views aboard the Orlando Eye, ICON Park makes it easy to experience several family-friendly attractions in one location.

Add a meal at one of the nearby restaurants, and you have the makings of a Thanksgiving Day outing that the whole family can enjoy.

Plan your Thanksgiving visit and discover everything waiting for your family at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium.