Laureate Park Zipline Playground

Laureate Park Zipline Playground is a hidden gem in Orlando's Lake Nona neighborhood that most tourists never find — and that's exactly what makes it valuable for families who know about it. While it may not have the scale of a theme park, it has something rare at a free public playground: a genuine zipline.

The play structure is well-designed for the 2-12 age range, with a variety of climbing elements, slides, and swings. But the zipline is the clear draw. Kids who've been standing in expensive theme park lines all week will run straight to it and ride it over and over. It's appropriately sized for children, with enough height to feel exciting but not intimidating for younger riders.

The playground sits within the broader Laureate Park community in Lake Nona, which means the surroundings are pleasant — wide sidewalks, manicured green spaces, and a general sense of calm that's a nice contrast to the stimulation of the theme park corridor. There's a lake nearby and the neighborhood has good walking paths if you want to extend the outing.

Practical notes: this is entirely free and open every day from 7am to 7pm. Shade is limited at the playground itself, so summer visits should happen early (before 9am) or in the late afternoon. There are no food vendors at the park, but the Boxi Park food hall in Lake Nona Town Center is about 5 minutes away and is a great family lunch spot.

Locationwise, Laureate Park is about 25-30 minutes southeast of the major Orlando theme parks. It's well worth the short detour for a morning of free outdoor play, especially for families with kids in the 3-10 range who've hit theme-park saturation.