Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in St. Cloud, FL

  • Published 2021/12/15

Seated twenty-six miles away from Orlando lies St. Cloud, a city that radiates a small-town feel.

If you’re looking for a place where you can relax and have some fun at the same time, the city of St. Cloud offers an endless choice of wonderful things to do.

You’ll definitely love its best-tasting restaurants, natural attractions, entertaining theme parks, cozy coffee shops, and so much more.

There’s plenty of places and things to do in this city for everyone, so check out the 15 best things to do in St. Cloud, Florida, below.

Spend a Relaxing Day in Lakefront Park

View of Lakefront Park

Timothy OLeary / shutterstock.com

Sit back and relax on one of the many benches around the Lakefront Park of St. Cloud, Florida.

Many joggers, bikers, families, and individuals flock to this famous park to enjoy its facilities and amenities, such as fishing piers, restaurants, picnic tables, playground, beach, and a marina.

You can also catch some fish at the edge of the park.

View of Lakefront Park

Timothy OLeary / shutterstock.com

A two-mile bicycle trail runs along the southern coast of East Lake Tohopekaliga in Lakefront Park.

The bike trail could be your starting point on your downtown adventures in St. Cloud.

Stroll Around in Lake Runnymede Conservation Center

This 43-acre conservation area is a habitat for wildlife and a recreational area for visitors.

The Lake Runnymede Conservation Center consists of diverse habitats for different species living in the area.

The popular activities in Lake Runnymede Conservation Center include hiking, picnicking, camping, and wildlife viewing.

You can hike the Lake Runnymede Conservation Loop that runs 1.4 kilometers to catch a view of the wildlife; it is a perfect trail for hikers at all levels.

Take a trip under the shade of the towering oaks and see the beauty of nature in Lake Runnymede Conservation Center.

Watch Movies in St. Cloud Twin Theater

Nestled in the heart of St. Cloud is the city’s hidden gem, the St. Cloud Twin Theater.

It has a cozy ambiance that is perfect for a fun family day, and you can also bring your friends to hang out.

Even if it seems like a simple theater, you can still enjoy and have fun watching the latest movies in its two-screen theater.

There is also a snack bar where you can buy foods, like popcorn and beverages.

You can support this small establishment and keep the tradition alive by visiting this simple building.

See the “Big Cats” in the Central Florida Animal Reserve

The Central Florida Animal Reserve is a sanctuary that houses big cats like lions, cougars, leopards, and tigers.

For two decades, this non-profit organization has been taking care of these animals and giving them shelter.

The reserve provides guided and educational tours, and it boasts a newly-established Visitor Center.

You can take pleasure in meeting the animals up close and personal.

You can also experience what it feels like to take care of the big cats through an interactive tour throughout the reserve.

Grab this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these big cats in person and take a snap of this thrilling encounter.

See the Historical Pieces in St. Cloud Heritage Museum

View of St. Cloud Heritage Museum

Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

The St. Cloud Heritage Museum houses the city’s historical items and archives.

You can visit the town’s museum to learn more about the rich history of the amiable community of St. Cloud.

The museum is dedicated to the Grand Army Republic or GAR, which is the largest group of Union soldiers from the Civil War.

View of St. Cloud Heritage Museum

Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

There are also exhibits of early images, historical records, and memorabilia from the city’s past that you can view.

St. Cloud Heritage Museum also includes a library founded and operated by the Women’s Club.

Take some time to know about the pride of St. Cloud and take some notes about the important events that happened in this historic town.

Wander Around the Downtown Antique Historic District

Walking around the Downtown Antique Historic District is like walking on a memory lane.

This shopping area in St. Cloud is regarded as the “Osceola County’s Antique Capital” because it boasts over fifteen shops featuring antique stuff and other collectibles.

You can also find some of the best-tasting restaurants in the city and two of the historic hotels of St. Cloud.

As you roam around the district, you will find historical landmarks that date for many centuries already.

The Downtown Antique Historic District is a nice place to look back in time in a modern setting.

Have a Boat Trip with Spirit of the Swamp Airboat Rides

The Spirit of the Swamp Airboat Rides will take you closer to the magnificent wildlife of St. Cloud.

Explore the swamps and marshes through an airboat, along with a knowledgeable airboat captain and other passengers.

The Spirit of the Swamp Airboat Rides presents a scenic view of the natural environment, just like what you see on the television!

You can have a glimpse of the most iconic resident of Florida, the alligators, species of birds, and other critters living in swamps.

Hop in for some exciting adventure with your friends and family and have a fantastic time riding an airboat.

Join an Educational Tour in Deseret Ranches

The Deseret Ranches lies on a 300,000-acre land, where the cattle freely graze on its vast fields.

Home to ninety ranchers together with their families, the Deseret Ranch is known to be the biggest “cow-calf” ranch not just in Florida but also in the United States.

Deseret ranch offers free ranch tours where you can learn more about the operations and the systems in the ranch.

You can also take a look up close on the ranch animals, such as the cattle and cows.

Aside from the mammals, the ranch also presents a twelve-and-a-half-foot-long stuffed alligator named Gus.

The tour guides are very informative and knowledgeable about the animals on the ranch.

If you’re looking for a fun day outside in St. Cloud, you can join a free tour in Deseret Ranch.

Visit the Reptile World Serpentarium

View pf a Sign in Reptile World Serpentarium

Leonard J. DeFrancisci, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This unassuming building situated at 5705 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy is a haven for all the reptile lovers out there.

The Reptile World Serpentarium is a reptile zoo that houses a huge collection of more than 80 species of snakes collected from all around the world.

It features a wide range of snakes, ranging from tamed species to the most toxic and venomous ones.

Front View of Reptile World Serpentarium

Leonard J. DeFrancisci, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

You can find some of the kinds listed in the world’s top ten deadliest snakes, such as the King Cobra, the gorgeous Black Mamba, and the four venomous snakes of Florida.

Aside from snakes, there are also some reptiles featured in this reptile zoo, such as different species of lizards, crocodiles, alligators, iguanas, and tortoises.

Pick the Best Peaches in Premium Peach

Established in 2014, the Premium Peach farm has been providing the freshest and the highest quality peaches in St. Cloud.

In Premium Peach, you have the opportunity to pick your own fruits from low-branched trees.

The sweet scent of ripe peaches will make you want to take a bite from your freshly picked peaches.

Premium Peach will guide you through the fruit picking process and also offers recipes where peaches can be used.

If you haven’t tried picking peaches in your entire life, then what are you waiting for?

Come and visit Premium Peach for a premium experience!

Stop by at Dan Tarrell Memorial Point

The Dan Tarrell Memorial Point is one of St. Cloud’s must-see attractions.

You’ll never run out of options to choose from the many activities that you can do at Dan Tarrell Memorial Point.

You can have a picnic on one of the benches in the area and feel the cool breeze from the beach.

You can also watch the people splash around the waters on the beach.

Or you can even have a fun time with your family in its playground.

If you’re an athletic person, you’ll enjoy some sporty activities like volleyball, basketball, jogging, biking, and so on.

There is also a nearby restaurant in the marina called the “Crabby Bills” that serves crab legs and some beer.

Dan Tarrell Memorial Point has so much to offer to its visitors, and you’ll never get bored when you visit the place.

Go on a Horseback Riding Journey in Jack Meadow Stable

Did you know that you can enjoy the wonderful landscapes of St. Cloud while riding a horse?

In Jack Meadow Stable, you’ll definitely have fun exploring the wilderness, the surrounding ecosystems, and the wildlife around the vicinity.

The Jack Meadow Stable is a 23-acre facility with forty horses in its stables.

It offers a wide range of activities that you can try, such as summer camps, guided trail rides, obstacle courses, and even occasions like birthday parties.

You don’t have to worry about the safety of riding a horse since Jack Meadow Stable has a lot of experienced instructors and friendly horses.

All you have to do is mount comfortably and have a good time.

Watch the Sunset in East Lake Tohopekaliga

View of East Lake Tohopekaliga

Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Take the chance to leap on the clear blue waters of the East Lake Tohopekaliga, which is surrounded by three places: St. Cloud, Narcoossee, and Runnymede.

Also known as Lake Toho, East Lake Tohopekaliga is a large freshwater lake where you can fish for largemouth bass and channel catfish.

View of East Lake Tohopekaliga

Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The lake serves as a serene spot for wondrous sunsets where you can have a relaxing stay.

If you’re up for some outdoor activities aside from boating and fishing, there are some nearby parks located around the lake that have a playground, picnic areas, basketball and volleyball courts, and many more.

Be Amazed at the Amazing Animals Inc.

Amazing Animals Inc. is a nonprofit organization that protects and saves exotic animals.

It takes care of more than a hundred exotic animals, and they have reached over a hundred thousand people in the community.

The Amazing Animals Inc. offers educational tours, events, and offsite travels together with their animal ambassadors.

You can visit the exotic animals here and have a closer look at their uniqueness.

You can also take part and be involved in their campaigns or be a volunteer in saving these animals.

Take a Bite of Jimmy Bear’s BBQ

After spending all day outside, you’ll surely get hungry, so why not head over to Jimmy Bear’s BBQ and have a taste of their classic Southern menu, like baby back ribs and deep-fried pork belly, as well as their scrumptious side dishes, such as mashed potatoes with gravy and mac and cheese.

After filling your empty stomach, wash it down with some of their favorite beers or just some fruit juices that they also serve.

There is also a comedy bar inside the restaurant so you can have your daily dose of laughter.

With great food and outstanding customer service, you’ll end up wanting to go here for another time.

Final Thoughts

The modest city of St. Cloud, Florida, is not to be taken for granted.

It might be different from its nearby cities, but it also has a lot to offer.

From its stunning attractions, historic landmarks, antique shops, bustling malls, and wonderful parks, you’ll definitely come back for more.

You’ll get tired of visiting tourist destinations and trying something new each day because the fun never ends here in St. Cloud.

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