Things to Do in Kissimmee

Lying face down, the students press into their hands into the floor, lifting their heads and shoulders toward the ceiling into cobra pose. As the studio's 100-degree heat pervades their muscles, students feel their spines lengthen, their shoulders broaden, and their chests open. The instructors of Bikram Yoga West Orlando lead participants through this and Bikram‘s 25 other postures every day, combining them with two breathing exercises in a specific sequence that strengthens and lengthens muscles and joints while pumping oxygen-rich blood into the organs, glands, and internal hard drives. Every 90-minute class follows the same routine and challenges participants of all ages and practice levels. Bikram also encourages dedication—the more students practice, the deeper they can go into each pose, reaping benefits including decreased blood pressure, relief from back pain, and lowered stress levels. In addition to their yogic discipline, Bikram Yoga West Orlando's team also arranges spa services, including massage and skincare.

Six-time world champion. Number one in the world. Dishwasher safe. All of these phrases have been used to describe prolific water-skier Sammy Duvall. At his self-titled watersports center, Mr. Duvall helps visitors discover the aquatic activities that have defined his life. Piloting speedboats, his staff pulls tubers, wakeboarders, and water-skiers across Bay Lake. A parasail, emblazoned with a smiley-face design, elevates tandem riders over views of Florida's natural terrain and nearby theme parks. The water sport experts also lead jet-ski tours through Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon.

With its toothy alligators and mangrove-filled swamplands, the Florida Everglades is rife with uniquely American landscape and folklore. At Big Toho Airboat Rides, visitors can speed through the storied wetlands aboard airboats powered by brawny aircraft engines. From their perch, they'll search for glimpses of the area's famous wildlife, keeping eyes open for eagles, osprey, and deer donning rain boots. They'll also witness large Florida alligators in their natural habitat, even posing with a smaller alligator for a memorable photo op.

As part of the national Experienced Based Learning network of outdoor tours and ziplines, Zip Orlando safely sends its visitors zooming 65 feet in the air over the treetops and fields of a 2,700-acre Kissimmee cattle ranch. Through extensive training and membership in the Professional Ropes Course Association, guides strictly adhere not only to safety guidelines, but also to green course construction and tour practices. The company’s regular operations include minimum-impact trail paths; eco-friendly tree trimming; and carbon-neutral, human-powered zipline transportation.

Daily zipline tours traverse 300 feet of midair suspension bridges and hurtle down eight ziplines that range up to 950 feet in length. Moonlit and sunset tours might give visitors a sky-high glimpse of fireworks at the distant Disney resort. At ground level, ATV expeditions ferry passengers in the cabin of a Polaris Ranger past up-close views of the verdant Florida backcountry.

There’s nothing like skimming across Lake Tohopekaliga’s surface, propelled by a 500hp fan. That’s the thrilling experience offered by the Wild Willy’s Airboat Tours, which drift in the gentle marsh to catch sights of great blue herons, 12-foot alligators, snails, and other native creatures. All the while, your guide will provide expert information on the lake and the surrounding terrain, plus help you spot the wildlife.

While other tour guides pack groups into 12-passenger boats, Wild Willy’s keeps it passenger numbers low to reduce weight and increase speed. Up to six guests can board one of the airboat, which sail past reeds and Spanish moss before. Afterwards, you can take pictures with resident baby gators Thunder and Half-Stripe in the visitors’ center. And safety is a major focus at Wild Willy’s—guests should arrive 15 minutes before their tour time to receive a Coast Guard-required talk about safety.