<\/p>\n
! And it\u2019s not hard to see why.\n<\/p>\n
With a plethora of attractions available from Disneyland and Universal, there\u2019s plenty to do in Orlando, Florida. The problem is much of it doesn\u2019t come cheap!<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re going to visit Orlando and you\u2019re on a budget, you might be asking, do I have to spend a lot of money on my trip?<\/p>\n
Heck no.<\/p>\n
Orlando has plenty of free attractions to suit everyone, whether you\u2019re looking to soak up the artwork a gallery has to offer or enjoy a relaxing stroll in nature.<\/p>\n
Below, I\u2019ll share 50 free things to do<\/a> in Orlando.<\/p>\n Okay, so I\u2019m going to cover a wide range of things you can do in Orlando, and also nearby, that are free.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve broken down these attractions into categories, meaning you can find the ones that suit you and your family.<\/p>\n So, whether live in Orlando or are planning your next trip to \u201cThe City Beautiful<\/em>\u201c, here are absolutely free things you can do in this central Florida city.<\/p>\n Do you love window shopping or discovering awesome restaurants?<\/p>\n Well, Orlando has plenty to offer. In this section, I\u2019m going to cover how you can save money on entertainment<\/a>, shopping, dining and more through some of the best entertainment complexes and attractions in Orlando.<\/p>\n The Universal CityWalk Orlando is the gateway to Universal Studios.<\/p>\n While it may cost you money to get into the theme parks, you can visit the Universal CityWalk entertainment complex for free.<\/p>\n There\u2019s so much there to see, including shops, restaurants and nightlife. You can find free music and entertainment there, which is awesome. Sometimes, there are additional free festivities on offer throughout the complex.<\/p>\n While it\u2019s free to get into the complex, you do have to pay for parking.<\/p>\n Disney\u2019s Boardwalk is an entertainment, dining, and shopping area close to Disney. It\u2019s a fun place to go and take in the sights. On this quarter-mile promenade, you\u2019ll find restaurants, unique shops, and entertainment, like Midway games, and even street performers. You don\u2019t need a theme park ticket to access the Disney Boardwalk area.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll find lots of entertainment at Disney Springs.<\/p>\n You can shop at stores, pavilions and pop-ups, dine at restaurants, lounges and more, and enjoy lots of fun attractions, shows, family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and events.<\/p>\n Not only is Disney Springs free to enter, but parking is free too! You get complimentary parking in the surface lots and garages. Just look for signs directing you to available parking.<\/p>\n ICON Park includes more than 40 restaurants, bars, and shops. Admission is free and parking is too! You can also see The Wheel, a 400 ft tall observation wheel. It also includes other attractions, like Madame Tussaud\u2019s. While the attractions require tickets, entry to the complex won\u2019t cost you a penny.<\/p>\n Have a great time at the Old Town Amusement Park. Located in Kissimmee, this attraction is worth visiting if you\u2019re staying in the Orlando area. There, you can enjoy shopping, dining, rides and more. This Americana-themed walking district offers weekly car shows and special events too! It\u2019s free to get into Old Town, but there is a fee for amusements, obviously.<\/p>\n Spook Hill is a gravity hill that creates an optical illusion that makes cars look as though they roll up the hill. It\u2019s located in Lake Wales, Florida, so if you\u2019re in the Orlando area, it\u2019s worth a visit.<\/p>\n Florida Mall, which is located just minutes from the Orlando International Airport, and Walt Disney World Resort, is a great place to do a little window shopping. It features more than 250 retail and dining options, like H&M, Michael Kors, Apple, Rolex and Microsoft.<\/p>\n Celebration Town Center is a community in Osceola Country, Florida that was originally developed by The Walt Disney Company. In the town, which is near Walt Disney World<\/a> Resort, you can find lots of restaurants and shops. It\u2019s modeled after small town America and includes a promenade around a lake too. It\u2019s a fun place to walk around.<\/p>\n Take a visit to the Winter Park Farmer\u2019s Market. It\u2019s held at the old train depot, that\u2019s been restored into a historical landmark that hosts a produce and plant market in Central Florida. The market is open every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. There are lots of vendors there, and you can find produce, plants, baked goods and more.<\/p>\n If you love to learn about history, go to a museum, and visit historical sights, then you\u2019ll be glad to know that Orlando has plenty to offer.<\/p>\n Take a look at these awesome free historical attractions in Orlando.<\/p>\n Fort Christmas Historical Park is located twenty miles east of Orlando. So, if you\u2019re in the area, and love history, then consider making a trip there.<\/p>\n On December 25, 1837, during the Second Seminole Indian War (1835 to 1842) a force of 2,000 Army Soldiers and Alabama Volunteers arrived near this spot to construct a fort that was appropriately named, Fort Christmas.<\/p>\n It\u2019s one of 200 forts built during the war. Now, there\u2019s a full-size replica of Fort Christmas there, and it houses exhibits and a video presentation on the Seminole Indian Wars. There are also seven restored historical homes there that show pioneer life from the 1870s through the 1930s. Key themes are homesteading, hunting, cattle, citrus, fishing and trapping.<\/p>\n The Orange County Regional History Center is a private non-profit history museum. It\u2019s located in a historic courthouse in Downtown Orlando. The museum has lots of exhibits on local and regional history starting from 12,000 years ago! It offers four floors, so there\u2019s plenty to see! Admission is free on the third Thursday of each month from 6 to 9 p.m.<\/p>\n The Maitland Art & History museum is located in Orange County, Florida, just minutes from Downtown Orlando. It\u2019s operated by the Maitland Historical Society, and it\u2019s made up of five museums that offer history and fine arts! Maitland Residents can get into the museum for free on the 2nd<\/sup> Thursday of the month.<\/p>\n Learn about one of the most devastating events in history at the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida. It houses both permanent and traveling exhibits that are designed to communicate the history and lessons of the Holocaust. The museum is always free. It\u2019s a one-of-a-kind Holocaust memorial that you should consider visiting if you\u2019re in the area.<\/p>\n The Winter Park History Museum is a museum all about local history. It\u2019s operated by the Winter Park Historical Association, and admission is free.<\/p>\n The Sanford Museum opened in 1957, and back then it was called The Henry Shelton Sanford Memorial Library and Museum. The building was expanded in 1974 and in 1993. Visit today and you can see the library and papers of city founder Henry S. Sanford, and view the European and American paintings, furniture, personal objects, and books from 1820 to 1890, which are on display. I don\u2019t know about you, but one of my favorite things to see are old books! They just look so awesome.<\/p>\n The Winter Garden Heritage Museum is operated by the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation. It features exhibits on the history of West Orange County. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.<\/p>\n The Lake Mary Museum is home to a collection of artifacts, photographs, documents, and other materials that are related to the history of Lake Mary, and the communities that surround it. Admission is free.<\/p>\n Learn about the history and impact of rail transport in Central Florida at the Central Florida Railroad Museum. There\u2019s lots on display from historic photographs to dining car china and silver.<\/p>\n From free local museums<\/a> of art to local galleries, there\u2019s plenty of free things to do in Orlando for art-lovers.<\/p>\n The Cornell Fine Arts Museum is the first college museum in Florida to be accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It\u2019s also one of only four AAM-accredited art museums in Orlando.<\/p>\n Admission to the museum is free courtesy of the PNC Financial Services Group.<\/p>\n The museum is closed during installations and major holidays.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re an art-enthusiast, head on over to the CityArts Factory. It\u2019s the largest collection of art galleries located in the historic Rogers Kiene Building in Downtown Orlando. The art exhibits feature local, national, and international works of art that are rotated on a monthly basis. The galleries are open free of charge, Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.<\/p>\n The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum houses the world\u2019s most comprehensive collection of works from Louis Comfort Tiffany. So, you can see some really beautiful pieces there.<\/p>\n The museum isn\u2019t always free. But it hosts several open houses throughout the year, and admission is free for all visitors on these days. For example, there\u2019s a Thanksgiving Weekend Open House. Admission is free, and there\u2019s live music too!<\/p>\n The museum has free events all throughout the year, so do have a check on the website.<\/p>\n The Mennello Museum of American Art exhibits a permanent collection of paintings by Earl Cunningham, as well as other paintings and sculptures. You can get free access to this museum through the Museums on Us program from the Bank of America on the first full weekend of every month.<\/p>\n Each cardholder of a Bank of America or Merrill Lynch bank card gets one free general admission to the museum. Just present your bankcard and a valid photo ID to get free admission from the program.<\/p>\n Mills 50 is one of Orlando\u2019s oldest neighborhoods, and it\u2019s located north of the downtown area. The area itself has plenty to offer, but it\u2019s worth a visit just to take a look at its famous brightly colored, professionally illustrated murals. These pay homage to various aspects of Orlando living. So, do take a stroll around the area if you\u2019re a fan of street art.<\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s a tour of one of the region\u2019s wineries, or a walking tour of a graveyard where you can learn about important figures in Orlando\u2019s history, there are a few free tours on offer in Orlando.<\/p>\n Take walk through Greenwood Cemetery, and visit about 100 graves of notable individuals in Orlando\u2019s history. The walk is about two miles within the 100-acre cemetery. Tours are provided for free!<\/p>\n Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards sits on a 127-acre estate in gently rolling countryside. It is located about 25 miles west of downtown Orlando. Lakeridge develops premium and sparkling wines from the native Muscadine grape varieties Noble, Carlos and Welder, as well as Vinifera varieties including Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon.<\/p>\n The winery overlooks 80+ acres of planted vineyards. Free winery tours and wine tasting are offered seven days a week, which is awesome!<\/p>\n Orlando Brewing provides free brewery tours from Monday to Saturday at 6 p.m. It doesn\u2019t take reservations for tours. They are offered on a first come first served basis \u2013 just see your server to get a ticket.<\/p>\n Brewery tours are not offered on the 30th<\/sup> of each month, or on special occasions, like Oktoberfest.<\/p>\n Orlando Brewing makes its beers according to the German Purity Law of 1516 (the Reinheitsgebot), which outlines that beer should only be made using four ingredients \u2013 water, hops, yeast, and malted barley. It only uses organic ingredients and it doesn\u2019t use additives.<\/p>\n You can get a tour of the Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art on view at The Alfond Inn for free! The tours are held every Sunday at 1 p.m. Tours are open to the public. No reservation is required. Just join a Cornell Fine Arts Museum staff member in the conservatory at the inn to start your tour.<\/p>\n Head on over to Quantum Leap Winery if you\u2019re looking to learn more about Florida\u2019s wine. Quantum Leap Winery offers free tours!<\/p>\n There are lots of festivals held in Orlando, from movie events to street festivals. Give these a try.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re a movie fan, then you\u2019ll love the Popcorn Flicks in the Park series. Presented by Winter Park CRA and produced by Enzian Theater, the Popcorn Flicks in the Park series features classic films for the whole family. The event is usually held on the second Thursday of each month in Winter Park\u2019s Central Park, and it\u2019s free and open to the public.<\/p>\n Of course, these outdoor screenings are dependent on the weather! So, it could officially post a cancellation notice on Facebook \u2013 and may wait until 30 minutes prior to the set screening time to do so!<\/p>\n Still though, if the weather\u2019s good, it\u2019s a super fun event!<\/p>\n Alive After 5 is the largest recurring street party in Historic Downtown Sanford. It\u2019s definitely the place to go if you\u2019re looking to relax and have fun. It offers local artistry, music, food, craft beers, and shopping.<\/p>\n Admission is free, and the festival takes place on the 2nd<\/sup> Thursday of each month from 5 p.m. to 8 pm, \u201crain or shine.\u201d The festival does take a break though in July\/August.<\/p>\n Baldwin Park First Fridays Festival is a free sidewalk festival that\u2019s held on the first Friday of every month, from 5.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. There, over 70 local artisans display their art. You can also shop and stroll through the heart of downtown Baldwin Park.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll find many Central Florida based small businesses and non-profit organizations there with products and offerings ranging from beauty and fashion to health and fitness. It\u2019s a family-friendly and pet-friendly place too!<\/p>\n WineART Wednesday is a free event held at Downtown Lake Mary. There, you can enjoy live music, art, food, and of course a beer and wine garden! Of course, you have to pay for food and drink, but admission to the actual event is free!<\/p>\n The Casselberry Art & Music in the Park and Food Truck Bazaar is a free event that\u2019s held on the 2nd<\/sup> Friday of each month from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There, you can enjoy food, music, and of course art! It\u2019s a great place to go for free entertainment.<\/p>\n Do you love live performances?<\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s a live jazz band or stand up comedy night, or even a local theater production, Orlando has plenty to offer when it comes to live performances.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for a fun way to spend a night, then head on over to Tanqueray\u2019s. It\u2019s a bar in Orlando that offers free live music every night. So, all you need to pay for is the price of a drink! It offers funk, jazz, and blues.<\/p>\n Enjoy live music in a historical setting with Music at the Casa. On Sundays from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., you can visit Casa Feliz and listen to live music and take a tour of the historic home museum, and the James Gamble Rogers II Studio. Light refreshments are served too. The event is free to the public, but donations are appreciated.<\/p>\n The Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar offers free standup comedy on Friday and Saturday. Friday is showcase night, and Saturday is open mic. There, you can enjoy anywhere from 10 to 15 local comics from 8.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.<\/p>\n The original Fred Stone Theatre was demolished<\/a>, but Rollins College is now building a new Theatre & Dance Complex. And while that\u2019s under construction, it\u2019s still offering its student-produced Second Stage series. The series is produced by Rollins Improv Players and directed, designed and performed by students. All of the Second Stage Series performances are free and open to the public. But, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.<\/p>\n Want to take a walk through a stunning park or relax in a beautiful garden? Well, then you might want to give these free places in Orlando a try. If you love to get out in nature, you\u2019ll be happy to know that Orlando, Florida has some beautiful natural sights!<\/p>\n Lake Eola Park is located in Downtown Orlando. It offers a sidewalk that circles the lake 0.9 miles in length. At the park, you can see live swans and other birds that inhabit the park, rent swan-shaped paddle boats, or just relax amid the flower beds and look at the great view of Orlando\u2019s skyline. There\u2019s also a stunning fountain there.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking to take in some beautiful sights, then visit the Harry P. Leu Gardens. It\u2019s a 50-acre botanical oasis that\u2019s located just minutes from Downtown Orlando. The garden and historical home were donated to the city of Orlando by Mr. Harry P. Leu, and his wife, Mary Jane, in 1961.<\/p>\n While it normally costs $10 per person to get into the gardens, it does offer free admission days, which you can learn about on the website I linked to above.<\/p>\n Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park has 47 acres to explore. Admission to the garden is free. It features hiking trails, tall pine trees, and a creek, boardwalk, pond that\u2019s home to turtles, fish and wading birds, butterfly garden, and greenhouse.<\/p>\n Tibet-Butler Preserve is a wildlife haven close to Disney World. It offers 3.6 miles of gentle hiking trails that are perfect for families. The trail system loops through many of the area\u2019s major habitats, like bayhead swamp, longleaf pine forest and scrub, and cypress-lined lakeshore.<\/p>\n Big Tree Park is a great place to visit, although it\u2019s a bittersweet place.<\/p>\n Up until January 2012, the park was home to \u201cThe Senator,\u201d an approximately 3,500-year-old National Champion Bald Cypress Tree. It was the oldest cypress tree in the world.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, someone burned in down in January 2012. Although firefighters tried to save it, the tree died. Now, you can see its remains in the park. On a happier note, you can also see the Senator\u2019s sister tree at the park. It\u2019s called Lady Liberty, and it\u2019s a 2,000-year-old Bald Cypress Tree.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also a clone made of The Senator, which is located near the playground. It\u2019s called The Phoenix. The park also serves as a Trailhead for the Cross Seminole Trail.<\/p>\n Located in Longwood, Florida, it\u2019s definitely worth a visit if you\u2019re in the Orlando area.<\/p>\n Cocoa Beach is one of the nearest beaches you\u2019ll find if you\u2019re staying in the Orlando area. It\u2019s just an hour away from the theme parks and attractions of Orlando.<\/p>\n Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach is definitely worth a visit. It\u2019s a 32.43-acre regional beach park. Not only is admission free, but you don\u2019t have to pay for parking either.<\/p>\n The park features three pavilions that are located along a 1,000-foot boardwalk, six dune crossovers, three outdoor showers, drinking fountains, and restrooms \u2013 so everything you need to spend a whole day there if you want to during your trip!<\/p>\n There\u2019s also a playground, an open grassy area, a grassy area and picnic tables, and a sand volleyball court. There are also on-site vendors who can provide rentals, like beach chairs. There are also lifeguards on duty year-round to keep visitors safe.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also a dog park there.<\/p>\n Another place to visit if you\u2019re looking for nature is Kraft Azalea Garden. It\u2019s a 5.22-acre public garden that\u2019s located on the shore of Lake Maitland. It\u2019s a beautiful garden in Winter Park that\u2019s shaded by enormous cypress trees.<\/p>\n It features the Exedra Monument, which is a stone arc monument near the edge of the water. There are also eight benches there and a small dock that is open for fishing \u2013 common fish you can find include largemouth bass, carp, bluegill, gar, and tilapia.<\/p>\n Go swimming at Daytona Beach. It\u2019s just an hour\u2019s drive from Orlando, and one of the few Florida beaches where you can actually drive onto the sand. The beach also boasts plenty of other attractions and amenities, like a boardwalk, pier and water park. So, there\u2019s plenty to do there.<\/p>\n The Oakland Nature preserve is located West of Orlando, between Winter Garden and Clement in the Town of Oakland. It\u2019s a 128 acre preserve that offers education and ecotourist activities that are suited to visitors of all ages. It\u2019s free to enter the Preserve, hike the trails and visit the museum. However, donations are appreciated.<\/p>\n The West Orange Trail is a 22-mile paved trail that runs through downtown Oakland, Winter Garden and Apopka. If you love to hike, give this trail a try.<\/p>\n Cranes Roost Park surrounds Cranes Roost Lake. The lake is encircled by a mile of walkway with benches and covered seating areas, making it the perfect place to relax.<\/p>\n Within this 45-acre park, you\u2019ll find a European-style plaza, including a choreographed fountain show, a 62-foot picturesque tower, and the Eddie Rose Amphitheater. The amphitheater features stadium-style seating and a one-of-a-kind floating stage.<\/p>\n The park is also an outdoor event venue with weekly, monthly, and annual events!<\/p>\n Lake Lotus Park is a natural park in the City of Altamonte Springs. The area is about 150 acres, which includes 120 acres of woods and wetlands. You can see natural flora and fauna at the park. There\u2019s also one mile of raised boardwalk, an enclosed window on the lake, picnic pavilions and BBQ grills, an education center, a fishing pier, playground areas and restrooms.<\/p>\n This 7.2-mile paved trail links Orlando and Winter Park. It\u2019s a nice way to see the area.<\/p>\n Whether you are in Orlando for a vacation or live in the area, there are plenty of free things to do in Orlando.<\/p>\n Give these a try! Let us know your favorite free things to do in Orlando in the comments section below.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nFree Things to do in Orlando<\/h2>\n
Entertainment: Shopping, Dining & More<\/h2>\n
1. Universal CityWalk<\/a><\/h3>\n
2. Disney\u2019s Boardwalk<\/a><\/h3>\n
3. Disney Springs<\/a><\/h3>\n
4. ICON Park<\/a><\/h3>\n
5. Old Town Amusement Park<\/a><\/h3>\n
6. Spook Hill<\/a><\/h3>\n
7. Florida Mall<\/a><\/h3>\n
8. Celebration Town Center<\/a><\/h3>\n
9. Winter Park Farmer\u2019s Market<\/a><\/h3>\n
Historical<\/h2>\n
10. Fort Christmas Historical Park<\/a><\/h3>\n
11. Orange County Regional History Center<\/a><\/h3>\n
12. Art & History Museums Maitland<\/a><\/h3>\n
13. Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida<\/a><\/h3>\n
14. Winter Park History Museum<\/a><\/h3>\n
15. Sanford Museum<\/a><\/h3>\n
16. Winter Garden Heritage Museum<\/a><\/h3>\n
17. Lake Mary Museum<\/a><\/h3>\n
18. Central Florida Railroad Museum (Winter Garden)<\/a><\/h3>\n
Art<\/h2>\n
19. Cornell Fine Arts Museum (Rollins College)<\/a><\/h3>\n
20. CityArts Factory<\/a><\/h3>\n
21. Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art<\/a><\/h3>\n
22. Mennello Museum of American Art<\/a><\/h3>\n
23. Street Art in the Mills 50 District<\/a><\/h3>\n
Tours<\/h2>\n
24. Greenwood Cemetery Moonlight Walking Tour<\/a><\/h3>\n
25. Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards<\/a><\/h3>\n
26. Orlando Brewing<\/a><\/h3>\n
27. The Alfond Inn Art Tours<\/a><\/h3>\n
28. Quantum Leap Winery<\/a><\/h3>\n
Festivals and Events<\/h2>\n
29. Popcorn Flicks in the Park<\/a><\/h3>\n
30. Alive After 5<\/a><\/h3>\n
31. Baldwin Park First Fridays Festival<\/a><\/h3>\n
32. WineART Wednesdays at Downtown Lake Mary<\/a><\/h3>\n
33. Casselberry Art & Music in the Park and Food Truck Bazaar<\/a><\/h3>\n
Live Music and Comedy<\/h2>\n
34. Tanqueray\u2019s<\/a><\/h3>\n
35. Music at the Casa<\/a><\/h3>\n
36. Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar<\/a><\/h3>\n
37. Fred Stone Theatre<\/a><\/h3>\n
Nature<\/h2>\n
38. Lake Eola Park<\/h3>\n
39. Harry P. Leu Gardens<\/a><\/h3>\n
40. Mead Botanical Garden<\/a><\/h3>\n
41. Tibet-Butler Preserve<\/a><\/h3>\n
42. Big Tree Park<\/a><\/h3>\n
43. Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach<\/a><\/h3>\n
44. Kraft Azalea Garden<\/a><\/h3>\n
45. Daytona Beach<\/a><\/h3>\n
46. Oakland Nature Preserve<\/a><\/h3>\n
47. West Orange County Trail<\/a><\/h3>\n
48. Cranes Roost Park<\/a><\/h3>\n
49. Lake Lotus Park<\/a><\/h3>\n
50. Cady Way Trail<\/a><\/h3>\n
Enjoy Your Stay in Orlando, Florida<\/h2>\n