The best free things to do in Orlando

Orlando is probably the furthest you can get from a budget friendly tourist destination. In fact, the average 7 day Disney vacation can easily run you thousands of dollars. With expensive flights, overpriced resorts, sky high theme park tickets, and pricey restaurants…budget and Orlando just do not mix. On the bright side, there are numerous interesting things to do outside of the theme parks, many of which are free or low cost. If you are willing to sacrifice a day or 2 of theme park action, you can really cut down your expenses quite a bit.

Asides from obvious tactics like visiting during the off season, booking a budget friendly hotel, renting a cheaper condo as opposed to a resort, cooking your own food, and focusing on inexpensive restaurants, incorporating a few free attractions/activities into your itinerary in place of theme parks can help you save hundreds of dollars. With the recent surge in ticket prices, now is the time to consider exploring some of the free parks, museums, and attractions in and around the Orlando region!

After living in the region for several years, I’ve come up with a list of a few of my favorite free things to do in (and near Orlando).

1. View the largest collection of works from Louis Tiffany

Charles Hosmer Morse Museum in Winter Park, Florida

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art is one of the hidden treasures of Orlando. If you are looking to save a few bucks, as well as escape the horrible heat and humidity for a while, consider a stroll around this unique museum. The collection includes amazing stained glass pieces, paintings, pottery pieces, and dozens of iconic Tiffany Lamps. The highlight here is Tiffany’s chapel interior from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

The museum is located in beautiful Winter Park, an affluent suburb of Orlando. Winter Park is home to a beautiful Main Street and many free parks.

Art lovers will also want to check out the Cornell Fine Arts Museum and the Grand Bohemian Gallery (located inside the Disney Grand Bohemian resort, and open to the public), both of which are free.

  • Location: 445 N Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789
  • Hours: 9:30am-4:00pm (Tues-Sat), 1-4pm (Sun), closed on Monday
  • Admission: Free on Friday nights (4-8pm) from April-November. Nominal $6 charge all other days.

2. Take a hike at Tibet Butler Nature Preserve

Hiking at Tibet Butler Nature Preserve in Orlando, Florida

With numerous parks scattered about the metro area, it’s easy to find a quiet place to escape the tourist congestion in Orlando. Plus, the massive Ocala National Park is located just north of the city. While there are many great trails to explore at Ocala, there are numerous fantastic hiking areas which do not require an hour drive. One of the best places to enjoy a peaceful nature walk is Tibet Butler Nature Preserve, conveniently located just minutes from the theme parks.

Several miles of easy trails take you through pine forest, cypress swamp, and marsh habitat. For anyone who loves nature and birdwatching, this is one of the best places close to the city to get lost in nature. Keep an eye out for osprey nests, armadillos, and gopher tortoises!

Gopher tortoise in Orlando, Florida
Gopher tortoise
Armadillo sighting in Orlando, Florida
Armadillo

Tibet is a picturesque place to rejuvenate and enjoy natural surroundings after several days of dealing with the crowds, heat, and commotion at Disney. Tibet is a welcome nature oasis amidst the surrounding suburban and theme park congestion.

  • Location: 8777 Winter Garden Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32836
  • Hours: 8am-6pm, 7 days a week
  • Admission: Admission and parking are both free!

3. Take a stroll around charming downtown Winter Park

Charming downtown Winter Park, Florida

The quaint community of Winter Park is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon. Park Avenue, the city’s Main Street, is lined with both eclectic and upscale boutique shops. Asides from popping in and out of unique shops and enjoying the historical charm and old-fashioned cobblestone streets, you can look forward to many free events. Winter Park always has an interesting lineup of events to look forward to.

There is no need to shell out big bucks shopping to have a great time. Browse through hundreds of books at Writer’s Block Bookshop, grab a cup of coffee at Barnie’s, or head over to Central Park, a large park right in the city center. Check out the Winter Park Farmers Market, held every Saturday from 7am-1pm, and Popcorn Flicks, a free movie series held in Central Park on the second Thursday of each month.

And, if you do not mind shelling out a few bucks, the Winter Park scenic boat tour really is worth the small $15 fee.

Scenic boat tour in Winter Park, Florida
Passing through a canal
View of Mr. Rogers house from the Scenic boat tour in Winter Park, Florida
Mr. Rogers house

4. Enjoy free entertainment at Universal CityWalk

Hard Rock at Universal City Walk in Orlando, Florida

CityWalk is the entertainment/nightlife capital of Orlando: a place where you can continue having fun long after the theme parks close. Regardless of whether you are visiting Universal theme parks, hop on over to CityWalk to enjoy the festivities. This entertainment complex is home to an abundance of touristy restaurants, shops, mini golf, and a movie theater. You will find several themed restaurants like Hard Rock Cafe, as well as local gems like Vivo Italian.

Vivo Italian at CityWalk in Orlando, FL
Great Italian food and a great vibe at Vivo!
Massive sundae at Toothsome in Orlando, Florida
Desserts like none other at Toothsome
Hard Rock Cafe at Universal City Walk
Citywalk is gorgeously landscaped
Comfort food at the Hard Rock Cafe in Orlando
Comfort food heaven at Hard Rock!

Free water taxi rides to the Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay, and Loews Royal Pacific are available. Free live music and various other entertainment happenings sporadically add to the excitement. Overall, CityWalk is just a fun place to people watch and enjoy the lively vacation vibe. A few budget friendly ideas for fun include seeing a matinee (matinees are $10, Tuesday is $5 discount day), grabbing a coffee at Starbucks, and enjoying live karaoke at Rising Star ($7 entrance fee)

  • Location: 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819
  • Hours: Open until 2AM every day
  • Admission: Entrance is free. Free parking is available after 6pm. From 11am-6pm, you can receive free parking with the purchase of 2 matinee tickets – not a bad deal really!
  • CityWalk directory

5. Enjoy the cityscape scenery at Lake Eola

Views of the Orlando skyline via Lake Eola

Lake Eola, featuring a 1 mile long paved recreation path, is the perfect place to spend a free day out in nature. Located in the heart of the city, Lake Eola features the most gorgeous view of the Orlando skyline. Birdwatching is super popular here – you will see all sorts of exotic bird life during your visit. The picturesque background makes the park the perfect place to picnic and simply enjoy enjoy the natural setting far away from the theme parks.

Orlando skyline views at Lake Eola
Birdwatching at Lake Eola in Orlando, Florida

Be on the lookout for ongoing events such as the Orlando Farmers Market, held every Sunday from 10am-4pm where you will be able to sample all sorts of regional goods. Also, keep in mind the free spring/summer movie series, typically held from April-August each year.

For a small fee, you can rent a swan paddleboat.

  • Location: 512 E Washington St, Orlando, FL 32801
  • Hours: 6am-Midnight
  • Admission: No admission fee, free parking along side streets
  • Downtown Orlando event calendar

6. Plan a daytrip to the Gulf Coast

Beautiful sunset in Clearwater, Florida

It would be a shame to visit Florida and not visit any of the beautiful beaches, especially while in such close proximity. The closest nice beaches to the Orlando region are found within the Tampa Bay & Sarasota region. Beautiful Clearwater beach and Siesta Key are both known for their fine powder white sand. At one point, Siesta won an award for having the best sand in the world (International Sand Competition, 1987). As the gas costs will not be remotely as high as theme park tickets for multiple people, a beach trip comes in as an attractive budget friendly alternative.

Clearwater/St Pete

Clearwater Beach
Beautiful Clearwater Beach

The smoothest sand anywhere…and cool to the touch!

Smooth white sand at Clearwater Beach in Florida
Smooth white sand at Clearwater Beach in Florida

If you plan on heading to the Clearwater/St Pete region, there are numerous other free attractions in the vicinity. Check out Weedon Island Preserve, a quiet place to enjoy nature and see various small forms of wildlife (armadillos, gopher tortoises) and lots of birds. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is another gem, a place where you can either hike or opt for a more relaxing tram ride. Alligator sightings are common! Also, be sure to head over to Sand Key Beach for amazing shelling! Best place to find a sand dollar!

Views of Tampa Bay from Weedon Island Preserve in St. Petersburg, FL
Serene views at Weedon Island
Baby gator at Boyd Hill Nature preserve in St. Petersburg, Florida
Baby gator sighting at Boyd Hill
Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota, Florida
Soft white sand at Siesta
Pass-A-Grill beach in St Pete, Florida
Pass-a-Grille – a hidden gem

Sarasota

If you plan on heading towards the Sarasota area, Siesta Key beach, featuring over 99% pure quartz sand, should be your first stop. Another must-do in the area is searching for prehistoric shark teeth at Caspersen Beach. And finally, Myakka River State Park, Florida’s oldest state park, is definitely worthy of a visit. There is a small admission fee (6 bucks per car), however, there is much to do here include nature trails, a canopy walk, an observation tower, airboat rides, and much more. Great place to bird and alligator watch!

Relaxing on Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota
The wide stretch of sand on Siesta
Beautiful white sand at Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota
Beautiful white sand & turquoise water
Treetop canopy walk at Myakka State Park in Sarasota, Florida
Treetop canopy walk at Myakka
Gorgeous scenery at Myakka River State Park in Sarasota, Florida
Gorgeous loop drive around Myakka

So, pack a picnic, hit the road, and plan on spending a full day enjoying the beautiful natural surroundings of the Gulf coast.

7. Alligator Watch at Circle B. Bar Reserve

Gator at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, Florida

Florida is the best place in the country for alligator watching. Circle B Bar Reserve, the alligator hotspot of central Florida, is an easy half hour drive outside of Orlando. The preserve is located on beautiful Lake Hancock, which is home to one of the densest population of gators in the state. There is even a trail here named Alligator Alley! It’s super narrow with gators lining both sides, sometimes more than a dozen! Definitely an exhilarating (yet super scary experience). Pretty awesome seeing these creatures in their natural habitat, although probably not something I would do again!

Gator sighting at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, Florida

Asides from gators, you will see all sorts of small wildlife as well as tons of interesting birds! Bring your camera for sure! It gets hot here in the summer despite plenty of shade, so plan on hiking early in the day.

Exotic birds at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, Florida
Birdwatching at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, Florida

If you are not up for the treacherous walk, consider a safer tram ride around the grounds. Free rides are available each weekend. Also, keep in mind that winter, when gators come out to sunbathe, is prime gator sighting season. Keep kids and pets far away from the water at any Florida park!

  • Location: 4399 Winter Lake Rd, Lakeland, FL 33803
  • Hours: 6am-6:30pm (5:30am-8pm during daylight savings).
  • Admission: Free (tram rides are also free).
  • More info on Circle B Bar reserve

8. Get back to nature at Kraft Azalea Garden

The gorgeous Kraft Azalea Garden is so beautiful that it is one of the top wedding and photography destinations in all of Orlando. The park is small with a serene, secluded setting on Lake Maitland. If you are seeking a break from the theme park craziness, you can easily get back to nature at Kraft Azalea, or any other park in beautiful Winter Park for the matter.

Beautiful lakefront views via Kraft Azalea Park in Winter Park, Florida
Beautiful moss trees at Kraft Azalea Parin in Winter Park, Florida

The park is shady and covered in gorgeous large cypress trees. Seeing a version of Florida which is basically the polar opposite of the theme parks is definitely a refreshing (and much needed) experience.

  • Location: 1365 Alabama Dr, Winter Park, FL 32789
  • Hours: 8am-Dusk
  • Admission: Free

9. Take a bike ride (or stroll) around Lake Baldwin

Lake Baldwin bike trail in Orlando, Florida

The Lake Baldwin trail is a short, easy 2.5 mile multi purpose path around a beautiful lake. Biking or walking at Lake Baldwin is a great way to enjoy the sunshine and pretty lake scenery. The area has a nice local vibe and is located just 30 min or so from the theme park area. Unfortunately, the park lacks shade, so it’s best to plan your visit during the fall/winter months.

Lake Baldwin - best place in Orlando for a bike ride or jog
Best place in Orlando for a jog!
Pretty scenery along the Lake Baldwin bike trail in Orlando, Florida
Gorgeous lake scenery!

A number of parks are accessible via the trail, and if you want to extend your ride, you can connect to the 7.5 mile long Cady Way trail. Lake Baldwin park is popular for its’ beach and is one of the only city parks where dogs can be off leash.

Various bikeshare locations can be found throughout the area. In fact, the entire area is biker friendly. Check out Village Center after your ride. This trendy area features a number of great restaurants and shops.

  • Location: New Broad & Jake St Orlando, FL 32814
  • Hours: Sunrise -sunset
  • Admission: Free (also free parking)

10. Spend the day exploring Disney Springs

Raglan Road at Disney Springs in Orlando, Florida

Disney Springs, similar to CityWalk, is an entertainment complex known for its’ themed restaurants and shops. As both admission and parking are free, taking a stroll around is a great budget friendly way to kill a few hours. Here you will find a number of fun touristy Disney shops to browse through. There is almost always some type of free entertainment on the main stage and the people watching alone makes for an interesting visit.

A few budget friendly ideas that will not break the bank include grabbing a coffee at Joffrey’s (featuring unique Disney latte art), grabbing a treat at Erin McKenna’s bakery (all treats are vegan and gluten-free!), and taking advantage of $5 movies on Tuesdays at AMC Dine-In.

Gluten free & vegan treats at Erin McKenna's Bakery in Orlando, Florida
Lots of delicious GF goodies!
Disney latte at Joffrey's in Orlando, Florida
Awesome coffee and art!

Of course, if you are up for spending a buck, there is plenty more fun to be had. Afterall, you are saving on the crazy theme park admission! Treat yourself to dinner at Raglan Road. Authentic Irish food, a pub shipped from the Emerald Isle, and live step dancing performances…what better touristy place to celebrate a night out at Disney?

Vegan Sheprherds pie at Ragland Road in Orlando, Florida
This vegan Shepherd’s Pie is delicious!
Irish step dancing at Ragland Road in Orlando, Florida
Amazing step dancing daily
  • Location: 1486 East Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
  • Hours: 10am-11pm (11:30 on weekends)
  • Admission: Free entrance and parking
  • More info on Disney Springs