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October 26, 2024 by Amy

50 free things to do in Orlando

free things to do in Orlando

Free Things to Do in Orlando

You probably know all about the theme parks in Orlando. However, did you know there are plenty of free things to do in Orlando? It’s true! You can easily spend on a lot on an Orlando vacation, but there are plenty of free activities in Orlando too!

Today, I will share many free things to do in and near Orlando. If you’re visiting Orlando for the theme parks, don’t worry, we have lots of theme park content here on Florida Travel with Kids!

Should I rent a car in Orlando?

Renting a car isn’t free, but I do recommend it! You’ll need a car to get to a lot of these free things to do in Orlando.

I recommend renting a car from Discount USA Car Rental. It’s hassle-free every time and they offer the best rates on all types of rental cars and most local airports.

Free Things to Do in Orlando

Here are 50 of the best free things to do in Orlando, in no particular order.

Visit Disney Springs

One of the best free things to do in Orlando that is theme-park related is visiting Disney Springs! It’s almost impossible to avoid spending money at Disney Springs, but visiting (and even parking) are completely free.

Explore the Disney Resorts

You don’t need to be a guest to check out all the action at Disney Resorts. You can also take the free transportation from Disney Springs to visit the resorts!. Learn more about Disney resorts in our post: the closest Disney resorts to the parks.

closest Disney Resorts to the parks

Explore Spook Hill

Exploring Spook Hill is one of the best free things to do near Orlando. This attraction is approximately one hour to the south of Orlando. It’s said to be haunted, but we won’t give away any more spoilers.

Visit Old Town

Old Town is located near Celebration and the entire area is set up to look like the towns in Florida used to in the past.

You’ll find events like car shows, karaoke, live music, and a farmers market.

Visit Fort Christmas Historical Museum & Park

Fort Christmas Historical Museum & Park is one of the best free things to do near Orlando. This fort shares the history of the Second Seminole War.

Wander Around the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts

If your kids love art, they’ll love the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts!

Visit the Sands Space History Center

The Sands Space History Center is about an hour from Orlando. It is located just outside the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. We have an entire list of things to do in Cape Canaveral Florida (many are free) so check them out if you’ll be making the drive.

Check Out the Ducks at The Peabody Hotel

The Peabody Hotel in Orlando is now known as Hyatt Regency Orlando. It was called the Peabody when the tradition of ducks waddling through the hotel’s lobby began.

It all started down in the original Peabody Hotel in Tennessee. The manager started allowing ducks to swim in the hotel fountain over 90 years ago and that tradition continued when the Peabody Hotel opened in Orlando.

The ducks make their grand entrance and exit around 11 am or 5 pm respectively.

Have Fun at Lake Eola Park

You must arrive early in the day at Lake Eola Park if you want to score free parking on the East Side.

This is still a fun place to visit and is a wonderful free thing to do in Orlando. The walking loop around the lake is one mile long. During the week, you may be able to attend an art show, watch a dog show, or visit the farmers market.

Explore Disney’s Wilderness Preserve

You can explore 3 miles of walking trails on over 11,000 acres at Disney’s Wilderness Preserve.

Explore the Town of Celebration

Exploring the Town of Celebration is one of the many free things to do in Orlando. I recommend taking a self-guided walking tour.  Our favorite time to visit Celebration is during the holidays. Snow falls from the sky every single night!

Visit the Cornell Fine Arts Museum

This is another free fine arts museum in Orlando. Add it to your list of museums to visit in the Orlando area.

Wander Around Universal City Walk

Wandering around Universal City Walk is free all day long. However, parking isn’t free until 6 pm, so keep that in mind if you are truly going for all the free things to do in Orlando. Parking costs around $26 but it’s still worth it to experience CityWalk.

You can shop, eat, or even play a round of mini golf.

things to do at Universal Orlando

Visit the Orlando Fire Museum

The Orlando Fire Museum is located inside a restored red brick firehouse near the Orlando Science Center.

This museum is on the smaller side. However, it is the perfect place for children who love checking out fire trucks. The staff are all retired firefighters.

Walk Along Disney’s Boardwalk

Disney’s Boardwalk is within walking distance of Hollywood Studios and Epcot. You can also get there from Disney Springs by taking free Disney transportation.

You might also want to check out 25 Free Things at Disney World.

Play Tennis at the United States Tennis Association National Campus

Tennis is free at this facility but you must pre-register. You can choose between 100 different courts that light up at night.

Bike the West Orange Trail

The West Orange Trail is just over 20 miles long going from Winter Garden to Apopka. You can rent bikes to enjoy this trail.

Hang Out at Icon Park

Hanging out at Icon Park never costs anything. I recommend arriving just before the sun sets so you can watch the 400-foot-tall observation wheel light up.

There is a charge to ride the observation wheel and do other things within the park.

Watch Free Movies Under the Stars

 

In Lake Eola Park, you can watch free movies on the last Friday of the month from April through August. You can also watch free movies at Winter Park on the second Thursday of the month.

Explore the Lake Nona Sculpture Garden

This sculpture garden is 50,000 square feet. The sculptures include works of art by Henry Moore, Philip Jackson, Fernando Botero, and more.

Wander Through the Kraft Azalea Garden

Winter Park has a secret garden – Kraft Azalea Garden. This gorgeous garden is just over 5 acres.

Explore the University of Central Florida Arboretum

Walking along nature trails and seeing the different plants will be a fantastic experience at this arboretum. There are eight different ecosystems with more than 600 plant species.

Explore CityArts Factory

The galleries within the CityArts Factory create the largest art center in Orlando. Local and international artists have works of art displayed in the five galleries.

Walk Through FleaWorld

FleaWorld is the largest Flea Market in the country.

Visit the Harry P. Leu Gardens

Admission is free at Harry P. Leu Gardens on the first Monday of the month.

free things to do in OrlandoPhoto is the property of Harry P. Leu Gardens.

Attend a Sing-a-Long at the Chip n’ Dale’s Campfire

You can attend a sing-a-long at the Chip n’ Dale Campfire at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort for free.

Wander Around the Winter Park Farmers Market

 

Winter Park Farmers Market is open on Saturdays from 7 am until 1 pm.

Go Skating at Cocoa Beach Skate Park

One of the free things to do near Orlando is to visit Cocoa Beach.

beaches close to Orlando

Don’t forget to check out Cocoa beaches and other nearby beaches in the 20 Best Beaches near Orlando for Families.

Tackle the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive

I recommend tackling the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive if you have a nature-loving family. This drive takes approximately one hour.

Explore the Oakland Nature Preserve

Oakland Nature Preserve can be found alongside the West Orange Trail. There are quite a few nature trails that are under one mile.

Go Hiking at Lake Lotus Park

Lake Lotus Park is in Altamonte Springs. You can easily spot native wildlife as you walk on the  1.7-mile trail inside the park.

Go on a Mural Tour

In The Mills 50 District, you can head out on a mural tour.

Wander Through the Mead Botanical Garden

Above, I mentioned a secret garden at Winter Park. Well, there is a not-so-secret garden there as well. The Mead Botanical Garden is a wonderful place to spend a day in Orlando.

You can hike the trails, walk along the boardwalk and check out the butterflies in the butterfly garden.

Take a Bike Ride Along the Orlando Urban Trail

The Orlando Urban Trail is a wonderful 3-mile trail that connects many cultural hotspots in the area. It begins in Ivanhoe Village, goes through The Mills 50 District, and ends in Winter Park.

Visit Blue Springs State Park

I know this list of free things to do in Orlando. Blue Springs State Park is not quite in Orlando, and it’s not entirely free, but it’s so close that I had to include it! It’s only $6 per car to enter, so it’s almost free. Also, if you’re visiting during the winter, you’re almost guaranteed to spot some manatees.

free things to do in Orlando

They’re even around during other times of the year, but remember they are wild animals, so you can’t be sure. On our last visit, we saw a baby alligator!

free things to do in Orlando

Check out the 12 best places to see manatees in Florida to learn more.

Take a Self-Guided Tour to Check Out the See Art Orlando Public Sculpture Community Project

There are plenty of places to see art in Orlando. However, I recommend this self-guided tour if you want to check out the art in the least likely places.

Enjoy a Picnic Lunch at the Park

There are so many parks in Orlando for enjoying picnic lunches. Lake Lily Park, Kissimmee Lakefront Park, and Winter Park are some good options.

Listen to Live Music at East End Market

On Saturday afternoons, between 2 and 5, head to the East End Market to listen to live music.

Play Disc Golf at Barnett Park

This park has an 18-hole course if anyone in your family enjoys disc golf.

Visit the Jack Kerouac House

This cottage home is located inside College Park. It has been recently refurbished but it is not open to the public all the time. However, free events happen throughout the year.

Watch the Sunset at Cranes Roost Park

One of the best free things to do in Orlando is walking along the boardwalk at Cranes Roost Park at sunset. The boardwalk is a mile long.

Attend Casselberry Art and Music in the Park

Once a month, Casselberry Art and Music in the Park is held at Lake Concord Park. Vendors include food trucks, artisans, and local businesses. There is no charge to walk around and watch the live entertainment.

Head Out to Hontoon Island State Park

Hontoon Island State Park is one of the most fascinating of all the state parks near Orlando. This state park is an actual island, despite being in the center of the state! Fun fact: You can only access this island by ferry.

Go On a Historic Walking Tour of Downtown Orlando

If you want to learn more about the history of downtown Orlando, I recommend going on a free walking tour. These tours are held on the first Friday of the month from October through May.

Head to the Downtown Orlando Info Center shortly before 9:30 am for the tour.

Enjoy a Day Swimming at Dinky Dock

You don’t need to drive to the shore to enjoy a little swimming. Instead, you can easily swim at Dinky Dock in Orlando. This small beach park can be found within Winter Park.

Check Out the Ruins at St. Anne Shrine in Lake Wales

Ruins aren’t easy to find in Orlando, but you can find some in Lake Wales. The St. Anne Shrine was built in 1920. Much of the shrine is in ruins but you can still see the altar and a few stone structures.

Check out a strawberry farm.

You’ll have to pay for your strawberries, but you get to eat them, and hey, you have to eat! Our family loves berry-picking, so I included this on the list of free things to do in Orlando, even if it’s not technically free.

You can check out the best strawberry farms in Florida to learn more. Most are very close to Orlando!

Florida strawberry farms

Ride a Bike Along the Seminole Wekiva Trail

The Seminole Wekiva Trail is 14 miles long. The entire trail is worthy of a ride. But the first 7 miles are the best, especially if you want to check out a few of the quieter neighborhoods in Orlando.

Visit Big Tree Park

Sadly, the highlight of Big Tree Park is no longer there. The Senator, a 3,500-year-old massive bald cypress tree, was burned down in 2012.

There is a memorial on-site for The Senator. Plus, you can see The Senator’s sister tree, Lady Liberty, nearby. Lady Liberty is only 2,000 years old, so hopefully, she will be around for quite some time.

Watch the Disney Fireworks

The best spots to see fireworks at Disney are, obviously, on Disney property. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of other vantage points! Here’s a pro tip, ask your hotel if they have any rooms that face the Disney parks. As long as you’re nearby, you might get a view of the fireworks from your room!

free things at Disney World

Would you like us to write a post about even more places to see Disney fireworks outside the parks? If so, let me know in the comments!

The best free things to do in Orlando

These are some of the best free things to do in Orlando, with a few free things to do near Orlando. No matter how much time you have during your vacation in Orlando, you should be able to add a few of these to your to-do list.

If you don’t mind driving just a bit more, check out 50 free things to do in Tampa with kids. Did any of your favorite free things to do in Orlando make the list? If you have a favorite that we missed, make sure to share it in the comments!

For more things to do in Orlando, check out some of our best Orlando blog posts:

  • Things to do in Orlando for Christmas
  • 7 things to buy at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
  • How to Eat at Universal on a Budget
  • The 27 Best Places to Eat in Orlando for Families
  • The Best Fanny Pack for Disney
  • Things to do in St. Augustine with Kids
  • First-Timer Tips for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
  • Where to find Dole Whip at Disney World
  • Star Wars Land vs. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
  • 30 Things to Do at Disney World Resorts

About Florida Travel With Kids

Florida Travel with Kids was started by a family who loves to travel the state of Florida with kids! This site will help you explore the fun state of Florida and all of the kid-friendly activities you’ll find here. If you want even more tips, make sure to join our mailing list. We’ll share any new tips and tricks we learn, along with Florida news and recent blog posts of our adventures.

Don’t worry; we don’t like spam either, and we’ll never send more than one email weekly!

Did you enjoy this post? I would love it if you pinned it for later! Or, make sure to share it with your friends on social media if they are looking for things to do in Florida with kids.

free things to do in Orlando

 

Category: OrlandoTag: Blue Springs State Park, City Walk, Disney Springs, manatees, Marine Life, Orlando, State Parks, strawberry farms, Theme Parks, Universal Studios

About Amy

Florida Travel with Kids was started by a family who loves to travel the state of Florida with kids! This site will help you explore the fun state of Florida and all of the kid-friendly activities you’ll find here.

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Florida travel with kids

Florida Travel with Kids was started by a family who has been traveling all over Florida for many years. We are here to share our adventures with you and plenty of family-friendly things to do in Florida. Read more about us here.

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