Sunday, March 21st, 2010 |
Free Things To Do In
There is no mistaking that Orlando is the Theme park capitol of the world bringing in over 50 million visitors per year. But what about those of us who want to enjoy the sunny warm weather without the giant cost of admission into Disney World or Universal Studios?
We have compiled a list of 40 different things you can do in Orlando that are not only fun but free! What could be better than an expense free vacation?
1. Downtown Disney Marketplace & Boardwalk
Downtown Disney is a fun place to experience the magic of Disney with out the hefty cost of one of the theme parks. Depending on the month there may additional festivities throughout the market place for free. Parking is always free.
2. Lake Eola Park
Lake Eola is an 80 ft sink hole. While at the park enjoy a concert or play at the amphitheater, view the Orlando skyline, or on Sundays visit the farmers market.
3. Harry P. Leu Gardens
Harry P. Leu Gardens offers a variety of attractions including a butterfly garden, tropical steam garden, bamboo and palm gardens, and a house museum dating to the 1880s. Free admission to the park from 9am- noon on Mondays.
Wekiwa Springs | Photo by L. Sloan
4. Town of Celebration
The Town of Celebration was originally created by Disney who commissioned architects to create a unique town combining historical elements with technology.
5. Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens
The sculpture garden is open year round and is completely free. However, the indoor gallery is closed during the summer months for renovations.
6. Keila Glassworks Gallery
The Gallery is located in the historic Dr. Phillips building. Here you can see beautiful hand blown glass by Charles Kelia. Within the gallery you will also find a wide variety of art including a Zulu Exclusive Gallery celebrating 100 years of African sculpture.
7. Ocala National Forest
Enjoy a hike in the second largest National Forest in Florida and the oldest National Forest East of the Mississippi River.
8. Cornell Fine Arts Museum
The Museum is free for students who have a student I.D., and costs $5 dollars if you are out of college. Two main attractions are the paintings Cosimo Roselli’s Madonna and Child Enthroned and J. B. Leprince’s The Seasons.
9. Grand Bohemian Gallery
The Gallery contains local contemporary art and jewelry along with European paintings from the 19th century.
10. A World of Orchids
The World of Orchids is a conservatory that contains natural exhibits with flowers from Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Australia, South and Central America.
11. Big Tree Park
The main attraction at this park is a 118 foot fall bald cypress tree that is over 35,500 years old. The park has many benches and tables so feel free to pack up a picnic and have lunch at the park.
12. Fleaworld and Funworld
Fleaworld is the largest flea market in the United States and they have over 1,700 vendors. Funworld offers attractions such as acrobatic shows, a circus, magic acts, and more depending on the day you visit. Fleaworld is open Friday- Sunday and Funworld is open on weekends only.
13. Legend of Spook Hill (Lake Wales)
Spook Hill is somewhere that you can defy gravity. You will follow the signs to a particular spot and watch as your car rolls up hill (with out momentum).
14. Kissimmee Old Town
Kissimmee Old Town has free entertainment after 7:30pm every night. On Saturday nights their is 50’s and 60’s rock-n- roll.
15. Snow Hill Mountain Bike Trail
The outdoor enthusiast should enjoy Snow Hill mountain bike trail in the Little Big Econ State Forest. Snow Hill trail has many single pine needle layered trails, some sugar sand parts, woopdeedoos and river crossing by suspension bridge, as well as some steep drops.
Snow Hill Trail
16. Bradlee- McIntyre House
This is the only Queen Anne-style cottage remaining in the Orange and Seminole counties. It was built around 1885 and is part of the Logwood Historical Trail.
17. Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Central Florida
The center has a collection of artifacts from the Holocaust. It is open everyday except Saturdays.
18. Museum of Seminole County History
The Museum has a wide variety of exhibits including furniture, mementos, and more all from Seminole County.
19. Orlando Brewing Company
Orlando Brewing Company is the only certified organic brewery in Florida. They offer free tours twice daily (at 4 & 6pm). On the weekends they have free entertainment.
20. Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts
The Museum was created to celebrate Zora Neale. It offers a wide variety of material dedicated to African American culture.
21. Black Hammock Adventures
Enjoy an alligator show and bird exhibits. On Fridays and Saturdays you can also enjoy free music.
22. Children’s Library
At the Children’s Library they offer a variety of different events depending on the day and time of year. Some of the things you may be able to enjoy while visiting are special readings, arts and crafts, family movie nights, board games, and musical events.
23. March of the Peabody Ducks
Visit the Peabody Hotel at 11am or 5pm and watch the ducks be escorted two and from the Royal Duck Fountain on their own red carpet.
24. Club Firestone
Visit this electronic club on Thursdays for free and enjoy a free beer if you arrive before 11pm.
25. Crush at BackBooth
Monday nights are free at this club which offers a mix of indie, rock, and MoTown music.
26. Chamberlin’s Market & Cafe
This market has free classes, guest speakers, and a Fall Harvest Festival with free samples of organic food.
27. Wekiwa Springs State Park
This park offers a variety of outdoor activities along with a natural history museum. Admission is free in September if you bring a book, library card, or library book.
Wekiwa Springs | Photo by sundazed
28. Knightly Spirits
At Knightly Spirits you can enjoy free beer tastings of over 700 different beers.
29. Fort Christmas Historical Park
This fort is from the Second Seminole Indian War. You can visit a variety of historical structures and pioneer demonstrations. They are open Tuesday-Sunday.
30. Kelly Park, Rock Springs
This park has a free flowing natural spring, hiking, and camping. Children under 5 are free and everyone else is $1.
31. University of Central Florida Arboretum
Here you can see over 600 plant species and eight natural ecosystems while enjoying a disc golf course, bike paths, and a great swamp habitat.
32. Howl at the Moon
Howl at the Moon is a piano bar. If you book a happy hour party in advance it is completely free and offers a complimentary buffet from 6-8pm.
33. Farmers Market
In Winter park their is a large Farmers Market that includes a wide variety of activities throughout the year.
34. Fred Stone Theatre
The Fred Stone Theatre has performances that are free called “Second Stage Series”. The performances are on the evenings Thursday- Saturday and in the day on Saturday and Sunday.
35. Popcorn Flicks
Popcorn Flicks is a series of outdoor movies throughout the summer in Winter Park. The movies start at 8pm.
36. Morse Museum of American Art
The Morse Museum of American Art has one of the most comprehensive collections of work by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The Museum also features a chapel interior designed for the 1893 World’s Colombian Exposition in Chicago. The museum is free from 4-8pm on Fridays November- April along with free concerts on Friday nights throughout November and December.
37. Universal Orlando Resorts City Walk
This is a free part of Universal where you can see some side walk attractions and enjoy Universal without having to go into the amusement park. Parking is also free.
38. Mall at Millenia
This is a large mall featuring designer shops. Come and window shop from famous designers such as Gucci and Coach.
39. Florida Mall
The Florida mall offers over 250 stores where you can walk through and window shop or people watch.
40. Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando
Every night the Hotel offers Italian Music that is free for everyone to enjoy.
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