There’s 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’ve 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?



Just to let you know… Big Tree Park is closed until further notice, due to the Senator burning down earlier this year.
My husband and i are from alabama he is a traffic signal tech . and we go to orlando every two yrs. for his work we stay at the omni resort and they have a lot of good things to do around there but i was so glad to find this list so that maybe me and my daughter can find some activities to do while my husband is in class . this was very helpfull .thank you
Ahhhh I love this list but alas, as usual, there is not truth about the pitfalls of some of these places. Citywalk and Downtown Disney are so packed that is it just plain out annoying to make that long drive and get stuck between mounds of tourists who are completely lost and take pictures of the sidewalk.
Big tree park has unfortunately lost its “big tree” to a fire started by a meth user getting high and burning down a landmark. There will soon be a monument made from the remains.
WEKIVA SPRINGS PARK WAS GREAT FUN FOR ME AND MY CHILDREN
Big Tree Park has been closed since the tree burned down. Not sure if they are ever going to open the park again.
We are going to Orlando at the very end of September, can anyone tell me some good shopping malls or markets that are not full of designer stuff, just affordable prices for everyday people.
Thanks
Les
i loved the list, i go to Orlando often and now i have new things to see and do. thanks
Thanks. Thoughtful of you to offer it. (you need a little proofreading here and there)
we got to Universal Studios parking lot before the park opened which was perfect. By the time we paid $13 to park ( no free parking ), hiked through Universal Citywalk to get to the ticket gates/entrances, then to the near back of Island’s of Adventure to get to Harry Potter it was almost 9am. We walked right into the castle, used the free locking lockers, and rode the ride. There were no lines until almost 10:30. Then it was sheer madness in there. We then left for other sections of the park which were fairly quiet and we didn’t experience any lines until 3pm, and that one was 30 min. long. By the way, the lockers are free for 30 min. So you can take your stuff out – move to another section and use a free locker there too. It just reads your fingerprint – very cool.
Winter Park farmers market was delightful – a dog lovers paradise! Nearby was the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens – not only are there paintings and sculptures to view but artists scattered throughout the grounds – doing their thing – painting, drawing, etc. on easels. There is also his harp collection with one you can play on and if you follow the chart you can strum a simple song such as “Happy Birthday”.
Finally, if you’re willing to take a drive, we drove 2 hours to Anna Maria Island on the west coast. The beaches are beautiful and sandy with free entrance and parking. We paid $20 for the day to rent a large unbrella and some beach chairs which the guy carried and set up for us at our desired spot. Plus, you can ride a cute trolley, for free, around the island. It has a variety of spots to get off and on and a trolley returns every 20 min. all day long! So, we trollied to “The Pier” walked around, had some ice cream, and watched for manatees and dolphins while we waited for another trolley. On a side note – it’s stressful to try to leave the island during rush hour, at least for the driver.;)
Austin’s Coffee in Winter Park has nightly stuff like Open Mic Night and Hip Hop night during the week. You can sit down and listen for a while. It is basically free until you decide to grab something to drink or eat.
http://www.austinscoffee.com/
Plus there is the Stardust Coffee and Video has shows on occasion (sometimes cover) but they also have the Audubon Community Market on Monday where you can listen to a band play for free and buy some groceries or food if want to. That seems to be very family friendly
http://apmarket.wordpress.com/
Enzian Theater/ Eden Bar in Maitland now has a weekly Wednesday Night Pitcher Show that was started last year. They show some fun stuff and have shot trivia. It is every Wednesday as long as the weather is good (only Wednesday that they may not do it is the week after Florida Film Festival)
http://www.enzian.org/
Over by UCF Natura Coffee and Tea has live performances nightly usually starting around 9pm. Wednesdays are Jazz, Thursday is Open Mic, Sunday Open Mic Acoustic and Spoken Word, and the other nights are open for bands to book.
http://www.myspace.com/naturacoffeeandtea
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000478904469
Other than that I am out of ideas. Oh an on the Universal parking issue, they are being a little wacky lately. In december parking after 6pm was free for Florida residents so all my Florida people pay attention because possibly during non peak times they may open that up for us again (aka wait til after Mardi Gras [or may do it during the week] between spring break and summer and post HHN)
The Florida Mall is huge!! Was there today. But you wont be able to just window shop, all stores have huge windows that are super tempting! Unfortunately, almost all stores are super expensive!!! Bummer! I spent $120 on a crop top and shorts for my daughter at justice nd $450 for me at only 2 stores, I bought sandals and 2 blouses.
there are fees to get into the springs.. as far city walk and down town disney you can park for free.. orlando does not suck and as far as that comment goes if you arent a inside the box kinda of person then anything can be fun and intertaning but ya gotta think outside the box nina
You can visit:
Jack Kerouac’s house here in Orlando
Shop at one of the best record-stores in the South, Park Ave.CDs
Eat at Jrs. Columbian Burger (near Universal)
& Walk around Lake Eola in DT O Town and admire the swans and maybe even rent a swan boat.
Winter Park has Food Truck Rally every Thursday from 5-10 pm. Live Music, over 10 trucks, and a bar on site with no cover! Family Friendly too
Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens in Winter Park is BEAUTIFUL and is FREE. indoor gardens closed in summer for renovations.
Orlando S U C K S
Leu Gardens is only free now the first Monday of the month and not every Monday.
Thanks for the list!
Parking at the city Walk is now only $3.00 for cars and vans, went there the last 3 days.
I went to Universal City Walk at 9:00 pm(parking was free)
Just wanted to let you know that it is $15 to park at Universal City Walk (not free).
i am a stay at home mom on a budget and i was wondering if anyone had free activitys to do with a baby/toddler.
This is a nice little list of things to do in Orlando!
Thanks,
Steve
Kelly park is 3 to get into the park.. That’s $3 per car up to 8 people and you have to bring your own tubes you can get them anywhere before you go.everything else is free
I don’t get the kelly park thing do you have to pay an entry fee or like some sort of other fee for playing stuff or swimming? I don’t know. Im doing a project for school so I need to know.
we will be coming down for the aarp conference at the convention center in orlando
in that area what are the deals and discounts for srs
food entertainment etc