8 Free Things To Do Near Orlando When You're On A Budget
When you hear Orlando, the first things that come to mind are probably Disney and Universal; after all, they are what Orlando is famous for. While we love theme parks, a day out at these places come with a pretty hefty price tag. If you're needing to stick to a tight budget right now, Orlando does have some great free and cheap things to do nearby- you just have to do a little digging.
We've done some looking for you so you can get out and enjoy Orlando on the cheap. While you won't find a theme park on this list, you will find entertainment, alcohol, art, and gardens - all for FREE. Get your friends ready for a little affordable day date with your boo or BFF with these 8 free things to do near Orlando.
Spook Hill
Location: Spook Hill, Lake Wales, FL 33853; about an hour south of Orlando
Hours: 24 hours
Why you need to go: A fun little day trip destination out to witness a weird optical illusion - your car rolling uphill. Legend says that an Indian Chief battled a gator here and was buried at the foot of the hill: Is the chief protecting his land or is the gator out for revenge?
Cornell Fine Arts Museum
Location: 1000 Holt Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10am-4pmSaturday-Sunday 12pm-5pmClosed Mondays - holiday hours may vary
Why you need to go: This fine art museum at Rollin's College features one of the oldest & most distinguished Florida art collections; more than 5,000 different displays of art ranging from the ancient to the modern.
Grand Bohemian Art Gallery
Location: 325 South Orange AvenueOrlando, FL 32801
Hours: Sunday 10am-3pmMonday 10am-5pmTuesday-Wednesday 10am-7pmThursday-Saturday: 10-8pm
Why you need to go: Even if you aren't staying at the hotel, visiting the gallery is free; a great place to go if you heart art, a diverse collection of colorful and mesmerizing exhibits to admire, some even make reference to pop culture - parking may be a little tricky, but the City Commons Garage is only $2.
Lake Eola Park
Location: 512 E Washington St, Orlando, FL 32801
Hours: 6am-12am, 7 days a week; Hours may differ on holidays.
Why you need to go: Free to enter with cool artistic sculptures scattered all throughout the park for you to find. You get stunning water views of The Bay - especially at sunset or at night when the fountains are all lit up. If you have a little extra cash to spend, you can ride a swan boat here for only $15.
Kraft Azalea Garden
Location: 1365 Alabama Dr, Winter Park, FL 32789
Hours: 8am-7pm, 7 days a week; Hours may vary on holidays.
Why you need to go: 5.2 acres of beautiful winding pathways covered by the shade of Cyprus canopies and Spanish moss; Beautiful water views of Lake Maitland, and a monument right near the water's edge offers a gorgeous place to sit or snap a few photos.
Popcorn Flick in the Park - Winter Park Central
Location: 251 Park Ave S, Winter Park, Florida 32789
Hours: Showing times will vary, but are generally scheduled for 7 or 8pm. Be sure to check their website for the next upcoming popcorn flick date and time.
Why you need to go: Free movie and popcorn in the park once a month. They're known to play popular films - especially Disney classics. This would make a super cute little date on the cheap. The next upcoming flick is The Little Mermaid on July 11th at 8pm. Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire will be playing in August!
Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards
Location: 19239 U.S. 27 North, Clermont, Florida 34715
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am–5pmSunday 11am-5pmComplimentary tours start as early as 10am and run every 35-45 minutes, with the last tours starting at 3:45pm.
Why you need to go: Complimentary wine tasting tour that lets you try award-winning wines from dry, sweet, to sparkling. Tours last approximately 45 minutes, you can enjoy the sweeping Florida landscape during your tour too - double win.
Wekiva Island
Admission: While this one isn't completely free, it's SUPER cheap. Admission is only $2/person and gives you access to the river and a lot of amenities within the park for free - the boat/canoe/large inflatable floatie launch is only $10 for an all-day excursion.
Location: 1014 Miami Springs Dr, Longwood, FL 32779
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 8am-9pmFriday-Saturday 8am-11pm
Why you need to go: Enjoy the river for free, float downstream on your tube for cheap or chill out dockside for free; If you have a little extra cash to spend, hit up the Tooting' Otter for a cold brew. They also have an art gallery in the works and have live music from local artists on Fridays & Saturdays.
What are you waiting for? Get out there and enjoy the best of Orlando on the cheap with your BFFs - your friends (and your wallet) will thank you later. For more fun things to do near Orlando, check out these 8 unique hideaways, 8 adventurous day trips, or these 12 super cute date ideas.
Colourful President’s Choice Mixiany Cherry TomatoesCourtesy of President's Choice
Fresh strawberries picked straight from the vine.Courtesy of President's Choice
Fresh greenhouse grown lettuceCourtesy of President's Choice
Fresh, juicy tomatoes on the vine. Courtesy of President's Choice