21 Free Things To Do in Orlando Florida

Orlando Florida is a world renowned vacation destination, welcoming more than 50 million visitors each year. There are fun things to do in Orlando, like visit Walt Disney World Resorts and Universal Studios, but there are also plenty of free things to do in Orlando. With so many free activities in Orlando, it’s easy to see why travelers choose to visit year after year.

Orlando is known for its first class attractions, but there are also plenty of natural attractions for visitors to explore. Directly located in central Florida, Orlando has the great advantage of being immersed in beautiful natural surroundings that are waiting to be explored.

1. Harry P. Leu Gardens: Guests can enjoy three miles of walkways, rose gardens, a butterfly garden, ancient oak trees, and more. Admission is free on the first Monday of every month. Normal admission is $7 for adults and $2 for children.

2. Cornell Fine Arts Museum: This museum showcases over 6,000 art pieces ranging from the Renaissance to the Baroque period. Art lovers of all ages will not want to miss one of the oldest collections in all of Florida. There is a small admission fee of $5 for adults & children & students (with I.D.) are free.

3. Downtown Disney Marketplace: Explore the World of Disney store, which is an experience in and of itself. Also visit the Lego Imagination Center, where your kids can enjoy the free Lego building stations and nearby playground. Plus, there are events throughout the year like Festival of the Masters, an award-winning arts & crafts event.

4. Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art: Home to the most comprehensive collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany, including the chapel interior he designed for the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. There is also an extensive American Pottery collection, as well as 19th and 20th century paintings collection. November through April, admission is free from 4pm-8pm on Fridays. Regular admission is $3 for adults, $1 for students and children (12 and under) are free.

5. Big Tree Park: Visit Big Tree Park, home to Florida’s oldest resident, “The Senator,” a 3,500 years old and 118 feet tall bald cypress tree. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy a day of nature.

6. The Town of Celebration: Visit this Disney-made town where you can admire the gorgeous houses, well-groomed yards and magic of Disney living. Admire the Rockwellian-atmosphere, let the kids play in the interactive fountain or stop by the farmers market on Sundays. During winter months, visitors can even see (fake) snow falling.

7. Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts: This museum celebrates the famous Floridian best known for her novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. The culture of people of African descent is celebrated at this museum, and in late January, they present Zora Festival. Admission is free.

8. Disney’s Boardwalk: Stroll along Disney’s boardwalk, a re-creation of a 1930s-style Atlantic coastal village. The boardwalk is home to nightclubs and entertainment, but visitors can enjoy the street musicians, water views and street entertainers for free.

9. Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens: This Winter Park museum is home to the 20th century works of Albin Polasek. Exhibits change throughout the year, but admission to the sculpture gardens is always free. Museum admission is also cheap, with adults priced at $5, seniors at $4, students at $3 and children (12 and under) are always free.

10. Old Town: This attraction offers weekly events that are completely free to guests. Over 700 motorcyclists rally through the streets on Thursday nights. On Saturday nights Old Town comes to life with a vintage-car parade (exclusively for cars from 1974 and earlier) with over 300 cars. The Friday Night Cruise welcomes customs, exotics, & special interest vehicles in addition to 1975-1987 cars and trucks. Wednesday nights are “Rock at the Clock” themed and feature an Elvis-impersonator and a cruise-in. Visitors must buy tickets for the amusement rides, but admission to Old Town, and its concerts and car shows, is free.

11. Kelly Park – Rock Springs: This Park offers over 248 acres of outdoor fun and excitement! A crystal clear spring is the focus of this park, with tubing down the meandering stream a favorite activity of guests. Admission to the park is $1; children under 5 are free.

12. A World of Orchids: Visit this 22,500 square foot conservatory, home to some 1,000 orchids as well as other exotic flora. Walk along the path and admire natural exhibits with flowers from Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Australia, and Central and South America. Closed Sundays.

13. Grand Bohemian Gallery: Even if you’re not staying at the Grand Bohemian Hotel, stopping by for a free tour of the Grand Bohemian Gallery is worth the time. The gallery has everything from local contemporary art glass and jewelry to European paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries.

14. Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Central Florida: An informative center dedicated to remembering the millions of people that were lost during the rule of Nazi Germany. Displays include local survivor testimonies. Admission is always free. Closed Saturdays.

15. Fort Christmas Historical Museum & Park: Visit the full size replica of Fort Christmas, which was originally built for the Second Seminole Indian War (1835-1842). Included are seven restored pioneer homes and exhibits showing pioneer life from the 1870s through the 1930s. Key themes are homesteading, cattle, citrus, hunting, fishing and trapping.

16. University of Central Florida Arboretum: Opened in 1983, this arboretum is home to over 600 plant species and at least 8 ecosystems and is located on 80 acres, where visitors can walk, or bike along a 9-acre lake.

17. Lake Eola Park: This downtown Orlando centerpiece offers 43 acres for exploration and recreation, including fountains, a walking path, playgrounds, concerts, swans to feed and swan shaped paddle boats and gondolas (for a slight fee).

18. Orlando Brewing Company: This is Orlando’s only certified organic brewery. They offer free tours daily at 4pm & 6pm.

19. Universal Studios: Parking is free at Universal Orlando Resort after 6pm. This makes visiting Universal CityWalk, an entertainment hotspot, absolutely free.

20. Gaylord Palms: Tour the 4.5 acre atrium of the Gaylord Palms Hotel, home to three distinctive regions modeled after the Florida Keys, Saint Augustine and the Everglades. It’s a sight to see and strolling through the unique atriums is absolutely free.

21. Second Day Free at Theme Parks: Take advantage of the Buy 1 Day, Get the 2nd Day Free promotion at Sea World, Busch Gardens and Kennedy Space Center.

With 21 free things to do in Orlando, Florida, a money-saving vacation at this destination is easy to accomplish. Visit today and see how exciting a trip to Orlando can be.