70+ Cheap + Free Things to do this Summer in Orlando
Gas is high. Rent has exploded. Food costs more, and yet somehow, we are supposed to keep up with our social feeds showing us everyone else in Greece or Italy this summer. So if your summer plans here in Orlando are going to keep you planted mainly in the sunshine state, and it’s only early June, and you are bored out of your mind, here is a list of free or relatively cheap things that you can use to create a broke summer bucket list. Of course, the beach goes without saying.
1. Hot Girl Walks - Take advantage of the many parks and trails we have to work on your fitness while taking in all the local nature.
Mead Gardens - FREE - Look for wading birds along the creek and in the forested wetlands.
Langford Park - FREE - The park is located in a shady oasis of mature oaks, wide sidewalks, green lawns, birds, butterflies and plenty of room for the kids to play.
Little Econ Greenway - FREE - Great for walking, biking, or skating this paved trail extends 7.4 miles from the intersection of Alafaya Trail and Lokanotosa Trail, through Jay Blanchard Park, to Forsyth Road. The Trail features riverside recreation, picnicking, wildlife watching and canoe trails.
Kraft Azalea - FREE - This beautiful park is shaded by enormous cypress trees that add to the old Florida charm of the 13-acre property.
Leu Gardens Mondays - FREE - (Other days it’s $15)
Oakland Nature Preserve - FREE - There are several trail maps to try here, one that goes all the way to Lake Apopka. You can visit the Jim Thomas Environmental Education Center and Museum or just sit and relax with a good book on the Serenity Porch.
Lake Lotus Park - FREE - Lake Lotus has a mile of raised boardwalk over the wetlands, as well as a fishing pier, playgrounds, and a serene enclosed Window on the lake.
Sanford Riverwalk - FREE - This 1.8 mile paved trail hugs the river for beautiful Florida scenery, with downtown Sanford nearby for a pit stop.
Green Mountain Scenic Overlook & Trailhead - FREE - 3.4 mile round-trip
Bike ride Cady Way Trail Baldwin - The Cady Way Trail extends northeast from the Fashion Square Mall through Orange County, connecting to the Cross Seminole Trail. There is a 2.5 mile trail loop that meanders around Lake Baldwin and another 1.5 mile trail spur around the west side of Lake Susannah.
Cross Seminole Trails - FREE - Enjoy park amenities along the way at Big Tree Park and Greenwood Lakes Park; or for an off-road wilderness experience, check out Spring Hammock Preserve and take a stroll through cypress forests on the boardwalk to Lake Jesup.
Black Bear Wilderness Area in Sanford - 7.1 mile loop trail along the St. Johns River. Several boardwalks provide passage over wet areas and if you’re quiet you may be fortunate enough to observe species such as River Otter, American Alligator and maybe even a Black Bear.
Spring Hammock Preserve - FREE
Hike Lake Louisa State Park - $5 per vehicle (two to eight people)
Hike the Tibet Butler Preserve - The trail system loops through many of this region’s major habitats, including longleaf pine forest and scrub, bayhead swamp, and cypress-lined lakeshore.
Gemini Springs - FREE Admission - Gemini Springs Park is a 210-acre public nature park in DeBary featuring two springs.
Power walk in the AC inside the Fashion Square Mall or Sanford Mall - FREE
2. Um, that’s cute but it’s too hot. I want to swim! - Local swimming holes that aren’t the beach.
Kelly Park/Springs - Park Admission Fee: $3 per vehicle for 1-2 people; $5 per vehicle for 3-8 people; and $1 for additional person/walk-ins/motorcycles/bikes. No pets and no alcohol. Kayak/Canoe/Paddle Board Launch at Kelly Park's Camp Joy: $3 for 1-2 people; $5 for 3-8 people; and $1 for additional person. Launching hours are between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Rainbow Springs - $2 Headsprings entry fee (more fees apply if you tube or kayak))
Resort Day Passes at local Orlando hotels - prices vary but you might find something here to fit your budget.
Alexander Springs - WEEKDAYS: $8 + tax/per-person WEEKENDS:$11 + tax/per-person
DeLeon Springs State Park - $6 per vehicle: 2-8 people
Blue Springs - $6 per vehicle (does not include cost of renting a tube)
3. SUPPORT LOCAL ON A BUDGET - Even when our budgets are stretched thin, it always feels good to support local. Better yet, finding some free offerings from Orlando and other surrounding cities.
Enzian Popcorn Flicks in the Park - FREE Once a month - The next showing is July 14th featuring Black Panther
WOW Rolling Classes - $15 - Take skate classes in College Park!
Play retro arcade games at Player One Arcade - On most days there is a cover charge to get into Player 1. The cover charge is $5 per person for Florida Residents (Valid ID must be presented.)
Visit the Orange County Regional History Center - On the Third Thursday of each month, they offer free admission from 6 to 8 p.m.
Hit up local Farmers Markets - FREE
Winter Garden Farmers Market - Saturdays
Orlando Farmers Market - Sundays
Packing District Farmers Market - Saturdays - check their schedule
Winter Park Farmers Market - Saturdays
Audubon Park Community Market - Monday nights
Deland Artisan Alley Farmers Market - Friday nights
Sanford Marketplace at Magnolia - Saturdays
Windermere Farmers Market - Friday Mornings
Florida Vintage Market - FREE - Next Market June 26th at Ace Cafe
Thornton Park Wine Walk - Presale Tickets $10 Day of $15
Art and History Museums of Maitland Family Day - FREE
Visit the Citrus Tower - Price to go up into the tower - Adults: $11.00 Children: $7.00 Senior, AAA, First Responder, Nurse, Military: $10.00
Wells'Built Museum of African American History and Culture - FREE - but you should leave a donation
Apopka Wildlife Drive - FREE - The Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is a one-way 11-mile drive that begins at Lust Road and ends on Jones Road in Orange County, Fla. The drive is open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays between sunrise and sunset.
Rollins Museum of Art Weekend Tours - FREE - docent-led museum tours that highlight works from our current exhibitions.
Alfond Inn Happy Hour Tours - FREE - guided tour of selections from The Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art, on view at The Alfond Inn in Winter Park.
Butterfly Encounter at Lukas Nursery - Admission: $7.00 (3 years old or younger are free)
Semoran Skateway - $9.00 Admission, regular skate rental included*
Find a weekly trivia night or movie night at a local brewery:
Rent a bike to cruise the West Orange Trail - Price depends on where you rent it. Orlando Bike Rental offers Bike Rentals start at $9 per hour
Walk the Oviedo Mall - FREE - There is a vintage shop, an indoor arcade, and a brewery.
Get Coffee in one of the one of the oldest homes in West Orange County and the oldest house in Oakland at Prairie House Coffee Co.
Go ice skating at the RDV- Admission for weekday afternoon sessions are $14 including skate rental and tax.
Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art - $6 for adults $1 for students - Free Fridays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., November through April.
Grab from a local deli or bakery and have lakeside picnic - My personal favorites are grabbing from Deli Desires, Sugardough Bakehouse, and Buttermilk Bakery.
Jazz Tastings in Maitland - Check the entertainment schedule for live music. $10 cover on the weekends.
Visit the new Winter Park Library - FREE - Anyone can visit the new library and tour the beautiful building.
Visit Lakeridge Winery - complimentary tour and wine tasting
Cranes Roost Sunset Cinema - FREE 2022 dates September 24 - Raya and the Last Dragon October 8 - The Addams Family 2
Visit the Modernism Museum in Mt. Dora - $8 adults $7 Seniors & Students with I.D. $5 children age 4–17 with I.D.
Uptown Altamonte Fountain Show - FREE The fountain show runs nightly at 8 and 9 p.m.
Drive out to Umatilla to visit the Big Orange at Sunsational Farms - It’s free to go see the Big Orange, and you can grab a frozen orange treat while you are there. Check their Instagram for food truck days and other events.
Walk the greenhouses at Florida Cactus - During the week it’s free to walk this nursery and purchase plants to take home. Prices start at $1.95.
Go Thrifting or Antiquing - Here’s a list of some of my favorite local thrift shops to hit up
Happy Hour at a local bar or restaurant:
Tour the UCF Arboretum - The Arboretum Park, Natural Lands, and the campus landscapes are open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset. Feel free to take a self-guided tour any time during these hours! You do not need to fill out an application for a self-guided tour.
Visit Downtown Winter Garden - Grab a coffee from Piccolo, search for the murals, grab a cheap bite, and walk the trail. Enjoy the splash pad if you have kids.
Rent a scooter (or walk) and mural hunt in downtown Orlando - Grab a coffee from Deeply or Craft and Common, or bring a blanket and find a shady spot around Lake Eola with a friend or a book.
Tour Casa Feliz in Winter Park - Open Houses: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to noon Docent-led tours of the home and grounds.
Tasty Takeover on Tuesdays in the Milk District
Winter Garden Art Association/SOBO - First time visitors are free
West Orange Cinema - Tickets range from $7.75 - $10
The Picture Show Altamonte - $1 movies every day
The Pinball Lounge - Check their website for Unlimited Pinball -$10 times
Orlando Cat Cafe - $5 fee - The Orlando Cat Café is coffeehouse with 12 to 15 cats roaming freely in the spacious 1,000 square foot Cat Play Area/Adoption Area. For a small entry fee, guests can bring their beverage and food and pet and cuddle all of our feline residents.
Explore the art and color around Lake Nona
4. BE A CHEAP TOURIST
Go to Gatcha USA in the Florida Mall - Purchase the amount of credits that your budget allows to play the crane games.
Walk Disney Springs - The Disney Food Blog has a roundup of some of the cheapest snacks at Disney Springs.
Play indoor glow-in-the-dark putt putt golf at the Putting Edge - $15.50 per person unless you can find a Groupon discount
Explore Old Town and other tourist traps on 1-92.
5. I DON’T MIND A DRIVE
Head to Ocala and visit Silver Springs. If you park at the Main Entrance on SR 40, the cost of admission to Silver Springs is $2.00 per person. Children 5 and under are free.
Drive to Palm Coast and explore Washington State Park Gardens and Beach - $5 entrance fee
Drive to the Coast and explore Canaveral National Seashore - Entrance fee for a vehicle is $20. This gives you access to the beaches and the walking trails for 7 days.
Visit the Daytona Beach Museum of Arts & Sciences and Planetarium - Adult Admission is $12.95 - Students $10.95 - kids under 5 are FREE
Explore Downtown Kissimmee for local eats, parks, murals, and more.
Explore Downtown Melbourne and the Eau Gallie Arts District
