Top 5 Can\u2019t Miss
\nDisney Springs offers a lively schedule of open-air entertainment\u2014no park tickets needed.Wander among the massive works at Lake Nona Sculpture Garden, a chill spot when you need a break from the theme park action.Look for birds as you stroll or bike the multiuse trail along Shingle Creek and other scenic waterways.Find out why Universal CityWalk is called “The Epicenter of Awesome.”Check out the works of local artists at CityArts, which houses seven galleries.<\/p>\n
Whether you’re heading to one of the famous theme parks or you just want to explore the city, there’s plenty to see and do in Orlando. It’s no surprise that paying for admission to the area’s top attractions can get pretty pricey, but there are also ways to save money. The Central Florida city has a plethora of public parks, art museums, and other venues where you can find free activities and entertainment\u2014so you can enjoy your time in the Sunshine State without breaking the bank. Here are the top 20 things to do in Orlando for free.\n<\/p>\n
Go window shopping at Disney Springs. <\/p>\n
Taylor McIntyre\/Travel + Leisure<\/p>\n
Located within Walt Disney World<\/a>, this shopping, dining, and entertainment district is worth checking out during your next trip to the resort. Even though it’s on Disney property, Disney Springs<\/a> is one of several attractions that don’t require park tickets<\/a> and self-parking is complimentary.\n<\/p>\n With around 100 shops, 80 eateries, and 20 other attractions, there’s so much to see here. Free live entertainment happens on the outdoor stage with first-come, first-served seating. Keep it budget-friendly with window shopping and a quick meal at a counter-service spot, or splurge on new Disney merchandise and a nice meal out\u2014the choice is yours.\n<\/p>\n See art under the palm trees at Lake Nona Sculpture Garden. <\/p>\n Walk through this lush 50,000-square-foot outdoor space and take in the impressive sculpture collection that includes the iconic\u00a0Charging Bull\u00a0by Arturo di Modica. The Lake Nona Sculpture Garden<\/a> is adjacent to the Lake Nona Wave Hotel<\/a> and open Monday through Saturday. The sculptures are rotated, so you’ll likely see new additions, including the work of local artists, on each visit. The garden is the ideal spot for a picnic with many seating options throughout. If you’re there around sunset, you’ll see the trees aglow in multicolored lights.\n<\/p>\n Bird-watch along the Shingle Creek Trail. <\/p>\n Michela Sieman\/Travel + Leisure<\/p>\n The northernmost headwaters of the Florida Everglades, Shingle Creek flows from the city into nearby Lake Tohopekaliga, eventually reaching the Everglades. Follow the Shingle Creek Trail<\/a> through nature areas like the two-mile loop around Lake Fran that takes you through the Lake Fran Urban Wetlands, where bald eagles nest.\n<\/p>\n Check out the scene at Universal CityWalk. <\/p>\n David Pavlina\/Travel + Leisure<\/p>\n Another theme park-adjacent dining, shopping, and entertainment complex, Universal Orlando’s CityWalk<\/a> offers plenty to see and do. Dubbed “The Epicenter of Awesome” by the resort, it has a number of unique eateries, attractions, and stores.\n<\/p>\n During the day, standard self-parking costs $32 when purchased online<\/a> in advance, but it’s free after 6 p.m. most nights (excluding some holidays and special events). Enjoy the ambience for a totally free evening out, or grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants. You can also get your parking fee refunded when you buy two or more Cinemark matinee tickets.<\/p>\n Browse local works at CityArts. <\/p>\n Taylor McIntyre\/Travel + Leisure<\/p>\n Get a feel for the local art scene at CityArts<\/a>, a collection of seven galleries under one roof in the Downtown Arts District, which includes work from local youth in the Young Artists Gallery. It’s open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and free to visit. With a constantly changing lineup of interesting exhibitions and events, this is a must-do for art lovers visiting Orlando<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n Hike in the Tibet-Butler Preserve. <\/p>\n Michela Sieman\/Travel + Leisure<\/p>\n Go for a 3.6-mile hike through a preserved piece of Florida wilderness at the Tibet-Butler Preserve<\/a>. Even though it’s just a short distance from Walt Disney World, you can enjoy nature and maybe even spot some wildlife. After you’ve hiked 20 miles within the preserve, you can get a free T-shirt through the park’s Trailblazers Hiking Program.\n<\/p>\n Head to the beach. <\/p>\n Find sand and surf in beautiful Cocoa Beach<\/a>, about an hour’s drive east of Orlando. The beach town is home to Lori Wilson Park<\/a>, a fun place to explore as it features a maritime hammock\u2014a narrow swath of hardwood trees growing on coastal dunes\u2014which you can explore along the boardwalk trail. It also offers free parking and admission, with restrooms, outdoor showers, and other amenities that will make your beach day even better.\n<\/p>\n Play some trivia at Boxi Park. <\/p>\n This outdoor dining spot made out of shipping containers is a top spot to visit to try everything from street tacos to lobster rolls. The event schedule<\/a> is packed with trivia challenges, holiday festivities, and live music nights. Family fun days have everything kids would want, including balloon artists, bouncy houses, and face painters.\n<\/p>\n Unwind in the Kraft Azalea Garden. <\/p>\n Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and go for a relaxing stroll in the scenic Kraft Azalea Garden<\/a>, located in Winter Park, just north of Orlando. Like everything else on this list, it’s free to enter, so why not head here to enjoy views of Lake Maitland under the shade of cypress trees?\n<\/p>\n Listen to live music at Icon Park. <\/p>\n David Pavlina\/Travel + Leisure<\/p>\n Icon Park<\/a>, an entertainment district located just south of the Universal Orlando Resort on bustling International Drive, is home to tons of attractions, shops, and restaurants. Parking and entry to the complex is free. Create your own walking tour connecting places of interest, indulge in plenty of window shopping, listen up for free live musical performances, and get your fill of people-watching as you go. Visit during happy hour (all day Monday through Wednesday and Thursday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.) and you can get discount drinks at The Lawn Bar<\/a> and Wheelhouse Bar<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n Don’t forget to snap some photos of The Orlando Eye at Icon Park<\/a>, the Ferris wheel that rises 400 feet above Orlando\u2014for a real treat, stick around to see its light show, which happens each night around sunset.<\/p>\n Walk through the verdant UCF Arboretum. <\/p>\n The UCF Arboretum<\/a>, located on the University of Central Florida’s campus a 20-minute drive from downtown Orlando, offers visitors a peaceful place to walk in nature. It’s open from sunrise to sunset, admission is free, and you’re welcome to take a self-guided tour (guided educational tours are also available for an extra fee). Visit the greenhouses, check out the community garden, and wander 14 miles of nature trails in this 82-acre natural wonder, open since 1983.\n<\/p>\n Go on a Florida-style safari. <\/p>\n The St. Johns River Water Management District has put together a free DIY-style audio tour of its Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive<\/a>. You’ll learn how this area was under water until the wetlands were drained in the 1940s to make use of the organic soil for agriculture. The audio tour also shares information about the local bird and alligator populations. Because some 370 bird species have been spotted in the area, you’ll have a good chance of seeing some interesting winged creatures along your drive.\n<\/p>\n Hunt for murals in the Mills 50 District. <\/p>\n Taylor McIntyre\/Travel + Leisure<\/p>\n In the city\u2019s hip Mills 50 District, centered on the intersection of North Mills Avenue and East Colonial Drive, art lovers can see and photograph the colorful murals that adorn buildings and other structures throughout the neighborhood. Visit the website<\/a> to view the 44 murals and their respective locations, as well as other art projects that might be open to the public while you\u2019re in town.\n<\/p>\n See the city from the Orlando Urban Trail. <\/p>\n Taylor McIntyre\/Travel + Leisure<\/p>\n Explore the Orlando Urban Trail<\/a>, which stretches about three miles from Lake Highland Park<\/a> to Mead Botanical Garden<\/a> in Winter Park, and takes you past the sculptures of Loch Haven Park, the diverse architecture of Orwin Manor, and six of the city’s most scenic lakes. Whether you go on foot or by bicycle, it\u2019s a great way to get outdoors and spend some time meandering through Orlando\u2019s neighborhoods. Check out the trail map on the website before you head out.\n<\/p>\n Visit the Rollins Museum of Art. <\/p>\n Located at Rollins College in Winter Park, the Rollins Museum of Art<\/a> is about a 15-minute drive from downtown Orlando and offers free admission. In addition to temporary exhibitions, the wide-ranging collection encompasses everything from ancient Egyptian artifacts to modern American art, including several pieces by Andy Warhol. You can also use the audio guide<\/a> to take a 1.6-mile self-guided tour of outdoor sculptures dotted around the campus.\n<\/p>\n Peek behind the scenes at a brewery. <\/p>\n Taylor McIntyre\/Travel + Leisure<\/p>\n Craft beer fans, rejoice! Orlando is home to quite the craft brewery scene, and some offer behind-the-scenes tours upon request\u00a0so you can get a better idea of how your favorite sudsy beverage is created. At Ivanhoe Park Brewing<\/a>, for instance, reservations must be made in advance for larger groups, but you can usually ask the staff behind the bar for a quick peek when it’s not too busy. Many breweries, like RockPit Brewing<\/a>, have a regular schedule of live music and other events that you can enjoy for the cost of a pint.\n<\/p>\n Watch a movie in the park. <\/p>\n If all else fails, you really can\u2019t go wrong with catching a free flick under the stars, whether you\u2019re traveling with your friends, family, or beloved. Luminary Green Park hosts a family-friendly outdoor movie series on the first Wednesday of each month. Vendors sell local goods and treats starting at 5:30 p.m. and the film screening begins at 7 p.m. Keep an eye on Downtown Orlando’s Facebook page<\/a> for details of upcoming movies.\n<\/p>\n Go on a free historic walking tour. <\/p>\n If you want to learn about Orlando’s Downtown Historic District, take a free architectural walking tour<\/a>. Offered from October through May on the first Friday of the month at 9:30 a.m., the tour kicks off at the Discover Downtown information center. You’ll learn about the city’s past through buildings like the Wells’Built Hotel<\/a>, which provided lodging for African Americans during segregation.\n<\/p>\n See vintage cars in Kissimmee’s Old Town. <\/p>\n David Pavlina\/Travel + Leisure<\/p>\n