Thanks to my friends at Expedia.ca, I got to spend a couple days in Orlando! Of course one of my first stops was Walt Disney World. And of course I practically made it rain money as I proceeded to buy pins, souvenirs, food, and mugs. Seriously, I came home with 3 mugs. It would have been 5 if the Universal Orlando Starbucks mug was not sold out! But anyways – if you’re like me and you blew your budget, here’s a list of things to do in Orlando that are free (or low cost!).
*Note: if you’re on a budget, consider looking up some combo deals at Expedia.ca as the savings by booking through them was around $200 🙂
10 Free Things to do in Orlando**
**Or super close to Orlando.
Chamberlin’s Market & Cafe is an organic grocery store that also offers free classes and events. For example, they recently offered an aromatherapy workshops if that is up your alley.
The CityArts Factory is a collection of art galleries in downtown Orlando showcasing local and international artists. There is free admission Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach sits just east of Orlando and is constantly listed as one of the (closest and) top beaches near Orlando. Spend the day laying on the beach or catching a wave.
“Photo By Anna” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by zappowbang
Check out selections from a collection that includes more than 5,000 works of art spanning hundreds of years, including European Old Masters and modern and contemporary American art. Admission according to the website is free.
Downtown Disney Marketplace
FYI: You do not need to pay the entry fee for Walt Disney World if you’re just going to their marketplace. Walk around and check out their stores to do some window shopping! Drop a visit to their LEGO Imagination Centre too and let your kids play free with the lego at their play area!
Image from DisneySprings
Another “free” attraction from Disney is their boardwalk. It blends the timeless charm of a 1930s Atlantic coastal village with entertaining contemporary attractions. The boardwalk features free live street entertainment in the evenings, including comedians, jazz ensembles, and pretty niffy performances such as fire shows.
There are certain 1st Mondays of the month where admission to the Harry P. Leu Garden is free. I personally had a great time there and feel that the $10 admission was worth it. For non-free days, children under the age of 4 get in free and children (K-12) pay a third of the regular admission. Not bad.
The Morse Museum of American Art has one of the most comprehensive collections of work by Louis Comfort Tiffany including the artist and designer’s jewelry, pottery, paintings, art glass, leaded-glass lamps and windows. The museum is free from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays from November to April, along with free concerts on Friday nights throughout November and December.
Visitors have to buy tickets for the amusement rides at the theme park, but admission to Old Town itself, its concerts, and car shows are free. Like stepping backwards in time, Old Town is the re-creation of a classic Florida town at the turn of the century featuring historical architecture and distinctive storefronts.
University of Central Florida Arboretum
At the University of Centrral Florida’s Arboretum, you can see over 600 plant species and eight natural ecosystems while enjoying a disc golf course, bike paths and a great swamp habitat. Um, do you see a theme here with the natural-y vibe? I love seeing pretty plants so this list is up your alley is you like pretty things like I do haha.
QOTD: What are some of the things you did in Orlando on a budget? Do you have a vacation budget or do you make it rain?
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Want to read more about my trip to Orlando? What I Ate: Disney Edition and 5 Non-Theme Park Things to do in Orlando
Traveling on a budget and want more posts on free things to do? Check out my 10+ free things to do in NYC post!
Megan Indoe
I haven’t been to Orlando since I was really young and got to go to Disney World. I have been dying to revisit just Disney World! Little did I realize that there was so much more to do there, especially on a budget after spending all my money at Disney! Cocoa Beach looks like a place I could spend a whole day chilling out and reading a good book!
Danni Lawson
Free Disney attractions? I am there! I would also love to check out the Cornell Museum, it’s sadly rare to find affordable art spots these days. I love that you are making these things more accessible for budget travellers.
Jackie Taylor
Awesome list. I haven’t been to Orlando since I was about 14, and I really want to go back someday… it’s nice that you included budget-friendly options, as Disney or Universal Studios are very expensive!! 🙂 The Harry P. Leu Gardens and Cocoa Beach sound lovely!
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub
I’d love to go to Orlando some day. Mostly just for Harry Potter world!
Noemi of Pinay Flying High
I love the look and feel of the Old Town. I didn’t know that there are areas of Disney that you can access for free. 🙂
Hendrik
When I hear or read “free to do” I am excited, its a nice thing especially when nearly everything seems to cost a lot of money when you are travelling. Orlando is very interesting,since we visit this place next spring and look much forward!
Thank you for sharing your experience, was inspiring 🙂
Cheers, Birdie & Hendrik
Hallie
I didn’t even know there was an Old Town in Orlando! Awesome. I’d definitely head there and the beach for a Florida good time. I’m from Ohio, so any time in Florida requires a beach. haha Great tips for not spending too much while there.
Lynne Sarao
I haven’t been to Orlando in ages, but it’s nice to know there is a good list of free things to do since you’re going to spend a ton of money at any of the Disney theme parks! I’d definitely spend some time relaxing on Cocoa Beach and checking out the galleries at the CityArts Factory!
Ahila
Good to hear you had a great time in Orlando and lovely list of free things to do there. Liked the aromatherapy workshops offered by Chamberlin’s market and cafe the most. #CityTripping
Candy
We’ve been to Downtown Disney and we love it! Espcecially now with the new stores like Sprinkles and Uniqlo. We need to check some of the other things on your list like the Harry P. Leu Gardens. It looks so pretty!
Katy
Great suggestions Carmy. I really appreciate mixing things up a bit on our travels – a bit of sightseeing, some theme parks, culture and of course if you are keeping costs down a bit on activities you can indulge in a bit of shopping!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt
I grew up in Orlando and did all these things! Great list! Chamberlins was right near where I grew up! It was organic/hippie before organic was cool. I used to love it.
Claire Summers
What a great post. Looks like the perfect anecdote to spending lots of money at all things Disney. My family are heading there next year so i’ll show them this, really useful!
Ava @ My Meena Life
This is a great list! I didn’t know that there were free things at Disney – especially free Lego activities! I’m sure my husband would be over the moon to visit LEGO Imagination Centre. Thanks for sharing!
Natasha
Wow — I haven’t been to Orlando in years — and that was long ago when it was a family trip. I love that there are so many free things to do here. I’d love to check out Cocoa Beach 🙂
Stephanie
I just went to Orlando for work in October, but I didn’t do any of these things. I was staying pretty far out on a resort. I have another conference there next July so hopefully I can explore some of the things you mentioned. I would love to see the Old City. I imagine the beach is hard to get to without a car though?
Thelittlelai: Beyond limits
This is truly an awesome list to do in Orlando. You’re making an easy plan to budget travelers like me. I like to visit the museum, since I’m a big fan of it. I surely penned them all in my bucket list.
Vaisakhi
The only things one hears about orlando are Universal and Disney! But there is so much more in this cute town. Lovely tips 🙂
Punita Malhotra
Would choose Henry P Leu Gardens and the horse carriage in the old town. What a lot of things to do in Orlando.
Cathy (Mummytravels)
Ah some freebies are always good on a trip, I always need some ways to offset my spending elsewhere! #citytripping
Michelle d
You know every time I go to Orlando I go for one reason – Disney. I’ve Only been downtown once. I will definitely make a point of visiting the town next time instead of a park and be utilizing this blog!
Kristine
This brings back wonderful memories from when I lived in Orlando. I love Cocoa beach. And I love downtown Disney! Cirque de soleil and dine in cinema…memories!
Chantal
Great list. I think my two favourites would be the Old Town (looks too cool to be free!) and the Arboretum thing (can’t resist some pretty natural-y vibes 😉 ). I usually don’t have a budget when I travel but if I save money on some things, I can travel for longer!
Karolina
Old Town in Orlando looks amazing! I am surprised that there are so many free things to see in this city. Thanks for sharing.
blair villanueva
I think there will be no boring moments when we visit Orlando. I’m eyeing the Harry Leu garden because it looks so peaceful and romantic as well.
Miriam Ernst
I would be so happy to visit Orlando one day, I’ve never been there! I think I would go first to the Old town (mainly because I love your picture actually!) and to Disney of course (sill a child finally I guess) and the art museum (’cause I love art so much)
Indrani
I have not been to Orlando yet. Free sights and things to do add a lot of charm to every city and these are no different. I would like to do a good tour of the University reminds me so much of the one I saw in Coimbra.
Joanna
The Old Town looks so pretty, I would love to go back in time and take a peak on how Orlando used to look in the past. I did something similar in Stockholm and it was amazing. The Harry P. Leu Garden looks really cool also, eprfect to stroll around on a hot day.
Sarah Harvey
I love the gardens, so pretty and peaceful!! Great that there are so many cheap (even free) things to do here.
Lydia@LifeUntraveled
It’s so great that Disney offers a few free activities like the boardwalk which I’m sure I would really like. I didn’t realize there were so many museums in Orlando – good to know!
Anju
So many fun things to do, I’ve only visited Orlando to go to Disneyworld! I love the picture at cocoa beach. A walk on Harry P. Leu gardens sounds refreshing!
Nicola Maria
Ahhhh I love this post!! So many lovely places to visit in Orlando… Definitely going to visit some of these places now I know they exist 🙂 … Art and Art Craft fairs are my favourite!! Thanks for sharing xx
Ana
Orlando is one of my favorites cities in the world and I live just an hour drive from here. Most of the people think that there are only theme parks to explore but glad that you mentioned so many interesting things to do out there!
FS
Never knew Orlando had so many interesting things to do. Will definitely try to visit some of the places mentioned by you. Thanks for sharing.
Ami
ok, so I did not know that some parts of Disney were free and Legoland included! The beach too, sounds like a great idea to head to. Lots of free stuff. Thanks for the list.
Verushka
I too have a thing for Mugs lol but I now stop myself. I love finding free things to do in new places makes it easier on the pocket.Never knew so many places were free in Orlando thanks for sharing.
Elizabeth (Wander Mum)
Great suggestions. Good know what else there is to do there. Cocoa beach looks ace. Thanks for linking #citytripping
Pia
Thanks for sharing. I’m about to go to Orlando next week and I’m always looking for some nice things to do.