Orlando's attractions don't just consist of expensive theme parks and sushi restaurants. This Florida city offers many free and inexpensive activities for those who don't want to break the bank on their vacation. Check out a local art museum, wander around a city park or check out a nearby beach. All are free and are well worth your visit to Orlando.
For the art enthusiast, Orlando has several art museums that offer free admission. The largest collection of stained glass artist Louis Comfort Tiffany's work is at the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art. The CityArts Factory houses five different museums ranging from art styles such as blown glass art to music and art fusion to African sculpture. The Grand Bohemian Hotel offers free admission to its in-house art museum, the Grand Bohemian Gallery, to both hotel patrons and non-guests.
Check out the World of Orchids conservatory, which houses exotic plants from all over the world, or visit Big Tree Park which holds America's oldest cypress tree. Take a leisurely walk on the 1930s style Disney Boardwalk where you can find great live entertainment and good eats. Disney also owns a few other free attractions such as Celebration, a historic-themed mini-town, or try out the Downtown Disney Marketplace which also hosts the Festival of the Masters in November.
Take the kids to Black Hammock Adventures where they can see the free live alligator and bird exhibits. The Orlando Public Library has a Children's Library which offers free activities, board games and a family movie night. Watch the Electrical Water Pageant at 9 p.m. near the Polynesian Resort. This is a parade of sea-themed floats and flashy lights. The Henry P. Leu Gardens has a wealth of activities for children and families including storytelling, butterfly garden, tropical stream garden, bamboo and palm gardens and a historic house museum.
If you're looking for an outdoor adventure, you might try Kelly Park in Rock Springs or Wekiwa Springs State Park, which both offer camping, hiking trails and many other outdoor activities. The University of Florida Arboretum has eight types of natural ecosystems to admire including a swamp habitat. Take your bike to the arboretum or play a round of disc golf.
Keep a look out for free productions of the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, who host free musical events like "July 4th Celebration in the Park" and "Christmas in the Park." Rollins College hosts free play productions from student producers. These plays are first come, first served and have showings Thursday through Sunday. Since 1937, Friends of the Bandshell has been hosting free concerts such as Michael English and Percy Sledge. Winter Park's Central Park hosts a free movie night on the second Thursday of each month.
