Orlando is home to some of the most globally recognised theme parks, which tend to be the focus of most trips to the area. However, beyond the fantastic attractions, there is so much more to explore and experience in the area. And, fortunately, so much of it can be enjoyed for free!

Here at Debbie’s Villas, we know you will love discovering this diverse region and have selected our top 20 places to enjoy, all without charge! Whether you need to take a break alongside nature or would like to feel immersed in some local arts and crafts, there are an array of state parks, lakes, gardens, markets, shopping centres, streets and museums for you to absorb yourself in!

Lake Eola

If you head over to downtown Orlando, you can discover a beautiful 43-acre park, called Lake Eola. The giant lake is the main feature of the park, with walking paths accessible across the area. The lake is also the centre for all things creative, including open art displays, free music performances, film showcases, an impressive amphitheatre and some quirky restaurants.

One of the most captivating parts about Lake Eola is the remarkable view of Orlando’s skyline. We would suggest taking a picnic so you can sit and enjoy the lovely surroundings while snacking on some tasty treats.

The park is complete with toilets and a play area for children to release any extra energy! If you decide to stay during the evening, try not to miss the beautiful fountain display at either 8pm or 9pm.

Orlando Brewing

The Orlando Brewery is the only USDA certified organic brewery in Florida! Its products consist of organically produced yeast, malted barley, hops and water. The establishment offers free tours across the brewery in the evenings from Monday to Saturday at 6pm. Make sure to arrive well in advance, as the tours operate on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

The business organises a wide array of free events. Live music is also available on some evenings, which is a perfect way to unwind after a long day of activities!

For information about other beer and wine tours in Orlando, take a look at our blog.

Universal CityWalk

This is a fantastic opportunity to discover the top locations in CityWalk, as the area is free to enter. Explore the three blocks of lively dining and shopping spots, ensuring you and the family can absorb as much entertainment and Orlando experience as possible.

Exciting places to take note of include a new restaurant called Bigfire, the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium, the world’s largest Hard Rock Cafe, the movie theatre and mini-golf! It is worth mentioning that free parking is also available here after 6pm. For further information, take a look at our blog on where to shop, dine and have fun at Universal CityWalk.

Plant Street Market

This atmospheric part of Orlando is an idyllic location to sit and watch the world go by. With live music filling the street, the market is a hub of activity and a place of locally created organic produce. If you are a particularly polite visitor, some shops may offer you free samples!

Seating is accessible inside and outside the building, but often places inside fill up, so prepare to lounge under the sun and enjoy the hustle and bustle! The Plant Street Market is located in downtown Winter Garden. Take a look at our 12 Things to Do In Winter Garden in Orlando for further activities available in the area.

Mead Botanical Garden

If you fancy venturing into nature, we would recommend heading to Mead Botanical Garden. Here, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll, free from distractions. Take a break from the sun, and head over to one of the pavilions for a peaceful lie down amongst the warm, Orlando breeze.

The garden is 47.6-acres in total and can supply a whole afternoon of tranquil fun! If you would like to see some more natural beauty, the butterfly garden is a mesmerising location. Mead Botanical Garden is open every day, from 7:30am until dusk.

Disney Boardwalk

Prepare to be immersed in a mesmerising display of picture-perfect striped awnings amongst the calming, pastel shades of the Disney Boardwalk. An encapsulation of 20th-century coastal promenades which lined American seaside, this idyllic setting is bursting with positive energy and charisma!

Accessible by foot from both Epcot and Hollywood Studios, you can discover exciting eating, shopping and entertainment outlets here, while being surrounded by the two Disney theme parks close by. It is a wonderful area for those wanting a more relaxing night-time experience at Disney. For an extra surprise, remain in the area for the evening for a clear glimpse of the Magic Kingdom firework display and witness the street entertainers emerge for a night of excitement.

Big Tree Park

Home to the most significant and ancient bald cypress trees across the globe, Big Tree Park is a small slice of paradise that we would recommend experiencing.

Keep your eyes peeled for the tree named Lady Liberty, which is believed to be over 2,000 years in age. It isn’t hard to miss, as it towers over 40ft tall.

For the younger family members of the group, there is also a fantastic playground to play in!

East End Market

For some neighbourhood atmosphere, head over to the East End Market. Here you will find anything a bit alternative and be surrounded by curious creations made by the local artisans. Exquisite little shops nestle in the area and offer an afternoon of treasure searching. You can also find some delicious local delicacies such as fresh juices, soups and sushi!

Prepare your eyes for the colourful display at the fruit and veg garden, where you can sit and absorb the fun-loving atmosphere.

Disney Springs

This location in Orlando was once referred to as Downtown Disney. It has since grown in size and magnificence and is now one of the most recognised places in the area.

Feast your eyes on the live music shows, as well as having the opportunity to get involved in the free activities aimed at families! Make sure to snap a photo with the Coca-Cola Bear at the Coca-Cola Store. Another highlight is an M&Ms store, which has recently been announced to open this year.

There is also an interactive LEGO store here full of LEGO sculptures and fun building activities. It’s a dream world of LEGO shapes of all colours, sizes and forms imaginable.

West Orange Trail

If you are an adventure and activity seeker, the West Orange Trail may provide an ideal day out for you! This route is 22 miles in length and surges across the stunning countryside of Apopka, Oakland and Winter Garden. The trail is sufficiently paved and can be accessed on foot or by bike!

If you fancy something a bit more, fast-paced, why not go for a run? The route is well maintained, with water fountains and toilets along the route.

Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards

Available seven days a week for complimentary tours and wine tasting, attending an event at the Lakeridge Winery is a fabulous experience for those who have the opportunity to spend the evening without younger children. The experience starts with an informative video of how the wine is harvested and follows its journey until it eventually ends up in the bottle. The event ends with several wine tastings!

This location also has festivals and events throughout the year, with some offering free admission.

Celebration

This location of Florida is the product of Walt Disney’s vision to create an ideal American town. Celebration was constructed 30 years after his death in the year 1995. It sits a few miles away from the main entrance of Walt Disney World and is free to roam around.

The town is curiously perfect in appearance, with picket fences, mowed lawns, rocking chairs and ping pong tables for you to play on. Shops and restaurants surround the lake, with boardwalks and biking trails offering tourists the chance to explore the scenic area. The whole location is a charming depiction of town life from Walt Disney’s vision.

A day could easily be spent here with so much perfection to absorb. If you happen to be in Orlando at Halloween or Christmas, then this is the ideal time to see Celebration, as magnificent decorations line the area. Our blog Living the American Dream in the Town of Celebration has plenty of ideas to inspire you!

The Grand Bohemian Gallery

This marvellous gallery can be found in downtown Orlando, near Lake Eola Park. It is regarded as the most eclectic art gallery in Orlando. Its attraction comes from its ever-changing collection, which rotates between its diverse range of art including traditional and contemporary pieces, as well as local and international artists.

Kissimmee Lakefront Park

Exploring this huge park may require a little planning before arrival due to its size! This beautiful public park is free for all to use and offers a range of lovely activities for you to enjoy while soaking up the Floridian sun.

Those who are drawn to boats and fishing should venture to the right side of the park. If you wander to the left of the park, you’ll find playgrounds complete with water fountains. A fun splash park for smaller children is also available in this area!

Old Town Kissimmee

This spot in Orlando has been a favourite for both locals and tourists for three decades. Each weekend classic cars take over the streets of Old Town and in the evenings, you can witness them drive through the streets during the ‘Friday Nite Muscle Car Cruise’ or ‘Saturday Nite Classic Car Cruise’.

Be sure to go on the Ferris Wheel, which looks out over the US 192 from 85ft in the air. Also a shopping complex, the area is pleasantly decorated with tree-lined streets and brick roads. Shops and restaurants create a warm buzz in the area, making it the perfect place to spend an afternoon or evening. Discover the best ways to experience this stunning area in our blog!

ICON Park on International Drive

Open all week from 10am to midnight, this amazing shopping complex is free to enter. With over 40 attractions consisting of restaurants, rooftop bars and shops, this is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the buzz of Orlando.

Home to some of the most iconic attractions in the area, it is in this location where you can view the grand 400ft Wheel overlooking the beautiful east coast.

For those happy to pay entrance fees and purchase tickets, here are some places you can attend while visiting ICON Park:

• Madame Tussauds
• Sea Life Orlando Aquarium
• Skeletons: Museum of Osteology
• Orlando Star Flyer
• Arcade City
• 7D Dark Ride Adventure

Fort Christmas Historical Park

Located 50 miles from our villas in Orlando, this attraction includes a life-size model outpost, which is based on a construction created in 1837, during the Second Seminole Indian War by U.S. soldiers. It depicts a classic ‘Cracker’ house which is associated with the Florida area.

Eight other houses have also been created in the park, as well as a lunchroom, a sugar cane mill and a schoolhouse. During the summer months, it is open from 8am to 8pm. In the winter, the park is open from 8am to 6pm. We would advise taking a picnic, as there are many nice seating areas to make the most of.

Kelly Park’s Rock Springs

If you want to get up close to some native wildlife, try your luck by heading over to Kelly Park’s Rock Springs. Situated roughly 35 miles north of the Disney parks, this stunning 245-acre natural park is overflowing with beautiful lagoons, rivers and lakes.

Animals to look out for include deer, diamondback rattlesnakes, bobcats, wild turkeys, grey foxes, raccoons and even the very occasional black bear!

It is also host to an adventure playground and volleyball court! Entry is free; the park is open from 8am throughout the year, closing at 8pm in the summer and 6pm in the winter.

Cocoa Beach

Head to the coast and take a well-deserved dip in the sea! Around an hour from the east of Orlando, this beautiful beach is renowned for its calm oceans, making it an ideal place to learn to surf! The Ron Jon Surf is located a stone’s throw from A1A; it is an emporium of all things coastal and is definitely worth taking a look.

We would recommend stretching your legs on the boardwalk and absorb the captivating sights of the Atlantic Ocean. Being 800ft in length, the boardwalk is overflowing with places to shop and eat!

Disney Wilderness Preserve

The Disney Wilderness Preserve is epic in size, 12,000-acres to be precise. Originally a cattle ranch, its purpose is to provide and continue to progress the habitat restoration and conservation of the area. It has been implemented to correct any habitats lost by the assembly of Walt Disney World.

The success of the site includes the rehabilitation of longleaf pine savannas and the conservation of cypresses along the lake. The area is exceptional in beauty and is the home of over 1,000 different animal and plant species, with trails stretching three miles around the lake. It is a lovely escape from the hustle and bustle of Orlando’s centre.

We provide a range of properties in the area and have an exceptional two decades worth of experience in creating unforgettable and enchanting holidays. If you would like to gain some inside knowledge for your holiday, our blog on Hidden Gems at Universal can let you in on some great secrets at the resort, that could certainly make your trip more magical!

We hope this list of 20 free things to try in Orlando will inspire you to explore more of Orlando on your next visit. If you are looking for some inspiring accommodation, our delightful range of Florida villa holidays can provide you with high-quality places to stay, in stunning locations!

Image credits:

• The Grand Bohemian Gallery: kesslercollection.com
• Fort Christmas historical park: CC by TomFawls
• Cocoa Beach: CC by Leonard J. DeFrancisci (Wikimedia Commons)