Fun and Free Things to Do in Orlando

The area is loaded with opportunities for those who are looking for things to do in Orlando while still saving a little money, like exploring the great outdoors or sampling local wineries and breweries. You can even take part in a vintage automobile parade if the fancy strikes—all for free or next to nothing.

Disney for Free—Fireworks Included

Walt Disney World remains a top attraction in Orlando, but did you know you can sample some of the magic for free? Disney's BoardWalk, the town of Celebration and the Downtown Disney Marketplace are all free attractions. It's up to you how much you spend once you're inside. Musicians, magicians and other artists provide free shows on the BoardWalk, which fronts Crescent Lake and looks like a charming seaside village. Kids can play in an interactive fountain in Celebration. Or, they can enjoy the fake snow that falls along the town streets in winter.

Want to let your children show off their competitive spirit? Take them to the LEGO Imagination Center—one of the biggest free attractions at the Downtown Disney Marketplace. They can enter in a LEGO building contest or check out the oversized LEGO statues of T. Rex and a sea serpent. Cap off your visit and watch the sky light up at night, with a free fireworks display at any of these locations.

Wine and Beer Tours—Sampling Fun

If you left the kids at home this trip, get a taste of what Orlando has to offer with daily, free wine-tasting tours at Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards. The tours run about 45 minutes and do not require reservations. A short video explains the winemaking process before the tour heads into the production area overlooking the vineyards. Sampling takes place at the oversized tasting counter and includes an array of red, white and sparkling wines—from dry to sweet—with a gift shop nearby to take home your favorite vintages.

If you prefer something more hoppy, join a free tour of the production floor at the Orlando Brewing microbrewery. The tours are held Monday through Saturday at 6 p.m., except on the 30th of each month and during special events like Oktoberfest. The tour doesn't include free samples, but the on-site taproom offers samplers of beer at discounted prices. Samplers can easily be shared—single flights offer four 5-ounce beers and double flights have eight. Stop by on Friday or Saturday and enjoy live music with no cover charge.

Free Parks—Giant Trees, Hikes and Paddle Boats

A giant cypress called the Senator birthed the crowd-favorite Big Tree Park, a fun attraction 15 miles north of downtown Orlando. Though it was once destroyed by fire, the equally impressive Lady Liberty tree now stands firm in its place—a testament to why you'll want to book your hotel in Orlando close to this family-friendly park. An easy hike takes you to Spring Hammond Preserve where you'll find yourself surrounded by thousand-year-old cypress trees with massive trunks and a thick forest canopy. This Longwood locale charges no entry fees.

Get lost in the lush open green space of Lake Eola Park, or use your vacation to start that exercise plan you’ve been putting off. This free attraction offers a pathway that’s just under a mile, so even those with limited workout skills can get in on the fun. Do some bird watching or just take in the scenery. Rent one of the swan-shaped paddleboats if you want to get out on the water. The boats rent by the half hour and the rates are reasonably cheap. Visit on Sunday to do some shopping at the Eola Sunday Market, or catch a free movie screening with the family every Friday night at the Walt Disney Amphitheater.

Fort Christmas and Old Town—Free Historic Attractions

Explore pioneer life and history at Fort Christmas Historical Park, a full-size replica of the original Fort Christmas that’s so soaked in history, it dates back to Dec. 25, 1837. You can wander the grounds and check out the seven restored homes for free—each representing a different facet of pioneer life. The park also offers a playground, basketball courts, tennis courts and a small baseball field for spontaneous pickup games. Fort Christmas is in the town of Christmas, roughly 20 miles east of Orlando.

For those gearheads, visit Old Town on Friday or Saturday night and enjoy a bit of automotive history. The All American Muscle Car Cruise showcases vintage vehicles up to 1988 on Fridays. The Saturday Night Cruise features hot rods, street rods and antique cars built before 1975. Live bands grace the main stage, playing oldies tunes. The cruise and entertainment are free, but you might be tempted by the arcade, go-kart rides, haunted house and themed restaurants. Old Town is located in Kissimmee, about 20 miles south of Orlando. View our travel guide to Orlando for more recommendations.