Despite the fact that the most popular attractions in Orlando cost quite a bit of money, there are tons of free things to do in Orlando. Race LEGO cars, play a few games of tennis, enjoy a wine tasting, or wander through beautiful gardens. There’s no shortage of amazing free things to do in Orlando.
If Orlando is on your USA bucket list, planning a weekend getaway in Florida will be easy with this list of free things to do.
40+ Free Things to Do in Orlando
Explore everything that Disney Springs has to offer. Given that a visit to Disney World is one of the most popular things to do in Orlando, it’s only fair that Disney Springs, one of the only free parts of Disney World, makes it onto this list of free things to do in Orlando.
Bike or hike part of the nearly 22-mile West Orange Trail. Or if you really enjoy it, tackle the whole thing!
Hop from shop to shop at Universal CityWalk. Like Disney Springs, Universal CityWalk is one of the best free things to do in Orlando if you’re still looking to get a dash of the iconic Orlando theme park experience.
Feel like a professional tennis player at the United States Tennis Association National Campus. There are quite a few courts available for free with advanced reservations.
Wander around the Orlando Farmers Market on Sundays.
Pop by Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge for a free glimpse of animals, such as zebras and giraffes.
Snatch up free audience tickets to tapings of your favorite reality shows, including America’s Got Talent, American Ninja Warrior, and Family Feud.
Stop at smell the flowers at the Kraft Azalea Garden, which is often referred to as the Secret Garden.
Watch Disney’s Electrical Water Pageant on the Seven Seas Lagoon.
If you’re over 21 one years old, one of the best free things to do in Orlando is actually at Disney Springs. Dance until you simply can’t dance anymore at Atlantic Dance Hall.
Admire pottery, jewelry, glasswork and more at The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art every Friday from November to April from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Admire all of the vintage cars that make their way into Old Town.
Stare at fluttering butterflies at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground and Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Both are home to stunning butterfly gardens.
Catch free movies at Lake Eola Park’s Movieola. This event takes place from April to August on the last Friday of every month at around 8 p.m.
Explore the 2.5-mile nature trail found at Disney’s Wilderness Preserve. This attraction is not located near the rest of Disney World. Rather, it is 20 miles south of the rest of Disney World, so plan accordingly.
Wander around the Disney Boardwalk. As the sun sets behind Crescent Lake, this friendly area becomes especially gorgeous.
Celebrate the beauty of African American art at the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts.
Learn about how the Winter Park area came to be at the Winter Park History Museum.
If you are staying at the Four Seasons in Orlando, you can see the Disney fireworks for free each night.
Draw your favorite Disney character during a drawing class at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
Listen to the interesting mix of pop and opera at Universal Orlando’s Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. Every night, the resort showcases a lovely performance known as Musica della Notte.
Grab a blanket and watch a free movie in Winter Park on the second Thursday of each month.
Stroll through the five galleries of the CityArts Factory from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday.
Looking for one of the best free things to do in Orlando for adults? Take a tour of Orlando Brewing every day after 6 p.m. except Sunday.
Remember the tragedies of the Holocaust at the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida.
Go for a walk around the perimeter of Lake Eola and take in the fresh air.
Peruse the shops, restaurants, and attractions at ICON Park.
Get your fill of Fine Art at the Cornell Fine Arts Museum.
Explore all eight ecosystems found at the University of Central Florida Arboretum.
Gaze at all of the knickknacks you could possibility desire at FleaWorld, the largest flea market in the United States.
If you’re a history buff, be sure to add Fort Christmas Historical Park to your list of free things to do in Orlando. Complete with cannon firings and pioneer demonstrations, you’ll feel as if you’ve time traveled to the past.
Bask in the beauty of the bright flowers at Harry P. Leu Gardens on the first Monday of every month.
In the winter, experience fake snow in the Utopian Disney town of Celebration.
Spot the alligators, manatees, and more at Wekiwa Springs State Park. On September 8 (International Literacy Day), you can get free access to Wekiwa Springs State Park by pulling out your library card, showing a book, or donating a book.
Adopt a friendly dog for the day through Pet Rescue by Judy. Through the rescue’s Day 4 a Day program, you can borrow a furry friend for your day in Orlando.
Build your own awesome LEGO car at the LEGO Store in Disney Springs and race it against the LEGO cars that other people have built!
Bike, picnic, hike, or even explore a butterfly garden at Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park.
Every summer, watch a movie under the twinkle of the stars at the Enzian Theater.
Peruse the produce at the Winter Park farmer’s market.
Do a little fishing at Big Toho Marina.
Admire all of the inspirational street art in the Mills 50 district.
Savor a delectable wine tasting and tour at Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards.
Check out the constantly changing art collections at The Grand Bohemian Gallery.
Stare up at the 2,000-year-old tree known as Lady Liberty at Big Tree Park.
Venture a bit outside of Orlando to Cocoa Beach, where you can jump in the ocean, lie on the sand, and soak in the sun.
Survey all of the food trucks that show up to Tasty Tuesdays in the Milk District. Maybe you’ll even be lucky enough to listen to some free live music as well.
Roast some s’mores over a campfire and participate in a sing-along with Chip ‘n’ Dale at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Be sure to bring your own s’mores supplies, or else you will have to purchase a s’mores kit.
Do a little window shopping at the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets.
Watch free screenings of Disney movies all over the Walt Disney World Resort area.
See if your car will roll uphill and defy gravity, according to the legends of Spook Hill.
Choose from the many trails available at Tibet Butler Preserve and head off on a nature-filled adventure.
Check out the live gator exhibit at Lake Jesup, as run by Black Hammock Adventures.
Take advantage of all of the free health and wellness classes offered at Chamberlin’s Market.
One of the best free things to do in Orlando with little kids is take them to Capehart Park, where they can jump around in the splash pad and cool down from the hot Florida sun.
Go for a run and get free beer. Through a program called Running for Brews, people meet up to run five kilometers (about three miles) on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at Graffiti Junktion and are rewarded with free beer at the end of their journey.
Watch free student performances at the Fred Stone Theater.
Check out the antique firetruck at the Orlando Fire Museum.
Take a class in a subject that piques your interest at The Melrose Center. These subjects include everything from technology to art. All of these classes are free to Orlando residents with a library card.
Cruise down Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive and catch glimpses of Florida’s native wildlife.
Soak in the beauty of the outdoors at Shingle Creek Regional Park.
Kick around a soccer ball or throw around a frisbee at Kissimmee Lakefront Park.
Gape at the stunning architecture and grounds of the Wat Florida Dhammaram Buddhist temple. The monks at the temple are extra friendly, so they’ll be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
Check out the art collection at Mennello Museum on the second Sunday of each month.
As one of the most under-the-radar free things to do in Orlando, the B-52 Memorial Park is a hidden gem. Get up close and personal with this huge, earth-toned bomber plane.
Feel like royalty as you listen to music of all genres at the Casa Feliz. This historic mansion welcomes musical artists every Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. to showcase their talents to the public. And while you’re there, be sure to explore the stunning building as well.
Join in on the fun at the downtown Sanford street party on the second Thursday of every month.
Gaze up at the stars through a telescope during Telescope Thursdays at Seminole State Planetarium.
Participate in one of the featured workshops at the Evening Exchange at the East End Market.
Wander around all of the colorful rides in Old Town.
Lace up your hiking boots and go for a hike through Lake Lotus Park in Altamonte Springs.
Enjoy the many free concerts provided by the Timucua Arts Foundation.
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