6+ Fun & Free Things to Do in Orlando

If it’s free, it’s for me! That was 18-year-old me’s motto back in my college days, and it still rings true today.

If you’re on the hunt for ideas that are heavy on the fun and easy on the wallet, check out these 6 free things to do in Orlando (+ a few bonus ideas!).

They’re all real suggestions from our Club members, Facebook and Instagram followers and team of Holiday Inn Club Vacations^® travel experts.

You’ll also notice some of these ideas are inspired by our Orange Lake and Orlando Breeze resorts, and while you do need to pay for your stay at both, we think you’ll find their activities very fun and very worth it.

1. Enjoy a taste of Walt Disney World_® Theme Parks — no ticket required.

^{Disney Springs has lots of opportunities for fun photo ops for the “Gram.”}

There are so many great things to do at Disney Springs, especially when it comes to free entertainment. If you’re a fan of all things Disney, fun photo ops, people-watching and window-shopping, you’ll love strolling through these areas, just like these Disney lovers do!

• “As a Disney-obsessed adult and local Orlando expert, our family has spent quite a bit of time roaming Disney Springs, one our favorite Disney spots, especially when we want a little pixie dust on a budget.” – Christie C.
  
  
• “Disney Springs = a taste of Walt Disney World but with free parking and no admission/ticket.” – Jennifer H.
  
  
• “Disney Springs is fun and exciting.” – Lamb’s Travels

Pro Tip: Disney Springs is also the perfect spot for a little romantic date night with your special someone.

2. Pick a spot outside the theme parks to catch their fireworks shows.

^{Every night is the 4th of July when you live in the Theme Park Capital of the World.}

Between Walt Disney World_® Theme Parks, Universal Orlando Resort^™ and SeaWorld® Orlando, finding a spot to watch the spectacular fireworks shows displayed by a nearby theme park is a no-cost, low-effort way to light up your night.

• “Going to Disney’s BoardWalk, finding a nice spot, watching the amazing fireworks set off by the theme parks with that special someone, family or friends, and enjoying the view. Cost $0.” – Susan D.
  
  
• “I love watching the theme park fireworks from my balcony. Priceless!” – Andrea A.
  
  
• “Sitting at the resort’s lazy river and watching the fireworks from Disney World. Can’t wait to see my Orange Lake Resort family at Christmas.” – Sarah F.

3. Soak up the sunshine at a pool or splash pad.

Soaking up some Florida sunshine is good for the soul — and the bank! To entertain your little ones, check out free splash pads and spraygrounds in Central Florida, including ones at:

• Disney Springs
• Kissimmee Lakefront Park
• Winter Garden
• Oviedo

And if you’re not enjoying the cool pools included in your Orlando Breeze or Orange Lake Resort vacation, Orlando has a lot of public pools that are only about $3-4 for access.

• “Chilling by the pool with a cocktail.” – Robin M.
  
  
• “Family time. Pool time. Street art murals.” – Jennifer M.
  
  
• “Love being around the pools and making new friends.” – Julie B.

4. Spend the day at a natural spring.

^{Wekiwa Springs State Park is only $6 per vehicle or $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists.}

Ok, so a lot of Orlando’s nearby natural springs might not be 100% free, but they’re close enough! I’m talking $2 per person or $4-10 per car, and at some, kids under a certain age are free.

It’s truly a reasonable and fun way to spend your day (and your money). And to make it even more affordable, you can pack your own lunches and have a picnic with your fam in between dips in the water.

• “I like to visit the natural springs.” – Sheila R.
  
  
• “Tibet-Butler Preserve and visit a natural spring (which isn’t free or directly in Orlando, but cheap and within 2 hours).” – Amber C.

Some local natural springs near Central Florida include:

• Wekiwa Springs State Park
• Rock Springs Run State Reserve
• Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
• Three Sisters Springs
• De Leon Springs State Park
• Blue Spring State Park — my personal fave because manatees love the water temps and I’ve seen so many there!
• Silver Springs State Park — this one is absolutely gorgeous and an amazing spot to take photos while swimming, kayaking or simply walking the trails

Pro Tip: Definitely try to get there a half hour to an hour before the spring opens to make sure you get in. A lot of them only allow a limited number of people and the line of cars to enter can get really long the later you arrive.

5. Hit the trails!

^{My hubby and pup hiking in the UCF Arboretum}

I’m a big fan of getting outside and hitting up hiking trails, and there are places to do just that allllll around Orlando. Aside from the exercise benefits, fresh air and sun on your skin, another benefit of hiking these trails is that they’re completely free, too.

• “Geocaching [aka treasure hunting while hiking].” – Laura L.
  
  
• “I don’t do this but have heard great things about the West Orange bike trail in Winter Garden.” – Alia W.

Just some of the biking and hiking trails in and around Orlando include:

• Little Big Econ State Forest
• Tibet-Butler Preserve
• Disney Wilderness Preserve
• Lake Baldwin Park
• Split Oak Forest
• West Orange Trail

When we have some Sunday free time, my husband, Brooks, my dog, Deagon, and I like to stroll through the Econ River Wilderness Area in east Orlando.

It’s a super easy 3-mile loop, and the river is a nice halfway point to stop, rest, drink water, eat a snack, cool off in the water and, if you’re like my husband, take a few casts to see what fish you can catch in the river.


^{Brooks’s nice little catch (aside from me😉) at the Econ River Wilderness Area}

Pro Tip: Try to head outdoors in the morning or evening. It’s much more enjoyable than being out during the hottest parts of the day in the afternoon.

6. Explore a new part of Orlando you’ve never been to.

^{Instagram vs. Reality: A behind the scenes look at me failing to take a cute photo of my dog and the Angel Wings near Boxi Park}

As someone who’s lived here since 2012, I can confidently say I haven’t even scratched the surface on new places to explore in this area.

The ideas below include fun things to do, local favorites, hidden gems and unique spots to discover, and I have a lot of these on my own personal Orlando bucket list. (Yes, I do in fact have a “Notes” app list with new places I still need to visit.)

• “Boxi Park in Lake Nona, Plant Street Market in Winter Garden, CityWalk, Lakefront Park in St. Cloud, Lakeridge Winery in Clermont (wine tastings are free), Winter Park Farmer’s Market and walking around Park Ave. in Winter Park” – Ashley F.
  
  
• “Strolling through Old Town [in Kissimmee].” – Brandi H.
  
  
• “Walking around Lake Eola, exploring Mead Botanical Gardens, enjoying a (free) tasting at Lakeridge Winery, checking out Winter Park’s Park Ave., and doing the nature trails and walks around the ‘lake’ in downtown Celebration.” – Jennifer H.
  
  
• “Strolling through the Winter Garden Farmer’s Market “ – Marco A.

^{Checking out the local vendors at the Winter Garden Farmer’s Market}

Bonus Ideas

Looking for a few more ideas? Here are some more of my personal favorite free things to do in Orlando:

• Fishing in neighborhood ponds or at a nearby beach
• Taking my pup to Lake Baldwin Dog Park in Winter Park
• Tailgating University of Central Florida football and baseball games in East Orlando
• Playing Pokémon Go at a nearby park or outdoor mall
• Volunteering for a local nonprofit
• Walking around Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando to see the swans and ducks
• Picnicing at Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park

^{Blue skies, swans and the beautiful skyline at Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando}

Where to Stay in Orlando for Even More Free Fun

If you’re planning to stay or happen to be staying at our Orange Lake Resort or Orlando Breeze Resort, you’ll have access to TONS of awesome things to do included in your reservation.


^{The sparkly pools at Orlando Breeze Resort (left) and Orange Lake Resort (right)}

Some free resort activities include:

• Crystal-clear pools
• Hot tubs
• Splash pads
• Sports courts
• Special activities every day
• Fitness centers
• And more!

There are even more things that do have an extra cost, but the fun is well worth it.


^{Take the kiddos to the splash pad in the North Village at Orange Lake Resort to soak up all the sunny resort fun!}

Check out what our Club members and guests have to say about the resort activities they love most…

• “We all get up early and bring our little fishnets to walk the lazy river [at Orange Lake Resort] and save the frogs … and enjoy the beautiful landscaping. Then we go to North Village to the waterslide and play trivia with the Fun Team. See you soon!” – Karen M.
  
  
• “Hanging out with my family by [Orange Lake Resort’s] West Village pool, playing bingo and drinking a frozen Pirate Booty. Nothing better. Coming again in August — I can’t wait.” – Anissa W.
  
  
• “The family being together, the pool, playing cards or Yahtzee on the balcony, and taking walks around the resort.” – Michele M.
  
  
• “Using the amenities at Orange Lake Resort and then watching the sunset from the bar.” – Joey B.
  
  
• “Going to CityWalk after karaoke at Orange Lake Resort.” – Ayesha W.

If you’re ready to book your Orlando vacation or staycation, be sure to check out the special offers we have going on right now at Orange Lake and Orlando Breeze!


^{If you’re like me, you can probably spend hours lounging by Orlando Breeze Resort’s main pool.}

From soaking up the sun to hitting the trails, I hope these 6+ free things to do in Orlando help you have a blast on a budget.

And if you’re here for an Orlando family vacation, don’t forget the one thing that is truly priceless: the memories you’ll make while you’re here…

“Watching my kids’ faces as we create memories from our vacation.” – Jon H.


Any submitted quotes and testimonials may have been shortened or edited for grammar and spelling.

All information is subject to change. This article is a curated guide and is neither sponsored nor considered an official endorsement. Please be sure to check information directly with any/all tours, guides or companies for the most up-to-date and direct details.