People flock to Orlando from all over the country and around the globe to experience the special magic of Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld, and the many other world-class theme parks and attractions. Orlando theme parks offer something for everyone, from memory-making character encounters and rides for the little ones, heart-pumping thrill rides and roller coasters for the adrenaline junkies, to innovative and engaging architecture and theming for all.
Tickets for the major parks, often topping $100 or more per person per day, can take a big bite out of your vacation budget. Happily, Orlando offers a fantastic and diverse experience for almost any budget and most any visitor. Take a break from the theme parks and explore the many other facets of the beautiful destination of Orlando. Adventures in the beautiful outdoors, top-rated museums, a great culinary scene, charming neighborhoods, and hundreds of incredible attractions all await. Check out our list of 15 fantastic cheap things to do in Orlando to put together an unforgettable visit to the best destination in the world.
Our list is full of value-packed, one-of-a-kind experiences that will help you plan a diverse, exciting, and fun vacation and do Orlando on the cheap.
An Affordable Taste of The Wonder and Magic
1- The top theme parks deliver thrills like no others. And you don't have to purchase tickets to have a taste of the magic and wonder. Disney Springs is a walkable entertainment, shopping, and dining district with the full Disney magic. With over 100 retail stores, great eateries, and plenty of musical entertainment, this is a great place to get your Disney fix and have lots of fun. And the parking and admission are free!
Visit the World of Disney store, the largest Disney store on earth, for a complete immersion into the magic. Pop into the LEGO Imagination Center, where the kids can enjoy free LEGO building stations and playgrounds. Try one of the many restaurants and enjoy some complimentary music or entertainment or hang out and see what special events are happening outdoors.
2- If you are looking for more Disney, check out charming Disney's Boardwalk, which recreates a 1930s style Atlantic coastal boardwalk. Stroll the quarter-mile venue along Crescent Lake and stop in one of the nightclubs or enjoy street musicians, entertainers, and incredible water views for free.
3- Chip n' Dale's Campfire Sing-A-Long offers a fantastic outdoor experience for the little ones, older ones, and their parents! Get over to Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort, where every night Chip n Dale leads a fireside sing-a-long, marshmallow roasting, followed by a classic Disney movie on a giant screen under the stars. You can bring your own marshmallows and chocolate or purchase a S'more kit from the Chuck Wagon. The benches are free too but bring a blanket.
4- For more themed excitement, visit Universal CityWalk Orlando, a dining and entertainment district offering plenty of fun and excitement. Admission is free, and parking after 6 pm is free too. Delicious dining ranges from the Hot Dog Hall of Fame to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant & Market. Hear some great music at Hard Rock Cafe or Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. For great family fun, lay down the challenge at Hollywood Drive-In Golf to play through two huge mini-golf courses inspired by classic horror and sci-fi flicks - "The Haunting of Ghostly Greens" and "Invaders From Planet Putt." The wannabe rock stars can take the CityWalk's Rising Star stage with a real backup band and backup singers.
World-Class Attractions
5- Fun Spot America, with locations in Orlando and Kissimmee, offers different levels of fun and thrills for all ages. Try out the multi-level go-kart tracks, roller coasters, kiddie rides, and more. White Lightning is the only wooden roller coaster in Orlando and they are known for having the two tallest SkyCoasters in the world. A Skycoaster is a mix of skydiving and hang gliding. They offer arcades, Midway games, and a splash pad where you can beat the heat. Don’t miss this one if you’re doing Orlando on the cheap.
Head over to International Drive for dozens of attractions and amusements and some of our favorite cheap things to do in Orlando.
6- ICON Park Orlando is home to The Wheel at ICON Park, where you'll soar above the skyline in a 400-foot observation wheel in a fully enclosed, air-conditioned glass capsule. ICON Park is a 20-acre, open-air, gate-free entertainment district with plenty of places to play, dine, and shop. They offer over 40 restaurants, fun bars, boutiques, and attractions. Visit SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, Madame Tussauds Orlando, and Arcade City. The little guys can ride the Pearl Express, and the older ones will love the 7D Dark Ride Adventure.
7- Andretti Indoor Karting & Games provides hours of affordable family fun. They offer multi-level indoor karting, bowling, a ropes course, laser tag, video games, gourmet food, and lots of other activities. This is the place to lay down that family challenge.
8- Crayola Experience is perfect for the young ones. It is a 2-story, 70,000-square-foot experience that provides creative fun. The kids will create their own crayon, name it and wrap it. They'll enjoy lots more hands-on activities, including drip art, a color playground, and more. BONUS- It is located at The Florida Mall. See below for more shopping.
9- Window Shop 'til You Drop - While the kids are at Crayola Experience or one of the two play zones with Dad, you may want to slip away and browse The Florida Mall, which is Orlando’s largest retail center with its experiential environment and 250 retail, dining and entertainment options. If you are a world-class shopper, check out The Mall at Millenia, a premier luxury destination with 150 stores and eateries, and is a shopper's paradise. The architecture, glass ceilings, and artwork all make for a wonderful experience. It doesn't cost anything to window shop!
10- Taste the Wine! Stop by Lakeridge Winery & Vineyard. Florida's largest premium winery, which sits on a 127-acre estate of rolling countryside just 25 miles outside Orlando. Enjoy the tasting room and daily complimentary winery tours and wine tasting, and stop by the gift shop for the perfect addition to your home bar. If you prefer beer, you're in luck. Orlando has dozens of great breweries with great brews, ales, and other concoctions. Orlando Brewing is Florida's first organic brewery. They offer free brewery tours Monday through Saturday at 6 pm. They have 37 taps with all but two pouring their house brands. Create your own brewery crawl with a stop at Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co. in the Ivanhoe District, Motorworks Brewing in Downtown Orlando or Dead Lizard Brewing for their 10-barrel brewing system.
11- Get Outdoors! Check out the real Florida at one of the many state parks. At the top of the list is Wekiwa Springs State Park. This famous natural attraction with its crystal-clear springs is a stunner. Enjoy swimming in the waters that stay at 72 degrees year-round, hiking, biking, fishing, or renting a kayak and exploring. Catch a boat tour of the St. Johns River, or rent an inflatable tube and float down the spring. Hike the 3.6 trail and get up close to some exciting wildlife, including the Florida scrub-jay. Admission is only $6 per carload. This hidden gem is only 45 minutes from downtown Orlando.
12- Smell the Roses - Explore the grounds and walk the oak-shaded trails of Harry P Leu Gardens, a tropical botanical garden showing what Central Florida has to offer. You'll see 50 acres of bromeliads, camellias, and more. Admission is only $10 for adults and $3 for kids 5-12. Another option is Mead Botanical Garden featuring hiking trails, boardwalks, a butterfly garden, bike paths, and many picturesque settings for a picnic or a shady rest. The gardens connect to the Orlando Urban Trail, so bring a bike, cruise downtown, and back. Admission to Mead Botanical Garden is always free.
13- Get your Culture Fix with a visit to The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in the heart of Winter Park. This is home to the most comprehensive collection of works by artist Louis Comfort Tiffany. You'll see his signature glasswork, exhibits of his jewelry, pottery, and paintings. You'll also see exhibits of American art pottery, Art Nouveau, 19th and 20th-century paintings, and more. Admission is $6 for adults and $5 for seniors. Kids under 12 are free. The Orlando Museum of Art features local, national, and international works of art along with a Discovery Center for kids, so something for everyone.
14- Take a break from the crowds with a visit to Lake Eola in downtown Orlando. Stroll the .9-mile trail that encircles this lovely lake, feed the resident swans, or grab a shady spot and have a picnic. Rent a unique swan-shaped paddle boat and take to the water for a leisurely paddle or watch the sunset. You may even catch a free movie at night for a great, free date night.
15- Hit the Beach for a road trip that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Head east for an hour's drive to iconic Cocoa Beach. This sandy beach is a mecca for surfers, offering beautiful breaking waves and a lovely stretch of beach. Stroll the pier area for fun eateries and shopping, or just hit the beach. They have parking, bathhouses and changing rooms, bathrooms, and everything you'll need for a day of fun in the sun. Your "wannabe" surfers will love a visit to the iconic Ron Jon Surf Shop and may even want to book a surf lesson. Just up the road is the Kennedy Space Center for your STEM kids and space fans.
Orlando Does Not Have to be Pricey!
There are hundreds of cheap things to do in Orlando, and most don't involve the theme parks. Explore the hidden gems we've shared with you here, and let them be your inspiration for creating an itinerary that will be diverse, memory-making, and will offer a one-of-a-kind Florida experience. Find ideas for more Epic Things to Do in Orlando Besides Theme Parks here. Find ideas on more Free Things to Do in Orlando here.