9 FREE attractions in Central Florida
CENTRAL FLORIDA, USA You may have spent a little more than you bargained for while enjoying spring break, but Central Florida has some free rides to keep the party going.
I’ve already shared some freebies, but one of our News 6 insiders, PJ, said some of them weren’t his idea of freebies because they included the enticing shops, restaurants, and attractions that surround attractions like Disney Springs and ICON Park.
I agree that these are great areas, but most of them are filled with great places to spend money! Museums are great. I think you could see a lot without riding the rides or eating, but I don’t have that kind of power. Just my thoughts.
PJ comments on 6 Free Attractions in Central Florida 2022
PJ, we can all understand. So I’ve redesigned the article to offer some 100% free rides without the temptation to spend money, along with the other free rides mentioned earlier. (Yes, you may have to drive there, so free doesn’t include transportation. Just put it there.)
Orlando Wetland Park offers free tram tours of over 1,600 acres of wetlands. See what seems like an endless variety of native plants and animals. The new Cypress Boardwalk is open, providing visitors with an elevated walkway of about half a mile, offering unique views of crystal clear water and vegetation, as well as the important work of naturally filtering the purified water.
This Clermont winery offers free guided tours and tastings daily. Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards has been operating since 1989 on 127 acres just 25 miles west of downtown Orlando. According to its website, Lakeridge is considered Florida’s largest premium winery and remains a pioneer in the development of premium and sparkling wines. The winery offers free parking, free tasting tours, and plenty of free samples. There is live music on the weekends so you can bring sun loungers and spend the day outdoors with a free activity.
The Seminole State Forest also has great views with plenty of trees, docks along the water for fishing, and plenty of picnic areas for free family fun. A first-of-its-kind program in Florida helps people with musculoskeletal disabilities get around and enjoy trails in the Seminole State Forest. A sports chair can be rented free of charge so that the whole family can get out of the house and hit the road.
If you’re looking for entertainment, the Cypress Gardens jet ski team is back in action in Winter Haven, putting on free shows twice a month. The team is making a splash at Silver Lake by performing new tricks in the water and in the air, including the classic tricks that made the team famous in the 1940s. Martin Luther King Jr. Park has recently undergone a facelift with expanded seating areas, improved walking paths and the installation of an observation tower. Did I mention that the show FOR FREE?
— If you’re like PJ and me, stop scrolling. The next few places are free but surrounded by enticing shops, restaurants, and attractions. —
Unlike Disney World, Disney Springs offers free admission and free parking in its covered garages in Lake Buena Vista.
Disney Springs is an expansive outdoor entertainment area with restaurants, shops, and show grounds. This is a great opportunity for families to enjoy free entertainment and display cases at LEGO, M&M and Coca Cola stores. (Some stores have hands-on activities that children can participate in.)
An Orlando visitor shared with us that the whole family can take free ferries that run between several Walt Disney World resorts, even if you’re not staying at them. You can spend the whole day in Disney Springs, there is a lot to do.
This entertainment complex in Orlando is a great place for a family vacation. It is located on I Drive in the tourist area. Free parking and entry to just walk around and explore the indoor and outdoor complex. (Unless you’re tempted to splurge on one of the many attractions.)
Spread over 380 acres, the World Equestrian Center at 1750 Northwest 8th Avenue is the largest equestrian facility in the country, offering indoor and outdoor arenas and grounds. But WEC is not a farm. It has state-of-the-art equestrian facilities and arenas, as well as shops, restaurants, and even a full-service spa.
The Equestrian Hotel is located in the center of the hotel and it becomes luxurious from the moment you enter the lobby.
Families can take free walks along the hiking trails and watch horse shows and competitions in the large arena. (They also host seasonal events with live music, activities, and food.) Click HERE to learn more about how you and your family can enjoy visiting the WEC.
8. Choose museums
- Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art: This Winter Park museum houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s work, including lamps, glassware, ceramics and jewelry, according to Visit Orlando. The museum is open to the public free of charge on certain days. Reservations are recommended.
- Florida Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center: Located in Maitland, this museum is an overview of the Holocaust that serves as a memorial to the victims, according to Visit Orlando. The museum has an exhibition consisting of 12 sections, each of which focuses on the main theme of the Holocaust with photographs, text, artifacts, short films and testimonies of local residents. The museum also hosts unique galleries year-round, so there’s always something new to see.
- Wells’Built Museum of African American History and Culture: This museum is located in Orlando’s Parramore neighborhood. It was built in 1921 to accommodate black travelers who were barred from certain Florida hotels. Legends such as Count Basie, Ray Charles, Duke Ellington and others have stayed at the historic hotel. This museum has exhibits on the civil rights movement, African art and artifacts, according to Visit Orlando.
City Walk is an open-air entertainment district that connects the Universal Islands of Adventures and Universal Studios theme parks. The track also features a splash pad and free live performances. City Walk offers free parking after 6pm (but not during Halloween Horror Nights). There are several restaurants and shops if you have the money, and of course plenty of photo opportunities.
10. Beach
There are many free beaches along the coast of Central Florida, OBVIOUSLY. Be sure to check parking and other fees that may apply at some beaches, especially if you can drive on sand.
If you are on one of these rides, don’t forget to take a photo and attach it with your PIN! You can see your photos shared during our news releases.
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