If you have hunted up the best Orlando vacation resorts and the best Westgate resorts in anticipation of your Florida visit, you may already have many attractions and entertainment options included in your vacation package. However, there are times during your vacation that you might want to branch out a little – without breaking your vacation budget, of course. Luckily, there are many low-cost and free things to do in Orlando:
1. Winter Park. The Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens in Winter Park are always open – even when galleries and museums are closed for the season — and are free of charge. On Fridays between November and April, 4 to 8 pm, you can enjoy free admission to the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park. Collections include Tiffany lamps, pottery, jewelry, and art glass. Drop by Friday nights in November and December to enjoy free concerts at the museum.
2. In the Grand Bohemian Hotel, the Grand Bohemian Gallery charges no admission and features contemporary art glass, jewelry, and European paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries.
3. A World of Orchids in Kissimmee. This 22,500-square-foot conservatory has not only orchids but also many other exotic flowers from Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Australia, and Central and South America. It’s the perfect place for a very fragrant stroll.
4. Big Tree Park. With picnic benches and the “the Senator.” one of America’s oldest bald cypress trees, this is a great place to eat lunch or go for a hike. Not to be missed: a stroll along the boardwalk.
5. Fleaworld and Funworld is just north of the city and is considered the largest flea market in the country. More than 1,700 vendors selling as well as acrobatic shows, circus and magic acts, and exotic animals mean lots to see and do. Admission is free.
6. Spook Hill in Lake Wales, Florida. Just outside of the city, this is a marked spot where you can stop your car and put it in neutral. According to legend, your car rolls uphill.
7. Old Town,. This amusement park and shopping area features a vintage car parade on Saturday nights. Live entertainment is available nightly. The car shows and entertainment are free and the rides in the park charge only a modest fee.
8. The Sterling Casino Lines. You can board this five-deck, 75,000-square-foot Ambassador II ship at Port Canaveral daily at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. to watch entertainment, live Caribbean drum music, and a buffet. It is free to board the boat, although you might want to bring pocket money if you want to gamble or buy drinks.
9. The Orlando Brewing Company. Florida’s only certified organic brewery has free tours each day at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.. Free live entertainment is available most weekends.
10. Black Hammock Adventures. You can enjoy free live alligator and bird exhibits. Free live music is available every Friday and Saturday night at the restaurant
11. The March of the Peabody Ducks. Twice a day at the Peabody Orlando hotel, ducks are escorted to music from the hotel, along a red carpet, all the way to the Royal Duck Fountain. Call well ahead if you would like your child to be Honorary Duck Master for a show.
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Orlando, Florida may be close to Disney World, one of the most famous theme parks in the world, but Orlando is about much more than just Mickey Mouse and his friends. When you visit Florida, you get to enjoy stunning natural beauty as well as a vibrant downtown. Stay at one of the many fabulous Orlando vacation resorts or Westgate resorts and you can experience the unique mix of down-home and urban that Orlando has to offer.
Orlando could take a lifetime to discover, but if you are short on time, these attractions are always sure to please:
1) Universal Florida. The other major theme park in this part of Florida boasts an Islands of Adventure theme park, which has a 10-acre Seuss Landing, designed just for young kids. Designed around the books of Dr. Seuss, the park has it all: Seuss characters, The Cat in the Hat ride, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish ride, and much, much more. For older kids, Universal’s The Hulk and Dueling Dragon coasters, and The Spiderman 3-D simulator experience are sure to offer chills and thrills.
2) Discovery Cove. Discovery Cove is a sister park to SeaWorld Orlando as well as simulation of a Caribbean island. Here you can snorkel at the Coral Reef alongside colorful fish and harmless giant stingrays. The river float allows you to splash and swim under a waterfall as well as through the aviary. Discovery Cove also has a remarkably un-crowded white sand beach. The best part of the park is definitely the Swim With Dolphins exhibit. Discovery Cove is on the expensive side, but the cost covers everything, including drinks and meals, so once you pay up you can explore to your heart’s content.
3) Downtown Orlando. The downtown core has much to offer, including skyscrapers, entertainment, shops, sidewalk cafes, and restaurants. Lake Eola Park in the downtown area boasts the Lake Eola Fountain and the Walt Disney Amphitheater. Heritage Square in the downtown area is home to the Orange County Regional History Center and the Orlando Public Library. The Boheme restaurant, the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, and the Amway Arena – home of the Orlando Magic NBA Basketball team and venue for many big concerts – are all downtown as well.
4) The Orlando Arts and Culture District. The area near Lock Haven Park features the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, the Orlando Museum of Art, the Orlando Science Center, the Orlando Repertory Theatre, and the Orlando Fire Museum.
5) Harry P. Leu Gardens. This historic plantation and botanical garden offers walking trails and a huge array of plants and flowers to admire. If there is a plant sale on while you visit, you can gain free admission to the gardens – and you can pick up some unique plants for your own garden. Admission is also free every Monday before noon. Many evenings in the summer, you can catch wonderful outdoor Jazz concerts at the Leu Gardens.
6) Park Avenue and Historic Winter Park. Famous for its shady brick streets, this area of Orlando boasts the Rollins College, the Morse Museum of American Fine Art, unique shops and sidewalk cafes. This is easily the most romantic area of the city and well worth visiting.
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