In 2022, over 74 million people visited the Orlando area, which was 25% more people than in 2021. Orlando is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States for good reason.
Theme parks, entertainment, restaurants, and more top most visitors lists. But there are also plenty of inexpensive things to do in Orlando when you’re on a budget. The best part is you’ll have just as much fun. If you’re overwhelmed with planning a budget-friendly Orlando vacation, you just need to know where to focus first.
Keep reading this guide to learn ideas for inexpensive activities to add to your Orlando, Florida vacation itinerary!
Visit Universal’s CityWalk
It’s no secret that visiting Orlando’s theme parks isn’t cheap. The good news is you can enjoy Universal’s CityWalk’s vast entertainment and only pay for parking.
CityWalk has a variety of free music, restaurants, and plenty of nightlife. You’ll usually find many family activities depending on what month you visit. However, the food is one of the top reasons to visit CityWalk.
You can find many budget options that include sit-down meals, cocktails, or something quick. If you’re wondering where to eat in Orlando, CityWalk has you covered. Some fun places you can visit include:
- Hot Dog Hall of Fame
- Voodoo Doughnut
- Cold Stone Creamery
- Burger King Whopper Bar
- Hard Rock Cafe Orlando
- NBC Sports Grill & Brew
Events like CityWalk’s Rising Star allow you to sing live with backup singing or watch live karaoke performances if you’d rather not be on stage.
CityWalk is located between Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. It’s open from 9 am to 9 pm during the summer months.
Ride on the Wheel at ICON Park
When visiting Orlando, you’ll need to make time to visit The Wheel at ICON Park. ICON Park is a top entertainment destination in Orlando, and you’ll find various rides, entertainment, and restaurants at your fingertips.
The Wheel isn’t an ordinary Ferris wheel; it’s an observation wheel. Since it’s 400 ft tall, it will give you stunning views of Orlando. You’ll get to take in the skyline and lakes and even see Walt Disney World.
Other landmarks like Universal Orlando and the Kennedy Space Center are also visible from the top.
The ride is 20 minutes long, and you can even visit the Sky Bar on your way. VIP packages allow you a drink of your choice from the Sky Bar, a souvenir photo, and additional discounts. If you book online, you’ll pay just $34.99 per person, and you can check out the rest of the park when you’re done.
Visit Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditorium
If you’re looking for a fun family day but don’t want to break the bank, try Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditorium.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not began in 1918 with stories about different people and places that are difficult to believe but are actually true.
Ripley’s Orlando Odditorium showcases amazing artistic, scientific, and natural oddities that will pique your interest. It consists of 10,000 square feet of mind-bending exhibits along with 16 unique galleries.
You’ll find interactive experiences, galleries, artifacts, and some simply weird stuff that the entire family will enjoy.
You’ll also enjoy Ripley’s Sideshow Curioddities, the Weird Florida Gallery, and Ripley’s Warehouse. Ripley’s Mirror Maze consists of mirrors and LED lights, providing a magical experience for people of all ages.
The museum is open Sundays through Thursdays from 10 am to 11 pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 12 am. Adults and children 12 and over will pay $37.99 for the Odditorium and Mirror Maze. Children 3 to 11 cost $27.99, and children under 3 are free.
Visiting just the auditorium will cost adults and children 12 and over $27.99, and children 3 to 11 will cost $19.99.
The best part about Ripley’s is that you can spend the entire day taking in the oddities without paying hundreds of dollars.
Experience Gatorland
If you’re ready to add a few unique Orlando events to your list, you’ll need to check out Gatorland. Gatorland began in 1949 and today is one of Orlando’s most iconic attractions.
Known as “The Alligator Capital of the World,” Gatorland gives you plenty of opportunities to see crocodiles and alligators of all sizes.
You’ll see unique birds like Amazon Parrots and Blue and Gold Macaws. You can also enjoy wild cats, snakes, tortoises, and other critters. Education is a huge part of the visit; you’ll learn how these animals live and eat.
There are shows, barnyard petting and feeding, and a zipline that allows you to take in the scenery. You can also go on an off-road adventure or go rock climbing.
You’ll find there is something for everyone at Gatorland. Tickets are $32.99 for adults and children ages 13 and up. Children ages 3 to 12 cost $22.99, and adults over 60 pay $31.98. Children under 2 are free, and parking is also free.
Gatorland is open 10 am to 6 pm 365 days a year, rain or shine, so it’s easy to plan your trip.
See the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
If you want to spend less than $20 per ticket and see a wide range of endangered animals, you’ll need to check out the Central Florida Zoo.
The zoo has well over 500 animals and educational programs to enjoy. Mammals include a Florida black bear, Mexican spider monkey, cougar, giraffe, and much more.
Mammals aren’t the only critters at the zoo. You can also enjoy reptilian residents like the Mexican bearded lizard, radiated tortoise, and timber rattlesnake.
The Barnyard Buddies Children’s Petting Zoo makes for a great family event. You’ll be able to interact with farm animals and learn more about how they live. Petting and feeding the animals is part of the experience.
You and your family can get close to chickens, goats, alpaca, and sheep. Feeding occurs twice daily while supplies last and is $4 for non-members.
Another interesting encounter your family will enjoy is the Rhinoceros Encounters. You’ll learn about the endangered greater one-horned rhino and have the chance to ask zoo experts as many questions as you like.
You also can’t miss the botanical gardens filled with medicinal plants, wildflowers, hummingbirds, butterflies, and more. You’ll learn about plant history, medicinal herbs, and about various collections of spines and thorns.
Finally, if you want to cool off, be sure to visit the Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground to enjoy sprinklers, streams, and more.
Single-day tickets for adults range from $20.95 to $22.95, and kids age 3 to 12 cost $14.95 to $16.95. Children 2 and under are free.
The zoo is open from 9 am to 4 pm daily, and you should check the website to see all the different activities you can attend.
Dive Into Blue Spring State Park
To really get into nature, make sure to dive into the natural freshwater springs in the Orlando area. These freshwater springs have amazing fauna and flora and offer a great place for hiking and swimming.
Blue Spring State Park is also one of the largest gathering sites in the winter for Florida Manatees. Since manatees depend on warm water for survival, the constant 72-degree spring water temperature is the perfect place for them to be.
If manatees get too cold, they can develop cold stress syndrome, much like hypothermia in humans. The park staff keeps a close eye on the manatees so they can offer help when needed.
You can watch the manatees in the crystal clear spring water from the boardwalk. The boardwalk is one of the best places to safely observe the manatees without impacting their natural behavior.
The daily fee per vehicle ranges from $5 TO $10, depending on how many people you have.
The park has camping options, picnic facilities, and canoe and kayak rentals. Swimming, scuba diving, and snorkeling are also available at Blue Spring State Park.
Make sure to call ahead of time for availability and pricing.
Step Back Into Old Town
Old Town is only minutes from Disney World and is a recreation of the classic Florida town way back when. You’ll be taken to a time when lines were shorter, and everything was smaller.
Old Town has 18 acres of tree-lined brick streets with well over 70 affordable unique restaurants and shops. There are free weekly events like old car shows, and live music provides fantastic entertainment that won’t affect your wallet.
You can’t miss out on free rides like the 86-foot Ferris wheel. Make time for Mortem Manor, the only year-round haunted house in the area.
On Friday nights, you can enjoy a Muscle Car Cruise, and Saturday nights, the Classic Car Cruise takes place.
Old Town has been a tradition for many people for over 30 years and is one of those Orlando activities that never get old.
Soak Up Lake Eola
Lake Eola Park offers 43 acres of magic you don’t want to miss. Since it’s in downtown Orlando, you’ll be close to all the action.
You can bring a picnic lunch and eat by the lake. You can also take pictures of the swans that inhabit this park.
If you don’t want to bring lunch, you can grab a bite at one of the many local restaurants and save money since visiting the park is free. Don’t forget there are many free concerts and movies you can catch at the amphitheater.
Renting a swan boat is also a popular way to spend the day at the lake. You’ll only pay $15 for a 30-minute boat rental. Boats can fit up to five people, and you’ll be able to get a great view of the park.
Finally, the Orlando Farmers Market runs through July and August. It’s also not just your average farmers’ market. You’ll have access to fresh produce, local vendors, and the market is dog friendly.
Spending a day at the park is one of the best ways to save money during your Orlando trip.
Hike or Bike on the West Orange Trail
The West Orange Trail covers 22 miles along Lake Apopka. You’ll find plenty of scenic paths to explore along the way. There are plenty of amenities like restaurants, stores, and ice cream shops too.
If you’d rather explore by bicycle, you can rent a bike for $10 per hour from the West Orange Trail Bikes & Blades. You can also rent bikes for $40 per day. The company has e-bikes and road bikes for different price ranges.
You can book your daily reservations online in advance so you can choose from a variety of different bikes. If you go to the shop, rentals are first come, first serve. You must book directly at the bike shop if you want to rent by the hour.
Finally, if you’re interested in longer rides and supported tours, you can find more information on their website.
Overall, the West Orange Trail allows you to save money and reconnect with nature.
Stay in Budget Accommodations
Finally, you don’t have to break the bank when you travel to Orlando and stay at the most expensive theme park hotels. So, when looking for places to stay in Orlando, remember you have other options.
There are plenty of decent family suites in Orlando that are near downtown Orlando and Universal. You can find suites with plenty of space, like a living room, washer and dryer, and wi-fi access.
You can even find onsite activities that your whole family will enjoy and won’t cost a fortune.
Moreover, many budget-friendly locations in Orlando offer special discounts and deals for local attractions.
Take your time searching for less expensive accommodations. If you start your research in advance, you might get access to various vacation packages that will save you a ton of money.
This way, you’ll have more money to spend on Orlando activities without worrying about paying a huge hotel bill.
Enjoy These Inexpensive Things to Do in Orlando
Now that you have this mega-list of inexpensive things to do in Orlando, you can start planning your trip today.
Remember to keep researching to find more things to do in the Orlando area. If you want to hit the theme parks, you can always combine that with other budget-friendly activities to avoid missing out.
If you enjoyed this Orlando travel guide, make sure to read the rest of our blog articles for more travel tips!