by Sydnee Fox
Doing things in Orlando can be kind of hard sometimes. It’s either hot, raining, or everything is just too expensive. To make things easier for you, here’s a list of inexpensive things to do in all types of weather.
Florida can have beautiful weather during the summer; this is the perfect chance to go out and enjoy it at places like these.
- Lake Eola
Lake Eola is a beautiful recreational park in downtown Orlando. Here they have swan boats that let you pedal around the lake for only $15. They also have many free events such as movies in the park, markets, and marches.
- Beach Day
Florida is surrounded by stunning beaches. Clearwater, Siesta Key, and Melbourne beach are some of the best beaches in Florida. At all of these locations, they sell and rent surfboards and boogie boards for you to use while you are there for cheap. If beaches aren’t your thing, there are plenty of lakes to go boating, fishing, and tubing.
- Bicycling Downtown
Downtown is filled with things to see, and bicycling is a great way to do it. Renting a bike for the day is easy and affordable. All you have to do is download the app or go to the website, reserve a bike for only $8 per hour, and return when you are done. And if you have your own bike, you can use yours.
- Florida Springs
Florida is home to many springs for sightseeing and swimming. Alexander Springs and recreation area is a place for swimming, camping, fishing, and kayaking. To swim and fish is free (as long as you bring your own fishing gear and pay the $2-$6 entrance fee like any other spring), but in order to rent an area to camp and to rent a kayak is an additional fee. You can do most of these at any springs such as Wekiwa(Wekiva) Springs, Blue Springs, and Rock Springs. If you are looking for something a little more fun, Weeki Wachee Springs is not only a spring, but it’s also a state park with its own water park inside called Buccaneer Bay.
- State Parks
State parks are a great way to get out of the house and into nature. Luckily, Florida is filled with tons of them. Wekiwa(Wekiva) springs, Kelly Park, Colt Creek, and Bill Frederick are wonderful places to go. Kelly Park, Colt Creek, and Bill Frederick offer camping for $16-$42 per campsite, but you would also have to pay the entrance fee of $2-$6 at any state park.
- Disney Springs
You can never go wrong with Disney. Disney Springs offers many types of shops, restaurants, bakeries, and even some activities like the hot air balloon, bowling, movie theatre and the Amphicar. Disney Springs has a hot air balloon that allows you to hover 400 feet above Disney Springs for only $20. Bowling is only $15 to $20 per person and they are open 10 a.m. on weekends and 10:30 on weekdays.
- Go Karts
Almost anywhere in Orlando, there is a go-kart track nearby. At Fun Spot Orlando, you can ride them once for $10. At Magical Midway, you can pay $8 per person for one round. But, if you want something for a little longer, Magical Midway has 3-hour wristbands that you can ride anything there, besides the slingshot.
- The Orlando Eye Ferris Wheel
The Orlando Eye lifts you 400 feet into the air to give a beautiful view of all of Orlando. The eye takes about 30 minutes to make a full turn, this gives plenty of time to take pictures. This experience is only $25 per person.
- Mini Golf
Around all of Orlando, they have all types of mini golf, things like glow in the dark, pirates, and sci-fi and horror. They all range from about $10-$20 per person.
- Central Florida Zoo
The Central Florida Zoo has 116-acres of land covered with different animals from around the world as well as a splash ground inside. Admission is $20 and it gives free access to the splash ground. They are open all summer from 9 AM to 5 PM.
- Hukoo’s
Hukoo’s Family Fun is just what the name says. Hukoo’s has arcade games, laser lockdown, mini bowling, bumper cars, laser tag and more. All of them range from $1-$8 per round, but admission is free.
- Ripley’s Believe It or Not
Ripley’s Believe It or Not includes lots of unique items including shrunken heads, fertility statues, and “artifacts”. You can experience the strangeness of it all for only $20 per person.
- Rebounderz
Rebounderz is a trampoline park that allows you to jump, climb, and play dodgeball with your friends. Prices vary depending on how long you plan to spend there. For 30 minutes, it starts at $10, but for every 30 minutes, it raises $5.
- Andretti Indoor Karting and Games
Andretti Indoor Karting and Games is exactly what it says in the name. It has 3 different tracks for racing each depending on age and height. They also have a large arcade area. Prices range from $14.95 to $21.95.
So although making a decision might seem hard, there’s always something to do in Orlando.