The 10 Best Free Things to do in Central Florida, Central Florida

November 1, 2021 Leida Jutras

Discover the best top things to do in Central Florida, United States including West Orange Trail, Circle B Bar Reserve, Sholom Park, Eisenhower Regional Recreation Center, Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Lake Sumter Landing, Lake Apopka Wildlife Trail, Disney Springs, Hollis Garden, Lake Dora.
Restaurants in Central Florida

1. West Orange Trail

Apopka, FL +1 407-654-1108 http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/eastcentral/trails/west_orange.htm
Excellent
82%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 144 reviews

West Orange Trail

Reviewed By exploreforfun

We parked at Kilarney Station, rented a bike, and cycled this paved trail through lovely residential areas, scenic Winter Garden, and on to the Luca Trail that brings you to Newton Park at Lake Apopka where you can walk the pier and, if lucky, watch the crafty alligator stalk birds. There are washrooms there, and lovely restaurants of all kinds in Winter Garden. Visit the Train Museum.

2. Circle B Bar Reserve

4399 Winter Lake Rd You link to the web site is broken, Lakeland, FL 33803-7340 +1 863-668-4673 http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/circle-b-bar-reserve
Excellent
85%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 972 reviews

Circle B Bar Reserve

Reviewed By zippyincolumbus

We visited Circle B Bar Reserve on a Sunday right as the busy March tourist season is getting underway. We arrived at 9 am which was good timing- we got a great spot in lot by visitor center (which was closed- maybe because it was Sunday?). By 11:30 the parking lot and trails were very full. It was also a cold morning, so it was good timing for seeing gators, since they don’t like cold or wind much. It was getting warmer out by the time we arrived. We did miss the bobcats though- sounds like you may need to come early to see them. We had a great time and saw all kinds of wildlife- gators (close up and out in the water) bald eagles, osprey (one eating a fish in a tree), ducks, turtles, sand cranes, red shouldered hawks, and way more birds than I can name. The gators do sometimes lay by the path and cross or block the path, so you do want to be on your toes and don’t do anything dumb. Leave them alone and be kind and they will do the same. This was our first visit and we were lucky enough to run into a local who was more than willing to tell us and even show us most of the ropes. We did alligator alley and the marsh trail. Absolutely loved our time! If you love nature or are just looking for an interesting place to walk, don’t miss this FREE stop. We had two 40 somethings who walked 5 miles and two 60 somethings who walked 2.5 miles- we both saw a lot of wildlife!

3. Sholom Park

7110 SW 80th Ave, Ocala, FL 34481-5449 +1 352-873-0848 ext. 7650 [email protected] http://www.sholompark.org
Excellent
81%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 604 reviews

Sholom Park

Sholom Park is a non-profit, privately owned, 44-acre botanical garden in Ocala, Florida. Opened to the public in 2004, the park features more than 2 miles of paved trails and more than 100 species of plants and trees. Sholom Park seeks to become a model of land stewardship and the preservation of open space for education and public enjoyment. Guests are invited to experience a true feeling of serenity, contentment, joy and inner peace.

Reviewed By MKMartinezGA

Beautiful and peaceful gardens and paths to enjoy nature and the outdoors while providing park benches for reflection or finding inner peace.

4. Eisenhower Regional Recreation Center

3560 Buena Vista Blvd, The Villages, FL +1 352-674-8390 http://www.pictaram.com/place/dwight-d-eisenhower-recreation-center/242457578
Excellent
88%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 772 reviews

Eisenhower Regional Recreation Center

Reviewed By RobertWB - The Villages, United States

Military History Buffs should make plans to visit this regional recreation center in The Villages, Florida. This facility has what I would call real life history of the military on display on the walls and those items on display were donated by the veteran or the veterans family for display at the facility. There is so much military history to see one would have to spend all day viewing the items if they are serious about military history. Living the Life in The Villages Florida is so much fun and interesting, yall come.

5. Corpus Christi Catholic Church

1050 Celebration Ave, Celebration, Orlando, FL 34747-4867 +1 321-939-1491 http://www.celebrationcatholic.org
Excellent
83%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 93 reviews

Corpus Christi Catholic Church

Reviewed By Pollydolly123 - Scottish Borders, United Kingdom

Been attending Corpus Christi for many years,even when mass was being held in Celebration High School.The service is always beautiful and the congregation are so welcoming and friendly. The church is absolutely beautiful and is well worth a visit

6. Lake Sumter Landing

1000 Lake Sumter Lndg, The Villages, FL 32162-2693 +1 352-753-2270 http://www.thevillages.com
Excellent
81%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 289 reviews

Lake Sumter Landing

Reviewed By kellymanning2019 - Pilar de la Horadada, Spain

A beautiful little town with a great selection of bars, restaurants, cafes, shops, bakeries, etc. Everything you could ask for as well as a great town square, complete with music every night to suit all tastes, a boardwalk, boat rides and just a wonderfully friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

7. Lake Apopka Wildlife Trail

2803 Lust Rd, Apopka, FL 32703-9559 +1 386-329-4404 http://www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/lake-apopka/
Excellent
84%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 244 reviews

Lake Apopka Wildlife Trail

Reviewed By DisneyDarwin - Spring, United States

The folks who imagined this place were true visionaries --- birds, birds and more birds. So many species and so many individual birds. The layout makes it easy, just drive and take your time and enjoy the wildlife. We saw mostly shore and water birds, but there were a couple of elevated spots that were fully of warblers, wrens, sparrows and such. This is a most worthy destination.

8. Disney Springs

1486 East Buena Vista Drive, Orlando, FL 32830-8519 +1 407-939-5277 http://www.disneysprings.com/?CMP=OKC-wdw_TA_415
Excellent
57%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 13,461 reviews

Disney Springs

Disney World's shopping and dining area consists of Marketplace, Pleasure Island and West Side.

Reviewed By djmes - Hilton, United States

Unique & varied shops, unique dinning & free entertainment (free parking too) all wrapped up in a sparkly Disney atmosphere is just a quick description of Disney Springs, oh, & it's huge, Disney clean & well staffed. One can gripe about the crowds, the prices in the shops (tho they are NOT that exorbitant) & $70 (minimum) dinner for 2 but you can eat at the many cheaper casual walk up eateries & it's fun to browse the stores, especially the gigantic Disney store! I'd suggest going online and checking out all the different stores & eateries. Half the fun of going there is deciding what stores you must visit & what themed restaurant you want to eat in. (the kids will love the raucous T-Rex restaurant!) On a warm night, when everything is lit up & twinkling the free entertainment starts & it's a great place to just stroll around. Highly recommended for its diversity in food choices, shopping & entertainment & you don't have to spend a fortune & still have a good time.

9. Hollis Garden

702 E Orange St, Lakeland, FL 33801-5030 +1 863-834-6035 http://www.lakelandgov.net/parkrec/hollis-garden
Excellent
76%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 650 reviews

Hollis Garden

Botanical garden

Reviewed By mariaaba - Kenwood, United States

Park located adjacent to the lake, very pleasant. Koi pond, butterflies, soothing music..great place to stroll.

10. Lake Dora

Mount Dora, FL https://www.whattodoinmtdora.com/lake-dora-the-dora-canal/
Excellent
76%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 654 reviews

Lake Dora

Reviewed By gypsywomen2 - The Villages, United States

We had 22 of us for a fun night on the lake for a sunset cruise. Enjoyed ourselves immensely. We saw a gator and a bald eagle and got to see the Christmas lights at the marina from the water. Beautiful evening. I would do it again.

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