Location: Orlando
Top Things to do in Orlando
Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Orlando, Florida (FL)
From the Magic Kingdom to magical spa treatments, Orlando sparkles with the promise of adventure. Spend a day exploring the world-famous Disney theme parks, giggling with the dolphins at SeaWorld, or screaming your head off on a Universal Studios roller coaster. For a less adrenaline-pumping afternoon, enjoy the quiet natural beauty of the Harry P. Leu Gardens, or enjoy a seaweed scrub at a luxury day spa. Savor fresh and local ingredients at one of Orlando’s James Beard-nominated restaurants.
Restaurants in Orlando
1. Orlando Shakespeare Theater
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 128 reviews
Orlando Shakespeare Theater produces classic, contemporary, and children's plays providing innovative experiences that enrich our community.
2. Corpus Christi Catholic Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 93 reviews
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
3. Nona Adventure Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 75 reviews
Nona Adventure Park is located in the watersports capital of the world, Orlando, Florida. Featuring a floating Aqua Park, Cable Park for wakeboarding/water skiing, one of a kind 60 foot climbing tower and ropes course, stocked pro shop, and fantastic bistro, Nona Adventure Park has something for all ages!
Reviewed By Expedition558183
Super fun time, staff was extremely nice and helpful, something for everyone, little kids can play in the sand or shallow water, older kids had a blast on the inflatables and the boarding. We didn’t do the obstacle climbing but the other guests there looked like they were loving it.
4. Harry P. Leu Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,367 reviews
Explore 50-acres of beautiful gardens and historic home minutes from downtown Orlando. Discover over 40 different collections including a tropical rain forest, Florida's largest formal rose garden, butterfly garden and much more! Leu Gardens is always blooming.
Reviewed By a-travelin-foodie
Lots of walking paths through the gardens. Almost every plant is labeled - amazing!! Tropicals and bromeliads galore, roses, camellias, Butterfly garden, idea garden, palm garden and natural woods. I am not a gardener, but I love walking through peaceful nature with an abundance of plants, flowers and trees that I might not usually see, and certainly not all at one time. Even a small vegetable and herb garden. Plenty of benches to sit and rest or enjoy. Right now (Oct 15 2018) the camellias are not in bloom yet and the home is still closed due to hurricane damage. $10 for entry, plenty of parking. You go into the white house/welcome center to enter into the gardens - it's all fenced in. Most paths are wheelchair accessible. Restrooms available. Some shade but lots of sun, so be prepared with a hat and sunscreen! Maybe some bug spray if it's that season.
5. Fun Spot America
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,246 reviews
A top-notch family fun theme park, with Orlando's only wooden roller coaster, family suspended steel coaster, multi-level go-kart tracks, the World's 2nd tallest SkyCoaster at 250 ft, a 101-foot high Ferris wheel, bumper cars, bumper boats, and of course, a giant arcade along with other assorted family and thrill rides for adults and children. Includes Gator Spot, a 15,000 sq ft oasis with over 100 gators, exotic reptiles and birds!
Reviewed By adventuresthatrock20 - Charlotte, United States
Had a great time at Fun Spot America in Orlando in November... be sure to check out our channel and watch the video we created.... White Lightning is such an amazingly Fun wooden coaster.. pricing is terrific, which includes multiple GO-Cart Experiences ... two-story carousel and an amazing Ferris wheel with incredible views of Orlando.... we especially loved it at night... the new splash pad and the new (in November) America Fun House ..which we didn’t get to go in.. but cannot wait until everything opens again and we will get to!!
6. Orlando Science Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 835 reviews
For more than 65 years, Orlando Science Center has been a place that inspires curiosity and exploration. Truly one of the great activities for Orlando families, the Science Center encourages learning in a fun way. There's no better place that combines fun and knowledge all under one roof! For visitors from out of town, Orlando Science Center is a must for your "things to do in Orlando" list. With four floors of exciting exhibits, amazing giant screen and 3D films as well as engaging live programming, the Science Center is the perfect family destination. We're also the ideal rainy day escape!
Reviewed By lindsaystongelmhc - Altamonte Springs, United States
I've been here several times over the years with my 6 year old. We love it there! There are 4 floors of activities. Currently, they have a superhero exhibit my son loved. The Dino digs, weather experiments, indoor playground and animals (alligators, turtles etc.) are also always a hit. We always eat at Subway when we are there as that has always been the only food option. However, this time I was happy to see they opened a coffee shop that had a few snack options in it. Expect to spend the day there. We were there 5 hours. We always get there when they open at 10am to get the best parking by the entrance in the parking garage and to avoid some of the crowds. $5 to park. They have a nice gift shop, but it's overpriced. The only problem about visiting in the summer is all of the groups of camps/daycares that take up all of the exhibits. The staff at OSC were very helpful however.
7. International Drive
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,751 reviews
Reviewed By Endak-Carlow - Carlow, Ireland
This is an amazing place to stay when in Orlando, you have every around you, restaurants, museums, the Orlando eye, attractions, pups & very close to all the theme parks, there’s always a great atmosphere here.
8. Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,539 reviews
Built by tourists, for tourists, this Roman Catholic Church was built in the 1980's to accommodate the 30+ million visitors to the Central Florida attractions yearly. The Basilica is not a regular parish church, but a tourist ministry that sits on 17 acres and offers a Rosary Garden, multiple Chapels, Museum, Pilgrimage Center, Gift Shop, bronze statues, oil paintings and art from the 16th century as well as amazing stained glass including a Rose window, Universe window, Rosary windows and The Magnificat windows.
Reviewed By U1949FEkarenw
The first sight I see when I visit is an impressive statue of St. Michael, followed by a massive bridge, leading to the church. The water on both sides is soothing, and ducks are frequent visitors. I am also always on the lookout for the resident turtles. Before entering the church, I often wander through the Rosary Garden or pray in the outdoor chapel. Within the Basilica, everyone who works there has always been friendly and helpful, and they have always gone above and beyond when staging an event. I love attending Mass in the huge and stunningly beautiful church which now boasts a grand pipe organ. I never get tired of the stained glass windows and the atmosphere. Backing up, Mass is sometimes held in a sweet, little chapel at the front of the church, just off the foyer. In the same said chapel, there is a special area where you can spend time with our Blessed Mother. If you just want to quietly worship and adore Jesus Christ without any distractions, you can spend all day or just minutes with his presence in the Adoration Chapel, located at the back of the church. Other pluses for me are a priest on duty all day for confession and blessings, and daily Mass at 12:05pm. If you are into shopping, there is a large gift shop next to the church. I can't stay away. I frequently buy books, but they have rosaries, chapel veils, statues, fonts, CDs, jewelry, games, wall crucifixes and much, much more. Did I mention the children's section in the shop?
9. Lake Eola Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,783 reviews
Lake Eola Park is located in the heart of Downtown Orlando. The sidewalk that circles the lake is 0.9 miles in length, making it easy for visitors to keep track of their walking or running distances. Other activities available to park visitors include renting swan-shaped paddle boats, feeding the live swans and other birds inhabiting the park, seeing a concert or a play in the Walt Disney Amphitheater, grabbing a bite to eat at Relax Grill on Lake Eola or relaxing amid beautiful flower beds and a spectacular view of Orlando's skyline. Parking is free on Eola Drive on the east side of the park and there is metered parking on Central Boulevard and Rosalind Avenue. There is also street parking in Eola Heights and Thornton Park, a two to five block walk to the park. You can also park in any of the garages within a few blocks of the park. These include the Post Parkside parking garage at Osceola Avenue and East Central Boulevard; the Paramount/Publix parking garage at Lake Avenue and East Central Boulevard; and the Library parking garage at 112 East Central Boulevard. Please note: swans can get sick eating bread and popcorn. Visitors to the park can feed them lettuce, spinach, duck food pellets or buy food from the new swan feeders.
Reviewed By gatorRPH1990 - Ormond Beach, United States
We found metered parking close by. This really is a nice city park. There is @ wide walking path around the whole lake. The swans were nesting. Lots of shade. Many restaurants nearby. Not sure about going at night because there was quite a few people sleeping on grass and benches.
10. The Orange County Regional History Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 164 reviews
The Orange County Regional History Center, housed in a restored historic 1927 courthouse in downtown Orlando, showcases the vast collections of the Historical Society of Central Florida. Three floors of permanent exhibits showcase 12,000 years of Florida history. The museum, a Smithsonian Institution affiliate and AAM accredited museum, also presents nationally important limited-run exhibitions.
Reviewed By Arielfl - Coconut Creek, United States
The Orlando Regional History Center is located in the old Neoclassical Orlando courthouse built in 1927. One of the most famous trials held here was for Ted Bundy. When the city outgrew the courthouse they built a new annex next door in 1960. In 1995 community leaders voted to make the 1927 courthouse a regional history museum. By this time the courthouse annex had been closed down due to asbestos. In 1998 it was torn down and Heritage Park was built on the site. The Orange County Regional History Center opened in the restored courthouse in 2000. Parking for the museum is available at the Central Boulevard garage across from the Orlando Public Library. There are four floors of exhibits starting from 12,000 years ago. The fifth floor houses the Joseph L. Brechner Research Center. The story of Florida's history in the museum starts with Native American settlements that turned into pioneer towns that raised cattle and farmed citrus. In the 1970's the tourist industry blossomed turning Florida into the vacation destination it is today. More current events like the shooting of Trayvon Martin, the trial of Casey Anthony,and the 2016 Pulse Nightclub mass shooting are also examined. Exhibits focus on African American history, aviation, the cattle and citrus Industries, the history of tourism in Florida, Florida's indigenous people, the first settlers, the environment, and the impact of the theme parks. One exhibit I really liked was the recreated court room. On one of the tables the name Ted Bundy has been carved. Whether it was actually by him is up for debate. In addition to the permanent collection, the museum also showcases special exhibits. They also offer camps, workshops, lectures, and activities. This museum is associated with the Smithsonian. The museum offers free admission on the third Thursday of each month from 6 to 9 PM. It will also offer free admission on April 4, 2020 for Museum Day. Regular adult admission is $8 but I saved money by purchasing a Groupon. That is a great, inexpensive activity. Lake Eola is nearby and there are a ton of great places to eat in the area. I highly recommend this fantastic museum.
