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Save/ShareOrlando receives nearly 50 million visitors a year. Many travel to the theme parks, of course. But Disney World alone can cost up to $75 per person per day. Here are a few tours that will show you what else the city has to offer—for free.
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For some exercise, the local chapter of the Florida Trail Association offers free walking tours as well as some bike and paddle excursions. One of the most popular activities is a moonlight tour of the 1880 Greenwood Cemetery.
The Winter Park Historical Association and Museum offers self-guided walking tours of 20 sites in this quaint suburb north of downtown. The neighborhood is home to Rollins College and the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, with an extensive collection of Tiffany glass.
First founded as an artist colony in 1938, The Maitland Art Center has hosted a number artists over the years including painter Milton Avery. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, its grounds feature Mayan and Aztec motifs on five acres of gardens. Admission to the gallery is $3, but the gardens are free. Come on the third Monday of each month at 3 p.m. (when many other local museums are closed) if you'd like to take an hour-long guided tour of the grounds ($3). A reservation for the tour is required.
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We found one of the most enjoyable low cost things to do in Orlando last winter, Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka. The highlight of the park is the natural spring fed rock formation swimming pool. The main spring pumps approximately 42 million gallons of water each day. Wekiwa Springs State Park opened to the public in 1970. The water is crystal clear and is a beautifully maintained park in the suberb of Apopka just a few minutes northwest of the city of Orlando.
The springs feed the Wekiva River where you can enjoy kayaking or canoeing along the river and spotting alligators, turtles, bird and fish. Canoes and Kayaks are available for rent and there are great walking paths, picnic areas, changing facilies and a concession.
Another thing we enjoy is the Winter Park Farmers Market at the old train station every Saturday. Every year we spend at least one day in Winter Park at the Morse Museum and the Farmers Market. There is also one of the most amazing outdoor art fairs I have ever been to in Winter Park in early March, fantastic juried art! And one more great idea is the Harry P. Leu Gardens, excellent for a relaxing break from the crowds and chaos of the amusement parks. I love the parks too, never miss it myself, but there are many more of these kind of things to do in Orlando, it is a wonderful area with endless posibilities for memorable moments.
Posted By Lois on October 27, 2008, 10:34 PM
I think The Maitland Art Center is the most interesting place in Orlando. I adore Mayan and Aztec culture.
Posted By Orlando Reservation on May 13, 2009, 7:09 AM