Florida can be an expensive place to live or visit (if you want to have fun); however, there are plenty of fun, free things to do in Florida. Most people just don’t know about all of the free stuff to do in Florida, but there are actually several options when it comes to affordable adventures in the Sunshine State. Here are a few of our favorites things to do in Florida for free (though some appreciate donations).
- Florida Beaches
Flickr/aoskilinn Florida beaches are some of the best in the country, where you can enjoy a perfect day for little to no cost. Siesta Beach, pictured here, has sand made of 99% quartz, so it’s cool on your toes, even on the hottest days. With thousands of miles of coastline, it’s easy to find the perfect beach near you. Siesta Beach, Florida 34242, USA
- National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola
TripAdvisor/Prussik Come check out more than 150 historic aircraft at this 35-acre indoor/outdoor naval aviation museum, which is the world’s largest. It’s fun and fascinating for kids and adults. Best of all, it’s totally free! The museum does close to the public from time to time, so make sure to check the National Naval Aviation Museum website prior to visiting. National Naval Aviation Museum, 1750 Radford Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32508, USA
- Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando
Flickr/Ricardo Mangual On the first Monday of every month you can get free admission to this “50-acre botanical oasis” in Orlando, which is by far among the best hidden gems in Florida. There’s free storytelling for little ones on these days as well. Harry P Leu Gardens, Harry P Leu Gdns, Orlando, FL 32803, USA
- Museum of Florida History, Tallahassee
TripAdvisor/fergiebaby1 One of the best museums in Florida, this museum will teach you everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the history and culture of Florida’s many inhabitants, with artifacts and exhibits you won’t find anywhere else. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Museum of Florida History, 500 S Bronough St, Tallahassee, FL 32399, USA
- San Sebastian Winery, St. Augustine
Facebook/San Sebastian Winery One of several wineries in Florida, this awesome winery in St. Augustine (along with its sister winery in Clermont, Lakeridge Winery) offers free tours seven days a week. There’s also a lovely rooftop that features tasty food and live music. San Sebastian Winery, 157 King St, St. Augustine, FL 32084, USA
- Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, Key West
TripAdvisor/Irene D Admission is free to this natural history museum, where families can learn all about the plants and animals of the beautiful Florida Keys. Make sure to check the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center website for closures prior to visiting. Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, 35 Quay Rd, Key West, FL 33040, USA
- Spook Hill, Lake Wales
Wikimedia Commons When it comes to mysterious places in Florida, Spook Hill definitely fits the bill! Legend has it that anyone who parks at the bottom of Spook Hill and puts their car in neutral will roll up the hill. Spooky, indeed. Spook Hill, Lake Wales, FL 33853, USA
- Wakadohatchee Wetlands, Delray Beach
TripAdvisor/BahiaDelray There are plenty of free and affordable things to do in the Great Outdoors in Florida. Most state parks are beautiful and charge a small entrance fee, but there are also parks that are totally free. (Of course, most of them appreciate donations.) The Wakadohatchee Wetlands in Delray Beach is a nice place to walk on a boardwalk and view lots of native Florida wildlife. The park was once unused utility land that has been successfully transformed into a lovely recreation area. Wakodahatchee Wetlands, 13270 Jog Rd, Delray Beach, FL 33484, USA
- Ideal Classic Cars Museum & Showroom, Venice
TripAdvisor/jtr2010 Ideal Classic Cars Museum and Showroom is a 27,000-square-foot showroom that’s full of collectible cars dating from the 1920s through the 1970s, including hot rods, muscle cars and originals. And if you’re looking to buy, they are all for sale. This isn’t the only must-visit for auto lovers, though. There’s also this auto museum in Florida. Ideal Classic Cars, 2224 S Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34293, USA
- Key West Garden Club, West Martello Tower, Key West
TripAdvisor/Dustin G The way the garden has taken over the crumbling Civil War-era fortification gives it the feeling of a secret and sacred place. Not only is it full of exotic plants, including colorful orchids and massive banyans, the entire garden is located right on the beach, with breathtaking views of the ocean. It’s truly one of the most beautiful places in Florida. Key West Garden Club, 1100 Atlantic Blvd, Key West, FL 33040, USA
- Wynwood Walls, Miami
Flickr/Wally Gobetz This huge open street art museum in Miami features tons of graffiti and murals in the hip Wynwood Art District. Bring your camera for this unforgettable experience. Wynwood Walls is only free for children 12 and under; however, we chose to include it because, well, it’s just too good not to mention. Wynwood Walls, 266 NW 26th St, Miami, FL 33127, USA
- Sunset Celebrations
Flickr/Josh Hallett We love to have fun in Florida, and we’ll find almost any reason to party. So in Key West and Clearwater, even the sun setting is good enough! Crowds gather at Mallory Square a couple hours before sunset to watch performers and hear live music. And when the sun goes down, the party is just beginning! Mallory Square, Key West, FL 33040, USA
- Cummer Museum & Gardens, Jacksonville
Flickr/Rob Bixby The Cummer Museum is a Jacksonville landmark. Stroll through the beautiful gardens on the St. John’s River and tour the ever-changing exhibits. The museum does charge for admission; however, on select days, the admission is waived. Visit the Cummer Museum website for details. Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, 829 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32207, USA
- St. Augustine Distillery
Facebook/St. Augustine Distillery Company Anyone who’s ever wondered how spirits are made can catch a free tour every 30 minutes at this distillery in historic St. Augustine. Don’t worry about finding a babysitter, children are allowed to tour (but obviously not taste). Great sites like this are just one of the reasons, St. Augustine is touted as one of the best small town vacations in America. Saint Augustine Distillery, 112 Riberia St, St. Augustine, FL 32084, USA
Now that you’ve been enlightened on the state’s options for fee-free fun, the next time you’re thinking about what to do in Florida for free, you’ll have plenty of options. How many of these awesome things have you tried? Do you know of any other free things to do in Florida? Tell us!
Flickr/aoskilinn
Florida beaches are some of the best in the country, where you can enjoy a perfect day for little to no cost. Siesta Beach, pictured here, has sand made of 99% quartz, so it’s cool on your toes, even on the hottest days. With thousands of miles of coastline, it’s easy to find the perfect beach near you.
Siesta Beach, Florida 34242, USA
TripAdvisor/Prussik
Come check out more than 150 historic aircraft at this 35-acre indoor/outdoor naval aviation museum, which is the world’s largest. It’s fun and fascinating for kids and adults. Best of all, it’s totally free! The museum does close to the public from time to time, so make sure to check the National Naval Aviation Museum website prior to visiting.
National Naval Aviation Museum, 1750 Radford Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32508, USA
Flickr/Ricardo Mangual
On the first Monday of every month you can get free admission to this “50-acre botanical oasis” in Orlando, which is by far among the best hidden gems in Florida. There’s free storytelling for little ones on these days as well.
Harry P Leu Gardens, Harry P Leu Gdns, Orlando, FL 32803, USA
TripAdvisor/fergiebaby1
One of the best museums in Florida, this museum will teach you everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the history and culture of Florida’s many inhabitants, with artifacts and exhibits you won’t find anywhere else. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
Museum of Florida History, 500 S Bronough St, Tallahassee, FL 32399, USA
Facebook/San Sebastian Winery
One of several wineries in Florida, this awesome winery in St. Augustine (along with its sister winery in Clermont, Lakeridge Winery) offers free tours seven days a week. There’s also a lovely rooftop that features tasty food and live music.
San Sebastian Winery, 157 King St, St. Augustine, FL 32084, USA
TripAdvisor/Irene D
Admission is free to this natural history museum, where families can learn all about the plants and animals of the beautiful Florida Keys. Make sure to check the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center website for closures prior to visiting.
Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, 35 Quay Rd, Key West, FL 33040, USA
Wikimedia Commons
When it comes to mysterious places in Florida, Spook Hill definitely fits the bill! Legend has it that anyone who parks at the bottom of Spook Hill and puts their car in neutral will roll up the hill. Spooky, indeed.
Spook Hill, Lake Wales, FL 33853, USA
TripAdvisor/BahiaDelray
There are plenty of free and affordable things to do in the Great Outdoors in Florida. Most state parks are beautiful and charge a small entrance fee, but there are also parks that are totally free. (Of course, most of them appreciate donations.) The Wakadohatchee Wetlands in Delray Beach is a nice place to walk on a boardwalk and view lots of native Florida wildlife. The park was once unused utility land that has been successfully transformed into a lovely recreation area.
Wakodahatchee Wetlands, 13270 Jog Rd, Delray Beach, FL 33484, USA
TripAdvisor/jtr2010
Ideal Classic Cars Museum and Showroom is a 27,000-square-foot showroom that’s full of collectible cars dating from the 1920s through the 1970s, including hot rods, muscle cars and originals. And if you’re looking to buy, they are all for sale. This isn’t the only must-visit for auto lovers, though. There’s also this auto museum in Florida.
Ideal Classic Cars, 2224 S Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34293, USA
TripAdvisor/Dustin G
The way the garden has taken over the crumbling Civil War-era fortification gives it the feeling of a secret and sacred place. Not only is it full of exotic plants, including colorful orchids and massive banyans, the entire garden is located right on the beach, with breathtaking views of the ocean. It’s truly one of the most beautiful places in Florida.
Key West Garden Club, 1100 Atlantic Blvd, Key West, FL 33040, USA
Flickr/Wally Gobetz
This huge open street art museum in Miami features tons of graffiti and murals in the hip Wynwood Art District. Bring your camera for this unforgettable experience. Wynwood Walls is only free for children 12 and under; however, we chose to include it because, well, it’s just too good not to mention.
Wynwood Walls, 266 NW 26th St, Miami, FL 33127, USA
Flickr/Josh Hallett
We love to have fun in Florida, and we’ll find almost any reason to party. So in Key West and Clearwater, even the sun setting is good enough! Crowds gather at Mallory Square a couple hours before sunset to watch performers and hear live music. And when the sun goes down, the party is just beginning!
Mallory Square, Key West, FL 33040, USA
Flickr/Rob Bixby
The Cummer Museum is a Jacksonville landmark. Stroll through the beautiful gardens on the St. John’s River and tour the ever-changing exhibits. The museum does charge for admission; however, on select days, the admission is waived. Visit the Cummer Museum website for details.
Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, 829 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32207, USA
Facebook/St. Augustine Distillery Company
Anyone who’s ever wondered how spirits are made can catch a free tour every 30 minutes at this distillery in historic St. Augustine. Don’t worry about finding a babysitter, children are allowed to tour (but obviously not taste). Great sites like this are just one of the reasons, St. Augustine is touted as one of the best small town vacations in America.
Saint Augustine Distillery, 112 Riberia St, St. Augustine, FL 32084, USA
If you’ve got a few bucks to spend, consider embarking on one (or all!) of these fun day trips in Florida.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Free Things To Do In Florida May 27, 2022 Daniella DiRienzo What are the most highly rated attractions in Florida? There are lots of popular attractions in the Sunshine State. One of the most highly rated in Florida, though, is definitely Everglades National Park. Water, wildlife, and wonder await at the park, which boasts acres upon acres of swamplands and an ecosystem unlike any other. What are the oldest parks in Florida? When it comes to great parks, the state is not lacking. However, of all the state parks in Florida, only one can take the title of the oldest, and it’s Myakka River State Park in Sarasota. Its namesake, the Myakka River, flows right through the park, which, in addition to being the oldest state park in Florida, is one of the largest parks in the Sunshine State. Its age and size aren’t all it has going for it, though. The park is brimming with amazing amenities, including wildlife tours and a canopy walk.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Free Things To Do In Florida
May 27, 2022
Daniella DiRienzo
What are the most highly rated attractions in Florida? There are lots of popular attractions in the Sunshine State. One of the most highly rated in Florida, though, is definitely Everglades National Park. Water, wildlife, and wonder await at the park, which boasts acres upon acres of swamplands and an ecosystem unlike any other. What are the oldest parks in Florida? When it comes to great parks, the state is not lacking. However, of all the state parks in Florida, only one can take the title of the oldest, and it’s Myakka River State Park in Sarasota. Its namesake, the Myakka River, flows right through the park, which, in addition to being the oldest state park in Florida, is one of the largest parks in the Sunshine State. Its age and size aren’t all it has going for it, though. The park is brimming with amazing amenities, including wildlife tours and a canopy walk.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are lots of popular attractions in the Sunshine State. One of the most highly rated in Florida, though, is definitely Everglades National Park. Water, wildlife, and wonder await at the park, which boasts acres upon acres of swamplands and an ecosystem unlike any other.
What are the oldest parks in Florida?
When it comes to great parks, the state is not lacking. However, of all the state parks in Florida, only one can take the title of the oldest, and it’s Myakka River State Park in Sarasota. Its namesake, the Myakka River, flows right through the park, which, in addition to being the oldest state park in Florida, is one of the largest parks in the Sunshine State. Its age and size aren’t all it has going for it, though. The park is brimming with amazing amenities, including wildlife tours and a canopy walk.
