Originally published: 23 February 2014
Florida is one of the America’s top travel destinations, where people can find all kinds of entertainment and relax on countless beautiful beaches. There is something for everyone, from enormous theme parks, exciting night-life, through art exhibitions and historical museums, to breath-taking sceneries and wonderful wildlife. Even those with a much tighter budget will find something for themselves – Florida offers many free things to do and see. Let’s see what you can do here with totally empty pockets!
If you are a big fan of aircraft and you love to explore museums on your travels, this is a must see place when in Florida. The National Naval Aviation Museum is located on the Naval Air Station in Pensacola where you can easily walk or take a local bus/metro. The place is extremely interesting and provides hours of hands-on history with countless things to touch, see and experience. Believe me or not, but you can spend there hours and hours seeing more than 150 beautifully restored aircraft and over 4,000 artifacts representing Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Aviation. The museum is free of charge and in addition to free parking, you can watch the amazing Blue Angels practice on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings March through November!
#2 LEGO Imagination Center
Would you like to feel 12 years old again? If so, head to downtown Disney Marketplace where there is 4,400-square feet of fun. Guarded by friendly dinosaurs and a huge sea serpent made of Lego bricks, this play area lets kids explore their creativity by building with colorful bricks and guess what? It’s free!
#3 Florida’s Capitol Complex
You can also tour the Florida’s Capitol Complex for free if you want to. Tallahassee is Florida’s capital city, where the state’s law makers meet to conduct the Sunshine State’s official business. The old and new capitol buildings are within the same block with guided and self-guided tours available for free. Tour hours for the old capitol building are offered daily except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
#4 Hit The Beach
There is nothing better than hitting the beach and chilling out in the sun. Fort DeSoto is one of the top beaches in the nation where you can experience spectacular sunsets and join local parties. The atmosphere here is festive… live bands play, craftsmen hawk their wares, talented artists sketch portraits, and performers delight the crowds! It is also a great opportunity to hang out with locals and meet new people who you can have fun with. Many people get a packaged holiday to come and relax here.
#5 Enjoy Wine Tasting and Tours
Would you like a glass, two or three of free wine? Why not! Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards based in Florida offers free tours, tastings and many free festivals and events. The Orlando Brewing Company near downtown Orlando is the only organic brewery and tap room in the Southeast and one of only 10 in the United States. Each weekend, there are free brewery tours, free Wi-Fi and free live entertainment. Are you in?
As you can see, Florida is a budget friendly place, where you can enjoy yourself even when travelling with a tight budget. If you feel like you spent way too much money here, join the free wine tasting tour, relax on the beach or even explore Florida’s Capitol Complex!
Never been to Florida, but yes, I agree such free things can save a lot of bucks! Hitting the beach and wine-tasting sounds really good. :)
Hope you can make it there!!!
Good list! I am a Florida native (now living in California) and there is SO MUCH to do in Florida for free – all over the state! I hope it encourages people to visit. So much more to it than just Disney World/theme parks!
Wow, great to hear that!
Great post! I have been to Florida before but only to Orlando and all of the theme parks there. I would love to hit up Miami, The Keys and their beautiful beaches one day.
Maybe we can hit Miami together, who knows!
Always love free! And, yes, I would be totally up for some free wine-tasting! :) Cheers to travelling on a budget in style!
Same here :)!!
OMG! Those shots on the beach are some of my fav ever of your’s! I love Lego’s too…until I step on them with bare feet ha, ha. My Dad was a private pilot so I would love to see The National Naval Aviation Museum. Wait a minute! Florida?! You were here in the States?! If you two ever make it over to the western part of the country and don’t connect up with Phoenix and I you’re gonna be in a heap of trouble with my Golden Retriever! And he can hold a grudge for….umm…at least 30 seconds, Agness and Cez! :)
HAHAHAHAHAHA Mike, you’re the best!!
Free brewery tours? Where can I sign up?!
Check out Disney’s Wilderness Nature Preserve just outside of Orlando. It’s free and beautiful! Thanks to Mike, I’m a new visitor from Colorado and excited about reading about your travels.
Thanks for that Jenn!! Will add it to the list.
you had me at lego!!!
Hahahaha I knew that Rebecca!!
I’ve only been to Florida as a kid doing the Disney thing…I would love to go back and get a better idea of the non-theme park parts of the State!
Nice!
Wine tasting in Florida, who would’ve thought?! But for me, those shots of the beach are the winners!!
Yes and it’s absolutely free!
Thanks for stopping by!
I’ll hit the beach anytime!!!
Sounds like a plan to me!!
I can’t believe that the LEGO Imagination Center is free, I can imagine myself spending loads of time there :)
I know, I could believe it either!
Lego Imagination center is my favorite! Every time I go to Disney, I head there to see if they have any new characters built up. Florida beaches are amazing. When I lived there, I would go to Venice Beach, Lover’s Key and Sanibel.
Free wine tours? How is that possible? ;) haha sounds like a few great days and hitting the beach is always a good idea!
YES! YES! YES!
Thank you for letting me know about free organic beer!
I will be in Florida in a few weeks. I will make good use of this information :)
My pleasure David. Have fun with the wine! ;-)
Wow, this is an incredible list of FREE things to do. I would certainly say that I would expect and happily pay to do 1,2,3 and 5 out of this list. Free wine tours with free tasting? Now you are talking :-)
I know. Surprisingly, Florida has a lot to offer for budget travellers!
I love Florida! I’ve seen the best sunsets there, and the white sand beaches are like heaven! Might need to plan a trip down there while I’m still in the States… :-)
Do you? That’s amazing!
Beautiful photos, Agness! While the beach is my favorite thing to do in Florida, I’m glad you wrote about Lakeridge Brewery and Winery. I had never heard of it before and next time I am in the area I will surely look it up!
Thank you Bridget. I’m glad there is a free wine tour in Florida and I am happy I could mention that in my post.
Beach sounds like the perfect thing to do in Florida for me, followed by wine tasting :)
TRUE!!
That’s a very interesting post. I never thing of Florida as a budget friendly place. It’s great to see there’s something for everyone!
Me either, but it is!
You can do free wine tasting tours? That’s awesome. I’d go to Florida just for that. :-)
Yep, that’s right!! :D
Wow – I LOVE that sunset! So pretty!
It is, indeed, freaking amazing!
I love the free wine tours! It’s also super fun to walk around City Walk near Universal Studios at Orlando. It’s free to walk around, and has tons of live entertainment that is very enjoyable for kids/adults of all ages:-)
I guess I’m not the only one :)!!
Never thought a place like Florida would offer such free things like the LEGO, museum and wine tours!!
I know. In fact, it has a lot to offer!
I never think of Florida and wine but if the tour is free why not. To me Florida – from afar – is all abut the beaches and I would be happy walking on them for hours at a time.
Me either!
I’ve never been to Florida, but going to Miami has always been a dream of mine! :D Any place with beaches, and I’ll want to be there :)
When you get there, let me know how expensive/inexpensive Miami is.
Ooh the lego imagination center looks fun! Next time I go to Florida I’d like to visit there. Free is awesome, especially when all the theme parks are quite expensive!
Yeah, most of theme parks are expensive :(