10 Things to Do on a Budget this Fall in Orlando

With the oppressive temperatures easing off after the summer, Fall is a great time to visit Orlando – and to make the most of your trip you don’t need to spend a fortune either.

Best known for being home to some of America’s most famous theme parks, including Walt Disney World, it may be tempting to assume that a trip to Orlando will be hard to achieve without breaking the bank. But fear not, the Floridian city is packed full of tons of great free and affordable things to see and do – many of which are best enjoyed during Fall, when the crowds are thinner, the heat is lower, but the city itself still brims with activity. Here are 10 of the best ways to spend your time in Orlando this Fall while staying in budget.

Leu Gardens

Spread across some 50 acres, this incredible botanical oasis just minutes from Downtown Orlando is a sight to behold at any time of year, but perhaps never more so than during Fall. Comprised of several different gardens, each designed specifically to inspire visitors to further enhance their appreciation and understanding of the plant world, the venue’s dazzling assortment of flora bursts with the traditional bright yellow, burnt orange and fiery red that we all associate with the Fall period. The result is a magical experience for visitors who are able to stroll around the gardens’ paved pathways while taking in their picturesque surroundings. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children.

1920 North Forest Avenue / Mon-Sun 9am-6pm

FusionFest

Every Thanksgiving weekend, tens of thousands of revellers descend on the streets of Downtown Orlando for an action-packed two-day festival that celebrates global cultures. Completely free to enter, the hugely popular open-air festival features music, dance, visual arts, movie screenings and lashings of food and drink from all around the world, with games and interactive activities adding to the entertainment. The event is also a kid-friendly affair, with a dedicated Family Village offering plenty to keep your little ones happy.

Seneff Arts Plaza, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts / 30 November 2024 – 1 December 2025

Disney Springs

As well as Disney World itself, Orlando and its surroundings are also home to several Disney-themed attractions – and with the summer crowds having dissipated, Fall is a great time to check them out. Another upside is that, unlike at Disney World, you won’t have to blow the budget either. Situated on the same site as the famous theme park, Disney Springs is a vast outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complex with everything from familiar branded stores to quirky food, drink, and merchandise outlets all themed around Disney and its iconic characters to a cinema showing the latest Disney movies. As an added bonus, parking is free.

1486 Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista Sun-Thurs 10am-11pm Fri-Sat 10am-11.30pm

Orange County Regional History Center

If the weather lets you down during your Fall visit to Orlando, then you may be keen to seek refuge at an indoor attraction. One of the city’s finest is the Orange County Regional History Center, which not only provides shelter from the elements but also an immersive history lesson. Housed in a historic courthouse in the heart of downtown Orlando, the acclaimed museum is brimming with exhibits and artefacts that tell the local and regional story dating back some 2,000 years. Highlights include displays on Central Florida’s long role in aviation history and on how the region’s indigenous peoples lived for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans from the Old World in the 16th century.

65 East Central Boulevard / Mon-Sat 10am-5pm Sun 12pm-5pm

Orlando Fire Museum

Another popular indoor attraction for one of those rainy Falls days is the Orlando Fire Museum., Housed in a historic facility known as Fire Station Number 3, the free-to-enter museum is open for two days a week when it invites visitors to come and explore an assortment of artefacts dating back to its time as a fully operational fire station from the 1920s to the 1970s. Among the items on display are firefighting equipment and uniforms, historical photographs and a collection of vintage fire trucks that kids love to board. Together the museum’s collection tell the fascinating story of the evolution of firefighting technology and methods.

814 East Rollins Street / Fri-Sat 10am-4pm Closed Sun-Thurs

Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive

A 30-minute car drive northwest of Orlando brings you to the scenic expanse of Lake Apopka nature reserve, where visitors can embark on a 11-mile, one-way road trip that meanders through the eastern portion of reserve. The drive takes around one and three hours and along the way you’ll get to spot an abundance of wildlife, including alligators, turtles, bobcats and otters, as well as diverse birdlife. The drive is only open on Fridays to Sundays and is free of charge.

Florida Blue Florida Classic

As in most cities across the US, Football (or American Football to our anglophile readers) is a seriously big deal in Orlando and the city’s passion for the sport is celebrated every year at the Florida Blue Florida Classic. Since its inaugural edition in 1978, this friendly annual college game has grown to become a major event for people all over Florida and beyond to celebrate their culture, diversity, and love for football. The game also offers a perfect opportunity to meet and bond with family, friends, colleagues, and college comrades over a competitive match, great food and pumping live music. Tickets start at around $25.

Camping World Stadium / 23 November 2024

Old Town Entertainment District

There’s no better way of getting a feel for the Florida communities of yesteryear than by taking a leisurely amble around this buzzing historic district, complete with authentic architecture and distinctive storefronts that serve up a classic slice of quintessential Americana  As well as being a delight to simply stroll around, the attraction in Kissimmee, situated just minutes from Walt Disney World Resort, also hosts a busy programme of free weekly events including classic car shows and live family-friendly entertainment. Among the events taking place this Fall are Halloween at Old Town and the VetteFest car show.

Lake Eola Park

Another antidote to the hustle and bustle of the city, Lake Eola Park is home to one of the most beautiful lakes in Orlando and makes for a pleasant spot to explore during Fall. Located in the heart of Downtown, the public park features a sidewalk that circles the lake and is popular with walkers, while visitors can also rent swan-shaped paddle boats on the lake itself, or feed the swans and other birds that reside here. If you time it right, you might also catch a concert or a play in the park’s Walt Disney Amphitheater, with a busy programme of performances running through Fall.

512 East Washington Street / Mon-Sun 10am-7pm

Timucua Arts Foundation

Fans of the performing arts who find themselves in Orlando in Fall are in for a treat thanks to the Timucua Arts Foundation. A multi-faceted arts and education institution, the foundation present regular free or affordable concerts and festivals at their intimate venue south of the city centre. Shows and events encompass everything from internationally-acclaimed jazz artists to indigenous and folkloric music and dance, contemporary classical music, avant-garde improvisation, film screenings, theatre productions, and more.

By Paul Joseph