Written by: Isaac Grant
Date:

One thing we all know about Florida is that you can never be bored there. The Sunshine State is an endless source of entertainment, recreational opportunities, and places to spend your leisure time at. However, while there are countless activities to do in Florida, not all of them are free. Visiting some famous places like Disney World costs, and it’s often fairly expensive, depending on what you want to do. And, since the budget is always tight after the relocation, wishing to attend some free activities upon settling in Florida is completely natural. That’s why we wanted to show 15 free things to do in Florida. In this article, there will be something for everyone, so read on and find out some budget-friendly ways to enjoy the Sunshine State to the fullest.

Opportunities are endless

Even if you’re only looking for free things, opportunities are simply endless. It’s a testament to how amazing Florida really is. Picking only 15 activities is definitely not easy with so many possibilities, but we gave it our best shot. So, here are the 15 free things to do in Florida.

Beach in Florida photographed from air
There is definitely no lack of recreational opportunities in the Sunshine State.

Let’s start with the most obvious one – visit one (or a few) of Florida’s countless beaches

You don’t have to be an expert on Florida to know the one thing that the state is most famous for, and those are beaches. Florida’s coastline has over 800 miles of sandy beaches, and if you’re a beach fan, there’s no better state in the country to live in. Visiting Sunshine State’s beaches is free and always memorable, so this should be at the top of your list.

Join the Sunset Celebration

If you’re near the communities of Key West and Clearwater Beach, know that people gather every day to enjoy the sunset in these iconic locations. It’s an activity for both tourists and locals, and it’s a really unique cultural event that’s happening practically on a daily basis.

Visit Lakeland

Lakeland is one of the top cities in Florida to move to, but even if you’re not moving there, it’s worth visiting it. It has a unique charm, and most notably, wonderful botanic gardens that every Floridian should check out.

A duck in one of Lakeland's botanic gardens, the location that's truly worth visiting if you're interested in free things to do in Florida.
Visiting Lakeland’s botanic gardens is definitely among the best free things to do in Florida.

Get to know Florida’s history by visiting museums

Yes, Florida is mostly famous for entertainment, but it has a rich history as well. While this may not be a priority for tourists, if you’ve just moved to Florida, then you should learn a thing or two about its history. Some free museums you can visit are:

  • Cornell Fine Arts Museum, Winter Park
  • DeLand Naval Air Station Museum, INC, DeLand
  • Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science, Cocoa
  • Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville
  • Gillespie Museum, Stetson University, DeLand
  • Pompano Beach Historical Society, Pompano Beach
  • HistoryMiami Museum, Miami

If you’re a wine enthusiast, you can go on a complimentary vineyard tour and wine tasting

In Clermont, near Orlando, there’s a Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards that offers free tours and wine tastings throughout the whole week. So, if you love having a glass of wine, this place is a must-visit.

Meet Miami!

While Miami is quite expensive in general, but it won’t cost you a dime to walk around it and get to know the famous “Magic City”. There are countless ways to have fun in Miami, so spare a day or two exploring the most famous city in Florida.

Manatee Viewing Center

If you’re near Apollo Beach, then this is definitely one of the things you should do. At the Manatee Viewing Center, you can meet these lovely creatures. It’s even better if you’ve moved to Apollo Beach since it’s one of the top places for families in Florida. That way, if you have any kids, you can bring them here and let them see the majestic manatees.

Outdoor movies

Floridian nights are always very warm and pleasant. To make them great, and not spend any money in the process, you can see if there are any outdoor movies around you. For example, Orlando is famous for having free movie nights.

Check out the Volusia County’s Sun Splash Park in Daytona Beach

This park is one of the most famous entertainment places in the whole region. Most facilities are free to use and attend, such as volleyball courts, picnic areas, etc. So, head out to Daytona Beach and see for yourself why everyone loves this park.

A pier in Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach has a famous Sun Splash Park which you won’t regret visiting.

Visiting Siesta Key is definitely among the best 15 free things to do in Florida

While we talked about beaches already, we have to cover this one separately. It’s one of the best beaches in the United States. Siesta Key Beach is located near Sarasota, and it’s 8 miles long, filled with the most beautiful white sand you’ll ever see.

Exploring capitols in Tallahassee

Capitol buildings all over the US are quite iconic. Well, Tallahassee has both new and old capitol, and they are offering free tours. So, if you’re a fan of history, and seeing where the state’s official business is conducted, head out to Tallahassee and see the capitols.

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

This is a stunning ecosystem where you can encounter animals you have never seen before. Of course, we’re not talking about dangerous animals here, so feel free to visit this. However, bear in mind that you’ll need a canoe or a small boat for the best experience.

Mural hunting

Some cities in the Sunshine State are famous for being covered in murals. The two most notable ones are Orlando and Lake Placid. So, if you love this form of art, know that you’ll find some astonishing murals all over Florida.

Fan of classic cars? Go to Kissimmee and Venice

These two places have free-to-attend exhibits and parades of classic cars. If you love seeing vintage cars, we promise you that you won’t regret going to Kissimmee or Venice.

Tour the Famous Biltmore Hotel that’s located in Coral Gables

This hotel has hosted so many Hollywood stars and royalty members in the past, that it’s become the only hotel in the region that’s been named one of the National Historic Landmarks. Touring it is free, so there’s no reason not to visit it if you’re somewhere around the Coral Gables area.

Explore Florida as much as you can – It will be worth it

There you go. We’ve named 15 free things to do in Florida but know that this is just the beginning. As soon as you figure out the right time to move to Florida and settle in this state, wait no more and start exploring it. It’s really iconic and we’re certain that you’ll enjoy every moment in the Sunshine State. Have fun!