Travelers on a budget, the Roze Team is here to guide you to different free and affordable places to see and things to do in Florida. While it may appear that everything in Florida is concentrated on pricy theme parks and swanky South Beach restaurants, there are still lots of free things to do in the Sunshine State, whether you want to sightsee, sunbathe on a beach, or receive a history lesson right where it happened. Take a boat trip, visit a remote state park, or choose from one of the other activities in this article, which are all among our favorite free things to do in the Southeast’s most popular state.
See Kissimmee and Venice Classic Cars
Every Friday evening, more than 300 classic rides march down Kissimmee’s streets. The Old Town procession, which features everything from classic hot rods to antiques, is one of the city’s most popular attractions. Following that, there’s a fun concert featuring songs from the 1950s and 1960s.
In Venice, the Ideal Classic Cars Museum and Showroom display a variety of muscle cars, hot rods, and classic collectible cars from the 1930s to the 1970s, allowing you closely view some of the coolest automobiles on the planet.
Paddle Your Way in Coldwater Creek
Coldwater Creek Recreation Area in northwest Florida (approximately an hour from Pensacola) is known as the canoe capital of the state, while kayaking is also popular. Even on the hottest summer days, the stream is shallow and cold, but it contains some of the fastest water in the state, making for an exhilarating voyage. The sand-bottomed river is part of the Blackwater River State Forest, a popular swimming, fishing, and camping area.
Go to Blackwater River State Forest
St. Augustine is a Place Exploding with Floridan History
St. Augustine, which was founded by Spanish immigrants in 1565 and is the oldest continuously populated settlement in the United States, will appeal to history aficionados. Begin by strolling down the historic and pedestrian-only St. George Street in Old Town, taking in sights such as the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse. Then, make your way down to the water to see the historic city gates and Castillo de San Marcos National Monument (entrance is free, and your entry is valid for up to seven days).
Nearby, visit Memorial Presbyterian Church, which was designed by Henry Flagler. The first non-slave US African-American settlement is located at Fort Mose Historic State Park, (a minimal charge allows entry to the museum), or travel about 25 minutes south of the city to Fort Matanzas National Monument, an 18th-century Spanish fort accessible via a free ferry ride.
Go to St. Augustine’s Historic District
Consider Miami Beach’s Holocaust Memorial
The Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach, dedicated to the memory of the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, provides a solemn look at one of human history’s worst periods. The memorial and its gardens, designed by sculptor Kenneth Triester out of dazzling Jerusalem stone and black granite, provide a space to reflect on the lives of those who died, those who survived, and how society enabled such horrors to occur in the first place.
Self-guided tours are permitted (a suggested donation is requested if you want to take a brochure, and a free guide is available for iOS and Android users), however a reservation on the website must be made if a group has 10 or more people.
Go to the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach
Experience Lake Wales’s Legendary Gravity Hill
Spook Hill is a huge draw in Lake Wales. The location, which is around an hour’s drive from Orlando, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019. The hill is said to be the location of a big alligator and the Indigenous warrior who killed him in combat but died in the process (he’s buried on the hill’s north side). At the bottom of the hill, you’ll find a weird effect taking place, one that caused early pioneers’ horses to suffer despite moving downhill and one that continues today. Experience this by stopping your car on the white line and placing it in neutral.
It turns out that the effect is generated by the location being a gravity hill, or that there is a magnetic reason behind the phenomenon that causes your car to roll up the hill on its own.
Enjoy the Sunset on a Floridian Beach
The sunsets in Florida are stunning, and residents who live on the Floridian islands, Key West and Clearwater Beach in Pinellas County, believe that viewing the sunsets on their beaches are reason enough to rejoice! Every night, a few hours before sunset, locals and tourists congregate in each coastal location.
With live music, craftsmen selling their wares, brilliant artists painting portraits, and performers entertaining the masses, the atmosphere is joyous. As night approaches, everyone appears to pause to take in Nature’s spectacular display. Sunset Celebrations are found at Mallory Square in Key West or Pier 60 in Clearwater Beach in the Tampa Bay area.
Go to Flordia’s Best Beaches from U.S. News & World Report
Explore the Famous Siesta Key Beach
Siesta Key Beach, located just off the coast of Sarasota, is one of the nicest beaches in the country. This eight-mile length has been named the finest, whitest sand in the world by Dr. Beach and The Travel Channel, among others, on many best beach lists.
As one of Florida’s greatest beaches, Siesta Key Beach, is known for its grandeur and the sheer amount of gorgeous quartz sand that covers the shore. If you want to visit for a few hours or stay overnight, there are lots of amenities available, such as food stands, showers, restrooms, changing places, picnic tables, a children’s playground, and free parking.
Discover Lake Placid’s Murals
Lake Placid, often known as the Town of Murals, has more than 40 murals adorning buildings around the downtown area. Small parks and green spaces are peppered with benches, ideal for taking in the scenery.
Lake Placid also has one-of-a-kind sculptured trash cans: A steam train sitting on its tracks, a larger-than-life turpentine bottle, a jail, and lovely butterflies are just a few of the imaginative trash cans.
Go to the Murals of Lake Placid
Tour the Florida Capitol
Tallahassee is Florida’s capital city, where the Sunshine State’s legislators assemble to conduct official business. Free guided, audio or self-directed tours of the historic and modern capitol buildings are available.
All guided tours of the new capital require reservations, and trips during the parliamentary session, which takes place from March to April, require reservations at least two months in advance. Except for the major holidays, tours are offered daily, check to see which holidays are observed.
The old capitol building is open for tours every day except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Reservations for guided tours should be made at least two weeks in advance.
Go to the City of Tallahassee and Go to the city’s History & Characteristics
Visit Daytona Beach for Fun in the Water
So many county parks are off the usual way, but not Volusia County’s Sun Splash Park, which is situated in the center of Daytona Beach.
While driving on the famed beach is not free, the four-acre park has 95 parking places of its own. A water play fountain that is interactive and has zero depth, a covered playground, volleyball courts, picnic spots, outdoor showers, a cool zone, restrooms, and two beach access ramps are all available here. Sun Splash Park is open from sunrise to dusk every day.
Enjoy Time at Lake Mirror in Lakeland
Lake Mirror Complex in Lakeland, Florida, is lovely on its own, but walk the promenade around it and you’ll discover a treasure trove of surprises, including the tiered Hollis Garden and the fun Barnett Family Park.
The gardens in Hollis Park are a gorgeous 1.2-acre tiered botanical garden that overlooks the Lake Mirror Promenade and features thousands of floral plants, ornamental shrubs, and water elements.
Barnett Family Park is nearby and features a variety of complex sculptures of native Florida animals as well as magnificent hand-cut Byzantine tiles. An interactive zero-depth water play area, a large pavilion for picnics and parties, and a playground make this a terrific site for family enjoyment. Please keep in mind that the water play area is closed on Wednesday.
Experience Scalloping & Other Activities in Levy County’s Cedar Key
Save money by catching your own meal on Cedar Key, which is about an hour’s drive from Gainesville or a 2.5-hour drive from Tampa Bay on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Scalloping is a favorite summer activity on this island, with youngsters and adults alike diving to the bottom to capture a couple of the massive shells. Many local restaurants will even cook your fish for you for a modest price. Don’t forget to enjoy other free and low cost activities in Levy County.
Go to Levy County and Go to Cedar Key
Discover Wildlife at the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary stretches 2,800 square miles throughout the Florida Keys, from Miami to the Dry Tortugas, and is home to a diverse ecosystem that includes coral reefs, kelp forests, and underwater archaeological sites. Visitors pay no admission fee, so load up your canoe or kayak and get paddling. You never know what kind of creatures you might come across.
Go to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Tour the Legendary Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables
Every Sunday afternoon, head to this Coral Gables landmark for a free tour of the magnificent hotel and grounds. This opulent Spanish Revival-style hotel has housed celebrities such as Ginger Rogers and Judy Garland, as well as European nobility such as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The Biltmore is now the only hotel in South Florida to be designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Go to the Biltmore Hotel & Resort in Coral Gables
The Roze Team wants you to have a great experience visiting the many free and affordable locations in Florida. This article explored several beautiful, fun, and educational locations that you can discover in Florida.