Things to do with elderly parents in orlando

One-of-a-kind adventures are more affordable than you might think. Get our guide to amazing things to do in Orlando that are as memorable as they are value-packed (Fun Spot America pictured).

Updated July 22, 2022

Should you expect unforgettable experiences when you visit Orlando? Absolutely. Magical fun? Definitely. Great value for your money? You’d better believe it — after all, USA Today ranked us as the No. 1 most affordable vacation destination among top U.S. cities. From high-octane attractions to outdoor adventures, and priceless works of art to wonders you’ll have to see to believe, here are 29 ways to enjoy Orlando on any budget … with an emphasis on enjoy.

Want to save even more? Many of our most popular attractions, including several in this blog, offer authorized discount tickets through Visit Orlando powered by BestofOrlando.com, and you can nab other special offers from our partners. Remember: The more you save, the more you can do in Orlando.

• $29 or Less
• $25 or Less
• $20 or Less
• $15 or Less
• $10 or Less
• $5 or Less
• Free Things to Do
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Things to Do in Orlando for $29 or Less Per Person

The Wheel at ICON PARK®

One of Orlando’s most iconic attractions, The Wheel is normally priced at $28.99 for adults and $23.99 for children ages 3 – 12 … but special offers are almost always available when purchased online, with the price dropping to as low as $19.99 for adults. You can also take advantage of combo packages with other attractions at ICON Park® (more on those in a bit), which is on International Drive, aka I-Drive, in the heart of our tourism districts. Providing a 20-minute, air-conditioned ride with spectacular views from 400 feet up, The Wheel is considered an Insta-worthy rite of passage for many visitors: Don’t miss this prime selfie opportunity.

Learn more: ICON Park

SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium

A world of aquatic wonders awaits at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, one of many can’t-miss attractions beyond The Wheel at ICON Park. Step beneath the waves courtesy of a 360-degree ocean tunnel, and come face-to-fin with sharks, stingrays, sea turtles and other amazing creatures. Tickets for adults are $25.56 when purchased from Visit Orlando powered by BestofOrlando.com, and $21.56 for children.

Save on discount tickets: SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium

Madame Tussauds Orlando

Rub shoulders with the rich, famous and even super-heroic at Madame Tussauds Orlando, the ICON Park outpost of the famous London original. Adult admission is $25.56 when purchased from Visit Orlando powered by BestofOrlando.com, and $21.56 for children ages 3 – 12; kids under 3 get in free. It’s the only place in town where you can shoot hoops with Shaq, party with Pitbull, or step on the moon with Neil Armstrong — and meet DC Entertainment’s Justice League while you’re at it.

Save on discount tickets: Madame Tussauds Orlando

Ripley’s Believe It or Not!®

Interactive exhibits and artifacts can be discovered at this famous I-Drive attraction, which celebrates oddities from around the world … and appears to be falling into a massive sinkhole. (Don’t worry, it’s not actually going anywhere.) Admission to Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is $27.99 for adults and $18.99 for children ages 3 – 11. Kids under 3 are free.

Learn more: International Drive

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Things to Do in Orlando for $25 or Less Per Person

Gatorland

Founded in 1949, Gatorland is one of Orlando’s longest-running, most iconic attractions — and one of our most affordable, with admission costing just $24.99 for adults and $17.99 for children when purchased from Visit Orlando powered by BestofOrlando.com. The park features 110 acres with thousands of alligators and crocodiles, plus a flight aviary, petting zoo, nature walk, splash pad play area, Bobcat Bayou and much more. Special combo packages with the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line and Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure are also available.

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Orlando Science Center

One of Orlando’s premier STEM attractions, Orlando Science Center (OSC) offers 11,000 square feet of hands-on educational fun for kids and their families in Loch Haven Park, just north of downtown Orlando. Exhibits include the chance to turn ideas into reality at The Hive: A Makerspace, finding fossils at DinoDigs, KidsTown for younger explorers, and much more. Admission is $24 for adults, $22 for students and seniors with ID, $18 for children ages 2 – 11, and free for OSC members and kids under 2.

Learn more: Orlando STEM Attractions

Crayola Experience

Located at The Florida Mall®, the 2-story, 70,000-square-foot Crayola Experience provides a full day of creative, colorful fun with dozens of hands-on activities, including drip art, a color playground and much more. When purchased from Visit Orlando powered by BestofOrlando.com, tickets to this family attraction are $20.99 each.

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Attractions at Dezerland Park

Encompassing 800,000 square feet of thrills and fun on International Drive, Dezerland Park is Orlando’s largest indoor entertainment center. On top of free admission, it has a ton of attractions that won’t set you back more than $25 each, including Axecelsior Axe Throwing ($25 for 30 minutes), Karting Orlando ($24.95 for adult races), Orlando Auto Museum ($24.95 for adult admission), Bowling Orlando ($17.95 for 15 minutes per lane), Jump Start Trampoline Park ($13.95 for 30 minutes), The Pinball Palace ($10 for 60 minutes of unlimited play), and affordably priced games at Arcade Orlando, plus more on the way.

Learn more: Dezerland Park

Museum of Illusions

New to ICON Park, Museum of Illusions is a brain-bending “edutainment” experience with more than 50 incredible exhibits that are guaranteed to trick your eyes and blow your mind. Admission starts at $24.99. A special combo package with The Wheel is available for $32.99, dropping the cost to less than $17 per attraction.

Learn more: Museum of Illusions

Main Event Entertainment

Eat, bowl and play at Main Event Entertainment, part of the open-air Pointe Orlando dining and entertainment complex on I-Drive. Prices start at $21.99 for an All You Can Play Activity Pass, which covers bowling, laser tag, billiards, virtual reality gaming and more.

Learn more: Pointe Orlando

Altitude Trampoline Park

Channel your energy and cut loose with your best flips and tricks at Altitude Trampoline Park. Located in Kissimmee near the theme parks, this attraction offers 35,000 square feet of indoor trampolines and other ways to play. Jumping starts at $19 for 60 minutes, and Altitude Safety Socks are also required at an additional cost of $3.

Learn more: Indoor Activities in Orlando

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Things to Do in Orlando for $20 or Less Per Person

Andretti Indoor Karting & Games

Featuring multi-level indoor karting just off I-Drive, Andretti Indoor Karting & Games also has bowling, a ropes course, laser tag, video games, gourmet food, two bars and other reasons to visit. Most activities are well under $20 with adult races costing $15.95 when purchased from Visit Orlando powered by BestofOrlando.com. For children ages 7 – 14 and at least 48 inches tall, junior races are $9.95 via Visit Orlando powered by BestofOrlando.com. Additional discount packages are also available.

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Kings Dining & Entertainment

At Kings Dining & Entertainment on I-Drive, you can bowl, eat and lounge in a comfortable, fun environment that also features billiards tables, foosball, an outdoor bocce court and other entertainment options. Standard bowling rates, which are per person per game, start as low as $17.

Learn more: I-Drive Must-Do’s

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens

See more than 500 animals, including rare and endangered species, as well as 23 acres of lush natural beauty at Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens in Sanford, about 35 minutes north of our tourism districts. When purchased online, admission is $19.95 for adults, $15.95 for seniors (55+), $13.95 for children ages 3 – 12, and free for kids under 3.

Learn more: Orlando Zoos & Gardens

Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour

The waterfront mansions you’ll see cost considerably more than the narrated Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour itself, which is $16 for adults and $8 for kids ages 2 – 12, with group rates available. You can also learn about the area’s history from the passionate, friendly tour guides while witnessing the waterways, natural scenery and wildlife of this charming city, located about 25 minutes north of our tourism districts.

Learn more: Winter Park Virtual Tour

Orlando Museum of Art

Besides showcasing local, national and international works of art, Orlando Museum of Art has a Discovery Center for children, ensuring something for everyone in your family or group. Admission is $20 for adults, $12 for seniors (60+), $10 for college students with valid ID, $8 for children ages 6 – 17, and free for active or retired military personnel with valid ID and kids under 6. They’re in Loch Haven Park just north of downtown Orlando, about 20 minutes from our main tourism districts.

Learn more: Orlando Arts & Entertainment

SAK Comedy Lab

On select nights, laugh at improvisational comedy sketches, scenes and songs at SAK Comedy Lab in downtown Orlando, where most performances are family friendly. (Check with their website to see if an event has any recommended age restrictions.) You might even get invited to be an active participant in the fun! Tickets usually range from $5 to $20, and some shows grant free admission if you have a ticket from a previous SAK event.

Learn more: Orlando Comedy Clubs

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Things to Do in Orlando for $15 or Less Per Person

Lake Eola Park Swan Boat Rentals

To hear many people tell it, no visit to Orlando is complete without taking one of these beauties for a spin. View downtown Orlando’s gorgeous Lake Eola Park from the water and see the famous Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain up close by renting a pedal-powered swan boat, which can seat up to five people at a cost of $15 per boat. (Heads up that they only accept debit or credit.) Rentals are available up to 30 minutes before closing from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting.

Learn more: Downtown Orlando

Themed Mini-Golf

Putt your way through mountain caves, over footbridges and under waterfalls on two 18-hole, pirate-themed courses at Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf on International Drive. When purchased from Visit Orlando powered by BestofOrlando.com, each 18-hole course is $10.50 for adults and $9 for kids. Replays can be enjoyed for $9.95. Coming in at more than $15 each but less than $20, other nicely priced places to putt include Congo River Golf in Kissimmee ($15.99 10+/$13.99 under 10 for 18 holes) and Hollywood Drive-In Golf at Universal CityWalk, part of Universal Orlando Resort ($18.99 10+/$16.99 under 10 for 18 holes).

Save on discount tickets: Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf

Harry P. Leu Gardens

Three miles of paved, scenic walkways wind through a beautiful, cultivated, 50-acre oasis at the lakefront Harry P. Leu Gardens, just north of downtown Orlando in the Audubon Park Garden District. In addition to more than 40 diverse plant collections from all over the world, it features a butterfly garden and a house museum that dates to the 1800s. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for kids ages 4 – 17, $10 for active military and veterans with valid ID, and free for children under 4.

Learn more: Orlando Neighborhoods

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Things to Do in Orlando for $10 or Less Per Person

Fun Spot America

Presenting family-friendly, amusement-park fun at its I-Drive and Kissimmee locations, Fun Spot America offers a-la-carte pricing via the pay-as-you-go Fun E-Card. What’s more, most attractions at both locations are $5 to $10 each, and admission is always free. If you want to make a full day of Fun Spot, consider a single-day pass. They provide unlimited rides and are available from Visit Orlando powered by BestofOrlando.com for $54.95.

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West Orange Trail Bikes & Blades Co.

Stretching from Winter Garden in the south to Apopka in the north, the paved, 22-mile West Orange Trail is one of Central Florida’s most scenic paths with ample amenities along the way — including playground equipment. You can explore it by bicycle on an hourly, daily and weekly basis with fees starting at $9 per hour when you rent from Winter Garden’s West Orange Trail Bikes & Blades Co., about 20 minutes west of our tourism districts. Hotel delivery and group tours are also offered at an additional cost, and child trailer rentals are available for kids who can’t keep up with Mom and Dad.

Learn more: Winter Garden

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

You won’t find a more comprehensive collection of works by American artist Louis Comfort Tiffany than at The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in the heart of Winter Park. In addition to Tiffany’s signature glasswork, exhibits include his pottery, jewelry and even paintings. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors (60+) and $1 for students with valid ID. Kids under 12 are free.

Learn more: Winter Park

Orange County Regional History Center & Heritage Square Park

At this Smithsonian Institution affiliate in downtown Orlando, explore 12,000 years of Central Florida history through a variety of exhibits and programs spread over four floors of a historic, 1927 courthouse. Pricing for the Orange County Regional History Center is $8 for adults; $7 for students and military with valid ID, plus seniors (55+); $6 for kids ages 5 – 12; and free for children under 5. You can also get free admission from 5 – 8 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Admission to the adjacent Heritage Square Park, which features eye-catching statuary, is always free.

Learn more: Orlando Museums & Galleries

Voicemap: Orlando’s Historical Highlights Walking Tour

Meet the cattle barons, citrus farmers, gunslingers and NASA engineers who put Orlando on the map long before Walt Disney came to town. Presented by Voicemap for Apple and Android devices and priced at $5.99, Orlando’s Historical Highlights Walking Tour takes about an hour to complete. It will guide you past established landmarks such as the Orlando Public Library, Lake Eola Park and Church Street Station, as well as numerous downtown restaurants and bars — feel free to take as many breaks as you wish along the way.

Learn more: Orlando History

Natural Springs

Looking for a really wild time? Dive into the natural world of Central Florida’s gorgeous, crystal-blue, freshwater springs, where swimming, hiking, and amazing flora and fauna — including manatees — await. Standouts such as Blue Spring State Park, De Leon Springs State Park, Rock Springs Run State Preserve at Kelly Park, and Wekiwa Springs State Park are within an hour north of Orlando’s core. Entry starts at $6 per vehicle. Numerous amenities and upgrades are also available, including picnic facilities, pavilions, campsites and more. Paid kayak tours are another option, including those from Adventures in Florida, Epic Paddle Adventures, and Get Up and Go Kayaking.

Learn more: Orlando’s Natural Springs

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Things to Do in Orlando for $5 or Less Per Person

Old Town

Minutes from Walt Disney World® Resort, Old Town recreates the look and feel of a classic Florida town with 18 acres of tree-lined brick streets that are home to more than 70 affordable shops and restaurants. Best of all, admission is free — as are weekly events such as classic car shows and live music. Numerous reasonably priced attractions are also available, both in Old Town itself and the adjacent Fun Spot America, including some activities that are $5 or less.

Learn more: Beyond the Parks

Still More Attractions at ICON PARK®

Get your game on in style at In the Game ICON Park. In addition to affordably priced games — most of which will cost you considerably less than $5 — this indoor attraction has a mirror maze, escape room, X-D motion theater and virtual-reality experience, all priced between $12 to $20. (And players, take note: The more game credits you buy at once, the more you save.) Or, take a whirl on the Carousel on the Promenade, a hand-crafted masterpiece that costs just $5 per person.

The Mennello Museum of American Art

Close to downtown Orlando in Loch Haven Park, view artist Earl Cunningham’s creations and contemporary American folk art at The Mennello Museum of American Art. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors (60+), and $1 for students with valid ID and children ages 6 – 17. Admission is free for kids under 6, as well as for active and retired military personnel and their families. Plus, every second Sunday of the month is Free Family Fun Day.

Learn more: Unique Public Parks in Orlando

In addition to the low-cost and free attractions and experiences featured here, Orlando offers even more fun, no-cost activities for all ages. Of particular note are a wealth of museums and galleries with no-cost or donation-based admission.

Learn more: Free Things to Do in Orlando