25 Things to do in Orlando for $25 or Less in 2025
The words "Orlando entertainment" may conjure images of the city's grand theme parks.
Which begs the thought, hefty ticket prices.
But if you're looking for fun things to do in Orlando that won't break the bank, you're in luck. We found countless fun and affordable ways to stay entertained in The City Beautiful.
Whether you've always been a fan of budget travel, or you have made a recent New Year's resolution to save money, we've got you covered.
Dive into savings with these 25 things to do in Orlando for $25 or less.
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Enjoy a fun-filled day seeing more than 350 animals at this stunning spot in Central Florida. Among the captivating creatures you can see is a luscious botanical garden. It features native plants, wildflowers, and colorful butterflies fluttering from flower to flower.
Tickets to the Central Florida Zoo are $21.95 for adults, $16.95 for children (ages 3 – 12) and free for children under 2, when purchased online.
Max Action Arena
Unleash your inner adventurer at this action-packed event venue. There are plenty of activities for you to enjoy at Max Action Arena in Orlando. Hurl an axe at a wall. Finesse your skills at dart throwing or problem-solving in an escape room. Partake in one of the following activities for $25:
15-minute Extreme Virtual Reality
30-minute Axe Throwing
30-minute Action Darts
25-minute Mini Escape Room
30-minute Escape Room
Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour
Less than 10 minutes from downtown Orlando, you can glide over the waters of Lake Osceola for $20 or less per person. The Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour offers the opportunity to see swooping cranes, wading alligators, towering cypress trees, and other flora and fauna living in Central Florida. This tour is the perfect blend of adventure and leisure for you and your family.
Lake Eola Swan Boat Ride
If you're up for a touch of exercise with charming views, then you'll love taking a swan boat ride around the picturesque Lake Eola. As you pedal gently, you'll steer your own swan boat around the lake, passing by actual swans, turtles, ducks, geese, and the iconic fountain and sculptures around the park.
Enjoy a ride for yourself and up to five others, with a weight limit of 1,400 pounds, at only $15 for 30 minutes. Pets and service animals are welcome, and they have a wheelchair accessible boat, too.
Main Event Entertainment
How does an all-you-can-play experience for just $22.99 sound? Whether it's a rainy Florida day or you're just looking for some affordable and air-conditioned fun, immerse yourself in thrilling indoor activities, from bowling to laser tag, mini golf, and gravity ropes, at Main Event Entertainment in Pointe Orlando – just a seven-minute drive from Rosen Inn International.
Hollywood Drive-In Golf
If 1950s sci-fi is your jam, then this retro mini golf course must be your first stop. Located at Universal CityWalk, this premiere miniature golf experience offers two 18-hole courses with the option of testing your skills in the day or night. Pricing for ages 10 and older starts at $21.99, with military, senior, AAA, and Universal Annual Pass discounts available.
If you're planning a round or two during regular park operating hours, then take advantage of Rosen Inn International's free shuttle bus service to Universal Orlando theme parks.
Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf
Disney lovers, rejoice! This fantastical mini golf experience is $19 per adult and $12 for children aged 3 – 9 and offers family-fun for beginners and putt-putt aficionados alike.
Disney's Fantasia Fairways resembles a traditional golf course on a miniature scale, featuring sand traps, bunkers, water hazards, and more. The adjacent Fantasia Garden's Miniature Golf Course, however, is more whimsical, with tutu clad hippos, musical surprises, and other Fantasia-themed details.
Congo River Golf
Spend less time traveling and more time on the green by venturing down to Congo River Golf on International Drive, less than five minutes from Rosen Inn International. Priced at $17.99 or less per person, this safari-themed 18-hole course is sure to entertain you with its playful decorations as much as the challenge of getting the best score. From caves to waterfalls to live alligators, transport yourself to the wild without ever leaving the heart of Orlando when you take a swing at this mini-golf course.
Orlando Museum of Art
You can't go wrong with a visit to a museum whose mission is to “stimulate creativity and intellectual curiosity” through connecting you to compelling art and new ideas. The Orlando Museum of Art features rotating temporary exhibitions among permanent exhibitions, traveling shows, workshops, seminars, and education programs.
Meander through the exhibits at your own pace or opt in for a guided tour. Tickets are $20 for adults and $8 for children ages 6 – 17, with various discounts and free ticket options for certain groups and professions.
Mennello Museum of American Art
Delight in a celebration of the diversity of American Art through exhibitions, education, programs, and publications. The Mennello Museum of American Art offers a vast and vivid view of Earl Cunningham's paintings while also sharing other traditional and contemporary American Art for visitors to see and learn about. Oh, and did we mention admission is FREE?
Be sure to check out the museum's calendar of events for your chance to participate in outdoor yoga, family fundays, and other exciting activities for you to enjoy.
Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida
Deemed as “more than a museum,” this nationally and internationally recognized facility has dedicated itself to creating an inclusive community where diversity is celebrated. This nonprofit organization is open to the public free of charge, and houses educational exhibits, including Holocaust in History which offers artifacts, videos, text, photographs, artwork, and the opportunity to listen to recorded testimonies of several Holocaust Survivors who now call Central Florida home.
Starflyer ICON Park
Soar above Orlando for a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and surrounding attractions. Buy a ticket online for $12.21 plus tax and experience the thrill of this iconic 450-foot family friendly ride. Dubbed “the world's tallest stand-alone swing ride,” you can grab a partner to sit alongside you as you both rotate around the giant tower of speeds of up to 45 mph.
Harry P. Leu Gardens
Splendor in the beautiful January weather in Florida with a trip to this botanical oasis. Take a leisurely stroll through 50 acres of lush greens spotting various plant species, natural waterways, and fluttering birds, butterflies, and other natural wildlife. Guided tours are available and picnicking in the gardens is welcome. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 4 – 17. Active-duty military and children under 4 enter for free.
West Orange Bike Trail
If keeping both feet closer to the ground is more your style, then you'll love taking a leisurely bike ride through Central Florida. At the West Orange Bike Trail, you can rent a bike for $10 per hour and enjoy the peaceful, scenic trail through lush forests, serene lake, and charming neighborhoods.
While the trail extends for 22.32 miles, you can choose to ride for as long or as little as you'd like or if you'd rather skip the bike riding altogether, you can walk the trail instead (for free, of course).
VoiceMap Orlando's Historical Highlights
Wouldn't it be cool if, no matter what time you chose to go, you could take a walk around downtown Orlando while listening to a knowledgeable tour guide sharing historical tidbits and fun facts along the way? Well, with a $7.99 audio tour from VoiceMap, now you can!
This app uses GPS to play audio in real time as you navigating the 1.2-mile walk. You'll hear about established landmarks, fun historical facts, and more about Orlando.
Wekiwa Springs State Park
Outdoorsy fans, rejoice. Wekiwa Springs State Park is a picturesque choice for outdoor recreation, whether you're keen to swim in the crystal-clear springs or take a hike to spot wildlife through the lush forest. Entrance to the park is only $6 per vehicle, with a maximum of eight people per car. If you want to up your adventure to include kayaking, you'll need to pay extra for rentals.
Old Town Entertianment District
Step back in time and experience a nostalgic American town with a fun twist. You'll find everything from thrill rides to charming food and shopping opportunities inside Old Town. From a charming carousel for the little ones to an iconic Ferris wheel, there is no shortage of things to do in Old Town for guests of all ages. Admission is free to enter the park. Various attractions and meal combination ticket packages start at $15.
Disney Springs
Get your steps in while you shop, dine, and explore the vibrant atmosphere of this entertainment district. Parking and entrance to Disney Springs are both free, so you can take in the sights and do as much window shopping as you want.
The best part about free admission is that you get to choose what and how you spend your money within the entertainment complex, whether it's buying a unique gift for a loved one from a boutique or grabbing a treat at a trendy restaurant.
Lake Nona Sculpture Garden
Take advantage of the beautiful Florida weather in January and take a scenic stroll through a beautiful park filled with contemporary sculptures. Go see the Lake Nona Sculpture Garden for free and enjoy a delightful tropical paradise boasting lush landscaping and an incredible collection of world-renowned sculptures.
Orlando Wetlands
Explore a 1650-acre natural oasis with diverse wildlife at Florida's first wetlands park. Take photos of the stunning wildlife or go for a hike, a leisurely bike ride, or a guided tram tour to learn about the importance of wetlands and preservation efforts to protect these valuable habitats. Most guided tours are free, though it will depend on the day you attend and your tour group size.
Florida Mall
There's more to do than just window shopping at Central Florida's largest shopping venue. Indulge in timeless, captivating arcade games at Game Park Entertainment or try your luck on one of Gatcha's Japanese-inspired claw machines where you could win a variety of unique plushies. Games start as low as $10.
If your version of fun is more foodie or fuzzy focused, venture to Lucciano's Gelato to snack on an ice-cold treat while sitting on their trendy pink seats or into Build-a-Bear workshop to make-your-own cuddly friend.
Dezerland Park
Florida's largest indoor recreation center, spanning an incredible 850,000 square feet, is located right in the heart of Orlando. A visit to Dezerland Park means fun for the whole family, with various activities available from karting and laser tag to bumper cars, bowling, arcade games, and more.
There are several budget-friendly options to enjoy. An hour or 90-minute jump session in the trampoline park costs $22.95 or $24.95 respectively. A trip down memory lane playing in the pinball palace costs $15.98 per hour. And an hour of laser tag costs just $12.95 per person.
Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
Capture photos and take in the sights while you cruise at 10 mph in the comfort of your own vehicle on this one-way 11-mile drive. Using a smartphone or other mobile device with an internet connection will allow you to immerse yourself in this free audio experience, which will provide an overview of the restoration work as well as the plants and animals along Lake Apopka North Shore. There is no cost to enter.
Picture Show at Altamonte Springs
While you're relaxing on your Orlando vacation, why not catch up on recent cinematic experiences without paying full-cinema prices? The Picture Show at Altamonte Springs shows movies that have recently left mainstream theaters for only $1.00 (and only $0.50 on Tuesdays) so you can enjoy a tub of popcorn and watch some of Hollywood's latest productions at a fraction of the price.
Enjoy Things to Do at Rosen Inn International
The best and most affordable entertainment in Orlando can often be the one that requires no extra travel at all!
When you stay at Rosen Inn International, you can delight in a range of activities and things to do right in the comfort of your hotel. Enjoy fun games in our video arcade room, take a dip in our two seasonally heated pools, or test your skills in a round of billiards at our Topsy Turvey Lounge.
Reserve a room and relish all the budget-friendly entertainment Orlando has to offer.
*Please note: prices in this article are accurate as of time of publishing and may change over time.