1. Salt water Fishing!!!
Any of the piers from Marathon to Key West offer great fishing spots, with the ability to catch Snapper, Grouper, Parrot fish, Doctor fish, Jacks, Permit, Pompano, Shark and Barracuda. Skyway Pier in St. Petersburg ($7.00 per person) offers Snapper, Spanish Mackerel, Grouper, and Sheephead (to name a few).
2. Universal City Walk- Orlando
Universal Studios City Walk offers many things to see and do. There’s live entertainment, bars, restaurants, and best of all, admission and parking (after 6pm) is FREE!!!
3. Disney’s Board Walk
Within walking distance to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, enjoy free entertainment, featuring comedians, and fire eaters. This is a Coney Island style boardwalk, with a huge Ferris wheel, and Lake Disney Springs is nearby- you can also get a free ferry ride!
4. Old Town- Kissimmee
Go to old town to see authentic Florida architecture from Florida’s historic past, located in Kissimmee, minutes from Disney World, there are multiple free events, including a classic car show, and live entertainment
5. Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards- Clermont
Enjoy free tours and tasting, that lasts about 45minutes. You can tour the production area, and get great views of the vineyards. Lakeridge also hosts, and sponsors free summer and winter music series.
6. Visit St. Augustine
Pay a visit to St. George Street, in the heart of historic St. Augustine, which offers quaint shops, art galleries, bistros, and gift shops, all on a pedestrian only street. It’s an experience you will never forget.
7. Fort Matanzas- St. Augustine
You can take the ferry to Rattlesnake Island and explore the fortified watch tower, built by the Spanish in 1740 to guard the southern entrance to St. Augustine. The ferry ride and entrance to the park is also free.
8. Visit any of Florida’s State Parks
State parks offer a great variety of hiking trails, fishing, bike trails, camping, boating, bird watching, and a host of other activities. Most parks have an entrance fee based either on a per person or per vehicle rate. (Per vehicle rate varies by park location, and is approximately $5.00- $10.00).
9. Fort De Soto Park- Tierra Verde
Offers biking and hiking trails, camping facilities, boat ramps, fishing, and 7 miles of pristine white beaches. There is also a ferry to Egmont Key, home to a large nature preserve (there is a cost for the ferry).
10. Beaches, beaches, beaches!!!
Parking at most beaches in Florida is free. My favorites are: Bahia Honda (in the Keys), Cocoa beach, Daytona beach, Sanibel Island, Lauderdale By The Sea, Lover’s Key, Dania Beach, Fort Myers beach, Clearwater beach, South beach…. Aah! Too many beaches to list!
