If you read our latest travel guide, you know that we went to Orlando in June.
We filled our trip with tons of activities that didn't have anything thing to do with theme parks. Yes, we didn't visit Epcot or Magic Kingdom! You can see the comprehensive itinerary here. While our travel guide was fantastic (the bomb af actually!), it wasn't necessarily cheap. For example, our surf/paddle board lesson with Olympian Ryan Ragan cost $90 per person. That is not cheap!
To make the most out of your trip to Florida, we thought it would be helpful to put together a one-day guide that is 1) cheap and 2) highlights must-see attractions in Orlando.
Check out the guide below for cheap activities to do in Orlando! We included restaurants (vegan-friendly), entertainment, tours, and beaches to help you get the most out of your vacation. *We stayed at Reunion Resort in Kissimmee and commuted. We highly recommend this resort for your stay. The amenities are 5-star, and the service is fantastic *Note: You will need a car or another method of transportation to get around.
Day 1 – Daytona Beach and Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse
7:30 am - Breakfast: Interested in vegan donuts?! Head to Valhalla Bakery for vegan for donuts, muffins and more ($3)
9:30 am – Activity 1: Soak up the sun and Drive to Lighthouse Point Park - Ponce Inlet. This is a beach near Daytona - only the locals know about it! You will see many surfers riding the waves. How to get there: From Daytona Beach, drive south on Atlantic Avenue all the way to the end, it is about 9 miles. You can use the beach ramp for cars at Beach Street, or you can enter the park and use the paved parking lot. Bring money to self-park ($5)
12:00 pm - Lunch: Head to Hidden Treasure and have lunch right on the beach in Ponce Inlet. Enjoy this tiki bar on the inlet for steaks, seafood & pasta. Vegan options are available ($15)
1:30 pm – Activity 3: Next to Hidden Treasure, you’ll find The Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse. This lighthouse is also a museum! The structure is 175 feet in height and is the tallest lighthouse in the state…one of the tallest in the United States! (Free)
3:30 pm – Activity 4: Head to College Park to do light shopping and see murals painted on walls. This distinct neighborhood within the city of Orlando, Florida, derives its name from the many streets within its bounds that were named for institutions of higher learning such as Princeton, Harvard, and Yale. My school, Vassar College, is listed!!! (FREE)
6:00 pm – Dinner: Enjoy Spanish inspired entrees at Café Tu Tu Tango in Orlando. We love this place because it has live entertainment and the artists paint as you eat. The white sangria is delicious. Vegan options are available ($20)
Total: $40 tax and gas not included
Thanks for reading this Cheap Travel Guide to One-Day in Orlando!
What recommendations do you want to try? Let me know in the comments below!
Until Next Time,
Tay
“Your life is happening now. Make it amazing!”
