Free & Affordable Ideas in Florida

Daytona Flea Market has been voted as one of the United States' top five markets by USA Weekend and as one of the world's best flea markets by the Travel Channel. The market, which was opened to the public in 1981, attracts over 2.5 million visitors each year to peruse more than a thousand booths held by over 600 vendors. Daytona Beach area visitors can explore the market each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during business hours, enjoying free admission and free parking on site. Delightful vendors sell antique and vintage goods, crafts, and artisan items throughout the year rain or shine, ranging from custom jewelry and home decor to gourmet coffees, teas, and pantry items. Annual special events include a monthly classic car cruise-in series and spin-and-win prize events on Saturdays.

1425 Tomoka Farms Rd, Daytona Beach, FL 32124, Phone: 386-253-3330

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is a lovely national marine sanctuary in the Florida Keys, home to the world's third-largest coral barrier reef, the Florida Reef. The sanctuary extends from the southern tip of Miami through the parts of the Dry Tortugas not contained within Dry Tortugas National Park, protecting extensive seagrass fields and mangrove forest habitats. More than 6,000 species of marine life live within the park's boundaries, most within North America's only coastal barrier reef habitat. Visitors can enjoy excellent opportunities for world-class swimming, diving, fishing, and snorkeling experiences and can explore archaeological ruins and shipwrecks under the park's waters. The lovely Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center showcases 6,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, including a full replica of the world's only underwater ocean laboratory, Aquarius.

Fort Christmas Historical Park is a lovely public park in the aptly-named town of Christmas, preserving the historic Fort Christmas military fortifications, named in honor of their date of construction beginning on Christmas Day of 1837. The fort was one of over 200 forts developed by the United States in response to the Second Seminole Indian War and remains operational as a living history facility today, showcasing seven restored historic buildings and homes that recreate the lifestyle of 19th and 20th-century Florida pioneers. A free-admission park surrounds the historic buildings, showcasing a variety of visitor amenities, including sporting courts, children's playgrounds, and fully-equipped picnic pavilions. Each year, the park hosts public special events such as the Orlando Wetlands Festival and the Florida Living History Festival.

1300 North Fort Christmas Road (C.R. 420), Christmas, FL 32709, Phone: 407-254-9312

Fort Matanzas National Monument is a designated United States national monument preserving the remains of the 1740 Spanish Fort Matanzas, which sits on 100 acres of barrier island and salt marsh lands along Florida's Atlantic coastline at the Matanzas River. The monument, which was created in 1924, is overseen in conjunction with St. Augustine's Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2008. Visitors can explore the monument's lovely visitor center and headquarters for free throughout the week, housed within a 1936 National Park Service Rustic-style historic building approximately 15 miles south of St. Augustine. Museum exhibits detail the history and use of the fort, which can also be explored as part of self-guided or guided tours. A half-mile boardwalk trail meanders through a lovely maritime forest habitat on beautiful Anastasia Island, accessible via boat from the mainland.

8635 A1A South, Saint Augustine, FL 32080, Phone: 904-471-0116

Gulf Gate Library has been named as Florida's most beautiful library facility by Tech Insider, showcasing stunning architectural design across its 25,000-square-foot campus. The library, which opened to the public in January of 2015, has been recognized by the Florida chapter of the American Institute of Architects for its unique flexible spaces and inviting design elements. Visitors can explore the library throughout the week, peruse its extensive literature and multimedia collections, and enjoy access to its technology lab and public-use computers. Unique features include two reading gardens, a spacious teen activity center, and a drive-through system for book returns. Year-round free special events include club meetings, lectures, and children's storytime events.

7112 Curtiss Ave, Sarasota, FL 34231, Phone: 941-861-1110

Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards are the largest winery facility in the state of Florida, overseen as part of the same company as the state's acclaimed San Sebastian Winery. The winery, which was opened to the public in 1989, is best known for its production of native grape wines, showcasing delicious varietals throughout the year crafted from locally-grown Welder Muscadine, Red Noble, and Bronze Carlos grapes. Traditional varietals are also showcased, including favorites like Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Grigio. Visitors can enjoy free tours and tastings each day of the week at the winery's 127-acre estate in Clermont, available for visitors ages 21 and older. Tours run every half hour throughout the morning and afternoon hours, lasting approximately 45 minutes and showcasing the history and operations of the company.

19239 US-27, Clermont, FL 34715, Phone: 352-394-8627

Mound Key Archaeological State Park spans 113 island acres along Estero Bay in the city of Estero, protecting one of the state's most important archaeological complexes, which dates back to its indigenous and early Spanish eras. The park, which is overseen as part of the Florida state park system, preserves unearthed ceremonial mounds that are believed to have served as a significant civic center for the region's Calusa indigenous people prior to the arrival of Spanish explorers in the area. Since 1970, the park has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places to preserve the sensitive mound structures. Visitors can access the park from nearby Koreshan State Historic Site or Lovers Key State Park and peruse its interactive informational trail, which details the historical significance of the mounds.

Estero, FL 33928, Phone: 239-992-0311

The Museum of Florida History is the official state history museum of Florida, located within Tallahassee's R.A. Gray Building. The museum, which was opened to the public in 1977, is open to the public for free throughout the week, housing a plethora of permanent and temporary exhibits showcasing the state's history from the prehistoric era through the modern day. Permanent exhibits include Forever Changed: La Florida, which highlights 500 years of the state's history since its settlement by Spanish explorers, and Florida Remembers World War II, which documents the state's patriotic involvement in the Second World War, including participation by women and African American citizens. A rotating gallery showcases exhibits changing every several months, many accessible only with a ticketed upcharge.

500 S Bronough St, Tallahassee, FL 32399, Phone: 850-245-6400

The National Museum of Naval Aviation is the world's largest aviation-related museum, dedicated to showcasing aircraft and memorabilia connected to the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The Pensacola museum is open to the public for free throughout the week, showcasing 300,000 square feet of indoor exhibit space and 37 acres of outdoor display space for preserved military aircraft. More than 150 restored military and civilian aircraft are showcased at the museum, including one-of-a-kind planes like the Curtiss NC-4, the first plane to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Special exhibits document the role of naval aviation in major conflicts, highlighting the stories of those who have worked in military aviation roles. For an upcharge, visitors can also enjoy daily film showings at the museum's 325-seat IMAX Theater or dine on delicious fare at the Cubi Bar Cafe, which reconstructs the bar of the former Cubi Point Officers' Club in the Philippines.

1750 Radford Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32508, Phone: 850-452-3604

Old Courthouse Heritage Museum showcases Inverness' cultural and social history in exhibits housed within the city's 1912 Old Courthouse building, which served as the Citrus County Courthouse until 1978. Today, the historic courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as the official headquarters for the Citrus County Historical Society, housing official county archives, special collections, and free-admission public exhibits. Visitors can explore the Neoclassical-style building and view exhibits connected to the city's social and cultural history, including a special exhibit documenting the 1961 filming of the Elvis Presley film Follow That Dream in the city. Other exhibits document the city's history from its prehistoric indigenous era through its pioneer days and modern citrus and film industries.

1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL 34450, Phone: 352-341-6428