When you think of Orlando hot spots, such as the theme parks and downtown bar scene, you may be thinking lots of dollar $ign$. With summer approaching, many will be searching for date ideas, but dates can get expensive, and it can be difficult make your wallet stretch all summer long. Fortunately, there are tons of cheap or free activities around the city — you just have to find them.

Hit the streets of Sanford for Alive After 5 Free The second Thursday of each month marks Alive After 5, aka AA5, in Historic Downtown Sanford. The street festival includes craft beer stands, local art, shopping and music. This is a great way to spend a summer date while celebrating the historic culture in Sanford. Full schedule here Photo via Historic Sanford Welcome Center
Jam out to free live music at Casa Feliz Free Locals are invited to enjoy Music at the Casa on Sunday afternoons from noon to 3 p.m. at Casa Feliz in Winter Park. Guests can enjoy free live entertainment and take a tour of the historic home museum. This is a great way to spend a summer Sunday with your S/O while sipping on some refreshments. Full music schedule here Photo via Casa Feliz/Facebook
Go wild at the Central Florida Zoo $25/person The Central Florida Zoo in Sanford is a great place to spend a summer day with your S/O. In addition to over 400 animals, the zoo offers events, such as Yoga at the Zoo and Night Hikes at the Zoo. At this zoo, you can feed the giraffes, and you can even adopt an animal. More information here Photo via Central Florida Zoo/Facebook
Grab a 6-pack and head to the beach for the day $10 for parking Orlando is conveniently located only about an hour away from several alcohol-friendly beaches, including Cocoa Beach and Smyrna Dunes Park. Spending some fun in the sun with your S/O at a local beach is a great way to make the most out of those summer days for cheap. You can also check out some of the local hot spots while you’re there, including the Cocoa Beach pier. Photo via Adobe
Spark your creativity at the Rollins Museum of Art Free The Rollins Museum of Art in Winter Park is another great summer spot for any art-loving couple. Admission into the museum is free, and it offers tours every Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. More information here Credit: Rollins Museum of Art
Submerge yourself in the waters of Devil’s Den $25/person Devil’s Den is a privately owned scuba diving training center in Levy County. The Den, a prehistoric scuba site, offers beautiful waters for snorkeling and scuba diving with no certification needed. Snorkeling is offered Monday through Friday for only $15 a person plus a $10 rental fee for gear. This is the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day. More information here Photo via Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring/Facebook Credit: Photo via Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring/Facebook
Grab some $1 burgers at Dexter’s $1+/person Burgers taste a little better when they’re a dollar. Head to Dexter’s in Thornton Park, Winter Park, Windermere or Lake Mary on a Tuesday to grab a few dollar burgs and some drinks with your S/O. Keep in mind that toppings, besides lettuce, will be 50 cents each, but it’s still a steal. More information here Photo via dextersfl/Instagram
Take a magical ride on Disney’s monorail Free Disney tickets can be expensive, but riding the inner monorail is not. In fact, you can ride the monorail through Disney’s Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian resorts for free. This is the perfect date if you and your S/O want to experience the magic of Disney and experience the feeling of Magic Kingdom without damaging your wallet. More information here Credit: Walt Disney World Resort
Experience one of the many downtown tours Free Downtown Orlando offers many walking tours downtown, including ghost adventure tours, cocktail tours and more. A popular tour is the Downtown Orlando Historic Tour, which is free. This tour will give you and your S/O an inside look into the history of Orlando firsthand. Whether you’re from across the country or are an Orlando local, you’re sure to learn something new on this date. More information here Photo via Adobe Credit: Photo via Adobe
Catch a cult classic at Enzian Theater 1300 Orlando Ave, Maitland Enzian Theater is known as the quirky movie and drink spot in Maitland. The single-screen cinema is perfect for a summer date night and prides itself in showing cult classics and indie films. Spend a summer night on the Enzian’s Eden Bar patio with your special someone, drink in hand. The tickets are just $12 a pop. Full movie schedule here Credit: Enzian Theater
Take a stroll through Harry P. Leu Gardens 1920 N. Forest Avenue Admission into Harry P. Leu Gardens is free on the first Monday of every month. Take a walk through the 50-acre botanical gardens for the perfect summer date. More information here Credit: Harry P. Leu Gardens/Facebook
Stomp some grapes at Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards $10/person At the Annual Harvest Grape Stomp at Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards in Clermont, for a grand total of only $20, you and your S/O can stomp grapes, visit the popular Wine & Cheese Bar, and listen to live entertainment. There will also be complimentary winery tours and wine tastings, as well as a kids zone. More information here Photo via Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards
Grab a tube and head for Kelly Park on a hot day $9-$11/person Kelly Park in Apopka offers some of the cheapest tubing fares you’ll find. Spend a lazy day floating down Rock Springs for the perfect summer date. Admission into the park is only $3 for couples, and tube launching is also $3 for 1-2 people. You can rent tubes for $3-$5 per person from vendors outside of the park. This is a great way to cool off on a hot summer afternoon. More information here Photo via Kelly Park/Rock Springs/Facebook
Check out Movieola at Lake Eola Free Movieola at Lake Eola brings the box office hits to Orlando locals for free. Grab a blanket and some snacks and head downtown to enjoy a movie on the lawn. Showings are on Friday evenings, and there are also pre-showing activities, including food vendors. You can bring your furry friends along, too! Full movie schedule here Photo via Lake Eola Park/Facebook
Cheer on Orlando City $25+/person Orlando City fans are wild and loyal. Join in on the city’s culture by attending an Orlando City Soccer game with your S/O. Don’t want to buy a ticket? Head down to Lion’s Pride Orlando to watch the game on the big screen and enjoy game-day deals on as cocktails and wine. Full schedule here Photo via Orlando City Soccer Club/Facebook
Spend a Thursday night at Orlando Museum of Art $15/person Known as “Orlando’s original art party,” every first Thursday of the month marks Orlando Museum of Art’s mix-and-mingle art event in which locals can meet local artists, listen to music, and meet other art-lovers in the community. If you and your S/O are artsy, this is the perfect date for you. You can also purchase an annual membership for free admission every month. More information here Photo via Orlando Museum of Art/Facebook
Enjoy cats and cappuccinos at the Orlando Cat Cafe $3-$5/person Any cat lover will go crazy over the Orlando Cat Cafe, located in Clermont. Spend the afternoon sipping coffee or tea to the sound of purring and adorable cats playing around you. You can even interact with the 12-15 cats that frequent the cafe and spend time with your animal-loving partner. More information here Photo via Orlando Cat Cafe/Facebook
Satisfy your sweet tooth at a local U-Pick farm $10-$15/person There are several U-Pick farms in the Orlando area, including Pappy’s Patch and Spivey Farms. There’s something satisfying about picking your own fruit, and taking your S/O to a local farm on a sunny summer afternoon makes for a great inexpensive date. Strawberry season is approaching, so you won’t want to miss out. Most farms charge around $3-$5 per pound picked. More information here Photo via Pappy’s Patch/Facebook
Stargaze at the Seminole State College planetarium $6/person The Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust Planetarium at Seminole State College offers both full-dome presentations and live interactive shows to propel you and your date into the astronomy of the world around us. The planetarium does take a short summer hiatus, so make sure to check show times before going. Full show schedule here Photo via Emil Buehler Planetarium/Facebook
Book a tee time at Putting Edge, Orlando’s neon mini-golf spot $12.50/person Mini-golf is a classic summer date. However, Putting Edge packs a punch by adding neon to the mix. This is also a great double-date option, since the course allows up to four players per group. You also have the option of purchasing a summer pass that grants you free unlimited play all summer long. More information here Photo via Putting Edge Orlando
Share a laugh at SAK Comedy Lab downtown $5+/person Enjoy some improv downtown at the popular SAK Comedy Lab. SAK offers hilarious skits by graduates of SAK classes, current students and SAK pros, as well as “Throw Down!” shows in which grads, students and pros battle it out on the stage. This is a great date night idea, because those who laugh together, stay together. Full show schedule here T IS DIS Photo via SAK Comedy Lab/Facebook
Catch a drive-in flick at Silver Moon $5/person Drive-in movies are both romantic and nostalgic. Grab your special someone and head to Lakeland for the night to catch a movie on the big screen from the comfort of your car at Silver Moon Drive-In. This drive-in theater offers current box office hits on two different screens nightly for less than half the price you’d pay at a traditional theater. Full movie schedule here Photo via Silver Moon Drive-In Theater/Facebook
Grab a milkshake at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium in Universal’s City Walk $12.50/person The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen opened in Universal Orlando’s City Walk in 2016. It has since turned heads known for its gourmet milkshakes, including the “Heavenly Hazelnut” milkshake, infused with Nutella, and the “Marshmallow Crisp” milkshake, loaded with Rice Krispies. Grab a straw or two and enjoy these milkshakes with your special someone. Full dessert menu here Photo via Universal Orlando Resort
Tee up at Twin Rivers Golf Club $20-$30/person Spend the day playing 18 at Twin Rivers Golf Club. A day on the course is a great way to spend some quality time with your partner while enjoying the summer sun. Located in Oviedo, Twin Rivers is recognized as one of the most challenging courses in Central Florida, which can spark some fun competition. More information here Photo via Twin Rivers Golf Club/Facebook
Hop on a romantic boat cruise in Winter Park $14/person The city of Winter Park is known for its scenic trails, colorful parks, and impressive homes. What better way to spend the day with your special someone than enjoying these views from a boat cruise? These narrated boat tours run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Sunday and will take you past the Kraft Azalea Gardens, Isle of Sicily and more. Full schedule here Photo via Scenic Boat Tours