Orlando can be an expensive destination! Theme park tickets, meals, hotels can all eat into your budget and make you feel like your pockets must have holes in them the the money is just falling out!
If you are looking for a cheap, low key afternoon of escape from theme park induced madness (or looking for off the beaten path Orlando), check out these cheap ideas to get out of the city and enjoy some wine, citrus fruits and a touch of nature!
Your first stop on this adventure is the Showcase of Citrus, located west of Orlando in Clermont, FL. If you have never tasted fresh citrus fruit, you are in for a real treat. Fresh Florida citrus fruit is nothing like the bland citrus that gets shipped to the rest of the country.
In addition to being able to purchase citrus fruit and other local specialty items (honey, alligator meat, hot boiled peanuts and other delicacies) you can fish, feed farm animals, take a 4 X 4 eco safari, enjoy free music (select nights), and pick your own fruit. This is a great place to stop with kids – the activities could keep them happy and occupied for hours!
Pick up some fruit, fresh squeezed juice and other munchies – you will need them for a picnic later!
Continue north until you arrive at Lakeridge Winery. Tour the beautiful vineyards and find out about the special Muscadine grapes that are grown here (they are bred to withstand Florida’s humid climate and their juice has special health benefits!)
Enjoy a tasting in their tasting room. When you are done, make sure to pick out a bottle or two to take for your picnic at your next stop…
Lake Louisa State Park is a beautiful place to escape the craziness of Orlando and get into nature. Enjoy your picnic lunch while you immerse yourself in Florida’s unique ecosystem.
After lunch, take a hike, or go swimming in Lake Louisa in the summer months. Rent a canoe or kayak for a trip around the lake. Relax and take a deep breath before you return to the excitement of the theme park capitol of the world.
What are your favorite tips for finding off the beaten path Orlando?
