A trip to Orlando doesn't have to break the bank

(ARA) - Visitors to Orlando can find plenty of activities that only require a good, sturdy pair of walking shoes and potentially a camera if you want to document your trip.

Consider starting with the beautiful gardens that thrive in Florida's tropical climate. A World of Orchids is in Kissimmee, which is just a short drive from Orlando hotels. In this conservatory, you'll find flowers and tropical plants from all across the world.

If you're into wacky and weird events, investigate whether the legend of Spook Hill in Lake Wales really is true. This community has a sign posted near a line on North Wales Drive, or 5th Street. The sign directs drivers to put the car in neutral while stopped on the line, and then watch as the car rolls uphill. Spook Hill first got its name from the mail carriers who noticed their horses were laboring while going downhill.

Children might enjoy watching alligators being fed at Black Hammock Adventures on Lake Jesup east of Orlando and just north of Oviedo. Sunday afternoons, weather permitting, is when the gators are fed, including the oldest resident, Hammy, who has his own cage near the lakeside docks. Lake Jesup itself has many bird species living on it. Challenge your family members to be the first to spot a bald eagle soaring over the water in search of fish.

Or enjoy a trip back in time with a stroll down Disney's Boardwalk, which is west of the Epcot Theme park and north of Hollywood Studios theme park in Orlando. This village was built with the 1930s in mind, but some of the activities are authentic. For example, the miniature carousel that you can find in the Boardwalk Inn lobby was built in the 1920s by M.C. Illions, who was a manufacturer and designer of carousels. While taking in the beautiful setting on Crescent Lake, you can window-shop in the more than 9,000 square feet of stores, or catch some of the free shows given by street performers. Since Disney is centrally located for Orlando hotels, you won't have to travel far to find the Boardwalk.

One Orlando-area destination you don't want to miss is Fleaworld, America's largest fleamarket. Not only can you browse the shops with odd knickknacks, but there are free shows at the Funworld Pavilion. Check out the schedule at www.fleaworld.com.

If you have a car enthusiast in your family, you'll want to be sure to catch The Saturday Night Cruise in Old Town in Kissimmee. Cars from 1974 and earlier start lining up at 1 p.m. every Saturday, and cruise through Old Town at 8:30 p.m. You'll see hot rods, street rods, classics and even some antiques go past, and there is free, live music on the main stage starting at 7 p.m. If bikes are more your thing, Thursday is Bike Night, when the hogs, choppers and individually customized bikes come out for an evening of fun. If you do want to spend a little money, Old Town also has plenty of amusement rides and dining options to keep you entertained.

Don't let the worry of empty pockets keep you from enjoying Orlando on your next vacation, because there are plenty of free opportunities to keep everyone in your family entertained. And most of them are just a short drive from Orlando hotels, allowing you to schedule more activities into your trip.

Courtesy of ARAcontent