You do not need to spend much to have a great day in West Orange. Here are the best free things to do in Winter Garden, Windermere, Ocoee and Horizon West, from museums and trails to markets and holiday lights.
Free museums in downtown Winter Garden
Central Florida Railroad Museum. Admission is free at 101 S. Boyd St. It is open Tuesday to Friday from 11 AM to 3 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM. See old railroad gear and one of the biggest displays of dining car china in the Southeast. On Saturday, Nov. 21, a special event explains how railroads created time zones.
Winter Garden Heritage Museum. This free museum at 1 N. Main St. tells the story of Winter Garden and West Orange. It is a great rainy-day stop.
Free outdoor fun
Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. This 11-mile, one-way drive is free to visit. Cars can enter from 7 AM to 3 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays. More than 360 kinds of birds have been seen here. Leashed dogs are allowed. Plan for 1 to 3 hours.
Oakland Nature Preserve. Walk the boardwalk and trails at 747 Machete Trail in Oakland. The preserve is open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset. Pets are not allowed.
West Orange Trail. This paved trail runs right through downtown Winter Garden. Start downtown or at Killarney Station, 17914 State Road 438. It is open sunrise to sunset. Kids under 16 must wear a bike helmet.
Municipal Lakefront Park in Ocoee. Fish off the dock on Starke Lake at 150 N. Lakeshore Dr. The park is open from 7 AM to 10 PM. Read more in our Ocoee guide.
Downtown Interactive Fountain. Kids can splash in the fountain by the Winter Garden Farmers Market pavilion on Lakeview Avenue. The Butterfly Sculpture Park is right next door.
Free to browse: farmers markets
Winter Garden Farmers Market: Saturdays, 8 AM to 1 PM, with free live music from 9 AM to 1 PM.
Windermere Farmers Market: Fridays, 9 AM to 1:30 PM.
Homegrown Market at Hamlin: first and third Sundays, 9 AM to 1 PM.
See days, parking and tips in our farmers markets guide.
Free events coming up
Health and Harvest Festival at the Winter Garden Farmers Market: Saturday, Nov. 7, 9 AM to noon.
Thanksgiving Celebration at the Winter Garden Farmers Market: Saturday, Nov. 21, 9 AM to noon.
Light Up Winter Garden: Friday, Dec. 4, 6 to 9 PM at City Hall, 300 W. Plant St.
Jolly Jamboree and Tree Lighting in Ocoee: Saturday, Dec. 12.
Find more holiday plans in our Holiday Guide. For this week's picks, see things to do this weekend.
Cheap eats after a free day
Keep the day cheap with our Cheap Eats guide, or find a local favorite in our Hidden Gems guide.
More from West Orange Bite
Free guides: This Weekend, Farmers Markets, Best Brunch, Holiday Guide, Cheap Eats, Hidden Gems.
Towns: Winter Garden, Windermere, Ocoee, Horizon West.
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