After paying the surging airline ticket prices, or a small fortune in gasoline for a road trip, no one wants to break the bank after they arrive at their vacation destination. A visit to Polk County will be one you remember for the rest of your life - and not because you will be paying it back for that long either! There are so many things to do in Central Florida for free and for under $10 that you can easily enjoy an action-packed, enjoyable family vacation without spending a fortune.

In addition to the expensive theme parks, vacationers are often surprised to learn that Central Florida is home to many free attractions as well. In fact, there are so many fun things to do in Central Florida that are absolutely free, your family could enjoy an entire vacation without paying a cent for your daily entertainment.

Explore Florida's Ecosystems

One of your first stops on your vacation has to be the Circle B Bar Reserve and Polk's Nature Discovery Center. Admission is free to this beautiful attraction, with includes a sprawling protected landscape on an immense 1,297 acres. Circle B Bar Reserve features diverse ecosystems ranging from oak forests to freshwater and hardwood marshes to the pristine lake shore of Lake Hancock.

Indoor and outdoor exhibits showcase Polk County's wildlife and wilderness hands-on with monthly workshops. Spacious aquariums feature the breadth of Florida's aquatic plants and animals. Hikers, walkers, and bird watchers will be amazed by the paths and trails available as they spot the great birds such as the blue heron and bald eagle, and maybe even the occasional alligator! This protected land is the perfect free Central Florida attraction for anyone who loves anything and everything outdoors.

Free, Tasty Delights

You've seen the commercials on TV and the cartons in your supermarket; Florida's Natural Grove House features the famous growing grounds for America's best citrus. Enjoy a tour of the grove, exhibitions of the area's citrus industry, and of course sampling and tasting - all for free.

You can continue your free food experience at the Chalet Suzanne Restaurant and Country Inn, featuring a soup cannery tour. Learn the history of the "moon soup" that was taken aboard the Apollo 15 space flight to the moon, and take some home for yourself or for others.

If your sweet tooth is starting to ache, one of the sweetest Central Florida attractions is found at Davidson's of Dundee. Here you can witness citrus candy being made with wooden paddles on marble slabs as seen on the Food Network and the Home Shopping Network. Davidson's of Dundee makes amazing marmalade from their own fresh grown and packed citrus fruits, which are a delectable delight shipped across the US and Canada.

Flowers, Parks & More

After indulging in the fruits of the citrus industry, Hollis Garden is another "must see" stop on the free Central Florida attractions tour. Hollis Garden is a 1.2-acre botanical garden located on historic Lake Mirror that showcases over 10,000 flowering plants, shrubbery, trees, and herbs - all for free. The garden tells Florida's history in its design from the state's agrarian roots to its modern botanical aesthetic. Additionally, nearby Barnett Family Park is a playful wonderland for children and a curious sculpture ground for adults, perfect for the whole family.

Fun Family Hiking

After Hollis Garden, gather the family together again and hike Trek Ten Trails. The Ten Trails program is a family event to hike ten of fifteen trails over the course of the year, highlighting the local wildlife and landscapes. Each trail has a hidden geocache that you can find with a GPS unit and mark its coordinates as a proof that you completed the trail. Even if you don't have a GPS, you can have a scrapbook stamped as you complete the trails. Geocache hunting at Trek Ten Trails is an exciting and fun activity for the entire family.

Cultural Activities For The Whole Family

In addition to the wonderful natural Central Florida attractions, there are plenty of free cultural attractions to enjoy and enrich your vacation, too. Head to Florida Southern College where you can take a tour of the peerless architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright that comprises the campus. Visit the "Child of the Sun" Visitor Center and Esplanade Gift Shop to learn why this unique architecture distinguishes the campus from any other college in the country.

Additionally, escape into the 19th century at Homeland Heritage Park where you will be surrounded by the lifestyle from those early pioneer days. Visit a 1800s farmhouse, school, and church as you experience the past.

To round out your cultural tour, in historic Bartow lies the Polk County Historical Museum & Genealogical Library nestled in a 1908 courthouse. Trace your family history as the courthouse houses one of the largest historical and genealogical libraries in the southeastern United States.

Free, Spooky Fun

One final free attraction that you can't miss is a little different than what you might be expecting. Spook Hill is a Lake Wales legend where gravity seems to work in reverse. If you put your car in neutral at the right spot on the hill, you will roll uphill...or will you? The legend states that an Indian village was plagued by frequent alligator attacks. The warrior chief killed the great gator in a battle that created a lake in the landscape. The chief was later buried on the north shore of the lake, and ever since strange things happened in the area. Travelers as far back as pony express mail riders noticed that their horses had trouble walking downhill, and even today cars seemingly can coast uphill against gravity. You will just have to find out for yourself!

For those families that visit Polk County and want to enjoy an extended stay, there are even more things to do in Central Florida for under ten dollars. Most of these attractions are usually free for children and offer reduced rates for entire families, seniors, and teenagers. Where most attractions and theme parks can cost over $50 per person, these activities will fill your day with fun and keep your wallet full, too.

Boating, Fishing & Camping At Lake Kissimmee State Park

At $4 per vehicle, Lake Kissimmee State Park is a steal. This 5,930-acre park was once Indian lands and was an ideal place to live for hundreds of years due to its abundance of fish and game. Today, you can enjoy some of the best Florida fishing in Lake Kissimmee, the third largest lake in the state. Boating on the lake is of course allowed and is the best way to experience the lake and its fishing. With so many fun activities available, your family will probably want to stay at the park for a long time to experience everything it has to offer. Luckily, at the park you can also find amazing Florida campgrounds and one of the best RV parks in Central Florida.

Even if you are just making a day trip, the park offers clean, secluded, and scenic picnicking. Bird watchers and lovers among your family will be awe inspired by the range of birds that are all around you day and night. Hiking through the park's 13 miles of trails could be a full time job all by itself. Any nature lover or photographer will be dazzled by this state park and find nearly limitless pleasure in the endless beauty nestled in and around the lake. Additionally, hidden at Lake Kissimmee State Park is Cow Camp, a throwback to life in the area in 1876. Hear the history of the area from the perspective of a 19th century cow hunter and let the lake's story come to life.

Explore The Beauty Of Bok Tower Gardens

From the raw beauty of unaltered nature to the sculpted harmony of a botanical garden, visit Bok Tower Gardens. One of Florida's original tourist venues, world-renowned Bok Tower Gardens is a national landmark with more than 128 acres of manicured gardens. Located at the highest point in the peninsular part of the state, the garden was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead Jr. to delight the senses and present an astonishing aesthetic beauty. The gardens feature a spiraling bell tower that houses a massive carillon, or a set of cast-bronze bells that can be struck and played to produce a melody.

Also on the grounds is the historic Bok Sanctuary. The Olmstead gardens in the sanctuary were grown to attract butterflies to the area. It succeeds spectacularly, with over 50 varieties of magnificent butterflies that frequent the garden to delight your eyes with their amazing colors and patterns. After relishing in the beauty that nature provides, you can also enjoy a light dinner to make your day among the gardens complete.

Family Activities Soar At Local Museums

Florida has a rich history of flight and space flight. With the space shuttle launch station at Cape Canaveral, the state is a hub for powered flight. Explore that history at the Florida Air Museum at Sun ‘n Fun. The museum has been designated as the state's official aviation museum and education center due to its amazing displays. Come find a variety of aircraft on exhibit from classic designs, war planes, antiques as well as one-of-a-kind designs and unique ultra light aircrafts. However, there is more to the museum than just aircraft displays. It is also a living memorial to the history of aviation and Florida's contribution to that history. It is a tribute to the history and joy of flight highlighting pioneers such as Howard Hughes, the Tuskeegee Airmen, early air racers, and countless Floridians that have influenced the world of aviation.

The Polk Museum of Art is another low cost, family-friendly activity to enjoy. As one of the state's top ten art museums, this unique establishment features a dynamic event calendar and diverse exhibition schedule. Admission is only $5 for adults, and children and students are free.

After the Florida Air Museum and Polk Museum of Art, you'll want to make one final museum stop - and this one is for the kids. Explorations V Children's Museum will capture the imagination and attention of any child. The museum is "please touch," so every child, and even the adults, will have a great time interacting with the exhibits. The museum themes feature fun and learning in any area that could excite your child, from math and science to culture and life skills.

Before you leave Polk County, make sure you enjoy all it has to offer. This will be one vacation where you can truly afford to do it all!