Picturesque Places in Central Florida to Visit Under $15
Hi Everyone! I don't think I was clear about this but I live in Central Florida and I'm balling on a budget. I love seeing beautiful places and many people visit Florida for vacation, When I first moved here I was looking for places to visit that weren't super expensive and I can also take amazing pictures. Sometimes, I just needed a place that felt different from the everyday to recharge and feel like I was on a mini vacation for the day. So now I'm returning the favor to the universe, here is my list of places to visit in Florida:
#1 Hollis Gardens
This place is so Beautiful! I love it because it is so unexpected right in the middle of downtown Lakeland, FL and off the main street. It has free parking and you can just walk in. People get married there, is it so pretty. They have a building that is call magnolia for festivities. There is also a little area with koi fish that is pretty cute. I think it would be a cute place to have a picnic or go on a date. There are also many restaurants and bars in the area that will help with that too. Plus, it is a nice place to take a walk. It is set up like a botanical garden and has many places to take beautiful pictures. The grounds are gorgeous and if you want want to get some exercise you can walk or run around lake mirror which is right next to Hollis Gardens and there are many ducks and swans in the area and if you get close enough you can see turtles and fish in the water.
#2 Disney Boardwalk
I went to Disney Boardwalk with my friend to eat dinner. It is attached to one of Disney's resorts but is so cute because you can walk through the old hotel and there are many restaurants there. What I found most beautiful about it was when the sun was setting the way the sun hits the water and everything looks so majestic while you are sit on one the beaches looking out over the pond. At night, everything is lit up! It looks so pretty and lively. You can also see the firework around 9 pm from Magic Kingdom looking over the water. It was a random surprise but we had such a great time taking pictures and looking around at the shops and restaurants plus everyone else is having a great time because they are on vacation. So soak up those vacay vibes!
#3 Indian Rocks Beach
My husband and I accidentally discovered this beach the first time we came down to Florida to visit his brother who was stationed in Tampa. We just wanted some alone time and I was dying to go the a Florida beach so we went searching for parking and found this beach that had it's own parking, you do have to pay but it's only a couple of bucks and the views are great! I love going to this beach because i feel like you can walk forever and not hit deep water. It is also so warm and and the water so blue. We headed out to the beach with our umbrella and chairs, then after crossed the street and ate at this Chicago pizza place that was so delicious! I have taken my sister here and it made her consider moving to Florida. I also brought my nieces and it was nice because I didn't have to worry about the water being too deep and they can play without me having to worry about huge waves since the water is so clam on the west side of FL.
#4 Bok Tower
This was so random, but such a good time. There are trails, a mansion you can tour if you get there on time, and you can hear the chimes of the Bok Tower. I love going to botanical gardens and it was so cute there is a play ground for kids and even a nature watch room where you can maybe see an alligator. There are so many plants and history in this place. I think the best part was making it to the Bok Tower seeing the Koi pond surrounding it and seeing the view of the orange orchards below. It is the highest point in Florida so It feels like you are on a mini mountain. It is such a lovely place to go on a date or hang out with family bring your lunch. It is a lot to walk through so bring some good shoes, but totally worth that view!
#5 Fort De Soto
The first time I went to Fort De Soto it was suggest by a family member and we went with my sister in law there was like seven of us that went- it was great! This is a state park so i want to say it is a $5 donation, but I love this place. It is so private and it had a wildlife feel to it with a mix of activities for families such as bike trails, dog park, restrooms, kayaking, camping, picnic areas, and so much more. I love taking pictures here. This place has a lot of wildlife mainly birds, but we have seen dolphins every now and then. Even on cloudy days this place is so gorgeous without even trying and the water is crystal clear. This is an all day activity so have fun, there are concession stands, but if you are balling on a budget enjoy one of the picnic areas and bring your own food. If you are feeling adventurous there is the Egmont Key Ferry ride where you can go snorkeling and maybe see manatees or sea turtles. This is such a great place and every time I go I feel like I discover more.
Glad I could share the fun picturesque places I love in central Florida. I think the greatest thing is that you can visit some of these places for free. I hope you get to visit some of these locations whether you live in Florida or coming from out of town. The nice thing is that a lot of these places don't have huge crowds depending on the type of day. I hope you have a relaxing experience and if you do get a chance to explore these places, Let me know in the comments below what you think?
#1 Hollis Gardens
This place is so Beautiful! I love it because it is so unexpected right in the middle of downtown Lakeland, FL and off the main street. It has free parking and you can just walk in. People get married there, is it so pretty. They have a building that is call magnolia for festivities. There is also a little area with koi fish that is pretty cute. I think it would be a cute place to have a picnic or go on a date. There are also many restaurants and bars in the area that will help with that too. Plus, it is a nice place to take a walk. It is set up like a botanical garden and has many places to take beautiful pictures. The grounds are gorgeous and if you want want to get some exercise you can walk or run around lake mirror which is right next to Hollis Gardens and there are many ducks and swans in the area and if you get close enough you can see turtles and fish in the water.
#2 Disney Boardwalk
I went to Disney Boardwalk with my friend to eat dinner. It is attached to one of Disney's resorts but is so cute because you can walk through the old hotel and there are many restaurants there. What I found most beautiful about it was when the sun was setting the way the sun hits the water and everything looks so majestic while you are sit on one the beaches looking out over the pond. At night, everything is lit up! It looks so pretty and lively. You can also see the firework around 9 pm from Magic Kingdom looking over the water. It was a random surprise but we had such a great time taking pictures and looking around at the shops and restaurants plus everyone else is having a great time because they are on vacation. So soak up those vacay vibes!
#3 Indian Rocks Beach
My husband and I accidentally discovered this beach the first time we came down to Florida to visit his brother who was stationed in Tampa. We just wanted some alone time and I was dying to go the a Florida beach so we went searching for parking and found this beach that had it's own parking, you do have to pay but it's only a couple of bucks and the views are great! I love going to this beach because i feel like you can walk forever and not hit deep water. It is also so warm and and the water so blue. We headed out to the beach with our umbrella and chairs, then after crossed the street and ate at this Chicago pizza place that was so delicious! I have taken my sister here and it made her consider moving to Florida. I also brought my nieces and it was nice because I didn't have to worry about the water being too deep and they can play without me having to worry about huge waves since the water is so clam on the west side of FL.
#4 Bok Tower
This was so random, but such a good time. There are trails, a mansion you can tour if you get there on time, and you can hear the chimes of the Bok Tower. I love going to botanical gardens and it was so cute there is a play ground for kids and even a nature watch room where you can maybe see an alligator. There are so many plants and history in this place. I think the best part was making it to the Bok Tower seeing the Koi pond surrounding it and seeing the view of the orange orchards below. It is the highest point in Florida so It feels like you are on a mini mountain. It is such a lovely place to go on a date or hang out with family bring your lunch. It is a lot to walk through so bring some good shoes, but totally worth that view!
#5 Fort De Soto
The first time I went to Fort De Soto it was suggest by a family member and we went with my sister in law there was like seven of us that went- it was great! This is a state park so i want to say it is a $5 donation, but I love this place. It is so private and it had a wildlife feel to it with a mix of activities for families such as bike trails, dog park, restrooms, kayaking, camping, picnic areas, and so much more. I love taking pictures here. This place has a lot of wildlife mainly birds, but we have seen dolphins every now and then. Even on cloudy days this place is so gorgeous without even trying and the water is crystal clear. This is an all day activity so have fun, there are concession stands, but if you are balling on a budget enjoy one of the picnic areas and bring your own food. If you are feeling adventurous there is the Egmont Key Ferry ride where you can go snorkeling and maybe see manatees or sea turtles. This is such a great place and every time I go I feel like I discover more.
* I have never been in water so clear
*even on bad days it's beautiful
Glad I could share the fun picturesque places I love in central Florida. I think the greatest thing is that you can visit some of these places for free. I hope you get to visit some of these locations whether you live in Florida or coming from out of town. The nice thing is that a lot of these places don't have huge crowds depending on the type of day. I hope you have a relaxing experience and if you do get a chance to explore these places, Let me know in the comments below what you think?
Saying good bye with a double rainbow,
Marie
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