The 23 best (and cheap) things to do in the Orlando area while wearing a bathing suit

Grab some brews at the Beach Shack

42906, 1 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL (321) 783-2250
While Beach Shack does not offer food, it is admired by locals and out-of-towners, or “shoobies,” for dishing up cold drinks, live music and a front row seat for the beach. Any fan of blues, booze and beaches will be treated like a local here - you don’t have to be from Cocoa to enjoy the festivities.
Photo via broshark/Instagram

Tube down Rock Springs Run

30601 County Road 433, Sorrento, FL (407) 884-2009
The free-flowing springs at Kelly Park’s Rock Springs Run make for some great tubing trips. Bring your own tube or rent one from a vendor outside the park for cheap. Entrance into the park is $3 per car holding 1-2 people and $5 per car holding 3-8 people. The launch fee is also $3 for 1-2 people and $5 for 3-8 people.
Photo via slwoodruff/Instagram

Spend the day oceanside at The Beach Bucket

867 S Atlantic Ave, Ormond Beach, FL (386) 308-1134
The Beach Bucket offers the perfect dining experience in paradise. Diners can enjoy the sights and sounds of Daytona and Ormond Beaches with prime oceanside seating and order $2.50 bottled beers. To top it off, there is live entertainment every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Photo via tiffiny_with_an_i/Instagram

Hop on a boat tour at Cracker Creek

1795 Taylor Rd, Port Orange, FL (386) 304-0778
Cracker Creek offers both one hour boat tours and customizable boat tours to fit any of your needs. Ride down the scenic Spruce Creek aboard the Key Largo boat for a lesson on Florida’s eco-history and views of the beautiful scenery for only $12 a person. You can also hop on the sunset tour, which features wine and dining options for $25 per adult.
Photo via Cracker Creek/Facebook

Go snorkeling at Alexander Springs Recreation Area

49525 County Rd 445, Altoona, FL (352) 669-3522
Want to take a normal day at the springs up a notch? Alexander Springs Recreation Area allows guests to enjoy the springs for just a $5.50 use fee per day. Bring some snorkeling gear for some underwater adventures in the crystal clear water.
Photo via Alexander Springs Recreation Center/Facebook

Ditch the bathing suit at Cypress Cove

4425 Pleasant Hill Rd, Kissimmee, FL (407) 933-5870
Does the summer heat have you wanting to strip it all off? Well, lucky for you, you can the the Cypress Cove Nudist Resort. Enjoy the pool area for only $5 if you’re under 35 years old. There is also lake access and breathtaking sunset and sunrise views.
Photo via Cypress Cove Nudist Resort/Facebook

Order some seafood and drinks at the Golden Lion Cafe

501 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Flagler Beach, FL (386) 439-3004
At the Golden Lion Cafe on Flagler Beach, the seafood is as fresh as it gets. It’s no wonder this spot is the most awarded restaurant and raw bar in Flagler Beach. Order a frozen cocktail and some peel & eat shrimp for the perfect beachside feast.
Photo via Golden Lion Cafe/Facebook

Go fishing at Lake Tohopekaliga

69 Lakeview Drive, Kissimmee, FL
Lake Toho is known for its good fishing, especially if you’re looking to catch some Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish or Black crappies. The 18,810-acre lake is the perfect destination for your next fishing trip and is sure to never disappoint.
Photo via DStewart Fishing/Facebook

Kick it poolside at Harry’s Poolside Bar & Grill

9840 International Dr, Orlando, FL (407) 996-9840
Harry’s Poolside Bar & Grill, located at the Rosen Centre, serves Caribbean-Cuban infused cuisine. You don’t have to be a guest to make use of the facilities but, you’ll better understand why people choose to stay at the Rosen Centre after taking advantage of the outdoor pool and hot tub.
Photo via freshderek/Instagram

Grab some friends and head to Lucky’s Lake

6645 Lake Cane Dr, Orlando, FL (407) 352-2444
If you and your friends love open water swimming, then Lucky’s Lake Swim is for you. The lake can be accessed for free and is popular among those training for triathlons or just trying to get a good workout in. It also hosts some fierce swimming competitions like the Food Chain 1K Swim.
Photo via Lucky’s Lake Swim/Facebook

Sip on some cocktail buckets at Otters on the River

8522, 4380 Carraway Pl, Sanford, FL (407) 636-6300
Otters on the River is not just a restaurant in the Sanford area. The venue also hosts comedians on Friday and Saturday nights and pool parties every Saturday and Sunday. Pet-friendly and family-friendly, Otters has an extensive menu containing seafood, prime rib and steak options, as well as other American and Tex-Mex dishes. Oh, and don’t forget the enormous cocktail buckets.
Photo via lvlup_dallas/Instagram

Skip the sand and relax at the Oviedo Aquatic Center

148 Oviedo Blvd, Oviedo, FL (407) 971-5565
A pool day at the Oviedo Aquatic Center will give you a relaxing day waterside without having to pack up the car, travel to the beach and deal with the hot sand and crazy ocean current. The center also offers rock climbing and a riverside park to keep the fun rolling all day long.
Photo via venezolanosenoviedo/Instagram

Rent a paddleboard or kayak from Paddleboard Orlando

115 N Orlando Ave #109, Winter Park, FL (407) 960-7815
For only $25 an hour, you can rent a paddleboard or kayak and cruise around the spring-fed, crystal clear lake located right outside of Paddleboard Orlando. Lessons are available for beginners and it’s the perfect way to spend a day on the water without the sand and rip currents.
Photo via Paddleboard Orlando/Facebook

Splash around at the Parliament House pool

410 N Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL (407) 425-7571
Parliament House offers a bit more than your average gay bar. It has weekly entertainment and a resort attached, too. As long as you’re a paying customer, which includes buying drinks at the bar, you can splash around in the pool from sunrise to sunset.
Photo via carloscampos9898/Instagram

Float down the waters of Rainbow River

12121 River View, Dunnellon, FL (352) 489-7854
Take a clear view into the wild, aquatic world inhabiting the crystal clear waters of the Rainbow River. Starting at the intersection of Lake Rousseau, the Rainbow River and the Withlacoochee River, a 2-3 hour trek will take you 4.5 miles North East to K.P. Hole Float, a county park known for boating, snorkeling and kayaking. Renting a single kayak for this trip costs $33 and a tandem kayak or canoe costs $44.
Photo via hayden.bowe/Instagram

Shuck some oysters at Rusty’s Seafood & Oyster Bar

628 Glen Cheek Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL (321) 783-2033
Come for the oyster bar, stay for a good time. Rusty’s offers the getaway you need at the waterfront harbor of Port Canaveral. Wash your bites down with a pitcher of beer or an ice cold cocktail. Bathing suits are definitely welcome here.
Photo via Rusty’s Seafood & Oyster Bar/Facebook

Rent a canoe at Wekiva Island

1014 Miami Springs Dr, Longwood, FL (407) 862-1500
Head to Wekiva Island after noon to score canoe rentals for only $25. Cruise down the Wekiva River and get a first-hand look at the Florida scenery that surrounds you. The river is also dog-friendly and swimming is permitted if you want to skip the rental fee.
Photo via Wekiva Island/Facebook

Enjoy the tiki bar at Grills Lakeside Seafood Deck

4301 N Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL (407) 291-8881
The relaxing atmosphere at Grills Seafood will have your forgetting about the unbearable heat. The tiki bar is the perfect spot for a Summer Breeze or Grills Margarita, and you can’t go wrong with the dessert menu in hand. An ice cream sundae, slice of key lime pie or fork full of chocolate chip cake is sure to cool you off.
Photo via Grills Lakeside Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar/Facebook

Grab some American grub and beer at The Breakers

518 Flagler Ave, New Smyrna Beach, FL (386) 428-2019
The Breakers offers an impressive 17 different types of burgers. If burgers aren’t your thing, there’s plenty of seafood options. A great place to stop for a bite and some drinks after hitting the white sandy beaches, you’ll recognize Breakers by its famous pink building.
Photo via The Breakers Restaurant/Facebook

Throw some back at Whiskey Joe’s Bar and Grill

7720 W Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa, FL (813) 281-0770
No, they don’t just serve whiskey here. There are other options for those who want more fruit and less bite to their drinks. Play a game of cornhole and sit at the tiki hut tables when you’re not trying to figure out what glass to take on next.
Photo via Whiskey Joe’s Bar and Grill/Facebook