Free Friday Five -- Five Free Things to Do in Florida

Florida is filled with things to do and see that don't cost anything. Here are five ideas for a day trip that have free admission:

1. Fort Matanzas, St. Augustine. Historic fort. Visit during "Living History Day" for a free re-enactment with musket demonstrations and cannon firings. Living History Days are Aug. 7, Sept. 11, Oct. 2, Nov. 6, Dec. 11. For hours and directions, visit Fort Mantanza's web site.

2. Orlando Brewing Company, Orlando. Free brewery tours Monday through Saturday at 6 p.m.

3. National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola. Bi-planes, vintage uniforms and other exhibits. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.

4. Okeeheelee Nature Center, West Palm Beach. About 2.5 miles of nature trails.

5. Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center, Tampa. See manatees swimming in the wild and exhibits. Open Nov. 1 through April 15.

Orlando history museum free July 31-Aug. 1

The Orange County Regional History Center in Orlando is offering free admission this weekend (July 31-Aug. 1).

Some of the exhibits at the center include a Pioneer cracker home and a 1927 courtroom.

The center is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m., Sunday.

Regular admission usually is $9 for adults.

For information, call toll-free 1-800-965-2030.

Kennedy Space Center offers free child ticket for each adult ticket

Florida residents can save when they visit Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral. Through Sept. 9, Florida residents get one free child ticket for each adult ticket purchased at full price as part of Kennedy Space Center's Buy One Inspire One package. You have to download a coupon to present to the cashier.

And, everyone who buys a ticket to Kennedy Space Center can validate it when leaving the attraction for a second day free. Tickets to Kennedy Space Center include a bus tour to the launching areas, IMAX 3-D movies, the Astronaut Hall of Fame, Shuttle Launch Experience and other exhibits.

With the specials offered, Kennedy Space Center can be a inexpensive day trip. It's less than an hour away from Orlando.

Adult tickets are $41. Child tickets cost $31.

Upgrading to an annual pass -- $53 for adults, $43 for children -- also is a good, low-cost option if you plan to visit the center more than once.

Free Friday Five -- Five things to do for Free in Florida

Welcome to Free Friday Five -- a list of five free things to do for Free in Florida. I'm hoping to make this a weekly event. Send me your suggestions!

1. Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville
2. Holocaust Memorial, Miami
3. Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, St. Petersburg -- see an earlier posting with photos.
4. Downtown Disney, Orlando
5. Environmental Learning Center, Vero Beach -- see earlier posting.

Happy Daytripping!

Wannado City offers discounts for Florida residents

Wannado City in Sunrise is offering discounts for Florida residents on its one-day passes. Florida residents now can get children's tickets for $35 -- a $5 savings -- and adult's tickets for $7 -- a $3 savings.

I've never been to Wannado City, but it's on my list of places to visit before my child gets too old. It looks like a great children's playground. Children get to pretend to be bakers, TV reporters or archaeologists. Costumes and sets included. They interact with each other and the adults, who can also go hang out in the parents' lounge, in the "city."

While heading to Wannado isn't exactly a free or cheap day trip, I wanted to alert readers of the discounts now available. Wannado also offers annual passes for $100, which includes free admission for two adults.

Go stargazing in Ocala for free on Saturday

Here's a free activity at the Silver River State Park. The Ocala Astronomy Society is bringing out the telescopes for stargazing 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Don't forget the bug spray!

And remember, admission to the state parks is free on Saturday!

Here's the information, found on the Florida State Parks website:

STARGAZING
Silver River State Park
Date: July 17, 2010; 7:30 pm
Description:
The Ocala Astronomy Club comes to the park with telescopes and knowledge for an educational evening under the stars. This is a great opportunity for beginning astronomers to ask questions about a new scope, or to find out what they are seeing in the sky. Bring a lawn chair or blanket; insect repellant suggested. Event is weather permitting.
Fees: July 17, 2010; 7:30 pm
Contact: Deborah.Wilson@dep.state.fl.us
Directions:
Silver River State Park is located east of Ocala, 1 mile south of S.R. 40 on S.R. 35. From Interstate 75, take exit 352 onto SR 40 east, about 9 miles to SR 35. From Interstate 95 take exit 268 to Route 40 west, about 60 miles to SR 35.

Take a picnic on Saturday at a Florida State Park

Admission to all state parks are free Saturday, July 17, as part of Parks and Recreation Month. Florida's state parks vary greatly, but are a fun -- and on Saturday, free -- way to spend the day. Hiking, fishing, swimming are just some of the activities you can find at a state park.

Visitors to Big Lagoon State Park also get to enjoy a free Old-Fashioned Picnic on Saturday. Here are the details, found on the Florida State Parks website:

OLD TIME PICNIC IN THE PARKBig Lagoon State Park
Date: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Description:
The Department of Environmental Protection’s Big Lagoon State Park and the Friends of Pensacola State Parks are holding an Old Time Picnic in the Park. Join us for a Memories of Elvis concert by Johnny C, carnival style games, food and drinks and roaming entertainers. Food, drinks and game tickets are available for a small donation to the Friends of Pensacola State Parks.
Fees: Park admission fees are waived the day of the event in honor of Parks and Recreation Month.
Contact: (251) 978-5042
Directions:
Big Lagoon State Park is located at 12301 Gulf Beach Highway, abut 10 miles southwest of Pensacola.
From I-10 take Exit 7 south on Pine Forest Road. Turn right on Blue Angel Parkway, right on Sorrento Road. Finally go left on Bauer Road.

Sea World offering twilight tickets to visitors

Here's a tip on how to save money at Sea World, if you aren't a Florida resident: Buy a "twilight ticket" for $39.99. This ticket lets you in after 3 p.m. at a reduced rate. Sea World is open until 10 p.m. during the summer, giving you plenty of time to experience the park without paying full price.

But if you are a Florida resident, your best bet for Sea World is to get the Fun Pass. It's about $69 -- less than a one-day admission for non-residents -- and is good through Dec. 31. There are no blackout dates. I've gotten Fun Passes in the past and they are a great deal. Good for special events such as the annual Spooktacular and Christmas events. Fun Passes do not include parking.

Look here for more information on Fun Passes. Twilight tickets are available through Labor Day

What are you doing for the weekend?

It's Friday! Where in Florida will you go today?
Stay tuned for the Free Friday Fives -- five free things to do or see in Florida, or tips for a free Florida day trip.

How to beat the heat when daytripping in Florida

It's hot here in the Sunshine State. I mean the kind of heat that makes you feel like you're the fondue in a melting pot. The summer months can be brutal here, so hot and humid that you just want to stay inside in the cool air-conditioning.

But then I look at my young son and know better. We have to get outside and play. Out in the fresh air. Away from the video games.

There are quite a few free indoor museums, theaters and nature exhibits that are free or low-cost in Florida. Many cities have free fountains and water parks for kids to play, giving parents a day off from visiting the expensive theme parks. Sun Splash Park in Daytona Beach, for example, includes interactive fountains and beach access for free.

Here are five economical ways to stay cool while taking a day trip in Florida:
1. Pack a cooler with lots of bottled water. Recycle water bottles by refilling after use and freezing. Use these to keep new bottles of water cold.
2. Take an extra change of clothes. When the sweat drenches your skin or your child's, it will be so worthwhile to change into some fresh clothes.
3. Stay out of the direct sun between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. This is peak times for heat. Best to find some shade or indoor activity.
4. Don't forget your sunscreen. The most important item, especially if you're going to be outside in Florida. Nothing kills a day trip like a sunburn.
5. Bring baby wipes to cool off your face and neck periodically.

Fireworks on the Fourth of July

I love watching fireworks on July 4. It's probably one of my favorite free things to do. This year, I got to sit in the back of our SUV watching the fireworks over a river with my family. It was peaceful as we watched the explosions of color while munching on a pizza.

But the fireworks produced by my local community pale in comparison to the displays I remember years ago in New York. Back in the mid-1980s, around 1986 or 1987, I was privileged to witness the best fireworks display ever. The Statue of Liberty had recently been refurbished, and the City of New York had partnered with some wealthy, prominent families to shoot off the fireworks around Battery Park. The display was breathtaking. I stood in the center of Battery Park with my family and watched a 360-degree display of pyrotechnics surround me. Everywhere I looked, a shooting star or starburst was there. I still remember it vividly. And that one display ruined me forever to any minor fireworks displays.

Happy Birthday America!
Now, let's go daytripping!

Free Florida July 4th daytrips

I love the Fourth of July. Not only is it a commemoration of this country's birthday, but there are usually plenty of activities scheduled in Florida. No need to pay for theme park tickets when the family has plenty of things to do that don't cost a dime!

In Orlando, the Orlando Sentinel has compiled a list of July 4 parades, festivals and ideas for free activities.

This list compiled by the St. Petersburg Times contains free activities in the Tampa Bay area. Note: some items on this list cost money.

On the Treasure Coast? Here is a list by Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers on free July 4 activities from Indian River County to Palm Beach County.