Hotels near Lake Eola Park

Lake Eola Park is the closest thing downtown Orlando has to a Central Park, wrapping a 43-acre spring-fed sinkhole lake with a paved 0.9-mile walking loop, the city's signature Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain, and unobstructed views of the downtown skyline. The park hosts the Orlando Farmers Market every Sunday from 10am to 4pm at the southeast corner, and the Walt Disney Amphitheater on the western shore stages free live music through most of the year. Swan-shaped paddle boat rentals cost $15 for a 30-minute session at the boat house on the north side.

Admission is completely free 24 hours a day, and metered street parking on Rosalind Avenue runs $2.50 per hour with a 4-hour maximum. October sees Come Out With Pride Orlando take over the entire park with a fireworks finale over the lake, and Fireworks at the Fountain draws large crowds every Fourth of July. This is easily the anchor of any list of free things to do in orlando.

Pro Tip: Arrive an hour before sunset with a takeaway coffee from Foxtail Coffee at 1282 N Orange Ave (about a 12-minute walk) and grab a bench on the western shore - it's the best free downtown view of the skyline reflected in the lake, especially between March and May.