Florida On A Budget

I LOVE going to Disney, but it's so expensive so I get creative on our trips every year and find new things to do. I have created a list of things to do for FREE in several cities in Florida that our family did that week.  This trip we had a budget of $800 and didn't go over that.  We had already purchased our hotel we like to use several different travel links. (shown in another post)  How did we keep under $800?  We shopped at the grocery store for our meals and cooked at the hotel (around $150), during lunch we packed sandwiches, and set aside the amount of money we needed for gas which for us is $250 and the boarders for our animals.  We had $400 left for spending for a 7 day trip.  We like to stay in a resort in Orlando.  I've found that resorts if you watch them all year go up and down in price.  But the best times I have seen to purchase is for the months of Mid January to Mid March and Mid August to Mid October.     

Here is a list of FREE or Cheap things to do:

St. Augustine

San Sebastian Winery
157 King Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Stop by for a winery tour and have a wine tasting for free. 
 http://www.sansebastianwinery.com/

Old St. Augustine History Museum
Located near the Old City Jail
https://www.trolleytours.com/st-augustine/history-museum

Old Jail 
167 San Marco Ave.
St. Augustine, FL 32084
$9.00 Adult
$5 children (6-12)
Free (under 6)
Home of St. Augustine's most violent criminals from 1891-1953
https://www.trolleytours.com/st-augustine/old-jail

Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida
851 N. Maitland, Ave.
Maitland, FL 32751
Admissions is donations only
https://www.holocaustedu.org/
Kissimmee

 Osceola County Pioneer Village 
2491 Babb Rd.
Kissimmee, FL 34746
$7.00 Adult
$3 Children 3-12
We went on a FREE day, check their website for days available 
http://osceolahistory.org/

Osceola County History Museum

4155 W Vine St.

Kissimmee, FL 34741
http://osceolahistory.org/

Military History Museum

5210 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy.
Kissimmee, FL 34746
$7.00 Adults
$6.00 Seniors
$5.00 Students
FREE Under 5 & Military
$4.00 Disabled Veterans
$5.00 Retired Veterans
https://museumofmilitaryhistory.com/

Old Town
5770 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy.
Kissimmee, FL 34746
This is a nice place to visit.  They have rides, bars, restaurants, and shops here.  There is live entertainment on the weekends and it's a pretty cool place to visit.   
https://myoldtownusa.com/

Fun Spot American Theme Parks
2850 Florida Plaza Blvd.
Kissimmee, FL 34746
https://fun-spot.com/

Capone's Dinner and Show
4740 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy.
Kissimmee, FL 34746
$35.46 +tax
$22.56 +tax
FREE Infant 3 and under with an adult
https://alcapones.com/

Dinner theater with a 30's gangland Chicago-themed show plus a buffet. We have been here twice and love it.  It's affordable with an all you can eat Italian-American buffet, 1 hour show, gangster style service, and all you can drinks including alcohol.  Not to mention it is so much fun to play gambling style games before the show starts and dress up like the 30's in flapper dresses and gangster hats.  They sale stuff on their website to help you prepare for your experience, but I purchased our flapper dresses off Amazon and went to the local Dollar Tree to get the boas and necklaces.  

**Don't Order by phone it's double the price, order online and save 50%!**

Orlando

Wonderworks
9067 International Dr.
Orlando, FL 32819
$29.99 Adutls
$23.99 Children
https://www.wonderworksonline.com/orlando/

Disney Springs
1486 Buena Vista Dr.
Orlando, FL 32830
I love to visit this place.  Tons of things to do here.  Unique shops, restaurants, balloon rides, bowing, movies, and much more.  
https://www.disneysprings.com/?CMP=OKC-wdw_themeparks_gmap_415

Dave & Busters
8986 International Drive 
Orlando, FL 32819
https://www.daveandbusters.com/locations/orlando

Things To Do In St. Augustine Florida

St. Augustine is a beautiful place to visit.  Rather you are looking for the cool breeze on the ocean side, night life, downtown shopping, or site seeing there is a lot to see here in this nice Historic town.  Here is a good list of things to do in St. Augustine.

Kids & Family:

Old Town Trolley Tours
904-335-3155
$25.86 Adults
$10.35 (6-12)
Free (under 6)
With nearly 500 years of history, including rule by Spain, Britain, and the U.S., St. Augustine is full of sights and attractions that entertain and educate.

Anastasia Miniature Golf
701 Anastasia Blvd.
St. Augustine, FL 32080
$8.95 Adults
$7.95 Seniors (65+)
$7.95 Children (3-10)
$3.00 (under 3)
Guests can play a second round for $3.50
$11.95 all day unlimited pass


Fiesta Falls Mini Golf
818 A1A Beach Blvd. Street
St. Augustine, FL 32080
$8.99 Adult
$7.75 Seniors (61+)
$7.75 Children (3-12)
Free (under 3)

Marineland Dolphin Adventure
9600 Oceanshore Blvd.
St. Augustine, FL 32080
http://www.marineland.net
$11.95 to $99.00

Scenic Cruise
111 Avenida Menendez
St. Augustine, FL 32084
http://www.scenic-cruise.com
$18.00 Adults
$15.00 Seniors (60+)
$8.50 Children (4-12)
Climb aboard and enjoy a relaxing tour of St. Augustine's historic waterways.


Ripley's Believe It Or Not
19 San Marco Avenue
St. Augustine, FL 32084
http://www.ripleys.com/staugustine

$15.99 Adults

$6.99 Child
Exhibits and unbelievable artifacts from around the glove make Ripley's Believe It Or Not! a one-of-a-kind experience.


They also have the Red Train & Ghost Train OR you can get the combo

https://tickets.ripleys.com/staugustine/?from=ripleys&btn=nav&_ga=2.231789151.1939683993.1496025546-1902326797.1496025168

 Nombre de Dios

27 Ocean Ave.

St. Augustine, FL 32084

http://missionandshrine.org 
Nombre de Dios is a Spanish Catholic mission, on the west side of Matanzas Bay.  It is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine.  

Oldest School House

14 George Street

St. Augustine, FL 32084

http://www.oldestwoodenschoolhouse.com 
$5 Adult

$4 (6-12)

Free (5 and under)

Take a lesson from the Oldest Wooden School House in the country, complete with replica displays and museum on the inside. 

Oldest Store Museum

167 San Marco Ave.

St. Augustine, FL 32084

https://www.visitstaugustine.com/thing-to-do/oldest-store-museum 
$9.00 Adult

$5.00 Children (6-12)

Free (under 5)

Step back in time and explore the modern wonders of an early 20th century general store.  

Colonial Quarter

33 St. George Street

St. Augustine, FL 32084

http://colonialquarter.com 
$12.99 Adults

$6.99 children (5-12)

Free (4 and under)

Visitors can experience three centuries of St. Augustine's vivid history through interactive activities and more.

Old City Jail
167 San Marco Ave.
St. Augustine, FL 32084
$9.00 Adult
$5 children (6-12)
Free (under 6)
Home of St. Augustine's most violent criminals from 1891-1953

Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
11 Magnolia Ave.
St. Augustine, FL 32084
http://www.fountainofyouthflorida.com
$15.00 Adults
$14.00 Seniors (60+)
$9.00 Children (6-12)
Free Children (5 and under)
Visitors get a chance to experience a history at this important archaeological site and to drink from the famous springs.

St. Augustine Wild Reserve
5190 Farm Creek Road
St. Augustine, FL 32092
$30 Adults
$20 Children (10 and under)
They have 2 hour walking tours but it must be reserved in advance.  (904) 940-0664

Alligator Farm
999 Anastasia Blvd
St. Augustine, FL 32080
$22.95 ages 12 and older
$11.95 ages 3-11
$11.47 adults in wheelchairs
$5.97 children in wheelchairs
https://www.alligatorfarm.com

Adventure Landing
2780 State Road 16
St. Augustine, FL 32092
Adventure Landing offers a variety of affordable and family-fun rides and attractions plus an indoor arcade.

St. Augustine Aquarium
2045 State Road 16
St. Augustine, FL 32084
https://www.saaquarium.com
$8.00 per person
$35.00 per person for the snorkel adventure

Whetstone Chocolate Factory
139 King Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084
http://www.whetstonechocolates.com
$8.00 18+
$5.50 Children (5-17)
Free (under 4)
Take a chocolate tour at this local factory offering a sweet look behind the candy-making process.

Old City Helicopters
4900 US Highway 1,  North, Suite 400
St. Augustine, FL 32095
(904) 824-5506

Castillo de San Marcos
1 South Castillo Drive
St. Augustine, FL 32084
https://www.nps.gov/casa/index.htm
$10 Adults 16 and over
Free Children 15 and under if accompanied by an adult
**National Park Service**

The oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S. and National Monument, the Castillo is the focal point of historical St. Augustine.  

Fort Matanzas
8635 A1A South
St. Augustine, FL 32080
https://www.nps.gov/foma/index.htm
Ferry Pass-Free
Free Admission
**National Park Service**

Museums: 

Old History Museum
Located at the Old City Jail

Fort Mendendez at the Old Florida Museum
259 San Marco Avenue
St. Augustine, FL 32084 
http://www.oldfloridamuseum.com
$11.00 per person

Potter's Wax Museum
31 Orange Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084
https://www.trolleytours.com/st-augustine/potters-wax-museum
$10.64 Adults
$7.44 (6-12)
Free (under 6)
Located in historic St. Augustine.  The figures are known for their remarkable likeness to the characters they represent due to the process that's used to create them.  Each one is custom-tailored with real hair placed on one strand at a time.  They eyes are handmade in Germany and the hands are sculptured in Belgium.

 Spanish Military Hospital Museum
3 Aviles Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084
http://www.spanishmilitaryhospitalmuseum.com
$10.00
Travel back in time where the doctor is always in. Our 40 min fully guided tour takes you back to the colonial Spanish days of medicine.  Watch as our Apothecary creates medicine and discover how colonial herbs were the origins of some of the most popular medicines today.

Father Miguel O'Reilly House Museum
32 Aviles Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084
http://www.oreillyhouse.org
Built during the first Spanish Period, the Father O'Reilly House Museum is one of the oldest structures in St. Augustine

Lightener Museum
75 King Street
St. Augustine, FL
$10 General Admission
$6 Active Military
$5 College Students
$5 Children (12-18)
Free (under 12)
http://lightnermuseum.org
Vacationers in St. Augustine can step back in time and marvel at the historic collection in this old hotel turned museum.

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
81 Lighthouse Avenue
St. Augustine, FL 32080
http://www.staugustinelighthouse.com
$12.95 Adults
$10.95 (60 and over)
$10.95 (Age 12 or under and 44" or taller)
Climb 219 steps to the top for breathtaking views of the nation's oldest city and the Atlantic Ocean.

Ximenez-Fatio House Museum
20 Aviles Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084

http://ximenezfatiohouse.org 
$10 Adults

$8 Students, Seniors, Military

$20 families

Come see this 1800s St. Augustine with a fascinating tour of this beautifully restored colonial house and museum.

Oldest House Museum Complex

14 Saint Francis Street

St. Augustine, FL 32084

http://www.saintaugustinehistoricalsociety.org 
Family (2 adults and their children under 18) $18

Adults $8

Seniors (55 and over) $7

Military (with ID) $7

Student (with ID) $4

The oldest House Museum offers guided tours, two museums, a colonial kitchen, ornamental garden and museum store to its visitors.  

Pirate Treasure Museum

12 S Castillo Drive

St. Augustine, FL 29084

http://thepiratemuseum.com/pirate-tours 
$13.99 Adults

$6.99 Children (5-12)

Free (5 and under)

Explore the world's largest collection of authentic pirate artifacts in the city that has seen its share of pirates.

Villa Zorayda Museum

83 King Street

St. Augustine, FL 32084

http://www.villazorayda.com
$10 Adult (Audio Tour) $15 (Docent Tour)

$9.00 Senior/Military (Audio Tour)

$8.00 Student (Audio Tour)  

$5.00 Children (7-12) (Audio Tour) $8.00 (Docent Tour)

Free Children (6 and under)

Adults:

Ghosts & Gravestone Tours
https://www.ghostsandgravestones.com/st-augustine
27 San Marcos Avenue
St. Augustine, FL 32084
904-335-3155
$27.93 Adults
$15.51 children (3-12)
Free (under 3)
Explore the darker side of the Nation's Oldest City and let our Ghost Host be your guide.  Face your fears in Potter's Wax Museum's Chamber of Horrors and then enter the Town's most haunted building, the Old Jail.  Don't miss the frightfully fun riding tour.  You won't want to miss the Ghost Tour.  It's the only ghost tour that takes you inside Two of the city's most haunted buildings.

World Golf Hall of Fame
1 World Golf Pl.
St. Augustine, FL 32092
http://www.worldgolfhalloffame.org/
$20.95 Adult
$19.95 Senior, Military & Florida Residents (with valid ID)
$10.00 children (13 and older with valid ID)
$5.00 children (5-12)
Free (4 and under)
Learn all about the accomplishments of golfers from around the world and the history of the game of golf.

St. Augustine Distillery
121 Riberia Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084
http://staugustinedistillery.com
They do FREE tours and tastings.
This is one of my FAVORITE wine places.  Their wine is so good!

Black Raven Adventures
111 Avenida Menendez
St. Augustine, FL 32084
$29.95 21+ Only
http://www.blackravenadventures.com
Be a pirate, or just act like one, on the unique live, interactive pirate cruise.

Night Life
There are many restaurants and bars to chose from.  On weekends they have several bars playing live music.
http://www.oldcity.com/night-life
http://www.10best.com/destinations/florida/st.-augustine/nightlife/best-nightlife

Freezer paper stencils

So who doesn't love new clothes when we are going somewhere exciting?  For me it's cruising and Walt Disney World.  I don't like to wear the same clothes when I go to those places because I know there will be hundreds of pictures taken.  Unless you have one of those expensive DIY cut machines it's just not affordable to buy tons of new shirts for your family.  I always try to talk my husband into doing matching shirts when going to Disney and he just doesn't take the bite.  So I started making my own shirts to support my habit of not wanting to wear the same thing each time we go.

How do you keep it under $5?  You shop clearance racks when they are closing out Summer and Winter Seasons.  If you don't have enough time to plan for that then you can get t-shirts in the craft department from Walmart for less than $4.  I use the $0.50-$1 paints from Walmart as well.  Get creative too.  I use glow in the dark paints, glitter, etc.  Your biggest expense will be the freezer paper which usually runs around $8 for a big box.  But it lasts a long time because you don't need much when you do it.  Only the size of the image you will be cutting out, so no need to waste it.

Its really easy but time consuming so you will want to work on it a month or so before you leave for your vacation.

You will need the following supplies:

1. Freezer Paper
2. Paints (fabric paint works best, but I have used the $0.80 ones from Walmart and they last a while)
3. Shirt, Pants, Jacket, Cloth tennis shoes, Backpack, etc. that you want to paint
4. An image you want to paint
5. Scissors
6. Paintbrushes or foam brushes
7. Hairdryer
8. X-Acto Knife 
9. Frame matting
10. Marker
11. Tape 
12. Cardboard
13. Iron or heat press

                                                                                                                                     Instructions:

1. Print out the image you want off the internet (silhouettes work best)  
2. Tape the image on a window, place freezer paper on the shiny side down on top of the image.
3. Trace the image.  Be sure to color all of it in because you will need those wide lines to cut.
4. Use an x-acto knife and cut out all the black off the paper you traced
5. Iron the image (Shiny side down) onto your shirt like shown in the image below.
6. Place cardboard inside the shirt so the paint won't leak through.
7. Paint the image then use a hairdryer to dry the paint.
8. Peel the freezer paper off and ENJOY!

 
This next set of images were a little more time consuming because I used several paints to get the effect I wanted.  It turned out pretty awesome.  

Tinkerbell was done a different way.  See instructions above, but instead of throwing out the black pieces you cut out keep those and throw away the big piece of freezer paper.  (I always use both so I can get a two for one on painting shirts for my family).  You will have to iron down a few pieces at a time so they won't slide while you are trying to iron them down.  Then you take the paint brush and paint over the pieces and brush out.  I like to use matting frames now because in this one below because Tinkerbell had an odd shape and it wasn't even on both sides of her body it didn't form a perfect circle.  When using the matting it is best to use masking tape to tape it down so the paint won't leak under it.  

One other technique to try is after you iron on the freezer paper, instead of painting it I used clorox in a spray bottle and created this look.  You will need to place cardboard inside the shirt to make sure the clorox doesn't bleed through to the back side.  

We used this one for a Carnival Cruise Breakfast.  It was so much fun.  

Test it out on different things and textures too.  I tried them on a pair of cloth tennis shoes.  Happy Painting!