Living in Orlando, I’ve learned that you can spend your entire bank account in one weekend if you’re not careful. This city is basically a giant billboard saying, “Come spend money!” But I’m stubborn, and I like proving to myself that fun doesn’t have to feel like a financial emergency. So I’ve made it a little mission to hunt down spots that let me have a good time without staring at my bank app afterward like it betrayed me.

One of my favorite low-cost afternoons happens at Lake Eola. I swear that lake has a personality. Some days it feels peaceful, like it’s whispering, “Sit down for a second.” Other days it’s filled with people feeding birds in ways that make me question their safety choices. But I love bringing a blanket, grabbing a cheap iced coffee, and letting the kids run around. There’s something about the water and the skyline that hits different. And the swan boats—well, they look sweet until you’re pedaling like your life depends on it, but still fun.

Another gem is the splash pads around town. Orlando takes splash pads very seriously. Half the time I stumble upon one accidentally, like, “Oh look, more jets of water shooting from the ground.” The one at Dr. Phillips is such a hit for us. I sit on the edge, feel the mist on my legs, and pretend I’m at a spa, even though the soundtrack is kids yelling and water slapping concrete. Honestly though, the energy there feels good, and it’s free, which always makes things feel even better.

Parks have become my secret weapon. I didn’t grow up in a place where playgrounds were this extra, but Orlando has these parks that make me rethink what counts as impressive. I love the one at Bill Frederick Park—so much open space, and the breeze off the lake makes everything feel more relaxed. I’ll take any excuse to plop down under a tree and let my mind wander for a minute while the kids explore. Sometimes I catch myself zoning out and realizing the sun feels warmer than I expected, and suddenly I feel like I’m on a mini vacation.

Then there’s Old Town in Kissimmee. It feels like walking around a little retro movie set, and it costs nothing just to wander. I’ve spent whole evenings just strolling, people-watching, and letting the kids check out the old cars. My favorite part is how every visit feels slightly different, depending on who’s performing or what’s going on. The air smells like funnel cakes, and I swear that alone puts me in a good mood.

We love hitting up the farmers markets too. Winter Park’s is my go-to. It’s busy but in a fun way, like everyone woke up with the shared idea of “let’s buy plants we don’t need.” I love grabbing a fresh pastry and walking around with no plan. The kids get distracted by every dog in sight, and I get distracted by every candle I absolutely don’t need but sniff anyway.

I think what surprises me most living here is how often the simple spots end up giving me the happiest memories. There’s something sweet about showing the kids that fun doesn’t always require tickets or wristbands. Sometimes it’s just a lake, a splash pad, a messy pastry, and the feeling that the day didn’t cost more than lunch. Those are the days I store in that little mental folder labeled “keep doing this.”