Things to do to celebrate Mother's Day in Orlando

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 8, 2022, and there are plenty of mamas who deserve an amazing day in Orlando. But a memorable day doesn’t have to be expensive. We all know it’s the thought that counts — so why not plan a unique and a cheap experience near Orlando?

From a day at the park to an outdoor adventure, there are plenty of free and cheap things to do with mom during Mother’s Day in Orlando. Here’s our guide to celebrating Mother’s Day 2021 in Orlando.

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MOTHER’S DAY 2022 IN ORLANDO

FREE admission for Moms in Orlando:

Harry P. Leu Gardens offers free admission for moms on Mother’s Day, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Stroll through the lush botanical oasis and experience the rose garden in full bloom. Regular admission: adults $15, kids $10.
Orange County Regional History Center also offers free entry for Moms on Sunday, May 8.
Mennello Museum of American Art opens its doors on the second Sunday of each month for FREE Family Fun Day. Free admission for everyone, all day.
Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College is always free!

You might also be interested in free museum days in Orlando.

Bok Tower Gardens: image of blooming flowers in the garden

Photo courtesy: Bok Tower Gardens

Bok Tower Gardens is celebrating moms with free admission on May 8 — and it’s definitely worth the drive. Soak in a tranquil afternoon with breathtaking views in the historic landscape garden. The Singing Tower will ring during carillon concerts at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. You can also

Events happening Mother’s Day weekend in Orlando:

Uptown Vibes
Friday, May 6, 7pm – 9pm
Cranes Roost Park, Altamonte Springs
FREE outdoor concert with food and beverages for sale.

Getdown Downtown
Friday, May 6 at 6pm
Independence Lane, Maitland
FREE outdoor street party with live music, kids’ activities, and vendors.

Scott’s Spring Fling
Saturday, May 7, 10am – 4pm
Long & Scott Farm’s, Mount Dora
U-pick flowers, fresh produce, craft vendors, live music, farm tours, and more. Tickets at $6; 3 and under are free.

Sanford Historic Garden Tour
Saturday, May 7, 10am – 5pm
Downtown Sanford
$15 per person for a self-guided tour through a variety of private gardens in the historic district.

Weekends at the Winery
May 8 & 9
Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards, Clermont
FREE admission. Wine tasting, food vendors, live music, and more. Bring your own chairs.

Saturday Sounds Concert Series in Apopka
Saturday, 5pm – 7pm
Apopka Amphitheater
FREE outdoor concert. Bring your own chairs and picnic basket.

Yoga in the Garden
Every Saturday at 9am
Mead Botanical Garden, Winter Park
$10 per person. Bring your own mat and water.

Yoga in the Sculpture Garden
Sunday, May 9, 9am-10am
Mennello Museum of American Art, Orlando
Admission $10 for non-members, $5 for members.

Winter Park Farmers’ Market
Saturdays from 8am to 1pm
Central Park, Winter Park

Things to do Orlando: image of beautiful canal on Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour.

Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour. Photo courtesy of Visit Orlando.

THINGS TO DO ON MOTHER’S DAY IN ORLANDO

Float through the canals and lush landscape of Winter Park’s waterways on a tranquil Scenic Boat Tour ($16 for adults, $8 for kids) or rent one of the iconic swan paddle boats at Lake Eola ($15 per half hour).

Things to do this weekend in Orlando: image of a sunflower field at Southern Hill Farms in Clermont. The local farm is offering u-pick sunflowers and strawberry picking this weekend.

Southern Hill Farms in Clermont. Image: @southernhillfarms

Pick your own blueberries, peaches, sunflowers, and Zinnias at Southern Hill Farms in Clermont. Find more places to pick your own blueberries in Orlando.
Take mom to lunch and shopping in Mount Dora. With quaint streets, boutiques, and small-town charm, Mount Dora is a beautiful spot to spoil her. Or you could plan an afternoon exploring downtown Sanford, Winter Park, or Winter Garden.
Spend Mother’s Day at the Orlando Farmers Market at Lake Eola Park featuring fresh flowers, art, food, and a beer and wine garden.
Let her relax with a free wine tasting and tour at Lakeridge Winery in Clermont or an inexpensive wine tasting at Quantum Leap Winery in Winter Park.
Take a dip in the springs. Choose from one of many cool and natural parks in Central Florida.
Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream is an Orlando original! What started out as a family food truck at farmers’ markets has grown into a local, sweet sensation with three ice cream shop locations. Kelly’s sells a variety of sorbets and handmade ice creams with unique flavors changing seasonally.

Kraft Azalea Gardens. Image: Melody Larson.

Picnic at a local garden or park.
Here are some of our favorite FREE places to picnic:

Winter Park: Kraft Azalea Gardens, Central Park, Mead Gardens
Downtown Orlando: Lake Eola, Harry P. Leu Gardens (free for moms on Mother’s Day and free admission for everyone on the first Monday of each month).

Go for a beautiful stroll.
There is nothing more relaxing than a scenic walk. Orlando has plenty of nice paths to stroll at local parks, county trails, and picturesque gardens.

Drive-in movie theaters: Silver Moon Drive-IN Lakeland

Silver Moon Drive-In in Lakeland Florida.

Drive to the movies.
Watching a movie at an open-air cinema is a safe and affordable way for your family to enjoy a fun night out. We’ve found a couple of Drive-in movie theaters near Orlando for you to check out.

Watch a film at Enzian Theater.
This alternative cinema offers independent, foreign and classic films and has arguably one of the prettiest outdoor bars in Orlando, Enzian’s Eden Bar. It also hosts the monthly free outdoor movie series, Popcorn Flicks in the Park, in Central Park.

Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari: image of woman in her car taking a picture of a gazelle on the safari tour

Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari Park. Image: @wildfloridaairboats on Instagram.

Meet wild animals.
Wild Florida’s Drive-Thru Safari Park is a self-guided journey to get up close and personal with hundreds of wild animals.

Explore Central Florida’s waterways.
Rent a kayak or canoe and launch at King’s Landing in Apopka.

You-pick sunflowers near Orlando: image of big sunflower at Sledd's U-Pick Farm in Mims, Florida

Sledd’s U-Pick Farm sunflower field in Mims, Florida.

Visit a sunflower field.
Seeing row after row of blooming sunflowers is not something you’d expect in Central Florida..but beyond the beaten path of Orlando, there are thriving family farms that harvest and grow a variety of crops — including beautiful sunflower fields.

Go to the beach.
Check out the top 5 beaches close to Orlando.

Give a thoughtful gift while supporting local businesses.
Now more than ever, our local specialty shops need your support. Keep in mind you might need to order in advance and pick it up before Mother’s Day.

Marshmallows and ice cream from Wondermade
Giant cookies from Gideon’s at East End Market
Barbecue sauces and rubs from 4 Rivers Smokehouse
Spirits from Winter Park Distilling
Gifts and stationery from Paper Goat Post
Gift sets from Rifle Paper Co.
Fresh sunflowers and produce from Southern Hill Farms
Organic honey from Winter Park Honey
Wine from Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards
Corkcicle — the innovative, insulated drinkware — is made right here in Orlando. Get their creations shipped straight to Mom!