Introduction
Florida is one of the most popular states for tourists. It’s home to world-famous theme parks, beaches and cities, with things to do for every age group. However, the state can also be extremely expensive. Thankfully, there are plenty of cheap places in Florida where you don’t have to worry about breaking your budget! Here are some ideas:
Jensen Beach
The city of Jensen Beach is located in the southern part of Florida, about 80 miles north of Miami. The city has a tropical marine climate, with warm temperatures and high humidity year round. Jensen Beach residents enjoy the oceanfront location, with views of Fort Pierce Inlet from many locations in town. Jensen Beach is a city in Martin County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,996 at the 2010 census. Jensen Beach has a number of attractions, including the Jensen Beach Mall and the Fort Pierce Inlet State Park. There are several things to do here, from the Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast, Indian Riverside Park, Captain Henry Sewall House, and the Stuart Air Show, Inc. The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast is a contemporary children’s museum that has hands-on displays about nature, health, history, and recycling. They have activities, educational programs, and cultural experiences through a safe state of the art environment where curiosity and self confidence are promoted. Indian Riverside Park is a large park featuring a walking trail, mangrove boardwalk, fishing pier, and gardens and picnic areas. Located at 1797 Northeast Indian River Drive, Jensen Beach, in Martin County. There is ½ mile of waterfront space, a ¾ mile walking trail and mangrove boardwalk, a 780 foot fishing pier, free interactive play fountain, beach, four picnic pavilions, and open grass fields, as well as three rental venues for weddings, parties, meetings, and special events. Captain Henry Sewall’s House is located here, as well. Built in 1889 at the tip of the peninsula, it was once the home of local pioneer and developer, Henry E. Sewall. He became the postmaster and established the Sewall’s Point post office in his home in 1891. Free tours are available every first and third Wednesday of the month from October 4 through May 15, from 11 am to 1 pm. Be sure to check out the Stuart Air Show, Inc as well while you are here. It returns to Witham Field this November, and for more than 30 years, this non-profit has dedicated itself to honoring the history of American aviation and veterans, inspiring future generations. It attracts tens of thousands of people each year, partners with schools and children’s agencies to offer STEM programs. It also partners with charities for fundraising efforts. Prices vary for tickets from $10-$18 on Saturday and Sundays and $10 to $30 for the Friday night twilight show.
Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is a beach town on the Atlantic coast in Volusia County, Florida, United States. It is located about halfway between Jacksonville and Miami on the Atlantic coast, approximately halfway between New Smyrna Beach and Ponce Inlet. Its beaches attract about 30 million visitors each year. The area where Daytona Beach now exists was once inhabited by Timucuan Indians who lived in fortified villages with hundreds of inhabitants . During his second voyage to America (1521-1522), explorer Juan Ponce de León landed at this spot while searching for gold mines, after discovering them in Cuba.
There are many things to do for free in Daytona Beach. You can visit the Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory, The Casements, Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park, or the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens, to name a few. Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory offers tours at their location at 154 South Beach Street. They have always been known for high quality, handmade chocolates, made fresh daily. They were named one of TripAdvisor’s top 10 Sweetest Attractions in the U.S. they are open Mon-Sat, 9:30-5. Tours include watching the chocolate-making process, enjoying free samples and learning all about what makes their chocolate the best! The Casements is the former winter home of millionaire and philanthropist John D Rockefeller and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has the Rockefeller Period Room, Boy Scouts of America memorabilia , and a collection of Hungarian festival costumes and artifacts. The gardens have wide paths for strolling and serves as a beautiful place for cultural festivals each year. Tours are offered for free Mon-Fri, 10 am- 3 pm and Saturdays 9:30-10:30 am.
Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach has the best of both worlds, a beach town vibe with a vibrant nightlife. There is no shortage of restaurants and shops in this area, but the biggest draw is its beachside boardwalk. It’s been voted one of the top 10 beaches in America for several years running. The sand is soft and white and there are plenty of hotels and resorts nearby if you’re looking to spend some time relaxing on the beach with your family or friends.
If you’re looking for more than just sunbathing at Clearwater Beach, there are plenty of activities that can be done here: golfing (2 courses), scuba diving/snorkeling in underwater reefs, jet skiing & parasailing off-shore boating from several marinas around town,as well as sailing charters leaving from Pier 60 Marina, near Beach Street Park on Tampa Bay just south side downtown area!
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is a great place to visit. It’s affordable, has lots of things to do, and is close to Tampa. There are also plenty of great restaurants here, and many wonderful beaches.
The city is also home to many attractions, including the Hermitage Museum and Gardens. This museum has a large collection of paintings by Rembrandt and other artists, as well as ancient artifacts from Egypt, Greece and Rome. You can also see a few of Peter the Great’s ships here.
Tampa
Tampa is a great city to visit if you want to get away from the beach. If you’re looking for a more urban experience, Tampa may be just what you’re looking for. It’s rich in culture and has plenty of museums, art galleries and other attractions that you can explore over the course of your trip. The Ybor City neighborhood is also worth checking out for its many Cuban restaurants and nightlife options. The city’s beaches are not quite as pretty as those at Miami or St Petersburg but are still nice places to spend an afternoon or two soaking up some sun before heading back into town for dinner parties at local restaurants like El Cano (which offers authentic Cuban food) or La Teresita Restaurant (where visitors can sample traditional Venezuelan cuisine).
Tampa Bay has several tourist hotspots including Busch Gardens which features thrill rides such as roller coasters; Adventure Island water park which features slides; entertainment venues such as comedy clubs & theaters; aquariums/zoos with exotic wildlife on display, etc
Vero Beach
Vero Beach is a great place for a weekend getaway. It’s affordable, with many activities and the best food, shopping and nightlife in the state. You can find many hotels and resorts that cater to families or couples looking for long-term vacations. There are also many short-term rentals available if you want to try out living there for a few days/weeks/months!
The beaches here are some of the best in Florida; they’re perfect for swimming, surfing or just relaxing on your beach chair with an icy drink at sunset!
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Broward County, which encompasses the entire southern portion of the state, including Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The city’s population was 188,876 as of 2015, with an estimated metro area population of 508,649 people. The municipality is situated on a natural harbor connected to Biscayne Bay by means of a narrow channel known as New River. The city also has a small land border with Hollywood, with Florida to its south; this area is commonly referred to as “The Golden Mile”.
Fort Lauderdale Beach has been rated among the top beaches in America since 1985, and continues this accolade today by being listed at #7 on TripAdvisor’s 2017 Traveler’s Choice list for Top 25 Beaches worldwide (with St Pete Beach coming in at #6).
Kissimmee
Kissimmee is a city in Osceola County, Florida, United States. It is the county seat of Osceola County. The population was 42,192 at the 2010 census.
There are several things to do in Kissimmee for your family to enjoy, although they are not all cheap or free. There are the usual, well-known attractions, such as Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios. You can also visit Old Town, Kissimmee Lakefront Park, or Lake Tohopekaliga. Old Town is an amusement park featuring old-time carnival rides, shopping, dining and weekly classic car shows. Open 11 am to 11 pm daily, general admission is free, and you can buy tickets for the rides. Kissimmee Lakefront Park is a grassy waterfront park with walking paths, a fishing pier, picnic pavilions, and a shaded playground for littles to enjoy! Lake Tohopekaliga is known for its fishing and features chartered airboat rides, birds, and alligators. Also known as Lake Tohopekaliga, West Lake, or Toho, it is the largest lake in Osceola County, Florida. It covers 22,700 acres.
Key Largo
Key Largo is a small island off the coast of Florida, and it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state. It’s known for its pristine beaches and warm, clear waters—not to mention its access to some of the best diving sites in North America.
Key Largo also has several resorts, hotels, and restaurants that make you feel like you’re in an upscale tropical hideaway rather than just another beach town. You can stay at a luxury resort or book a cheap room at one of many budget motels if you’re on a budget (I prefer staying somewhere cheap so that I can splurge on activities).
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park offers visitors plenty to do besides sunbathing: there are hiking trails through mangroves; snorkeling tours; kayak tours; dive tours led by certified instructors; glass bottom boat rides through coral reefs; dolphin cruises; boat charters along coral reefs; guided fishing trips; biking trails through mangroves…the list goes on!
Miami Beach
If you’re looking for a cheap vacation, Miami Beach is not the place to go. It has a reputation as a popular tourist destination, which means that its hotels and restaurants are going to be more expensive than most other places in Florida. In fact, Miami Beach is the most expensive city in the United States in terms of average daily cost per traveler—$142!
The good news is that there’s still plenty of things to do even if your budget isn’t limitless. You can spend an afternoon at South Beach or Lincoln Road Mall shopping and people-watching. Or take advantage of free admission days at various museums throughout the year (just remember: these free days are often limited by capacity).
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our list of the cheapest places to travel in Florida. We know how expensive it can be to go on vacation, but there are still plenty of cheap places where you can have fun without breaking the bank!