I’ve Lived in Florida for 27 Years, and These Are the Finest Low-cost Seaside Holidays within the State

Apalachicola

Well-known for its oyster bars and seafood shacks like LongBill’s, this pleasant group alongside Florida’s Panhandle is prime for an inexpensive seaside trip, particularly while you keep at a historic property like The Bowery Inn or Taranto Home, each of which date to the early 1900s, or the stunning Gibson Inn, one other historic resort with a breezy wraparound porch.

“This group captivates the center and soul of Previous Florida appeal with a relaxed vibe, unbelievable fishing, one-of-a-kind boutiques, and the liveliest locals slurping down contemporary oysters and loads of libations,” says Jason Bogan, normal supervisor of The Gibson Inn. “So, come on down, pull up a stool, and immerse your self in some real Southern hospitality.”

Among the many many unspoiled white-sand seashores in Apalachicola and the Forgotten Coast are stretches lining the gorgeous barrier island of St. George. Laura Byrne of Tampa Bay Parenting says she first fell in love with the island’s seashores whereas residing in Tallahassee some years in the past (Florida’s state capital is about 80 miles northeast of St. George Island).

“I’m from Tampa and was used to the gorgeous sugar-sand seashores of Clearwater, and St. George Island State Park didn’t disappoint,” says Byrne. Seize a kayak or canoe from Island Outfitters and paddle within the Gulf of Mexico or alongside the Apalachicola River Paddling Path System, or hire a golf cart to discover Apalachicola’s historic district, dwelling to many attention-grabbing buildings listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations.

Cocoa Seaside

Cocoa Seaside was at all times my most popular vacation spot for an inexpensive seaside weekend after I spent a number of years after faculty residing in close by Orlando. Nearly a one-hour drive east of Orlando places you alongside these dune-backed seashores the place professional surfer Kelly Slater grew up shredding waves. You may hire a board at Ron Jon Surf Store and paddle out close to the Cocoa Seaside Pier, or join surf classes on the Faculty of Surf. Finances-minded accommodations within the space embody Seaside Place Guesthouses — one among my favorites in all of Florida for a low-key keep — strung with hammocks and fronting a quiet stretch of sand with loaner surfboards on the prepared. Rise early from August to September for a seaside stroll right here, and also you would possibly even see child sea turtles hatching. Additionally make sure to verify the rocket launch calendar for a free present within the sky. “The Wizard of Oz” followers will wish to shell out a couple of dollars to pop into the quirky Wizard of Oz Museum, dwelling to a personal assortment that spans a long time of memorabilia. With all this and extra, it is no surprise Cocoa Seaside is without doubt one of the greatest seashores close to Orlando.

New Smyrna Seaside

New Smyrna Seaside, one other common possibility not removed from Orlando, is a secure and delightful guess for an inexpensive seaside trip in Florida. Oceanfront condos for hire line the packed sand, plus you’ll be able to think about a riverside keep at one among my favourite bed-and-breakfasts within the state — Black Dolphin Inn, which fronts the Intracoastal Waterway. A quintessential Florida feed awaits on the river at JB’s Fish Camp, a neighborhood favourite for its fabulous grouper sandwich and fish dip. You may hire kayaks and paddleboards right here, too, and paddle out into the encompassing river. Florida’s largest stretch of undeveloped shoreline additionally awaits at Canaveral Nationwide Seashore, with 24 miles of pristine sand for sunbathing, shelling, and swimming.

Panama Metropolis Seaside

This former party-heavy vacation spot has pivoted in recent times to change into a favourite amongst households in search of an inexpensive and cheerful seaside trip in Florida. Panama Metropolis Seaside’s unpretentious vibes pair with attractive Gulf of Mexico seashores, making it a prime Panhandle vacation spot. Scuba divers like me flock to the realm to blow bubbles underwater at 5 shipwrecks which are a part of the Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Path. And also you solely want a masks and snorkel to fin out from the seaside and discover the rock jetty and synthetic reef attracting tropical fish, rays, and extra at St. Andrews State Park. E book an inexpensive room on the beachfront Flamingo Resort and Tower; hit Shrimp Basket for a finances feast of oysters, wings, and shrimp; and easily bask within the mellow seaside vibes.

Pensacola Seaside

With lodging choices that vary from tenting at Fort Pickens to the beachfront Pensacola Seaside RV Resort and chain accommodations to the attractive Pensacola Seaside Resort, that is one other inexpensive Panhandle vacation spot in Florida. You may discover the realm on a finances aboard the 145-passenger Pensacola Bay Metropolis Ferry, which connects downtown Pensacola, Fort Pickens, and Pensacola Seaside. However you’ll wish to soar within the automotive to go to different attractive space seashores, too, like Johnson Seaside at Gulf Islands Nationwide Seashore and the dune-backed white strand at Perdido Key State Park. From April via October, free bands play at Pensacola Seaside, and other people deliver garden chairs and settle in for the night.The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are at dwelling in Pensacola, so that you would possibly even be handled to a free present within the sky. Lastly, don’t miss Atlas Oyster Home for a vigorous brunch on the town plus low-cost bloody marys and bottles of bubbly.

Bradenton Seaside

A trip in Bradenton Seaside alongside Florida’s Gulf Coast places guests inside a fast drive of a few of the area’s most attractive seashores alongside Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key — all for a fraction of the value. You may nonetheless discover old-school properties like Seaside Desires and BridgeWalk fronting the white sand and historic district right here. You can even discover the realm without cost aboard the Island Trolley, which makes a loop from Bradenton’s Coquina Seaside north to Anna Maria Island’s Metropolis Pier. Weekends increase with households descending for all-you-can-eat pancakes served with Gulf of Mexico views on the beloved Anna Maria Island Seaside Cafe. And the vigorous Coquina Seaside Market, subsequent to Longboat Cross and with every kind of crafts and handmade gadgets on the market, at all times makes for a enjoyable, free outing on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

St. Augustine Seaside

St. Augustine could also be one among Florida’s most touristic (and historic) cities, however you’ll be able to have a surprisingly inexpensive seaside trip right here, too.

Tour St. Augustine gives free historic strolling excursions of the downtown sights each Saturday and Sunday, in addition to different choices. My children love driving the free passenger ferry to Rattlesnake Island to play pirates at Fort Matanzas Nationwide Monument, which has attractive views overlooking the Matanzas River. There’s additionally a playground that children love at Lighthouse Park, the place you’ll be able to picnic beneath the oaks and take within the lighthouse views. On the subject of seaside time, there’s no higher free exercise than bodysurfing and looking the sand for shark tooth at St. Augustine Seaside or Vilano Seaside, the place you may nonetheless discover inexpensive, mom-and-pop properties like Magic Seaside Motel.

Lake Price Seaside

Simply south of tony Palm Seaside, Lake Price Seaside is a superb possibility for those who’re in search of an inexpensive trip alongside this notoriously dear stretch of South Florida. The Metropolis of Lake Price Seaside pier is a favourite spot amongst surfers and has a buzzing breakfast joint — Benny’s on the Seaside, the place the youngsters can refill on French toast and pancakes, then scoot all the way down to the sand, whereas the bloody marys and mimosas movement for adults. Between Lake Price and Lantana, simply south, there are many mom-and-pop accommodations inside a brief bike trip of the seashores, together with Beachway Inn and Barefoot Mailman Inn & Suites. The Lake Price Seaside Waterside Farmers Market is a vigorous place to spend a Saturday morning from October via April, with espresso, music, and dancing on the street. Free live shows and festivals with lagoon views typically play out on the bandshell at Bryant Park Pavilion, too.

Indian Rocks Seaside

Beloved by locals, however typically missed the place it sits between busier St. Pete Seaside to the south and Clearwater Seaside to the north, Indian Rocks Seaside is one among my go-tos for an inexpensive seaside trip within the Tampa Bay space, the place I dwell.

Signal the household up for surf classes with Sister Jo’s Surf Faculty (the waves are nearly at all times supreme for inexperienced persons) and stroll the boardwalk via a marshy forest on the small however lovely Indian Rocks Seaside Nature Protect. “I like that you could get pleasure from paddleboarding, kayaking, and snorkeling right here, and the white sand is ideal for constructing castles and discovering distinctive shells,” says Karimah Henry of Crafting a Enjoyable Life.

After I go to with my circle of relatives, I like staying simply south of Indian Rocks Seaside, in Indian Shores, on the inexpensive Legacy Trip Resorts. A licensed B Corp property, it fronts the Intracoastal Waterway and has an outside grilling space the place we prepare dinner sizzling canines and hamburgers to save lots of on eating out whereas having fun with a few of the greatest waterfront views round.

Bonita Springs

Simply north of flashy Naples, Bonita Springs gives an inexpensive Florida seaside trip with entry to equally pretty Gulf of Mexico sand. Make the Hyatt Trip Membership at Coconut Cove your base, and benefit from the 1,000-foot lazy river, fireplace pit, barbecue space, and tiki bar. Close by, Lovers Key State Park‘s two miles of undeveloped sand beckons for shelling and boogie boarding. Dive into extra of the realm’s singular tropical nature at Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, the place you’ll be able to stroll alongside a boardwalk via the most important old-growth bald cypress forest in North America. When starvation strikes, comply with the neon to Mel’s Diner, which serves consolation meals like pot roast melts and pulled pork sandwiches that received’t break the financial institution.