The 6 Best Cheap Places to Travel in Florida
If you reside somewhere on the East Coast of the United States, Florida is a great option for a cheap getaway, as the flights are normally pretty cheap and hotels don’t have a huge price tag. With beautiful beaches, amazing theme parks, and many more to do, Florida is a must visit. There are some places in the sunshine state that may be more expensive than others, so here is a list of the best cheap places to visit in Florida:
1. Sarasota
This gorgeous city just south of Tampa on Florida’s Gulf Coast is home to white sand beaches and some great dining options. If you do make your way to Sarasota you have to spend some time at the spectacular beaches on Siesta Key. Siesta Key is a great place for a picnic on the beach or some beach activities like volleyball and tennis. If you are looking for some other things to do besides hang at the beach there are many other options in Sarasota including walking through the Botanical Gardens, visit the Aquarium, or kayak through the Mangrove Tunnels.
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As for affordable places to stay in Sarasota, there are a few different options at different price ranges. My top affordable places to stay include the Latern Inn & Suites, Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach, and the Ramada by Wyndham Sarasota Waterfront.
2. Orlando
 Now when you first think of Orlando, you may immediately just think Disney and Universal Studios, but Orlando also has plenty of other options around the city such as mini-golf, biking, and walking trails. If you decide to visit Orlando, you can count on entertaining shows, fun rides, and meeting all kinds of characters! You can also visit the nearby Old Town Kissimmee for some fun outdoor entertainment. Out of all the places on this list, Orlando is definitely the best family friendly option in Florida.
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If you are looking for a beach vacation, then Orlando may not be your best bet as you’ll have to drive about an hour and a half either east or west to get to a beach. To the east, you’ll find Cocoa or Daytona Beaches, and to the West, you can find Clearwater Beach. There are many cool themed hotels in Orlando that you can stay at for an affordable price, such as Universal’s Endless Summer Resort or the Walt Disney World Swan Resort.
3. St. Petersburg
Similar to Sarasota, this city is located on the Florida’s Gulf Coast and is right next to the city of Tampa. The city has the nickname “Sunshine City” and for a reason. St. Pete’s always has beautiful weather for most of the year and is home to some beautiful white sandy beaches. If you do decide to take a trip to St. Petersburg, then you have to experience a sunset on the beach because it has some of the best in the world. Other things to do include exploring the St. Petersburg pier, check out the Saturday morning market, or visit the Dali Museum.
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There are many cheap places to stay in St. Petersburg, which include Ponce De Leon Hotel, Holiday Isles Resort, and St. Pete Beach Suites if you are looking for a gorgeous resort right on St. Pete’s Beach.
4. St. Augustine
St. Augustine has a very rich and historic feel to it, which you will experience as soon as you start walking around. You can find find Romanesque Revival-style buildings, many of which were designed by railroad and oil tycoon Henry Flagler, who played a key role in developing St. Augustine and the rest of Florida’s east coast. Other than exploring the amazing historic city, some other things to do in St. Augustine include seeing a show at the amphitheatre, check out the lighthouse, visit the world golf hall of fame, or just lounge at the plentiful beaches.Â
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There are many places to stay in St. Augustine that won’t break the bank. These include The Collector Inn – Adults Only, Old City House Inn, and Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Downtown Hotel if you want to be right in the hustle and bustle of the city.
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5. Destin
Destin and Miramar Beach are popular destinations, famous for their gorgeous beaches. Destin is located in the northwest portion of the state and is considered part of the Panhandle of Florida. The sands are white and soft and the water is so warm and clear you might think you’re in a pool! In fact, the beaches are so beautiful that celebrities have been spotted here on many occasions – you’ll find them on 30A, a scenic highway that runs along the beach filled with homes, shops, and restaurants.
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If the beach isn’t you’re things, there are also a other things you can do in the city such as play mini-golf or take a ride on the lazy river at Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park. If you are more of an outdoor person, you can go for a hike at Henderson Beach State Park. Places to stay in Destin include Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Candlewood Suites Destin, and Summerplace Inn Destin.Â
6. Daytona
When you think of Daytona, Florida you may immediately think of the Daytona 500 NASCAR race. While that is a big draw for people to visit the city. While that is a fun event, the city of Daytona has way more to offer than just the race named after it. Daytona has 23 miles of Atlantic Ocean beaches that you can explore and relax at. On top of the beach, Daytona has miles and miles of biking and hiking trails, visit the lively boardwalk, or drive 20 minutes to the nearby Tomoka State Park. Daytona is also a great destination for bikers that want to take a scenic ride along the eastern coast of Florida and has an abundance of biker bars around.
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Budget Hotels in Daytona that are still pretty nice include the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, and Holiday Inn Resort Daytona Beach Oceanfront.
Conclusion
Usually when you think of a beach vacation in your head you may also think of a large price tag, but it doesn;t have to be that way. Florida provides that mix of beautiful beaches, amusement parks, and many activities to do in some historic cities. So next time when your planning your vacation, you should absolutely keep these top cheap places in Florida in mind.Â