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 neighborhood alongside Florida’s Panhandle is prime for an reasonably priced seashore trip, particularly if you keep at a historic property like The Bowery Inn or Taranto Home, each of which date to the early 1900s, or the beautiful Gibson Inn, one other historic lodge with a breezy wraparound porch.

“This neighborhood captivates the guts and soul of Previous Florida appeal with a relaxed vibe, unimaginable fishing, one-of-a-kind boutiques, and the liveliest locals slurping down contemporary oysters and loads of libations,” says Jason Bogan, common 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 attractive barrier island of St. George. Laura Byrne of Tampa Bay Parenting says she first fell in love with the island’s seashores whereas dwelling 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 attractive 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 fascinating buildings listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations.

Cocoa Seaside

Cocoa Seaside was all the time my most well-liked vacation spot for an reasonably priced seashore weekend after I spent a couple of years after faculty dwelling 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’ll be able to 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 motels within the space embody Seaside Place Guesthouses — certainly one of 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 seashore stroll right here, and also you would possibly even see child sea turtles hatching. Additionally you should definitely test the rocket launch calendar for a free present within the sky. “The Wizard of Oz” followers will need to shell out a couple of bucks to pop into the quirky Wizard of Oz Museum, dwelling to a non-public assortment that spans many years of memorabilia. With all this and extra, it is no marvel Cocoa Seaside is among the greatest seashores close to Orlando.

New Smyrna Seaside

New Smyrna Seaside, one other standard possibility not removed from Orlando, is a protected and delightful wager for an reasonably priced seashore trip in Florida. Oceanfront condos for hire line the packed sand, plus you possibly can think about a riverside keep at certainly one of 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, an area favourite for its fabulous grouper sandwich and fish dip. You’ll be able to 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 looking for an reasonably priced and cheerful seashore trip in Florida. Panama Metropolis Seaside’s unpretentious vibes pair with beautiful 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 can be a part of the Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Path. And also you solely want a masks and snorkel to fin out from the seashore and discover the rock jetty and synthetic reef attracting tropical fish, rays, and extra at St. Andrews State Park. E-book an reasonably priced room on the beachfront Flamingo Resort and Tower; hit Shrimp Basket for a funds feast of oysters, wings, and shrimp; and easily bask within the mellow seashore vibes.

Pensacola Seaside

With lodging choices that vary from tenting at Fort Pickens to the beachfront Pensacola Seaside RV Resort and chain motels to the beautiful Pensacola Seaside Resort, that is one other reasonably priced Panhandle vacation spot in Florida. You’ll be able to discover the realm on a funds aboard the 145-passenger Pensacola Bay Metropolis Ferry, which connects downtown Pensacola, Fort Pickens, and Pensacola Seaside. However you’ll need to leap within the automobile to go to different beautiful 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 folks 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 number of the area’s most beautiful seashores alongside Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key — all for a fraction of the value. You’ll be able to nonetheless discover old-school properties like Seaside Desires and BridgeWalk fronting the white sand and historic district right here. You may also discover the realm totally free 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, all the time makes for a enjoyable, free outing on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

St. Augustine Seaside

St. Augustine could also be certainly one of Florida’s most touristic (and historic) cities, however you possibly can have a surprisingly reasonably priced seashore trip right here, too.

Tour St. Augustine gives free historic strolling excursions of the downtown points of interest each Saturday and Sunday, in addition to different choices. My children love using the free passenger ferry to Rattlesnake Island to play pirates at Fort Matanzas Nationwide Monument, which has beautiful views overlooking the Matanzas River. There’s additionally a playground that youngsters love at Lighthouse Park, the place you possibly can picnic underneath the oaks and take within the lighthouse views. On the subject of seashore time, there’s no higher free exercise than bodysurfing and looking out the sand for shark enamel at St. Augustine Seaside or Vilano Seaside, the place you will nonetheless discover reasonably priced, mom-and-pop properties like Magic Seaside Motel.

Lake Price Seaside

Simply south of tony Palm Seaside, Lake Price Seaside is a good possibility in case you’re on the lookout for an reasonably priced trip alongside this notoriously expensive 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 children can replenish on French toast and pancakes, then scoot all the way down to the sand, whereas the bloody marys and mimosas stream for adults. Between Lake Price and Lantana, simply south, there are many mom-and-pop motels 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 neglected the place it sits between busier St. Pete Seaside to the south and Clearwater Seaside to the north, Indian Rocks Seaside is certainly one of my go-tos for an reasonably priced seashore 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 virtually all the time perfect for inexperienced persons) and stroll the boardwalk via a marshy forest on the small however stunning Indian Rocks Seaside Nature Protect. “I really like that you may 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 really like staying simply south of Indian Rocks Seaside, in Indian Shores, on the reasonably priced Legacy Trip Resorts. A licensed B Corp property, it fronts the Intracoastal Waterway and has an out of doors grilling space the place we prepare dinner sizzling canines and hamburgers to avoid wasting on eating out whereas having fun with a number of the greatest waterfront views round.

Bonita Springs

Simply north of flashy Naples, Bonita Springs gives an reasonably priced Florida seashore trip with entry to equally beautiful 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 possibly can stroll alongside a boardwalk via the most important old-growth bald cypress forest in North America. When starvation strikes, observe 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.