You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy the best places to travel in the US. Cheap family vacations in Florida for one offers loads of fun without the need to spend all your travel budget.
Florida has so much to offer. It is home to endless vacation backdrops including beaches, museums, art features, hole-in-the-wall surprises, and cultural flair that are located close together making it the ultimate destination for family vacationers.
And if you think Florida dreaming is too big for your budget? You might be surprised to learn that the “Sunshine State” has so many affordable vacation spots to explore. Here are the 8 cheap family vacation getaways in Florida to check out.
In a state like Florida where there is endless fun and entertainment for the whole family, you can easily find a budget-friendly place or thing to do in the state. Here are 8 cheap family vacations in Florida you shouldn’t miss!
What Is The Cheapest Place To Vacation In Florida?
If you’re searching for the best places to visit in Florida for a family on a budget, look no further.
Here are 8 ideas to inspire you to have an affordable, memorable family vacation in the beautiful state of Florida.
- Cocoa Beach
- Jacksonville Beach
- Everglades National Park
- Gainesville
- St. Pete Beach
- Pensacola Beach
- Marathon
- Orlando
Florida is known for its theme parks, particularly Disney World and Universal Studios, which can be quite pricey. But these aren’t the only attractions that the state has to offer. As a matter of fact, there are tons of amazing attractions in Florida that are cheap and Free to enjoy!
Whether you’re a beach lover, a foodie, or love learning history, there’s a place in Florida that you and the family can enjoy even on a budget. Keep scrolling to see our list of cheap family vacations in Florida.
How Can I Go To Florida On A Budget?
You don’t have to burn off all your travel money when visiting Florida. With the proper planning, you can enjoy your family vacation even on a tight budget. Here are some tips.
- Plan ahead and use our Travel expense tracker to keep track of your travel budget.
- If you can, avoid traveling during the peak seasons. During this time hotel rates tend to get higher. Airfares also cost less during the off-season.
- Always check if there are discounts when visiting an attraction.
- Use any coupons you can get your hands on.
- Enjoy and have fun at the beach where it’s FREE, instead of visiting places with entrance fees.
- Instead of pricey hotels, you can bring your RV and camp at the many campgrounds in Florida.
- There are also vacation rentals in Florida for every budget.
You might be wondering what the cost of a trip to Florida is. On average, it would cost a family of 4 around $3,900 for a one-week stay in Florida. The cheapest time to travel to Florida is by late September.
Now that you know the tips on how to travel on a budget in Florida. We now give you some of the cheapest family vacations in Florida and why you absolutely must visit them.
Cheap Family Vacations in Florida
Here are 8 cheap family vacations in Florida that you won't soon forget!
With 6 miles of stunning beaches along the Atlantic shoreline, Cocoa Beach in Florida offers lots of family fun activities that won’t hurt your pockets. From the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier in the north, all the way to Downtown Cocoa Beach in the South families will have plenty of opportunities to play on the sand, explore, surf, and splash in which is totally free.
Aside from the active oceanside atmosphere, other budget-friendly things to try in Cocoa Beach include:
- Watching a rocket launch
- Check out The Manatee Sanctuary Park
- Visit Lori Wilson Park(they also offer free parking)
- Take a picture with the life-size statue of Kelly Slater surfing
- See Brevard Veterans Memorial Center
Being the largest city by area in the United States, Jacksonville in Florida offers limitless fun activities for visitors on a budget. Known for being a coastal city, you wouldn’t want to miss the beautiful Jacksonville beach which lies less than a half-hour away from downtown Jacksonville.
The beach is also never too crowded so finding a spot is not a problem, plus parking is free. Families on vacation can also visit interesting museums like The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens and the Museum of Science and History.
You can also catch local artists, farmers, bakers, live entertainment, crafts, and even street performers every Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM at the weekly Riverside Arts Market. Jacksonville also has the largest outdoor urban park system in the US, and many of them(if not all) are completely free to explore.
The Everglades is one of the most amazing national parks in the United States. It is the 3rd largest national park in the lower 48 states and is home to some incredible animals including the unique bird species, the Florida panther, and alligators found that dwell in this vast area of shallow river and swampland.
With its unique vegetation and wildlife, it's easy to see why people from across the country and even the world visit this one-of-a-kind area.
Aside from wildlife watching, families can also go camping in the park, bicycling, boating, fishing, kayaking, and more!
Gainesville may not be as close to the beach as Miami or Orlando. But this city in Florida has so much to offer, from educational attractions to tons of cool outdoor activities that families can enjoy for free. Here are some of the cheap and free things to do in Gainesville that are perfect for families:
- Explore the Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail
- Take a tour of the Florida Museum of Natural History: General admission here is FREE
- Take the kids to Depot Park
- Take a Stroll Around the Historic University of Florida Campus
- Feed horses at Mill Creek Farm
If you’re looking for cheap or even free things to do in St. Petersburg with the family you’d be happy to know that there are so many options for you out there. To start you can visit the waterfront area on the bay side where families can simply walk around, bike, run and see the gorgeous sights around.
Celebrate the sunset at Sunset at Pier 60. This is a celebration that's held all year long by the beach's famous pier, where you'll find artisans, performers, and stunning views, and it's free too!
The Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is also another attraction to visit if you're on a budget. You can hike the boardwalks around the lake and take a view of the wildlife.
Since the discovery of Pensacola’s legendary sugar-white sand and turquoise water in 1559 the area has been a famous travel destination by many. And for families on a budget, this area in Florida is one of the best places to visit.
You can start your family vacation by visiting the stunning Pensacola beach which is home to Gulf Islands National Seashore, the nation’s longest stretch of protected seashore, it’s perfect for biking, snorkeling, kayaking and simply bonding with the family.
Step back in time to the Pensacola Bay area where you’ll find all the historic sites which reflect more than 450 years of history.
Situated right in the heart of the Florida Keys, the islands of Marathon are famous for their beautiful white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and stunning barrier reefs. What's great about it is you can enjoy it without the long lines and busy atmosphere of Florida’s populated tourist destinations.
If you’re looking for free things to do in the area, you can start with the iconic Seven Miles Bridge, you can take pictures and simply admire it from afar.
You can also drive across the bridge to Little Duck from Knight’s Key. Make sure to visit Sombrero Beach in Marathon which is renowned as one of the most beautiful beaches in the region.
Orlando is famous for its popular theme parks, but visiting these attractions can be pretty expensive. But in a place like Orlando, where there are endless attractions and entertainment options, you can also find budget-friendly places and activities that are perfect for families. Here are some free and cheap things to do with the family in Orlando, FL.
- Visit Lake Eola Park
- Swim in Wekiva Springs
- Play a round of mini-golf
- Disney’s Boardwalk
- Universal Orlando’s CityWalk
Can’t Afford a Family Vacation? Think Again!
- Would You Like An Easy Way to keep track of your travel expenses?
- Do you ever feel like you have no idea what you spend on your vacation?
- Wouldn’t it be nice to keep your travel plans and confirmation numbers AND track your spending all on your phone and in ONE place?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, then The Travel Expense Tracker™️ can help you.
Gain control of your travel budget so you can travel more NOW and in the future!
Accessible from your tablet, laptop, or smartphone.
Download Your FREE Family Travel Planner
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