I’ve Lived in Florida for 27 Years, and These Are the Greatest Low-cost Seashore 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 inexpensive seashore trip, particularly whenever 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“This neighborhood captivates the guts and soul of Outdated Florida appeal with a relaxed vibe, unimaginable fishing, one-of-a-kind boutiques, and the liveliest locals slurping down recent oysters and loads of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 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 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 lease a golf cart to discover Apalachicola’s historic district, house to many fascinating buildings listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations.

Cocoa Seashore

Cocoa Seashore was at all times my most popular vacation spot for an inexpensive seashore weekend after I spent a number 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 lease a board at Ron Jon Surf Store and paddle out close to the Cocoa Seashore Pier, or join surf classes on the College of Surf. Funds-minded lodges within the space embrace Seashore Place Guesthouses — one in all 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 may even see child sea turtles hatching. Additionally make sure to examine 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, house to a personal assortment that spans many years of memorabilia. With all this and extra, it is no marvel Cocoa Seashore is among the greatest seashores close to Orlando.

New Smyrna Seashore

New Smyrna Seashore, one other common possibility not removed from Orlando, is a protected and delightful wager for an inexpensive seashore trip in Florida. Oceanfront condos for lease line the packed sand, plus you possibly can contemplate a riverside keep at one in all 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’ll be able to lease kayaks and paddleboards right here, too, and paddle out into the encircling 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 Seashore

This former party-heavy vacation spot has pivoted in recent times to develop into a favourite amongst households searching for an inexpensive and cheerful seashore trip in Florida. Panama Metropolis Seashore’s unpretentious vibes pair with beautiful Gulf of Mexico seashores, making it a high Panhandle vacation spot. Scuba divers like me flock to the realm to blow bubbles underwater at 5 shipwrecks which might 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. Guide 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 seashore vibes.

Pensacola Seashore

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

Bradenton Seashore

A trip in Bradenton Seashore 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 Seashore Desires and BridgeWalk fronting the white sand and historic district right here. It’s also possible to discover the realm free of charge aboard the Island Trolley, which makes a loop from Bradenton’s Coquina Seashore 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 Seashore Cafe. And the energetic Coquina Seashore Market, subsequent to Longboat Cross and with every kind of crafts and handmade objects on the market, at all times makes for a enjoyable, free outing on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

St. Augustine Seashore

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

Tour St. Augustine provides free historic strolling excursions of the downtown sights each Saturday and Sunday, in addition to different choices. My youngsters 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 children love at Lighthouse Park, the place you possibly can picnic below the oaks and take within the lighthouse views. In the case of seashore time, there’s no higher free exercise than bodysurfing and looking the sand for shark enamel at St. Augustine Seashore or Vilano Seashore, the place you will nonetheless discover inexpensive, mom-and-pop properties like Magic Seashore Motel.

Lake Price Seashore

Simply south of tony Palm Seashore, Lake Price Seashore is a good possibility should you’re in search of an inexpensive trip alongside this notoriously expensive stretch of South Florida. The Metropolis of Lake Price Seashore pier is a favourite spot amongst surfers and has a buzzing breakfast joint — Benny’s on the Seashore, the place the youngsters can refill on French toast and pancakes, then scoot right 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 lodges inside a brief bike experience of the seashores, together with Beachway Inn and Barefoot Mailman Inn & Suites. The Lake Price Seashore Waterside Farmers Market is a energetic place to spend a Saturday morning from October by April, with espresso, music, and dancing on the street. Free live shows and festivals with lagoon views usually play out on the bandshell at Bryant Park Pavilion, too.

Indian Rocks Seashore

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

Signal the household up for surf classes with Sister Jo’s Surf College (the waves are nearly at all times ideally suited for inexperienced persons) and stroll the boardwalk by a marshy forest on the small however lovely Indian Rocks Seashore Nature Protect. “I really like you can 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 family, I really like staying simply south of Indian Rocks Seashore, in Indian Shores, on the inexpensive Legacy Trip Resorts. An authorized B Corp property, it fronts the Intracoastal Waterway and has an outside grilling space the place we prepare dinner scorching canine 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 provides an inexpensive 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, hearth 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 by 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.