Florida is one of the mesmerizing & best places to visit, and it’s not just for retirees. Plenty of affordable family vacations in Florida will keep everyone entertained from sun up to sun down. From beaches to theme parks and everything in between, these 15 cheap family vacations in Florida will bring you back for more!
- Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach is a beautiful beach town in Florida. It has many great attractions and restaurants, including the world-famous Kennedy Space Center. The area also offers plenty of activities for you and your family, including surfing, fishing, and bird watching. You can also opt for tours through the NASA Visitor Center or try some deep sea fishing if you’re feeling adventurous!
The city is home to numerous beautiful golf courses, including the famous Cocoa Beach Country Club. You can take a ride on the Brevard County Trolley if you’re looking for some more family-friendly attractions!
- New Smyrna Beach
New Smyrna Beach is great for families who want to spend time together. It has plenty of attractions for kids, including the New Smyrna Beach Pier, where you can walk on the relaxing sandy beach and see dolphins swimming in their natural habitat. The beach also features an aquarium with sharks and other sea life that kids will love visiting.
There are many things to do within the area; you could go hiking or bike riding at Canaveral National Seashore Park or explore the quaint downtown area on foot—or even take a ride on one of its many horse-drawn carriages! You can also take a tour through Historic District Green Flash Nature Preserve (where there are live alligators) or check out some local artwork at Artspace Gallery & Studios.
The weather here is incredible year-round but especially so during winter months when temperatures average between 60°F/15°Celsius – 70°F/21°Celsius (not too hot!)
- Jacksonville Beach
Jacksonville Beach is a great place to go if you’re looking for family-friendly activities. The beach is one of the most popular places in Jacksonville, so it’s easy to find some space for your kids and family. All its activities are great for kids, who can spend the day splashing in the Atlantic Ocean or enjoying fun rides at the amusement park.
Jacksonville Beach has plenty of family-friendly hotels and restaurants, making staying there during your vacation easy. The beach itself has a lot of great options for families. There are plenty of shaded areas where you can sit and relax, as well as playgrounds, fountains, and more to keep kids entertained.
Several things make this beach great for families:
- You can swim in the ocean or lake. If you have children who like water sports, this could be an ideal spot for them!
- There are plenty of different pools around town so everyone can have fun swimming when they want (even if they don’t have their pool).
If you’re excited about spending quality time with your kids on vacation this summer but are worried about doing anything too risky or dangerous – don’t worry! Jacksonville Beach has plenty of safeguards so everyone can enjoy themselves safely without worrying about getting hurt too badly or having any accidents.”
- Gainesville
Gainesville is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a city that’s affordable, fun, and full of history. There are numerous engaging activities to do in Gainesville—the university is one of the best schools in the country!
Gainesville has everything from museums and parks to festivals and concerts. You can check out events throughout the year at U.F. or local venues like The Swamp (a stadium). If you want something more relaxing than watching sports on T.V. all day long, there’s always something going on at home: concerts from famous musicians like Taylor Swift; outdoor movies; theater performances (like Shakespeare plays); arts & crafts classes; live music clubs…the list goes on!
- Pensacola Beach
This attraction is a famous beach in Florida on the state’s Gulf Coast. It is known for its white sand beaches and emerald green waters in America.
The beach is on the western edge of Santa Rosa Island in Escambia County, Florida. The island itself is a barrier island that separates Pensacola Bay from the Gulf of Mexico. It’s also known as one of the best beaches in America.
Pensacola Beach is a great place to visit. It has many hotels and restaurants so you can stay in one of them with your family. The beach is well known for its beauty and charm, with lots of activities for kids. You can go fishing, watch the sunset or sunrise, play volleyball on the beach, or relax by the water’s edge with some snacks from one of many food trucks that line its perimeter every morning at 6 am sharp!
There are several nearby places for you to spend memorable quality time together as a family, such as SeaWorld Aquarium or ZooTampa Bay Area Zoological Park (ZOO).
There is a long list of things to do in Clearwater Beach, but the favorite on the list is the sandcastle competition. It takes place every year before Memorial Day weekend, and it’s a lot of fun! You can go with your family and friends or even by yourself; there will always be someone to talk to.
- Ponce Inlet
The town of Ponce Inlet is a small beach town on the southern end of Daytona Beach in Volusia County, Florida. It is on the Atlantic Ocean along the Ponce de Leon Inlet. It’s known for its many restaurants and nightlife and for being a great place to stay if you want to go to Daytona Beach. You can also find several hotels in this area that offer discounts on packages with other attractions such as theme or water parks. Amenities and activities for family and kids to enjoy include:
- Playground equipment for young children (1-5 years old)
- Beach access with on-duty lifeguards from Memorial Day through Labor Day; when weather permits, 4th of July fireworks are shot off from here as well! If you want to take your camera out and capture some photos yourself, it’s also nice because they have benches where you can sit down while having lunch or dinner!
- There are also multiple restaurants nearby that offer everything from burgers/hotdogs to seafood dishes. The seafood menu is full of mouth-watering dishes such as lobster tail steaks served over rice pilafs topped off with parmesan cheese sauce drizzled overtop them before serving it up hot off their grills. Ensure that everyone gets some food before heading home later tonight so we don’t go hungry during our vacation time together.
- Marathon
Marathon is a small Florida Keys town approximately 30 miles south of Key West. It’s known for its turtle hospital and races, but it also has plenty to offer families who want to explore nature without venturing too far from home.
Marathon has a population of about 2,500 people and boasts several beaches within its borders—including one that doubles as an island during low tide! If you’re expecting something more active than lounging on the beach with your kids or taking them kayaking or fishing (which we highly recommend), there are plenty of options: from guided hikes through mangroves up into hillsides covered by tropical plants; to horseback riding tours through sand dunes; SUP boarding lessons; sunset cruises on canoe boats…you get the idea!
- Fort Myers Beach
Fort Myers Beach is a popular family-friendly destination who want to spend their days at the beach. There are numerous shops around and things to do if you’re interested in something more active than simply laying on a blanket and soaking up some rays.
The best part about Fort Myers Beach? It’s very affordable! You can get accommodations that include meals at reasonable prices, so even if you don’t have any extra cash on hand, don’t worry about being broke when it comes time to book your trip!
- Bradenton Beach
Bradenton Beach is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The city is known for its beautiful beaches, sunsets, restaurants, bars, and hotels. If you’re longing for family vacation ideas that aren’t too expensive but still offer plenty of fun things to do on the beach, Bradenton Beach may be right up your alley!
If you’re planning a trip with kids under ten, check out our list of 10 Best Family Vacation Rentals in Florida!
- Orlando
Orlando is a great family vacation spot. Everyone can enjoy many activities and things in Orlando, from theme parks to zoos, aquariums, and more. If you’re interested in opting for an affordable option that won’t break the bank but still provides plenty of fun for your whole family (and doesn’t include any hidden fees), consider staying at one of these hotels near Universal Studios:
- Residence Inn by Marriott Orlando International Airport
- Courtyard by Marriott Lake Buena Vista Resort
If you want somewhere more upscale than those hotels but don’t want to pay hundreds per night or spend hours online at check-in counters just trying to get into them (or worse yet—get turned away), book into one of these resorts:
- Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island is a barrier island off the west coast of Florida in Lee County. Its sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and natural beauty are known for their sandy beaches. If you have plans for somewhere to vacation with your family or friends, Sanibel Island should be on your list!
Sanibel Island has many hotels to choose from, but if you prefer something more unique, then consider staying at one of the following five great places:
- Marlin Marina Hotel & Resort: Located right on the water with easy access to all activities available on this resort property, including golfing at Sailfish Pointe Golf Club or fishing at local lakes like Pelican Bay Marina Park – which also features sailing lessons open year-round!
- Oak Hammock Inn Bed & Breakfast: Surrounded by nature where guests can enjoy swimming in their private pool overlooking clear blue waters (which means no sharks!). You’ll also find plenty of activities nearby like kayaking through mangroves near the Gulf Stream Canal National Wildlife Refuge State Park; hiking through quiet paths along Stiltsville Trailway; exploring Indian Mound Beach Park via kayak tour boat ride around mangroves filled marshland habitat Homebase campground area where visitors may spot coastal nesting birds like wading birds such as egrets
- Tampa
Tampa is a great family vacation spot. It has plenty of fun to do and see, including several attractions that delight kids of all ages.
Tampa has many hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals available for you and your family to stay in while you enjoy the city. You can explore the nearby attractions like Busch Gardens or SeaWorld Orlando, both close by; if you can spare extra time than money on your hands (or if it’s just too darn hot), head over to St. Pete Beach for fun in the sun! Here are some of the best activities and attractions for kids:
- Tampa Museum of Art – This museum has over 500 works of art from around the world, including paintings, sculptures, and photography. It also has an excellent collection of Asian art that features ceramics from Japan, China, and Korea.
- Busch Gardens – If you’re looking for a fun day with your kids, don’t miss this one! There are roller coasters galore here, so make sure you get there early before they sell out (which they often do). You can also try out their water park, which includes slides and pools where you can relax while enjoying some hot tubs during the summer season!
- Audubon Zoo – The Audubon Zoo offers several activities for both adults & children alike, including bird watching tours through their aviary exhibits; animal feeds like elephants eating crunchy fruit snacks; animal encounters where visitors get up close & personal with animals such as polar bears & gorillas; petting zoo areas where visitors can interact directly with different types
of animals including goats/sheep/cows etc.; butterfly walks led by naturalists who teach participants about insects identification skills while learning more about butterfly habitats throughout Greater Tampa Bay area.”
- Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Tampa Bay Area.
Clearwater Beach was formerly known as “Bay City” and was incorporated into its current name in 1909 by James Butler King (1849–1932), who later became an important figure in Florida politics and served as governor from 1905–1909.
Clearwater Beach is a family-friendly beach town on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It’s known for its clean water and slower pace, making it an ideal spot for families to spend time together. You can enjoy sandcastles, swimming, crabbing, and fishing in the area or take advantage of nearby attractions, including the Museum of Science & Industry and Disney Sea Park at Walt Disney World Resort.
Clearwater Beach is also budget-friendly: many affordable hotels near the beach offer amenities such as poolside cabanas and children’s pools, so you don’t have to worry about your kids getting bored during their stay here!
- St. Augustine
St. Augustine is a well-known historic city with many attractions. It’s an excellent place to visit with family, as there are many things to do in St. Augustine that your kids can enjoy and accomplish together.
There are many activities for the whole family to enjoy and spend quality time with. The St Augustine Lighthouse Museum is located on the dune island and offers tours of this historic lighthouse during its operating hours (Tue – Sun 10 am – 4 pm). Admission is $5 per person or $7 per vehicle; kids under age 7 are free! Buying tickets ahead of time is advisable because they sell out quickly! The St Augustine Lighthouse Museum is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse museum in the United States. It offers a unique experience for visitors and families to learn about this historic landmark, its history, and its significance to St. Augustine! The interactive exhibits at the museum also include an audio tour and a video presentation on the lighthouse’s history.
While many places have existed since then—and some were even more impressive than St. Augustine—this town has set to be consistent with relatively unchanged since it was first settled over 500 years ago. This city is home to several historical landmarks like
- Fort Moultrie
- Castillo de San Marcos National Monument (a fortress built by Spain)
- Castillo de San Marcos Naval Museum & Park (which includes a museum)
- Museo del Forte Pio Pico State Park (a fortification built by Mexico)
There are plenty of other things about this place worth exploring if you visit during your stay.
- Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is an excellent place for families. Daytona Beach has many attractions, including the famous beachfront boardwalk and beautiful sunsets. Many options are available if you want to take your kids out on the water or even learn how to surf.
If you’re looking for something different than beaches and amusement parks, Daytona has some incredible restaurants that cater specifically to families! We recommend going here at least once during your stay.
You can also find hotels that offer discounts for families if you book early enough—so make sure not to avail these exciting deals!
So there you have it. We’ve ensured that you are well informed and ready to hit the road with your family. These trips will be memorable, but they won’t break your bank account! Now go out and make some memories together!
