As summer truly begins, Florida quickly tops the list of summer vacation plans and weekend trip ideas. Whether planning an affordable beach vacation or seeking out a trip to the city, Florida offers plenty of budget-friendly spots to explore.

Florida is known for its warm weather, sunny skies, beautiful beaches, natural landscape, and various amusement parks. Everglades National Park in Florida, for instance, is widely considered one of America’s must-visit natural wonders. Vacationers also visit the Sunshine State to enjoy Florida’s beautiful Gulf Coast beach towns and partake in water sports. Thankfully, a trip to Florida does not have to break the bank, and there are many affordable towns and cities to visit.

UPDATE: 2023/06/26 21:51 EST BY NICOLE HANSEN

Even more budget-friendly Florida vacations!

Summer is in full swing, and with it, the weekend getaways and vacation plans are being made. Florida is a top summer vacation destination, and fortunately, the state offers numerous budget-friendly cities for travelers of all kinds. In honor of the true start of summer, we've added even more cheap Florida vacation destinations for travelers of all kinds.

The first step to a cost-effective Florida vacation is finding the right accommodation that won't blow the budget before the trip even begins. Each entry includes a highly-rated hotel that will leave plenty of room in the wallet to enjoy the numerous activities these Florida towns have to offer.

Related: Backpacking In Florida: 10 Affordable & Highly Rated Hostels To Book

St. Augustine

A true piece of history, St. Augustine in Florida is America's oldest city and is home to numerous must-see historic buildings, beautiful white sand beaches, and a lively coastal town feel. Perhaps the most famous landmark in St. Augustine is the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, which costs $15 per person to enter (a pass that is good for seven days).

Visitors can also catch a glimpse of the St. Augustine Lighthouse, take a free self-guided tour through the St. Augustine Distillery, or enjoy the outdoors at Anastasia State Park to round out their budget-friendly Florida coast vacation.

• Cheap Things to Do in St Augustine, Florida: Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, St. Augustine Lighthouse, St. Augustine Distillery, Anastasia State Park

Related: The Ultimate Travel Guide To St. Augustine & What To Do In This Historic City

Delray Beach

The key to a low-cost Florida vacation is taking advantage of the free public galleries and parks. Thankfully, Delray Beach has both in spades, making it a great option for a cheap Florida weekend getaway. Free spaces like the former water utilities property that is now Wakodahatchee Wetlands have numerous boardwalks for visitors to take a morning stroll along.

For a more downtown-oriented afternoon, travelers can also explore Atlantic Avenue, a historic street full of local food vendors, art galleries, unique shops, and a thriving nightlife. The street also leads right back to the beach for those looking to make the most of their Delray Beach day.

• Cheap Things to Do in Delray Beach, Florida: Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Atlantic Avenue, Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, Gulfstream Park, Pineapple Grove Arts District

Melbourne

Southeast of the big city of Orlando, Melbourne is a bit of a hidden gem of a coastal Florida town. Melbourne is the perfect budget-friendly weekend vacation thanks to its free-to-park public beaches and numerous family-friendly activities.

Melbourne also offers a variety of free outdoor spaces to enjoy some of Florida's unique wildlife, including the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands, which is a great place to spot Florida's famous alligators and a huge variety of birds. Melbourne is also home base for the Sea Turtle Preservation Society, where visitors can, depending on the season, volunteer to scout for sea turtles or even watch a sea turtle release.

• Cheap Things to Do in Melbourne, Florida: Free Beaches, Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands, Sea Turtle Preservation Society, Paradise Beach & Park, Golfing, Snorkeling

Related: Witness Nesting Sea Turtles At These Florida Beaches

Ocala

Ocala is a unique Florida city that blends numerous protected natural landscapes with over 400 thoroughbred horse farms and training centers. Ocala is home to several free and inexpensive federally protected lands, including Ocala National Forest and Rainbow Springs State Park.

Travelers looking for a more unique weekend trip idea in Florida can also tour some of Ocala's world-class horse farms and training facilities. The Five Phases Farm and Ocala Stud are both open to the public, or guests can enjoy a tour of several of the farms through companies like Farm Tours of Ocala.

• Cheap Things to Do in Ocala, Florida: Ocala National Forest, Rainbow Springs State Park, Silver Springs State Park, Five Phases Farm, Ocala Stud Farm, Horse Farm Tours

Orlando

Orlando is a surprisingly affordable city in Florida, offering a wide variety of free things to do. Save money by swapping a trip to Disney World for an afternoon at Disney Springs. This unique plaza is free to enter and features 99 shops, 68 restaurants and dining options, and a variety of attractions, live performances, and events. A calendar of free concerts and events can be found online. Orlando is also home to several budget-friendly resorts that offer a quality stay and excellent amenities.

• Cheap Things to Do in Orlando, Florida: Disney Springs, Lake Eola Park, Orlando Museum of Art, Kraft Azalea Garden, Universal CityWalk

Other free activities in Orlando include hiking the West Orange Trail and attending a movie night in Lake Eola Park.

Sarasota

Sarasota is another affordable Florida city perfect for a vacation. Out of the numerous fun things to do in Sarasota, several are inexpensive or even free. Siesta Beach, for example, is a public beach featuring crystal clear water, soft sand, and lifeguard stations. Another picturesque and free attraction in the area is Point of Rocks, a shoreline featuring unique rock formations, marine wildlife, palm trees, and seashells.

• Cheap Things to Do in Sarasota, Florida: Siesta Beach, Point of Rocks, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Legacy Trail, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Both parking and admission are free at Siesta Beach.

Fort Myers

Another beautiful and affordable beach town in Florida is Fort Myers. There is plenty to explore in Fort Myers, from the city’s gorgeous beaches and parks to its amazing food scene. A great way to experience Fort Myers’ natural beauty is by visiting Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, a wildlife sanctuary containing walking trails and exquisite flora and fauna. Stroll along the elevated paths and keep an eye out for turtles, birds, and alligators.

• Cheap Things to Do in Fort Myers, Florida: Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, Manatee Park, Edison and Ford Winter Estates, IMAG History & Science Center

Learn about Florida’s natural environment by embarking on a guided tour of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. Tours take place daily at 9:30 am and Wednesdays and Thursdays at 1:30 pm.

Daytona Beach

Another affordable Florida city to visit is Daytona Beach on Florida’s Atlantic Coast. When drafting the ultimate travel guide to Daytona Beach, be sure to include a trip to the Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier, as well as a laid-back beach day filled with swimming, lounging, and catching some rays.

A unique experience to have around Daytona Beach is a horseback ride on the beach. Equestrian Adventures of Florida offers affordable packages, with a beach ride costing only $135 per person per hour.

• Cheap Things to Do in Daytona Beach, Florida: Daytona Beach Boardwalk, Daytona Beach Bandshell, Dunlawton Plantation and Sugar Mill, The Casements

Call 386-846-8386 for more information or schedule a ride online.

Related: 10 Things To Do In Daytona Beach (You Haven't Thought Of)

Cocoa Beach

Another Florida vacation spot that won’t break the bank is Cocoa Beach. This coastal city is known for its surf breaks and stunning beach. Cocoa Beach is also home to Ron Jon Surf Shop, the largest surf shop in the world, spanning 52,000 feet and filled to the brim with surf, skating, and swimming equipment.

After exploring the largest surf shop, head next door to the Florida Surf Museum, an affordable attraction that teaches guests about Florida’s surf history through interesting exhibits, events, and programs.

• Cheap Things to Do in Cocoa Beach, Florida: Cocoa Beach Pier, Florida Surf Museum, Historic Cocoa Village, Manatee Sanctuary Park

The Florida Surf Museum is free to enter, but there is a suggested $2 donation per person.

Pensacola

When traveling to Florida on a budget, consider visiting Pensacola. This area of Florida is known for its sugar-white beaches, clear water, excellent fishing, and charming beach side shops and restaurants. There is much more to do in Pensacola than visit the beach, however. Exciting things to do in Pensacola besides a beach day include visiting the National Naval Aviation Museum and shopping along Palafox Street.

• Cheap Things to Do in Pensacola, Florida: Pensacola Beach, Bay Bluffs Park, The Graffiti Bridge, National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, Palafox Street, Fishing

Sports fans enjoy catching a baseball game at Pensacola’s Blue Wahoos Stadium.

Gainesville

An affordable place to visit in northern Florida is Gainesville. Gainesville is worth visiting for its budget-friendly hotels, exciting nightlife, delicious restaurants, and natural beauty. Nature lovers should visit Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park, featuring hiking trails, sinkholes, guided tours, wildlife viewing, and a picnic area. The park fees are $4 per vehicle, $2 for pedestrians, and $2 for cyclists.

• Cheap Things to Do in Gainesville, Florida: Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park, Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail, Depot Park, Bat Houses, Harn Museum of Art, Florida Museum of Natural History

Florida state parks tend to fill up quickly, so plan to arrive at the park around its opening time of 8 am.

Jacksonville

It is also possible to plan a budget-friendly trip to the Florida city of Jacksonville. Located on the Atlantic Coast, Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida by population. Enjoy a taste of the city life by exploring the area’s bars, restaurants, museums, and shopping centers.

Visiting on a Saturday? A fun and free activity in Jacksonville is wandering through the Riverside Arts Market. This market takes place under the Fuller Warren Bridge and draws crowds of artists, farmers, craft makers, and musicians.

• Cheap Things to Do in Jacksonville, Florida: Riverside Arts Market, Kingsley Plantation, Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens

The Riverside Arts Market takes place from 10 am-3 pm every Saturday.Ponce Inlet

Ponce Inlet

An affordable Florida town just south of Daytona Beach is Ponce Inlet. This area of Florida is perfect for vacationers looking to get away from crowds and enjoy a laid-back vacation in a charming beach town. Ponce Inlet is known for its incredible surf conditions and beautiful beach, making it a great spot for surfers and those who enjoy water sports. Guests can also explore the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse & Museum for less than $7 ($6.95 for adults and $1.95 for kids 11 and under).

• Cheap Things to Do in Ponce Inlet, Florida: Surfing, Free Beaches, Ponce Inlet Lighthouse & Museum, Marine Science Center, Ponce Preserve

Marathon

The Florida Keys is a popular travel destination and for good reason. This area is referred to as the dive capital of the world and offers incredible outdoor experiences. It is possible to plan an affordable trip to the Florida Keys by staying in the city of Marathon. This 10-mile island is a hub for seafood festivals, waterfront dining, delicious seafood, and outdoor adventures.

A fun and free activity to enjoy in Marathon is walking or biking the Seven Mile Bridge. This unique Florida structure offers beautiful ocean views and was once an old railroad bridge.

• Cheap Things to Do in Marathon, Florida: Seven Mile Bridge, The Turtle Hospital, Dolphin Research Center, Sombrero Beach

Before visiting, check out a guide to the Seven Mile Bridge to learn about the bridge’s history and what attractions to visit nearby.