Florida Spot is the No. 1 Free Attraction, USA Today Says
You don’t need to have a lot of money to have an enjoyable vacation. Well, it turns out that Florida is home to America’s No. 1 best free attraction, according to the experts at USA Today. In Florida and beyond, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy some of America’s best free attractions. That’s a great thing, because money is tight for many Americans, and doing vacations can be especially expensive for those with a large family.
Florida Has the No. 1 Free Attraction in the U.S.
USA Today has a new feature out celebrating the best free attractions in the U.S. In it, they note that, “When you visit one of these 10 free attractions — selected by a panel of travel experts and voted by readers as the best in the U.S. — you can save big travel budget bucks for other things. Even though they come at no cost, in each case, you get way, way more than you pay for.” What’s neat is that this is part of USA Today’s 10 Best series, which means that experts selected a bunch of spots on which to vote, and then actual travelers voted on their favorites. So, this tally is from actual people who have visited some of these attractions and know they’re fantastic. I’m always more impressed with a study such as this one when real people who have traveled to those spots are voting on the results.
Before we get to Florida I found it interesting that the Golden Gate Bridge was No. 5 on the tally. It’s one of the most popular spots in the world, so I thought it would be higher, but that’s still high. The bridge is located between Golden Gate National Recreational Area and Golden Gate Park, which the publication notes are both great for outdoors lovers. It’s really a stunning bridge, to boot.
So, which two Florida spot is the best free attraction in America? Coming in at No. 1 is Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach. “Situated in Juno Beach, the Loggerhead Marinelife Center is focused on ocean and sea turtle conservation, and it’s free and open to the public each day,” USA Today notes. “Since the goal is to rescue and return wildlife to their natural habitats, the number of resident sea turtles will vary when people visit.” I think that’s lovely. Also on the tally is TECO Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach, Florida, at No. 2. I’m glad Florida has these free attractions, so we don’t have to pay a ton to have some fun.
Secret Tips to Save Money on Your Next Vacation
1. Try to Negotiate Your Lodging
Did you know that hotel fees can be negotiable? Fidelity.com points out that, “You may be able to negotiate the online price by calling a hotel directly, or asking if they have any discounts for students, government employees, or members of certain groups, such as AAA.” So, don’t settle for that price you see on your laptop. Try to do better. It’s a secret tip that can pay off bigtime.
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2. Get Smart with Your Lodging
Did you know some hotels that are virtually the same, including the same brand, can be cheaper just a few miles apart? As a general rule, hotels that are near the airport are more expensive. So, you can look at the hotels you want to stay at and their multiple locations in the area for the best rate. “Some hotels that are under construction may rent rooms at a discount, which is a great option if you can deal with the noise,” Fidelity.com points out.
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3. Snack Your Way to a Cheaper Trip
Going out to eat on vacation can be one of the most exciting things about the trip. But, if you want to save on cash, skip a few meals out and opt for healthy, hearty snacks. Pack (or buy at a local store) some protein-rich snacks, like protein bars and meal bars, and limit your dining out. You can still enjoy some of the best food the area has to offer, just not as much of it. This is a way to stay fit on your trip, too. A lot of people don’t think of this tip, so it’s a bit of a secret.
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4. Timing is Everything
You’ve heard it so many times in life: Timing is everything. That’s true for travel, too. Research to find the least-busy times to visit your destination. If you travel during those downtimes, you’ll save big. While this is a common tip, something people forget is that every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, be specific for your travel spot.
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5. Travel with a Friend
If you’re thinking of traveling solo to a place you’ve always wanted to visit, go cheaper by traveling with a friend. You two can share lodging fees. Also, sometimes there are more deals and discounts for those traveling with multiple people. I always do this when going to a big music festival, if it’s far away. I’ll usually meet my friend there, and we share lodging costs. It also makes the trip more fun.
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6. Find Free Spots to Travel
Look for some free attractions in your travel area. Chances are, they won’t be as packed as the big-named places, too. You can still visit some of the popular landmarks. But, if you add a trip to a national park or free museum to your itinerary, it will save you some cash.
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7. Max Out Your Memberships
Are you a member of any random groups? You might have travel deals just waiting for you. Check everything, from your college alumni membership to your credit cards, for travel discounts. You may be surprised what you find.
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8. Don't Get Picky
Say you just want to get out on a fantastic trip, but you don’t really have a place in mind. That’s actually a good thing. Take an hour to look at flight specials happening right now. If you aren’t picky on where to travel, chances are you’ll find a great rate on airfare and lodging somewhere. Once you find the most reasonable place to travel, then you can start looking at what to do when you’re there.
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9. Go Popular
This is a bit ironic, but often times, the most popular tourist destinations are also the cheapest. That’s because there is a lot of competition for all those travelers. So, big-named destinations like Orlando, Florida, or Las Vegas, Nevada, tend to have really good travel deals. Go popular, or go home.
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