Your vacation budget may be limited, but you can still have an enjoyable trip. Choose a city with plenty of free and low-cost things to do. Southern Florida offers warm temperatures throughout the year and beautiful parks and beaches.
You’ll find the small inviting city of Miami Springs, Florida, near Miami International Airport. Although it’s not as famous as its glitzy neighbours such as South Beach or downtown Miami, you can find things to do in town and in nearby Miami that don’t cost a dime.
History Walking Tour
Image via Flickr by The Miami Story
Miami Springs was the first planned community in Florida. Soak in the history as you walk through different neighborhoods. Plan your route so that you can stop at more than 15 memorials and historic buildings and learn about the city’s beginnings in the 1920s. You’ll see tributes to early city residents and the military. Budding engineers can also marvel at the architecture of the Parker Vertical Lift Bridge and the Warren Pony Swing Bridge.
People Watching at the Farmers Market
If you’re visiting Miami Springs between late October and mid-March, you can stroll through the farmers market for some people watching. The market is open each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Curtiss Parkway. Browse the stalls and sample vendors’ wares from fruit and vegetables to crafts and natural beauty products. You may even see an old-fashioned bookmobile.
Bike Rides
You can ride around on a Lime Bike for only $1. Use the bike-sharing service to take a free tour of the city. If you get tired, you don’t have to ride round-trip back to your starting point. Pick up a bike and drop it off at another Lime Bike location. To use a bike, download the Lime Bike app, scan the bike’s QR code, and start pedaling.
Beach Day
Make your dollars stretch farther and stay at an affordable hotel that offers free breakfast with your room. When you stay in Miami Springs, you can drive to Miami Beach in about 30 minutes. Head to Miami to explore its gorgeous beaches. Park a few blocks away to find free or low-cost parking.
You won’t need to pay an entrance fee to enjoy Miami beaches between Fifth and 15th streets. Relax in the sand and enjoy a full day of sunshine and swimming in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Art Appreciation at Wynwood Walls
After you soak up the sun on the beach, head to Miami’s warehouse district. Explore the Wynwood Walls murals painted on the large buildings in Wynwood Park and around town. Paid guided tours are available; however, you can take a self-guided tour for free. Tony Goldman created Wynwood Walls in 2009 to transform his neighborhood. Today, the area features large-scale murals painted by artists from around the world.
When you plan your next vacation on a tight budget, consider a visit to Miami Springs. You’ll find a variety of activities in the city and nearby that cost nothing or next to nothing.
