Florida Budget Vacation Ideas - Ft. Lauderdale, Everglades National Park and Miami

Looking for a vacation that combines relaxation, fun, warm weather and adventure in one trip, while keeping your expenses down? Between the months of February - October, Florida has what you're looking for. There is more to Florida than family-packaged Disney vacations and the more expensive, resort-ridden Florida Keys -- a vacation that combines Ft. Lauderdale, Everglades National Park, and Miami can provide you with a vacation that's relaxing, adventurous and fun!

Ft. Lauderdale

Ft. Lauderdale is a prime vacation destination with its palm tree-lined beaches, active boardwalk, and hotels scattered along the shore. Without the boisterous party crowds of Miami, Ft. Lauderdale is a relatively relaxing vacation getaway. Ft. Lauderdale even has its own airport, so there's no need to fly into the Miami Airport that's an hour or two away. Hotels in Ft. Lauderdale range from the more luxurious, expensive hotels that line the boardwalk, to more inexpensive, budget hotels and hostel options within walking distance, or short driving distance to the Ft. Lauderdale beaches. For the real budget-savvy, look for inexpensive Ft. Lauderdale hostels equipped with a kitchenette to cook a few meals in. The main attraction of a Ft. Lauderdale vacation on a budget is the beach and the ocean -- so make sure to pack plenty of sunscreen and a beach towel!

Everglades

Only an hour or two outside of Ft. Lauderdale is the majestic Everglades National Park. The Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical area in the US, and is home to several endangered and rare animals. Attractions of the Everglades National Park include hiking and biking trails, alligator sightings (don't worry -- on the main alligator-sighting swamp hike, you walk on a protected, above-ground fenced walkway), rare bird sightings, canoeing and kayaking. You can even choose to canoe and kayak in manatee and alligator-infested waters -- but don't worry! The manatees and alligators in Everglades National Park tend to keep to themselves unless provoked. If you're interested in camping, you can also camp out overnight in Everglades National Park if you bring along you're camping gear. Be sure to reserve a campsite in advance in Everglades National Park, and you'll definitely want to bring a camera!

Miami

If you're visiting Ft. Lauderdale, you might as well spend at least one day in Miami to check out the scene. Since Miami is only one to two hours away from Ft. Lauderdale by car, you can spend the day in Miami, or even choose to stay overnight. Known internationally party spot, Miami is the capital of Florida's nightlife. Check out South Beach to soak in the energetic, flashy South Beach Miami vibe. You can take a stroll on the South Beach Promenade or just enjoy the beach and upscale boardwalk, brimming with restaurants and shops. If you plan to stay overnight, you can even check out one of Miami's several clubs -- pick up a local paper to check out what the night will have in store for you. If you plan ahead, you can find inexpensive hotel and hostel deals in Miami and South Beach. Travelers take note -- if you're not one for crowds, Miami may not be the prime vacation spot for you.