We just returned from our yearly vacation to the Emerald Coast and it was amazing as usual. The area is breathtaking and we want to share the affordable activities we loved. Ready to plan your cheap beach vacation? Here are five fun, memorable, and budget-friendly beach activities you’ll love! I hope you find these travel tips helpful!

Play at Goofy Golf — Okaloosa Island

If you’re looking for cheap things to do in Fort Walton Beach, Goofy Golf is a must! This iconic mini golf course has been entertaining families since 1958 with its quirky statues and old-school charm. It’s the perfect throwback activity for your budget-friendly beach trip. We have been visiting for years and they have started to renovate over the past year. Several new obstacles, fresh paint, and updated lanscaping have been completed under new ownership.

Location: 401 Eglin Pkwy NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
Cost: $6 per adult, $4 per child

Pro tip: Go in the evening when the temperature drops and the statues light up for a magical, family-friendly good time.

Explore the Air Force Armament Museum — Eglin AFB

Looking for free things to do on the Emerald Coast? The Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin Air Force Base is a fantastic stop. It offers a great collection of historic aircraft, missiles, and military memorabilia. It’s a great way to mix a little learning into your budget-friendly beach activities. Leave it to the homeschool family, right?! Lol.

This museum exceeded our expectations. It is big enough to have some amazing pieces and small enough to not spend the entire day there. Even our elemtary aged girls loved the memorabilia and the stories behind it.

Location: 100 Museum Dr, Eglin AFB, FL 32542
Cost: Free!

Perfect for history lovers and anyone looking for affordable family vacation ideas.

Snorkel at O’Steen Public Beach Access (East Jetty)

Want to experience underwater adventure on a budget? Head to O’Steen Public Beach Access near the East Jetty in Destin, one of the best spots for snorkeling on a budget in Florida. If you bring your own gear, it’s completely free! The area is made up of four small inlets with the jetty semi protecting the area from the pass. There is beach access at each of the inlets.

My son and I have a tradition to catch the sunrise on a beach walk each year. This year we decided to catch some early snorkling before anyone was in the water. It paid off, too. We saw a few puffer fish, several jelly fish, crabs, so many varieties of fish, and a sea turtle! I didn’t get pictures since we left our phones in the car.

Location: 320 Gulf Shore Dr, Deston, FL 32541
Cost: Free! We parked just ourside of the entrance and parking there is $20 for four hours. There may be cheaper or free parking somewhere else. I guess we will look next year!!

This is a true gem for families looking for budget-friendly beach activities.

Share a Meal at McGuire’s Irish Pub

Eating out doesn’t have to blow your travel budget! McGuire’s Irish Pub in Destin is famous for its fun atmosphere and gigantic portions, perfect for splitting. Sharing plates is a great strategy for traveling on a budget while still enjoying delicious local food. They do have an option to split the entree and get an extra side and salad for a bit more money. Still a great deal!

Location: 33 US-98 Destin, FL 32541
Cost: Varies but splitting meals makes it very budget-friendly

Insider tip: Try their 18¢ Senate Bean Soup! Yes, you heard me. This is another way to get plenty of food for the price. Each entree qualifies for the discounted bowl of Senate Bean Soup. Also, check out the ceiling and almost every other square inch of wood in the restaurant. They have over $1.000.000 in one dollar bills hanging from the ceiling and walls throughout the restaurant. They will bring you a stapler and marker if you want to leave a message on your bill.

Visit Seaside — A Charming Coastal Village

For a classic, postcard-perfect Florida experience, take the short drive for a day trip to Seaside. This colorful, iconic beach town is known for its pastel cottages, white picket fences, and that small-town charm. You might recognize it from the movie The Truman Show! This beautiful little town is unlike any other town we have visited. Be prepared to fall in love.

Wandering around Seaside is completely free. You can stroll through the open-air market, explore art galleries, and take in the beautiful architecture. The beach views here are stunning and make for perfect photo ops. Buying souvenirs at the local Seaside stores will most likely not fit into the budget-friendly beach activities category, though! Lol!

Location: Seaside, about 25 miles east of Fort Walton Beach
Cost: Free to visit and walk around

Budget tip: Food trucks, cute cafes, and boutique shops here can be pricey, so plan ahead. Even if you’re just window shopping or grabbing an ice cream, it’s still a fun and memorable stop that won’t cost a thing if you skip the splurges!

Perfect for those looking for cheap things to do in Fort Walton Beach and a romantic or family-friendly evening.

Plan Your Affordable Family Vacation Today!

Fort Walton Beach and the surrounding area are filled with budget-friendly beach activities and fun ways to make memories without overspending. From cheap mini golf in Florida to free museums and gorgeous sunsets, these ideas prove you can have an amazing cheap beach vacation that the whole family will love.

Bonus Tips for Traveling on a Budget

• Visit during off-season (spring or fall) for lower prices on accommodations. We love to go in mid to late May often making the budget-friendly beach activities even cheaper.
• Pack snacks and drinks to avoid pricey beach concessions.
• Look for free or low-cost local events happening during your stay.
• Budget-friendly beach activities typically don’t just happen. They take pre-planning. If you wait until you are on vacation it’s easier to get wrapped in the emotions of spending more money for memories.

Check out some of our other travel posts:

Couple’s Getaway to Nashville: A Blend of Urban Cool and Southern Charm

Celebrating 28 Years in Utah: A Winter Travel Review

Anakeesta Mountaintop Park Review: A Magical Experience

Why Destin Is Perfect for a Family Beach Vacation

Ready to plan your next affordable family vacation? Share this with a friend who loves saving money on travel, and let us know your favorite budget-friendly beach activities or spots below!

A Real-Life Look at Short-Term Rentals vs Hotels for Families

We were reminded why we choose short-term rentals on a recent trip. We traveled to Dayton, Ohio, for a family funeral a few weeks ago. It was a quick, emotional trip—just the two of us and our younger kids (ages 10 and 8). Our older two were finishing up their college semester and couldn’t come.

We found a two-bedroom short-term rental in a fairly central location. The rental was simple and small, but it was all we needed—and it was significantly cheaper than nearby hotel options. This was a great reminder of how short-term rentals vs. hotels stack up when you’re traveling on a budget with kids.

The Airbnb was newly renovated, which was really nice. Everything felt new and clean. It was a small bungalow-style house with two bedrooms and one full bathroom. The neighborhood was a bit rough-looking, but it was quiet and felt safe.

Even though the reason for the trip was difficult, we made space for connection. We had a huge family dinner at a famous local spot—Marion’s Pizza. This is a big deal if you’re from Dayton! Dayton-style pizza is super thin, with toppings spread all the way to the edges. They don’t make pizza like this in our home state!!

After the funeral, we visited the Spaghetti Warehouse in downtown Dayton. This building is filled with character, tons of history, and charm that makes you feel like you’re eating in a time capsule. The decor pays homage to local heroes, the Wright Brothers, Norman Rockwell, and various famous artists. The food was so good; our favorite part was the sourdough bread and garlic butter.

The other side of my family also had a small breakfast get-together at Bob Evans. Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Biscuits, pancakes…Need I say more? It was wonderful, and spending time connecting with family was great.

Of course, we couldn’t leave Ohio without getting Skyline Chili—a Cincinnati classic. Honestly, it might just be my favorite food on the planet.

Each of these meals became a little moment of normalcy in the middle of a heavy trip. And coming “home” to a quiet, peaceful, and private rental each night made all the difference.

8 Benefits of Short-Term Rentals for Families

Whether we’re traveling for something exciting or something unexpected, here’s why we usually skip the hotel and go for a rental:

1. Separate Bedrooms = Better Sleep

When traveling with kids, having everyone’s own space is a game-changer. I don’t want to go to bed at the same time as our kids. If we stay at a hotel, it’s lights out for everyone at our elementary-age girls’ bedtime. I don’t want to tiptoe around a hotel room in the dark.

We also have six in our family: two college students and two younger kids. Six people in one hotel room? It just doesn’t work. At all. We have tried, and it was miserable. A short-term rental gives us space to unwind after bedtime routines are over.

2. Feels More Like Home

There’s something comforting about staying in a real home. There’s a couch to curl up on, a table to eat around, and a kitchen to make coffee in the morning without standing under fluorescent lights. Sure, the breakfast is complimentary—but I’d rather eat without being surrounded by 41 strangers in their pajamas.

Short-term rentals are a competitive market. So we see hosts doing and offering more to make their rentals feel like homes. “Home” on the road beats a hotel in my book.

3. A Full Kitchen Saves Money

Having a full-size fridge for snacks and drinks is a must. With six of us, a hotel fridge can’t hold all our cold items. A vacation rental kitchen is one of the best benefits of short-term rentals, just making breakfast or lunch in helps keep costs down (and keeps kids happy).

 Eating out three meals a day with a big family adds up fast.

4. It’s Often Cheaper

Hotel rates were surprisingly high for our Ohio trip near the funeral location. The rental we found was not only more comfortable but also significantly cheaper. That kind of savings makes a real difference.

Also, vacation rentals for big families are often more budget-friendly than booking multiple hotel rooms. The value is hard to beat, especially if you’re looking for a family-friendly Airbnb.

Our trip was last-minute, so our options were semi-limited, but the available rentals were prime for a discount.

Travel Pro Tip: Message the host and ask for a discount (especially if it is a last-minute booking)!!

5. No Noisy Neighbors

You don’t share walls or ceilings with strangers in a vacation rental. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve stayed in a hotel and heard stomping, talking, or loud TV or music through the walls. Ever have the kids running around above you in a hotel at 5 am? What about the party down the hall? In a short-term rental, there’s no need to worry about paper-thin walls or noisy hallways at 11 p.m.

6. Space to Spread Out

It makes such a difference to have a little elbow room. Hotel rooms can feel cramped fast, especially if you’re stuck inside due to weather or need a minute to breathe. Even if it is just Kasey and me, the room seems to get smaller after a while. And if we want to watch TV, we have to sit on the bed. There is no couch or multiple chairs in every room. The bottom line is that a hotel room is not really an option for all six of us. We can squeeze, but I fear for all of our sanity if we try.

7. Laundry Access

Many short-term rentals include washers and dryers. For longer trips (or spills and surprises), that’s a huge perk. Also, I am crazy about keeping the dirty clothes pile as small as possible. With a big family, you have to stay on top of the dirty laundry, or you will get overwhelmed. This is why I always look for rentals with laundry access.

8. You Feel Like a Local

One of our favorite things about staying in short-term rentals is the chance to feel like locals. Whether in a small town or a big city, an Airbnb with kids lets you explore local spots at your own pace—no crowded lobbies or set breakfast hours.

Staying in a residential area instead of a commercial district lets you experience a city differently. You get to see and experience parts of the city you never would at a hotel by the interstate. It’s quieter, more personal, and often puts you close to hidden local gems, like Marion’s Pizza or Spaghetti Warehouse.

Family-Friendly Vacation Rentals vs Hotels: What Works for Us

When you’re planning a trip, choosing the right place to stay can shape the entire experience. For our family, short-term vacation rentals check all the boxes: comfort, space, privacy, and affordability. Whether you use Airbnb, Vrbo, or another booking platform, we’ve found that short-term rentals give families the freedom to rest, reconnect, and enjoy the journey without the stress that hotels can bring.

Final Thoughts on Short-Term Rentals vs Hotels for Families

Traveling with kids doesn’t have to be chaotic. Choosing short-term rentals vs hotels for families gives us the freedom and comfort we need to focus on what matters most…our time together. Whether it’s a fun vacation or a meaningful family gathering, the little things (like separate bedrooms, a quiet space, and homemade coffee) help us feel grounded.

Whether it’s an Airbnb or another vacation rental, finding the right family-friendly stay can make a big difference. From kitchens to extra space to better sleep for everyone, short-term rentals are the best option for traveling families. We’ve learned that these are truly some of the best places to stay with family when traveling, especially if you want comfort, quiet, and a little room to breathe.

What about you? Short-term rentals vs hotels for families. Which do you prefer?

Check out our other travel posts:

Why Destin is the Perfect Family Vacation

Celebrating 28 Years in Utah

Couples Getaway to Nashville 

Romantic Getaway to Hiwassee River Retreat

Selah Ridge Resort – Our favorite romantic short-term rental!!

Arriving at Anakeesta

We began our adventure with a ride up Anakeesta Mountain. Since the weather was chilly and rainy, we opted for the enclosed gondola instead of the open chairlift. I’m glad we made this choice—it kept us warmish and dry while still offering glimpses of the surrounding beauty through the misty clouds.

The ride itself is an experience. All six of us crammed into the gondola. There was excitement and some nervous anticipation as there may be two of us who aren’t fond of heights. Once at the top, we were greeted by the crisp mountain air and the welcoming charm of the whimsical atmosphere.

The theme park is separated into three different villages. Anakeesta’s Firefly Village is home to various shops, restaurants, food trucks, and ample places to relax and enjoy the views. Black Bear Village has areas for live music as well as some of the best views in the park. Last, for parents, Stone Village offers multiple areas of play for the kids and you!

Highlights of Our Visit

Despite the weather, there was no shortage of fun and memorable moments. Here are some of our trip highlights:

The Astra Lumina Light Show

Wow. What else can I say? Anakeesta’s Enchanted Night Walk Light Show is an absolute treat for the senses. The glowing pathways and vibrant displays transform the park into a magical wonderland. Even with overcast skies, the lights mesmerized, creating a warm, enchanting atmosphere that captivated everyone in our family. 

The Treetop Skywalk at Anakeesta 

One of the most popular attractions is the Treetop Canopy Walk, featuring a series of suspension bridges high above the forest floor. For one of our littles and me, this was equally amazing and nerve-wracking. It was dark and wet, and the bridges swayed slightly with each step, adding a thrilling and eerie edge to the breathtaking views.

Scenic Views

While much of the panoramic scenery was obscured by clouds most of the night, there were moments when the mist cleared, revealing glimpses of the surrounding Smoky Mountains and the lights of Gatlinburg. It’s easy to see why Anakeesta is known for its incredible views—even in yuck weather, the surroundings were awe-inspiring.

Fun Slides and Play Areas for Kids and Adults

We absolutely loved the slides and the rope courses in the TreeVenture Challenge Course. Rain or shine, this area offered endless fun and a chance for the kids to burn off some energy. The carefully designed play spaces were safe and engaging, making them a hit for families with younger children. Don’t be fooled; I saw almost as many adults playing and sliding as I saw kids. Lol!

Weather Challenges

Our visit was marked by a mix of rain, clouds, and even a temporary exhibit closure due to a bear sighting. Remember, you are still in the middle of the mountains! While this may sound like a lot, it actually added a unique twist to our day. The staff handled everything so professionally, ensuring everyone’s safety while keeping the atmosphere lighthearted.

Unfortunately, the Anakeesta mountain coasters closed early due to the weather, the dueling ziplines were booked to capacity, and the slides closed early (the moisture on the slides caused them to get really slippery and fast – sounds kinda fun to me!); which was a bit of a disappointment. However, the other activities more than made up for it.

Dining and Shopping

After exploring, we warmed up with some hot cocoa and coffee from one of the cozy dining spots in the park. There is a hot cocoa crawl consisting of 7 stops around the park. If you complete the crawl, you get a special Anakeesta mug. The shopping and dining options are plentiful, offering everything from quick snacks to sit-down meals with a view.

We caught dinner at the Cliff Top restaurant. It was delicious. Ribeye steak, burgers, salads, and chicken sandwiches covered our table.

The Ridge Rambler

On the way down, we opted for the Ridge Rambler, an open-air truck ride that takes you back to the base of the mountain. It was a fun and bumpy experience, adding a touch of adventure to the end of our visit.

Staying Late at Anakeesta

We were the last visitors in the park that night, walking to the exit with the security staff. This gave us the chance to soak in every moment of the experience. The quiet and stillness of the park after hours felt like a special privilege and was the perfect way to end our day.

Tips for Visiting Anakeesta

1. Dress for the Weather: Anakeesta is an outdoor attraction, so be prepared for changing conditions. Bring layers, especially if you’re visiting during cooler months.
2. Plan Your Activities: Check the weather forecast and plan your visit accordingly. Some attractions, like the mountain coasters, may close in adverse weather.
3. Arrive Early: This gives you time to explore the park at your own pace and avoid crowds. It will also give you a better chance to soak in the views of the Smokies.
4. Capture the Memories: Don’t forget your camera or phone for the numerous photo opportunities scattered throughout the park. There were great photo ops throughout the park. A few of my favorites were, in Vista Gardens, the 20’ tall Willow, keeper of the forest, and the heart-shaped twiglow.

Why Anakeesta is Worth Visiting

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, unfortunately, have their share of tourist traps. Anakeesta is more than just a tourist attraction—it’s an experience that brings families together. From the thrilling and frightening suspension bridges to the crazy amazing Astra Lumina light show, there’s something magical about spending time in this mountaintop paradise. Even with the weather challenges we faced, our day was filled with laughter, awe, and connection. 

This was worth it all. As we talked and laughed about our day over dinner, I knew we had made a great decision to visit Anakeesta Mountaintop Park.

If you’re wondering, “Is Anakeesta worth it?” our resounding answer is yes! Whether you’re a nature lover, thrill-seeker, or just looking for a unique family outing, Anakeesta has something for everyone.