This City Was Named Florida’s Cutest Beach Town

One thing Florida is notorious for is its beaches. With over 550 of them, there are many to choose from when deciding on where to go for a beach day. But what if you wanted to go to the cutest one? Would you know which beach to go to? I didn't either, but now I do thanks to @FollowMeTravel. Here is a look into and breakdown of Florida's cutest beach town

If you haven't heard about or seen Seaside, FL it is located in the northwest part of Florida on the Gulf of Mexico. Now I know everyone has a different version of the American dream, but if you're looking for porches and white picket fences this is the perfect place for you. Seaside is well known for its late-20th-century new Urbanist design and lifestyle of living. According to SeasideFL.com, Seaside is "More than a physical place, Seaside embodies a way of life inspired by the notion that architecture and design should be used to enable people to live in community and have access to walk and move freely while respecting the environment around them."

Even though Seaside is just 80 acres, there are plenty of things you can do. It all depends on what you are looking for. For me, the first thing I look for in any city is food. That's why my first stop would be Airstream Row. This urban street food experience is a huge reason why many people visit Seaside. What was once an attempt for an ice-shaving company to stay in business has now become a staple for this beach town. If airstreams aren't your thing, you still have a bunch of beachfront restaurants to choose from.

If you're interested in museums, arts, and entertainment, you have a couple of places you can check out. If you want to stay indoors you can catch a show at the Repertory Theatre. If you prefer outdoors, enjoy the weather and entertainment at the Seaside Amphitheater. If you fancy art, visit the Red Bird Gallery which features both national and international artists who each paint in different styles. Each piece is said to be a unique and one-of-a-kind creation.

Since Seaside was designed to encourage people to walk and be outdoors, I would imagine there is nothing better than outdoor adventures. You can rent a bike virtually anywhere on the island, but make sure you ride the Timpoochee Trail. If that doesn't intrigue you, just remember you are at one of the best beach towns in the United States. What better way to pass the time than just hanging out at the beach? You can also check out the Grayton Beach State Park. Just make sure you put on sunscreen.

Would you visit Seaside?

It's almost vacation season. Well, really, any season is vacation season. People travel year-round, but it amps up in the summer months and over the holidays. Travel has really increased since the end of the pandemic. People are itching to get out and explore the world after being couped up for so long. So, if you want to travel a bunch but don't want to waste money, I have some smart and secret tips for you to save money on your next vacation.

For the 2023 holiday season, the AAA projected a whopping 115.2 million travelers to travel 50 miles or more from home during the travel period from Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, to Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. The number of travelers was projected to increase 2.2% over last year. It also marked the highest projection since 2000, when the AAA first started tracking holiday travel. The busiest travel season, according to the AAA, was in 2019. So, it's obvious that people are traveling pretty much more than ever.

So, where are people traveling? According to the AAA, some of the most popular vacation spots for travelers are the usual suspects. Those include Orlando, Florida, the home of Walk Disney World; New York City, New York; Las Vegas, Nevada; Chicago, Illinois; Alaska and beyond. Other spots around the world include Mexico, Europe, the Caribbean, Africa and Iceland. According to the latest numbers, the AAA says that Orlando is the No. 1 travel spot for Americas. "Home to world-famous theme parks that attract millions of visitors a year, like Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld, it comes as no surprise that Orlando is the number one top travel destination in the U.S.," they state.

If you're traveling to some fun hotspots, you'll want to save some cash. Read on for some helpful tips to save money on your vacation this year.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.