Inexpensive South Florida summer fun

Photo by Fred Hsu, Wikimedia Commons

Jennipher Schafer/Staff Writer

FIU is a known commuter school. Many of us live within the tri-county area even if not right here in Miami. If you’re not taking summer classes and looking for inexpensive ways to enjoy the long months ahead I’ve got some ideas here that might interest you.

In South Florida things easily get expensive quickly. Your FIU student ID can change that. Admission to Vizcaya includes both the museum and the gardens. While there is no discount offered at the on-site restaurant, the $18 admission lowers to just $10 with a valid university ID.

Heading north to Delray Beach in Palm Beach County you can visit the Morikami museum and gardens for $11 down from the usual $14. This is the only museum in the nation devoted completely to Japanese history and culture in the United States. Other low-cost activities include recreation at state and county parks.You can often rent canoes or kayaks with friends and enjoy nature in somewhat peace and quiet.

Of course, you can also head to the Everglades Holiday Park to go on an airboat tour or bring a boat and go fishing or sightseeing. Tradewinds Park in Broward County offers horseback riding, barbecue pits, and Butterfly World if you want to pay a little bit extra. If you get stuck babysitting younger siblings or cousins it’s an inexpensive way to keep them happy.

Still nothing beats free when it comes to fun. You can often hit the beach with a cooler of picnic snacks and some towels. You often have to pay for parking but it’s not much. Most state and county parks charge less or nothing at all on weekdays excluding holidays so look them up before heading out the door.

Also the Miami Metro Zoo often hosts Florida Free weekends. These are not loudly advertised weekends so you should call ahead to verify. Typically these are held the first weekend of each month during the summer and only apply to Florida residents with current and valid state-issued IDs. Using this I personally visited the zoo several times last year only having to pay for my lunch in the park.

Whatever you do, invite friends and take pictures so the memories last as you come back to classes this fall. Remembering the fun you had might just make those long hours of studying a bit more bearable. Have a fun and safe summer. If you find another way to save money let me know. Everyone should be able to enjoy the recreation of South Florida in the summer. It is why people visit from all over the world after all.

jennipher.schafer@fiusm.com 

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