Editor's Picks: Free and Almost Free Attractions

With these warm temperatures and the kids out of school, it's time to start thinking of where to escape for a while, but you don't have to take out a loan for a good time. Free and inexpensive attractions and activities abound on Florida's Emerald Coast, so head to the Sunshine State for big fun without spending big money.

National Naval Aviation Museum - Pensacola

Featuring 150 vintage aircraft, aviation artifacts, flight simulators and an IMAX theater in Florida's most-visited museum; watch Blue Angels practice their choreographed flying twice weekly.

Emerald Coast Science Center - Fort Walton Beach

More than 250 hands-on exhibits educate kids about everything from electricity and animals to the human body.

St. Joseph Peninsula State Park - Port St. Joe

Home to Cape San Blas, one of the top rated beaches in the continental U.S., the park is an ideal destination for kayaking, bird watching and spotting bottlenose dolphins.

Frank Brown Park - Panama City Beach

This brand new park offers more than 200 acres of recreational facilities including a freshwater fishing pond, saltwater fishing pier, greenways, trails, ball fields, playgrounds and picnic pavilions.

Panhandle Butterfly House - Navarre

See butterflies up close and personal at this educational and interactive exhibit. Indoor and outdoor gardens serve as a home for thousands of brilliantly hued butterflies, including migrating.

St. George Island State Park - St. George Island

Pack a picnic and head to this pristine park for a day of searching for the perfect seashell, kayaking and wildlife viewing along its many trails.

Gulf Islands National Seashore - Pensacola

The Pensacola Bay Area is home to the longest stretch of protected seashore in the country. National park rangers lead free programs from beach walks and bird watching to star gazing and snorkeling.

Outdoor Concerts and Performances - Beaches of South Walton

From "Moonlight and Movies" in Rosemary Beach and "Friday Nite Flicks" and "Wednesday Night Concert Series" in Sandestin to a theatrical performance by the Seaside Repertory Theatre under the stars in Seaside, it's easy to find free and inexpensive entertainment on a warm night in the Beaches of South Walton.

Ogden Museum of Southern Art at WaterColor - Santa Rosa Beach

On exhibit at this first branch of New Orleans' famed Ogden Museum are masterful paintings, photographs, sculptures and more created by famed Southern artists. The Center for Southern Craft and Design is also located in the museum, offering the work of highly collectable craft artists for sale.

Man in the Sea Museum - Panama City Beach

Exhibits at this modest but entertaining museum dedicated to man's exploration of the sea range from centuries-old treasures recovered from sunken ships to a submarine that guests can walk through and SEALAB-1, the world's first working undersea habitat.