I love to travel. My bank account does not love my love to travel.

Traveling doesn’t require jet-setting. That’s a real money-saving life lesson I’ve learned, and it’s opened doors to some pretty incredible adventures right here in Florida.

We live in a touristy state, known for Disney and beautiful beaches. When I first moved to Florida, that’s all I did. I’d go see family and friends visiting amusement parks and I’d spend my days off at the beach. It wasn’t until about two years ago that I started branching out with weekend trips across the state.

I’ve traveled with friends, a significant other and alone. If you’ve never traveled alone, you should. It’s become one of my favorite ways to travel. I get to do what I want to do when I want. If I want to stop into a little shop, I do. If I want to check out some roadside attraction, I pull over. If I want to shamelessly drink beers all day with the locals, I drink and make some new friends. It’s a great way to explore.

Another great way to explore? Using Airbnb.

Airbnb should sponsor me already. I constantly rave about it. It’s the only way I travel for leisure trips. It’s amazing for a few reasons: it’s usually cheaper than a traditional hotel, it can be unconventional and it can put you in the heart of wherever you’re visiting.

Here are my suggestions:

The “ANAA B” in Key West. Photo from Airbnb

Key West – The ANAA B
Yep. I stayed on a boat. This was my very first Airbnb. It’s a fairly pricey option at $195 per night for a private cabin with bath, but this was about the experience. And it was my first weekend getaway with my then-boyfriend. The catamaran is owned by a lovely couple and docked in a marina about a 10-minute drive from the main drag in Key West. They’ll take you on a sunset sail or snorkeling. And they have kayaks available.

Yep. I posed with the buoy.

I fed the tarpon at Robbie’s of Islamorada.

I usually describe Key West as a cleaner, Jimmy Buffet-ed New Orleans. Check out Ernest Hemingway’s house and all of the cats – some with six toes – that live there, get your cheesy photo with the southernmost point buoy, hit up Mallory Square for sunset festivities and drink your way down Duval Street. Don’t miss Green Parrot Bar. It’s off of the main drag, but a cool stop frequented by locals. And for the love of god, eat some Key Lime Pie.

An extra gem about Key West is driving through Islamorada. Make sure you stop by Robbie’s to feed the tarpon and grab a beer at Islamorada Beer Company – it’s tiny but the yellow exterior paint makes it impossible to miss. And if fishing is your thing, charter a boat. Islamorada is the Sport Fishing Capital of the World.

You’ve got to stop for a drink at St. George Tavern. Photo by St. George Tavern

St. Augustine – Historic Downtown Bed & Breakfast
This is the most traditional Airbnb I’ve visited, but reasonably priced at $89 a night. The house is divided into several rooms, furnished with a bed and bathroom. It feels like you’re staying in an actual bed and breakfast and not a spare room in someone’s house. We never actually met the owner.

A cannon at Castillo De San Marcos

He allows for self check-in and check out, so that was nice. Although I do enjoy chatting up hosts to get tips on where to visit and how to explore any given town like a local.

One of my favorite things about St. Augustine is how walkable it is. We didn’t drive the entire weekend. This Airbnb  is an easy walk to St. George Street, which is the main drag of shops, restaurants and bars. There’s history at Castillo de San Marcos and the Lightner Museum. There’s quirky like the St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum. If you want to leave downtown, you must visit the Alligator Farm and the Lighthouse on Anastasia Island.

I know it’s strange, but my “don’t miss” stop in St. Augustine is St. George Tavern. Though it’s on the main street, this locals’ dive bar would be easy to walk past. Luckily, we found it and kept going back. We stopped in for a beer when we got hot or tired of walking or wanted to watch a football game. You can’t leave without a pickleback – a shot of Irish whiskey with a pickle juice chaser. It sounds disgusting, but it’s delicious.

A perfect sunset on a twilight kayak tour in The Everglades.

The Everglades – Skunk Ape Cabin
This is by far my favorite trip I’ve taken in Florida. I was looking for a cheap, solo get-away for my 26th birthday. I started browsing Airbnb, like I often do, and found this cabin for $40 a night at the Trail Lakes Campground. Sold! There was nothing fancy about this cabin, except for the window A/C. It was basically a twin mattress surrounded by four wooden walls. The bathhouse – toilets and showers shared by everyone at the campground – wasn’t too far. I did have a beautiful view from my front porch, overlooking a pond, where I read each mornings.

My tiny cabin the Everglades

I decided to tourist it up for this trip. I took airboat and swamp buggy rides, stopped by the U.S.’s smallest post office in Ochopee and grabbed a bunch of souvenirs from the the Skunk Ape Headquarters. By simply driving around, I found the Ted Smallwood Store and Museum of the Everglades – both on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. I struck up a conversation with a museum volunteer, which led to a great lunch recommendation of Triad Seafood Market and Cafe. I sat outside overlooking the water, drinking a cold beer and eating my fill of stone crab claws. The trip highlight was a twilight kayaking tour, wending through mangrove tunnels. We spotted several alligators, lots of birds, watched an incredible sunset, then navigated our way back by the light of our headlamps.

Pro tip: Don’t forget the bug spray. In The Everglades, there are mosquitoes everywhere. I doused myself in the stuff several times a day – including right before bed. Sunscreen and a baseball cap are must-haves, too.

Unfortunately, I haven’t made it to all of the places I want to visit in Florida. So here’s my abbreviated wish list:

Don’t miss the manatees or mermaids. Photo by Shelby Webb

Weeki Wachee – Mermaid Landing

While I did swim with the manatees on a day trip with some friends, I haven’t actually gotten to explore this area as much as I’d like. To me, Weeki Wachee is as quirky as Florida gets. There are freakin’ mermaid shows at the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Mermaids! And this Airbnb has the qualities I look for: less than $100 a night ($80 to be exact) with great reviews. This house is on a canal with easy access to the Weeki Wachee River. And the best part? They have kayaks, a canoe and a paddleboard for guests to use. Also worth noting: they refuse to hold back with the mermaid decor, which I appreciate.

On my Weeki Wachee list: watching a mermaid show, swimming again with the manatees (check Groupon for discounts) and kayaking along the crystal clear waterways.

Go for a nostalgic stay in this retro camper. Photo from Airbnb

Pensacola – 1959 Yellowstone Camper

I’ll admit I NEVER go to the panhandle. It’s such a long drive and I spent many vacations in Panama City Beach. But a quick search of Airbnb and I’ve found the perfect place to stay for whenever I do venture there. It’s a retro camper, you guys! It’s not particularly close to the beach, but the $45 per night price tag is enticing as is the five-star rating.

I’d say a must visit is the Graffiti Bridge – an old railroad overpass that gets tagged almost daily. Hell, maybe I’d bring a can of spray paint to contribute to the constantly changing art. And you better eat some oysters. Because I haven’t been there, I can’t make any recommendations. But I would suggesting talking to a local or looking for a shack with a parking lot full of cars with Florida license plates – that usually works.