It's not too late: Snap up deals on trips to Florida

Where did the summer go? With August here and back-to-school sales in full swing, kids everywhere are sharing a collective sigh thinking about the end of summer fun. But it’s not too late to book a trip to fun-filled Florida and soak up the last of summer at theme parks in Orlando or a beach in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or the Keys. Start planning your getaway and check out these roundtrip fares to Florida on United Airlines (from $185.80, a low by $10; expires August 15).

Once you’re there, explore the Sunshine State with a car rental from Sixt, where you'll take 15% off (from $13.25 per day, a low by $53; expires August 15) and cash in on the third-lowest base rate we’ve seen from Sixt in the past 12 months.

Beauty and Adventure in Orlando

Orlando boasts myriad theme parks — most famously Walt Disney World and Epcot — but there’s truly something for everyone. Explore water parks such as Discovery Cove and Blizzard Beach, the marine life of Sea World, Florida’s swamp creatures at Gatorland, or out-of-this-world adventures with a visit to John F. Kennedy Space Center. No matter your itinerary, you can kick start your vacation with the excitement of booking a cheap Orlando-area hotel for as little as $26 per night. A Hotwire Mystery Hotel deal, you won't actually know the name of the property you'll be staying at until after you've booked. From there, plan your visit to nearby LEGOLAND where a single-day adult ticket is 30% off ($59, a low by $22; expires October 27). From there you can survey all of the park’s rides and activities from Island in the Sky, a 150-foot rotating platform, then take the kids to LEGOLAND Water Park where a wave pool, lazy river, tube and body slides, and an interactive play structure will keep them splashing about for hours on end. Deals for the whole family include a single-day child/senior ticket for $51, a single-day child/senior ticket with water park admission for $59, and a single-day adult ticket with water park admission for $67.

After a day of family fun, return to poolside relaxation or take in the setting sun overlooking Lake Davenport with a 4-night stay in a villa at the Bahama Bay Resort & Spa (from $260, a low by $8; expires August 3). You'll be just minutes from theme parks and attractions and be saving: this promotion is the second-lowest rate we've seen this year for stays at this property. What's more, you'll score free parking and a room upgrade (meaning space for you and the kids!). The resort also boasts a children’s play area and basketball courts and fishing, which are the perfect places for the kids to get out all their energy pre- and post-theme park visits.

Dive Into Key Largo

Quite the opposite of Orlando, the Florida Keys boast an aura of "Ahh...." These islands have inspired everyone from literary great Ernest Hemingway (who called Key West home) to Old Hollywood, as it was setting for the 1948 film Key Largo. Book your hotel as Bogey and Bacall would — by phone — to reserve a stay at the Key Largo Resort (from $99, a low by $20; expires September 30). The resort, which just received a $12 million makeover has its own private beach, where you can relax while the kids go snorkeling and swimming with dolphins.

Fort Lauderdale Fun

Seven is the magic number in Fort Lauderdale: you'll find more than seven miles of beautiful beachesand seven area golf courses. But that's not all, as nearby Las Olas Boulevard is all about shopping, art galleries, and dining options. Book a 2-night stay at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Airport (from $188, a low by $20; expires September 29), which comes bundled with a $50 credit, and enjoy all that Fort Lauderdale has to offer.

Miami: Hot Beaches, Hotter Nightlife

Not far from Fort Lauderdale, Miami also offers a combination of beach relaxation and an active nightlife. Families can enjoy attractions such as the Everglades Alligator Farm — or if you prefer more cuddly creatures, check out the Monkey Jungle, a 30-acre reserve that’s home to nearly 400 primates. But make sure to put the kids to bed and indulge in Miami’s vibrant restaurant scene and hot dance clubs.

To help save up for those delicious dining experiences, book adowntown Miami-area hotel for 40% off and for as little as $41. Like the LEGOLAND deal you won't actually know the name of the property you'll be staying at until after you've booked. If you have your heart set on a bay view morning, noon, and night, opt for a stay at Sonesta Bayfront Hotel Coconut Grove (from $113, a low by $96; expires August 5). You'll also earn a $25 hotel credit for each night of your visit. The modern hotel not only offers views of Biscayne Bay, but is also located in historic neighborhood of Coconut Grove, a laid-back beachfront community that’s home to art galleries and CocoWalk, an open-air shopping, dining and nightlife destination.

During the day, you can rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards; and at night, take a short taxi ride to check out the vibrant Miami Beach nightlife scene … by boat! Set sail on a 2-hour cruise for two on Biscayne Bay (from $78, a low by $82; expires November 3), and take in the Florida coastline, as well as possible bottlenose dolphin and manatee sightings.

We hope you’re ready to create unforgettable family vacation memories in Florida. But if you have other summer travel destinations in mind, be sure to have a look at our weekly roundup of the best travel deals for additional discounted flights, hotels, and vacation packages.

Josie Rubio is a contributing writer at dealnews.com, where this article first appeared. Original article: http://dealnews.com/features/Florida-vacation-deals/