Planning a budget-friendly affordable family vacation can be a great way to create lasting memories without breaking the bank. Here are some affordable vacation ideas for families:
Camping Destinations in the USA
Camping in a national park or a local campground is an inexpensive way to enjoy the outdoors and save on accommodation costs. You can go hiking, have a campfire, and enjoy the beauty of nature, or just use the campsite as your home base while you explore a city or area.
Here are some great places to camp:
Beach Camping in Florida: Enjoy the ocean and wake up to the sound of waves. Check out beach campgrounds such as Bahia Honda State Park in the Florida Keys, Grayton Beach State Park outside Destin, Sebastian Inlet State Park (between Melbourne and Vero Beach), Curry Hammock State Park (in the Keys), Huguenot Memorial Park (near Jacksonville), and Turtle Beach Camground (on Siesta Key near Sarasota) and just a few of the fun options!
National Park Camping: A great way to see the national parks is to camp in them. Nearly all national parks offer campsites in or near them.
Camping Near Theme Parks: A great way to save money when visiting theme park areas like Disney World, Universal, Disneyland, Busch Gardens, Legoland, Six Flags, Hershey, and Cedar Point, is to find a nearby campground to stay at.
Camping Near Lakes: You can find affordable campgrounds on the shores of most lakes, but here are some to consider: Lake Lanier, Georgia, Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, Lake Superior (both the Michigan and Wisconsin coasts), Lake Champlain, Vermont/New York, Lake Michigan (Michigan and Wisconsin sides), Lake Ouachita, Arkansas, Jenny Lake, Wyoming, Lake Fausse Pointe, Louisiana, Lake Darling, Iowa and Crater Lake, Oregon.
Affordable Beach Vacations in the USA
Beach vacations tend to be lower-cost if you can find beach areas with affordable hotels and bring your own beach chairs and umbrellas (and pack your own lunch). Here are some beaches with affordable hotels nearby:
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: Myrtle Beach is a popular vacation spot with numerous budget-friendly hotels and motels near the beach. You can find a range of options to fit different budgets.
Gulf Shores, Alabama: This Gulf Coast destination offers a variety of affordable beachfront condos and hotels, making it a great choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Daytona Beach, Florida: Known for its wide sandy shores and vibrant boardwalk area, Daytona Beach has a range of budget-friendly hotels and motels just steps from the beach.
South Padre Island, Texas: South Padre Island has a range of affordable beachfront hotels and vacation rentals, and it’s a popular destination for budget travelers.
Ocean City, Maryland: Ocean City has a wide selection of budget-friendly hotels, particularly in the offseason when rates are lower.
Tybee Island, Georgia: Tybee Island is known for its laid-back atmosphere and affordable beachfront hotels and vacation rentals.
Rockport, Texas: This charming coastal town has affordable lodging options, making it a quieter and budget-friendly alternative to more popular beach destinations.
Virginia Beach, Virginia: Virginia Beach offers a mix of accommodations, including affordable hotels and vacation rentals, especially during the off-season.
Dauphin Island, Alabama: Dauphin Island is a small, laid-back barrier island with affordable vacation rentals and a slower pace of life.
Ocean Shores, Washington: Ocean Shores is a hidden gem on the Washington coast with affordable hotels, vacation rentals, and a long sandy beach.
Navarre Beach, Florida: Navarre Beach is a quieter alternative to nearby Pensacola Beach and Destin, with affordable condos and vacation rentals.
Chincoteague Island, Virginia: Famous for its wild ponies, Chincoteague Island has a range of affordable accommodations, including motels and campgrounds.
Gulfport, Mississippi: Gulfport offers budget-friendly beachfront hotels and is a less crowded alternative to some of the more famous Gulf Coast destinations.
Cape May, New Jersey: Cape May is a charming coastal town known for its Victorian architecture and beautiful beaches. While it’s not as widely recognized as some other New Jersey shore towns, it offers affordable bed and breakfast inns and hotels.
Cheap Cruises and Cruise Deals
If you keep your eyes out for last-minute deals, you can often score a cruise for a very affordable price, sometimes as low as just a couple hundred dollars per person!
Affordable Vacation Destinations to Check Out
Biloxi, Mississippi: This town includes affordable accommodations, beautiful beaches, and casinos for entertainment
Buffalo, New York: Buffalo has a lot to offer, including Niagara Falls 30 minutes away, historic architecture, and a thriving food scene, all at lower prices than nearby cities like New York City and Niagara Falls.
Smoky Mountains, Tennessee: Whether hiking to waterfalls or just enjoying the tranquility of the mountains, the Smokies offer a fun family experience including Dollywood theme park and water park just 30 min from the mountains.
Brownsville, Texas: Located on the Texas-Mexico border, Brownsville offers affordable Tex-Mex cuisine, inexpensive hotels, and easy access to South Padre Island’s beaches.
Rapid City, South Dakota: Rapid City is a gateway to the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore, offering outdoor adventures and many budget-friendly hotels.
Savannah, Georgia: Savannah is often overlooked in favor of larger East Coast cities to visit. It has a ton of historic charm, beautiful parks, great restaurants and affordable hotels.
Spokane, Washington: Spokane offers plenty of outdoor recreation, a charming downtown area, and relatively low accommodation costs. Visit their Riverfront Park and ride the 1909 Looff Carrousel, go skating on the Numercia Skate Ribbon, or take the Numerica SkyRide gondola to see the city from up high.
Fossil Hunting in Colorado (outside of Colorado Springs): Kids can discover ancient relics while enjoying the great outdoors, and there is plenty more to do in the area such as the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and Manitou Springs with its famous cliff dwellings and Penny Arcade.
Take a Train Journey
Take a scenic train journey somewhere across the country. Amtrak offers countless routes, and kids can watch the changing landscapes while enjoying the comfort of train travel. Some great routes are the California Zephyr from Chicago to California, the Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle, and the Coast Starlight from Seattle to Los Angeles.
Tips to Save Money on Vacation
- Road Trip: Plan a road trip to explore nearby cities or attractions. You can save money on lodging by camping or staying in budget-friendly motels.
- Staycation: Explore your local area like a tourist. Visit museums, parks, and landmarks you haven’t seen before. It’s a cost-effective way to have fun.
- Hostel Stays: If you’re open to sharing accommodations, hostels can be a very budget-friendly option. Many hostels now offer private family rooms.
- National Parks: America’s national parks offer incredible natural beauty and outdoor activities. Purchase an annual pass if you plan to visit multiple parks in a year.
- Farm Stays: Consider staying on a working farm where your family can learn about farm life and enjoy fresh produce.
- Volunteer Vacations: Some organizations offer volunteer opportunities that include room and board. It’s a great way to give back while traveling.
- Budget-Friendly Destinations: Choose destinations known for being affordable, such as Mexico, Southeast Asia, or parts of Central and South America.
- Use Travel Rewards: If you have credit card points or airline miles, use them to offset travel costs or book flights and accommodations.
- Vacation Rentals: Consider renting a vacation home or apartment, which can be more cost-effective for families compared to hotels.
- Free Attractions: Seek out free or low-cost attractions in your destination, such as parks, beaches, hiking trails, and museums with discounted or free admission days.
- Cook Your Meals: Save money on food by preparing your meals, especially breakfast and lunch. Many accommodations with kitchens are available.
- Travel Off-Peak: Traveling during the off-peak season often means lower prices for accommodations and attractions.
- Use Travel Apps: Use travel apps and websites to find deals on flights, accommodations, and activities.
