Family vacations can be invaluable experiences, yet can often be costly. Luckily, there are affordable solutions available.
For an affordable family vacation, visit one of the Smithsonian museums in Washington D.C. or Mount Rushmore monument in South Dakota.
1. South Padre Island
Budget constraints don’t have to prevent families from going on fun family vacations – budget-friendly options such as beach getaways, national parks and all-inclusive Caribbean resorts exist in abundance and can help make magic happen without draining savings accounts.
South Padre Island is an ideal beach vacation spot for families during the summer, yet March brings with it too many rowdy spring breakers who crowd its beaches uncomfortably. To get the best value on this barrier island visit between September and February when hotel rates are lower and children can swim freely on both land and sea. Stay at Oceanfront Pearl South Padre Island Resort to take advantage of their poolside suite where kids will love splashing while adults sip cold beverages; plus this resort also has its own restaurant serving Tex-Mex, Italian and seafood dishes!
2. Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is on many families’ bucket lists as a destination of choice. This 3,500-square mile recreation area sits atop an active volcano in the northwest corner of the US and boasts herds of bison, stunning waterfalls and geysers including Old Faithful; plus it teems with wildlife such as grizzly bears, black bears, herds of antelope and bison!
Jackson Hole provides a great base camp for exploring Yellowstone National Park. The town’s historic main street offers charming shops selling local wine and fruit; at nighttime live music plays from local bars.
Southern California may not be known for being cheap, but this sunny destination does provide affordable family vacation ideas. Families can explore the mind-boggling Broad Museum for free or stroll along Hollywood Walk of Fame without breaking the bank. Beaches provide another budget option where children can splash around while adults relax on gorgeous oceanside sand and marvel at million-dollar views!
3. New York City
New York City is an ideal family vacation spot on a tight budget, boasting plenty of free and inexpensive activities like walking the High Line, visiting Central Park or Tompkins Square Park and indulging in a delicious meal from In-N-Out Burger.
Visit New York’s skyline from panoramic viewpoints like Brooklyn Bridge Promenade and 30 Rockefeller Plaza’s Art Deco skyscraper Top of the Rock for breathtaking panoramic views of its skyline. Get up close with Lady Liberty or pay your respects at 9/11 Memorial, while museum lovers can explore collections at Metropolitan Museum of Art or American Museum of Natural History.
Traveling with kids? They will love visiting Madame Tussauds or Rockefeller Center. Ice skating on the iconic rink in winter will also be enjoyable; plus the Hudson Valley offers kid-friendly attractions like New York Renaissance Faire and Lyndhurst Castle!
4. Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. offers families looking for affordable vacations the ideal spot. Take in its iconic cherry blossom trees during springtime (Tidal Basin makes a fantastic photo op) or one of many free Smithsonian museums – Washington is sure to please!
Your children will love exploring Planet Word Museum, an interactive way of teaching about written and spoken languages, or saving money on tours by purchasing the Go Washington DC Pass.
Olympic Peninsula in the Pacific holds some incredible national parks and rainforests, such as Hoh Rain Forest with its tide pools. You may also want to check out Olympic Mountain range.
5. Seattle
This Pacific Northwest city stands out as an affordable family destination, thanks to a vibrant mix of kid-friendly museums, outdoor activities and sweet treats – not forgetting its close proximity to Crater Lake and majestic redwood trees in national parks!
Wander the walkable downtown area, watching light dance across orange adobe buildings as the sun sets, or experiencing Meow Wolf – an immersive art experience – to be amazed by your mind blowing. Kids will adore Pike Place Market with its fish throwers and various vendors selling everything from gifts to food!
Visit Pier 57 and experience year-round fun aboard its glass-enclosed gondolas; or head indoors to Waterfront Park, an impressive indoor waterpark offering pickleball courts, open parks and even a build-your-own-s’more kit!
6. Minneapolis
Budget limitations make Paris or Disney World trips unaffordable, yet there are many fantastic vacation spots closer to home that offer affordable family travel opportunities at lower costs. Road tripping or flying on budget airlines provide plenty of great family travel opportunities nearby.
Discover nature at Minneapolis’s lovely parks and lakes, or head over to Boom Island Park for playground fun and river views. Art lovers will also be delighted by Minneapolis’s diverse museum selection, such as Walker Art Center or Minneapolis Institute of Art.
Kids of all ages will love the Mall of America, featuring attractions such as Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium and Nickelodeon Universe indoor theme park. Sports fans can catch a Twins baseball game or root on Vegas Golden Knights professional hockey team; in addition, this city provides foodies with fresh produce from area farms and markets for them to enjoy!
7. Olympic Peninsula
The Olympic Peninsula lies across Puget Sound from Seattle and offers an abundance of wild, natural wonders. Here you’ll discover beautiful beaches, dense temperate rainforest and jagged mountain peaks; as well as hiking lower elevation trails during spring/summer hikes or cross-country skiing along mountain trails in winter months.
Southern California may not be known for being inexpensive, but there are still plenty of budget-friendly activities and sights that make visiting Los Angeles affordable. From visiting the Broad Museum to taking in free admission at Hollywood sign, this city provides starry trips on a shoestring budget.
8. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the country’s most visited national parks and is widely known for its ancient mountains, diverse wildlife, and remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture. Famed for its rolling mountains covered with blueish-white fog, Great Smoky Mountains boasts more than 150 trails including part of the Appalachian Trail.
Summer is the most popular time to visit the Smokies, and this will likely result in long lines and full parking lots. Thankfully, crowding never reaches Yosemite or Zion levels of congestion.
Autumn is an ideal season to experience the Smokies. Now that summer heat and humidity have dissipated and children have returned to school, fall provides the ideal setting in which to explore.
9. New Orleans
Indianapolis may seem an unlikely pick as a top family vacation spot, but this Midwest city actually offers affordable fun for everyone in your group. Head back in time at Conner Prairie or entertain children at one of the top children’s museums before enjoying an affordable treat from Long’s Bakery like their giant doughnuts!
Families looking for an activity-filled day should visit Jackson Square, home to art stalls, fortune tellers and jewelry vendors. Or visit Mardi Gras World with its decades-long parade mask collection or enjoy a riverboat cruise offering views of the city while tasting Creole cuisine!
10. Playa del Carmen
Vacationing as a family can be costly. Luckily, with proper planning budget family vacations can become possible! From gorgeous beach vacations to one-of-a-kind treehouse resorts – these affordable getaways will surely delight.
Playa del Carmen offers surprising value for the dollar when visiting outside peak season. Visit on off-days, and plan for weather forecasts that give more than a simple daily estimate – stormy morning weather may give way to glorious sun by lunchtime!
Southern California may not be known for being particularly inexpensive, but there are still fun family activities at an affordable price! From visiting the Broad Museum to riding the free Travel Town Train or hiking through Griffith Park’s trails – just to name a few of many great things you can do – plus an America the Beautiful Pass will pay for itself after 2-3 national park visits!
