Budget Friendly Family Vacations
Reading Time: 3 minutes Family Vacations on a Budget: Roadtrips
Are you looking for a great family vacation this summer without breaking the bank? Here is a list of great family vacations on a budget. These destinations are all over the country with a little something different to see at each.
Choose one that looks great, figure out how many miles it is from home and find some hidden gems between your house and it to create a fun road trip.
If you are looking for ways to make that roadtrip fun for everyone, be sure to check out: 10 Fun Road Trip Activities for All Ages.
1. Yosemite National Park, CA
Waterfalls, swimming holes, hiking, scenic views and camping
2. Grand Canyon and Sedona, AZ
A natural wonder of the world with hikes, views, bus tours and more
Sedona is up, while the Grand Canyon is “down” but amazing as well. Artsy shopping, fun hikes, pet friendly restaurants, Slide Rock
3. Salt Lake City and Ogden, UT
Hogle Zoo with Splash Zone, Lagoon and Lagoon-A-Beach
Painted horse statues (they really are fun to walk and look at)
Make the road trip fun!
100 Would you rather cards!
- Easy to print
- 8 "cards" per page
- Good for ages 5 and up
- A social emotional learning lesson for each level (not based on a social issue, but on true SEL learning)
- Some are thought provoking
- Some are just fun and goofy
questions to bring fun to your road trip
4. Montana
Rockhounding with the kids
Do a little research, there are many great areas. What do you want to find and is there a cost? For example, Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine charges you, but people give it great reviews. Crystal Park and Calvert Hill Mine look like they are more DIY.
5. Winter Park, CO
Yes! During the summer!
Gondola Ride, Bike Paths, Alpine Slide, hiking, water rafting and wildlife
6. Rapid City, SD
Memorials and unique parks
Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Storybook Island, Dinosaur Park, Reptile Gardens, Bear Country USA, City of Presidents Walking Tour and Black Hills Caverns
7. Belle Isle State Park, MI
One of the best deals on the list!
Conservatory, Aquarium, James Scott Fountain (this is actually a big deal-look it up), Nature Center, Swimming/Beach, Giant Slide and Lighthouse
8. Boston, MA
History, parks, museums
Freedom Trail, Boston Common and Swan Boats, USS Constitution and Bunker Hill, Black Heritage Trail (there are many fabulous museums, but they all cost to get in, so choose which ones your family will love the most)
9. Washington D.C.
History, monuments, memorials, museums, tours and gardens
Some you can walk to yourself, some charge, it may be worthwhile to buy a tour and get a “pack” in one tour. Washington D.C. is a wealth of sites, plan this one out ahead of time.
10. Myrtle Beach, SC
Water and ocean
Promenade and Boardwalk, Huntington State Park, mini golf and amusement park
I tried to find you places from all over the nation. Please reply in the comments fabulous places you have gone that you would consider friendly to family vacations on a budget.
“On this journey that you’re making, there’ll be answers that you’ll seek. And it’s you who’ll climb the mountain. It’s you who’ll reach the peak.” — Tarzan