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Top Ten Family Budget Vacations
Top Ten Family Budget Vacations
A few ways to stretch your vacation dollar:
Although rising gas and airfare prices make everything more expensive, there are still deals on transportation. Some hubs, like Miami, Los Angeles, and Seattle, always seem to attract sale-priced tickets. And sometimes you can get deals on local attractions and lodging with airline promotions. Flying alternative routes, having a flexible schedule, or adding a stop-over can keep ticket prices down.
Getting the most bang for your buck can be as simple as a close-to-home destination, which will reduce a significant portion of your travel expenses. Driving can be cheaper than flying-even at today's prices, as the mini-van doesn't charge by passenger.
When you make reservations for restaurants and lodging, always say, "I'm looking for budget-conscious deals for a family vacation-do you offer group discounts?" Families are an important demographic in the tourism industry, and more organizations realize that being family-friendly pays. And when booking reservations, don't forget discounts provided by membership organizations (AAA and AARP are obvious, but many other groups, from bike clubs to schools to small business organizations often qualify for discounted rates.)
Also be sure to look for lodging where kids stay free. Many tour companies offer per-person discounts if you share your room with kids. Some hotels charge a nominal fee for a folding cot, but you can buy lightweight, highly packable sleeping bags for a fraction of the cost of a second room and put kids on the floor. To cut down on food costs, seek restaurants with kid's menus. Some restaurants, especially those in family-friendly resorts, let young children eat for free. Get a room with a refrigerator-by preparing some meals yourself, restaurant tabs won't be so high. And hotels with free breakfast buffets offer no-cost access to the most important meal of the day.
When you reach your destination consider transportation options. Good mass transit can save big dollars on rental car costs. Consider renting bikes, mopeds or even golf carts (local traffic permitting). And don't rule out boats, trains or even walking!
10. San Francisco, California
San Francisco has a reputation for being expensive-but families should consider staying in Marin County, where there are a lot of high-value hotels and B&Bs. From there, take the ferry boat from Larkspur Landing into the city. Kids love the ferry trip and it beats fighting the Golden Gate and downtown traffic. Once in San Francisco, you can catch another ferry to Muni Pass, and then ride trolleys all over town. Or stroll through Union Square and continue on to Chinatown for lunch. Or take a bus to Fisherman's Wharf and then a trolley back to the Embarcadero and the Ferry Building (with its sensational indoor food market and outdoor Farmer's Market). The next day, visit Golden Gate Park and the zoos and museums, all of which have excellent bus connections.
9. Negril, Jamaica
This section of Western Jamaica is dubbed the "Capital of Casual" as it used to be a legendary hippie hangout. In contrast to the all-inclusive resorts that dominate much of the island, Negril has a lot of family-run, family-friendly lodges that offer rooms for well under $50 per night (look for summer-season discounts). Negril is famous for its laid-back seven mile long beach, with gentle waves and a kid-friendly shoreline. Older kids can rent kayaks and paddle out to the coral reef for snorkeling. There are plenty of day-trips to take from Negril; Mayfield Falls is beautiful and generally not crowded. Summer discounts are often available for flights into Montego Bay.
8. Western Ireland
It's not hard to find discounted flights to the city Shannon on Ireland's southwest coast. Once there, you're within easy reach of popular walking trails: the Burren, Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, and Dingle Peninsula. Hire a guide or just get a map. Trails wind between villages, with plenty of easy-to-find guest houses for $25 to $30 a night. This region is famous for its horses; consider renting mounts to explore the miles of trails and bridle paths. In addition to rolling emerald hills and stark-white cliffs, you'll find beautiful beaches and world-class museums like the Hunt Museum in Limerick. Another must-see is Bunratty Castle, which dates to the 1400s, and Folk Park, an authentic 19th-century Irish village where you can interact with costumed artisans.
7. Belize, Central America
South of Mexico and next to Guatemala, Belize is a great budget family destination. English is the spoken language in this Massachusetts-sized country and lodging prices are a bargain, with scores of rooms, cabanas, lodges, and beach huts for $15 to $50 a night (meals are $1.50 to $4). June and July see significant discounts on already-low prices due to the rainy season. Fly into Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize City, then travel to one of the five regions or the cayes, the islands floating in the azure Caribbean Sea. Don't miss the Belize Zoo in Belize City, or the Community Baboon Sanctuary, about a half hour inland from the coast. Then there's the Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve in the Stann Creek region. For an island experience, a 15-minute boat or inexpensive flight accesses literally hundreds of spectacular islands, which in turn access the world's second-largest barrier reef (Ambergris feels more western, Caulker more rustic).
6. The Black Hills, South Dakota
The region enjoys unmatched Old West history, some of the best camping and trout fishing in the country, and incredible, wide-open vistas. Families can explore the Black Hills National Forest, Mount Rushmore, Wounded Knee, the expansive Custer State Park, Crazy Horse, Devil's Tower (in bordering Wyoming), and the towns of Sturgis and Deadwood. In addition to six national parks, the mountains and forests contain 100-plus miles of national scenic byways, so consider bringing along bicycles.
5. Moab, Utah
This is a great destination for combining camping with a few nights in a motel to clean up. There's easy mountain biking trails (harder ones for older kids and Mom and Dad), plus river rafting, jeep trails, and beautiful hiking along the Colorado River. Moab is the gateway to two national parks-Canyonlands and Arches-and within one to four hours of Capital Reef, Glen Canyon, Zion, and Lake Powell. A three-hour drive takes you to the iconic mountain towns of Telluride and Ouray. Don't forget water, sunscreen, and a wide-brimmed hat. Salt Lake City has the closest major airport.
4. Palm Springs, California
Southern California is a top vacation pick for kids for one big reason-Disneyland. But the urban jungle and freeways surrounding Anaheim aren't most parent's idea of relaxing. Consider using the Palm Springs area (with eight resort communities) as a base camp. Desert temps can be hot, but swimming pools abound, with the 21-acre Knotts Soak City a must. In Palm Desert, most hotels cut prices by 50 percent in the summer. The JW Marriot Resort and Spa in Desert Springs has a Kid's Club, family pool, and lagoons with pink flamingos and black swans. Check out the Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert and the 1,200-acre Living Desert Wildlife and Botanical Park. From your desert oasis, you can take a quick trip into Anaheim to visit Disneyland. The drive's about two hours in good traffic, so spend a night at a local hotel and get two-day park pass so you can take in the evening fireworks.
3. Las Vegas, Nevada
Despite its reputation as Sin City, cheap flights, deep-discount lodging, and endless buffets keep costs low for families. Mega-hotels have spent millions, maybe billions of dollars building magnificent family-friendly attractions-and you can walk most everywhere along the strip. Kid-pleasers are the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay-home to more than 1,200 species of sharks, rays, tropical, and freshwater fish and reptiles; The Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage with tigers, panthers, leopards, and dolphins; Circus Circus; and Fly Away Indoor Sky Diving. Or hike the cool canyon trails to springs and swimming holes in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
2. Riviera Maya, Mexico.
This section of the Caribbean coast (about half an hour south of Cancun) boasts the world's second-largest barrier coral reef, so the snorkeling is spectacular. Families can find great deals in the many all-inclusive resorts and boutique hotels, and there are good deals on flights into Cancun International Airport-especially June through August. In addition to pristine beaches, Xcaret eco-theme park lets you swim with dolphins, view pumas and jaguars, walk through a butterfly pavilion, or explore Mayan ruins tucked into the lush rainforest.
1. Washington D.C.
There's no better way to make learning about history and politics fun that a visit to our nation's capital. Free entry to all 19 Smithsonian museums (including the National Zoo with giant pandas, Sumatran Tigers, and baby rhinos), the National Gallery of Art, and to national monuments will definitely help keep expenses down. Hotels can be expensive downtown, but great public transportation system-the Metro-lets you stay in less-expensive lodging outside the National Mall. Older kids will love the International Spy Museum, while a more somber reflection this country's history can be had at the spectacular Holocaust Museum. Fun day trips include Civil War battlefields like Gettysburg, Bull Run, and Manassas, or visits to Mount Vernon, George Washington's placid home.
A few ways to stretch your vacation dollar:
Although rising gas and airfare prices make everything more expensive, there are still deals on transportation. Some hubs, like Miami, Los Angeles, and Seattle, always seem to attract sale-priced tickets. And sometimes you can get deals on local attractions and lodging with airline promotions. Flying alternative routes, having a flexible schedule, or adding a stop-over can keep ticket prices down.
Getting the most bang for your buck can be as simple as a close-to-home destination, which will reduce a significant portion of your travel expenses. Driving can be cheaper than flying-even at today's prices, as the mini-van doesn't charge by passenger.
When you make reservations for restaurants and lodging, always say, "I'm looking for budget-conscious deals for a family vacation-do you offer group discounts?" Families are an important demographic in the tourism industry, and more organizations realize that being family-friendly pays. And when booking reservations, don't forget discounts provided by membership organizations (AAA and AARP are obvious, but many other groups, from bike clubs to schools to small business organizations often qualify for discounted rates.)
Also be sure to look for lodging where kids stay free. Many tour companies offer per-person discounts if you share your room with kids. Some hotels charge a nominal fee for a folding cot, but you can buy lightweight, highly packable sleeping bags for a fraction of the cost of a second room and put kids on the floor. To cut down on food costs, seek restaurants with kid's menus. Some restaurants, especially those in family-friendly resorts, let young children eat for free. Get a room with a refrigerator-by preparing some meals yourself, restaurant tabs won't be so high. And hotels with free breakfast buffets offer no-cost access to the most important meal of the day.
When you reach your destination consider transportation options. Good mass transit can save big dollars on rental car costs. Consider renting bikes, mopeds or even golf carts (local traffic permitting). And don't rule out boats, trains or even walking!
10. San Francisco, California
San Francisco has a reputation for being expensive-but families should consider staying in Marin County, where there are a lot of high-value hotels and B&Bs. From there, take the ferry boat from Larkspur Landing into the city. Kids love the ferry trip and it beats fighting the Golden Gate and downtown traffic. Once in San Francisco, you can catch another ferry to Muni Pass, and then ride trolleys all over town. Or stroll through Union Square and continue on to Chinatown for lunch. Or take a bus to Fisherman's Wharf and then a trolley back to the Embarcadero and the Ferry Building (with its sensational indoor food market and outdoor Farmer's Market). The next day, visit Golden Gate Park and the zoos and museums, all of which have excellent bus connections.
9. Negril, Jamaica
This section of Western Jamaica is dubbed the "Capital of Casual" as it used to be a legendary hippie hangout. In contrast to the all-inclusive resorts that dominate much of the island, Negril has a lot of family-run, family-friendly lodges that offer rooms for well under $50 per night (look for summer-season discounts). Negril is famous for its laid-back seven mile long beach, with gentle waves and a kid-friendly shoreline. Older kids can rent kayaks and paddle out to the coral reef for snorkeling. There are plenty of day-trips to take from Negril; Mayfield Falls is beautiful and generally not crowded. Summer discounts are often available for flights into Montego Bay.
8. Western Ireland
It's not hard to find discounted flights to the city Shannon on Ireland's southwest coast. Once there, you're within easy reach of popular walking trails: the Burren, Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, and Dingle Peninsula. Hire a guide or just get a map. Trails wind between villages, with plenty of easy-to-find guest houses for $25 to $30 a night. This region is famous for its horses; consider renting mounts to explore the miles of trails and bridle paths. In addition to rolling emerald hills and stark-white cliffs, you'll find beautiful beaches and world-class museums like the Hunt Museum in Limerick. Another must-see is Bunratty Castle, which dates to the 1400s, and Folk Park, an authentic 19th-century Irish village where you can interact with costumed artisans.
7. Belize, Central America
South of Mexico and next to Guatemala, Belize is a great budget family destination. English is the spoken language in this Massachusetts-sized country and lodging prices are a bargain, with scores of rooms, cabanas, lodges, and beach huts for $15 to $50 a night (meals are $1.50 to $4). June and July see significant discounts on already-low prices due to the rainy season. Fly into Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize City, then travel to one of the five regions or the cayes, the islands floating in the azure Caribbean Sea. Don't miss the Belize Zoo in Belize City, or the Community Baboon Sanctuary, about a half hour inland from the coast. Then there's the Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve in the Stann Creek region. For an island experience, a 15-minute boat or inexpensive flight accesses literally hundreds of spectacular islands, which in turn access the world's second-largest barrier reef (Ambergris feels more western, Caulker more rustic).
6. The Black Hills, South Dakota
The region enjoys unmatched Old West history, some of the best camping and trout fishing in the country, and incredible, wide-open vistas. Families can explore the Black Hills National Forest, Mount Rushmore, Wounded Knee, the expansive Custer State Park, Crazy Horse, Devil's Tower (in bordering Wyoming), and the towns of Sturgis and Deadwood. In addition to six national parks, the mountains and forests contain 100-plus miles of national scenic byways, so consider bringing along bicycles.
5. Moab, Utah
This is a great destination for combining camping with a few nights in a motel to clean up. There's easy mountain biking trails (harder ones for older kids and Mom and Dad), plus river rafting, jeep trails, and beautiful hiking along the Colorado River. Moab is the gateway to two national parks-Canyonlands and Arches-and within one to four hours of Capital Reef, Glen Canyon, Zion, and Lake Powell. A three-hour drive takes you to the iconic mountain towns of Telluride and Ouray. Don't forget water, sunscreen, and a wide-brimmed hat. Salt Lake City has the closest major airport.
4. Palm Springs, California
Southern California is a top vacation pick for kids for one big reason-Disneyland. But the urban jungle and freeways surrounding Anaheim aren't most parent's idea of relaxing. Consider using the Palm Springs area (with eight resort communities) as a base camp. Desert temps can be hot, but swimming pools abound, with the 21-acre Knotts Soak City a must. In Palm Desert, most hotels cut prices by 50 percent in the summer. The JW Marriot Resort and Spa in Desert Springs has a Kid's Club, family pool, and lagoons with pink flamingos and black swans. Check out the Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert and the 1,200-acre Living Desert Wildlife and Botanical Park. From your desert oasis, you can take a quick trip into Anaheim to visit Disneyland. The drive's about two hours in good traffic, so spend a night at a local hotel and get two-day park pass so you can take in the evening fireworks.
3. Las Vegas, Nevada
Despite its reputation as Sin City, cheap flights, deep-discount lodging, and endless buffets keep costs low for families. Mega-hotels have spent millions, maybe billions of dollars building magnificent family-friendly attractions-and you can walk most everywhere along the strip. Kid-pleasers are the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay-home to more than 1,200 species of sharks, rays, tropical, and freshwater fish and reptiles; The Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage with tigers, panthers, leopards, and dolphins; Circus Circus; and Fly Away Indoor Sky Diving. Or hike the cool canyon trails to springs and swimming holes in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
2. Riviera Maya, Mexico.
This section of the Caribbean coast (about half an hour south of Cancun) boasts the world's second-largest barrier coral reef, so the snorkeling is spectacular. Families can find great deals in the many all-inclusive resorts and boutique hotels, and there are good deals on flights into Cancun International Airport-especially June through August. In addition to pristine beaches, Xcaret eco-theme park lets you swim with dolphins, view pumas and jaguars, walk through a butterfly pavilion, or explore Mayan ruins tucked into the lush rainforest.
1. Washington D.C.
There's no better way to make learning about history and politics fun that a visit to our nation's capital. Free entry to all 19 Smithsonian museums (including the National Zoo with giant pandas, Sumatran Tigers, and baby rhinos), the National Gallery of Art, and to national monuments will definitely help keep expenses down. Hotels can be expensive downtown, but great public transportation system-the Metro-lets you stay in less-expensive lodging outside the National Mall. Older kids will love the International Spy Museum, while a more somber reflection this country's history can be had at the spectacular Holocaust Museum. Fun day trips include Civil War battlefields like Gettysburg, Bull Run, and Manassas, or visits to Mount Vernon, George Washington's placid home.
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