With the way that everything under the sun is becoming more expensive, it’s no surprise that many families are shortening vacation plans or skipping them entirely. If you don’t want to stay home during your family’s vacation time, there are a few things you can do so that you can enjoy a weekend away without breaking the bank.
Camping, Hiking, and Picnic Combo
Going to a national park or another established campground is an option to consider if you want to vacation on a budget. High-end camping supplies are expensive, but if you already own camping gear, budget effectively, or plan to sleep in your vehicle, hiking around in nature and picnicking outdoors for a couple of days might be fun.
Road Trip to the Beach
If you’re relatively close to the coast (or even a lake), taking a road trip to visit the beach is a fun way to take the family out for the weekend. You can swim, walk on the beach, and in some areas, fishing is allowed. Additionally, many lakes and beaches are close to campgrounds to make extended stays easier.
Try Budget Destinations
Taking your family to one of the many interesting sites across the country does not have to break the bank. There are plenty of budget destinations to visit, and depending on how and when you travel, you might be able to pinch pennies a little tighter. For example, if you pack food to take along the trip instead of eating out, or drive in shifts rather than staying at hotels, your visit is going to be significantly more affordable.
You might be interested in:
- Sequoia National Park
- Williamsburg, VA
- Glacier National Park
- Gettysburg, PA
- The Grand Canyon
Travel within Your Region
Finally, you might want to look for destinations fairly close to home to save money on travel expenses. Driving to a vacation destination within your region saves both time and money you’d otherwise spend driving longer distances or flying with your family.
Think about it this way: vacations are not about the number of days you’re out or the destinations you visit. The goal of the trip is to create happy memories with the people you love most, and that can be done practically anywhere. Even if your family is accustomed to visiting a specific destination each year, trying something new could be very rewarding.