Getting away this summer doesn’t have to be a destination that costs tons of money. I have picked some cool areas where you and your family can get away to some fun mini vacations!
Yellowstone National Park. There are so many ways to save when visiting Yellowstone. One of the best ways is to book a campsite. Most campgrounds here offer laundry, showers, and bathrooms. This is much more affordable than booking a room at a local hotel or lodge. Also, try to avoid going in the summer because it is the busiest time and the rates will go up. Also, bring most of your own food and enjoy a fun, family camping experience. Try www.yellowstonenationalpark.com for more details.
Outer Banks in NC. Visit the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau website or www.outerbanks.com for special packages and deals for the off season. When booking in the summer, forget about a hotel and book ahead one of the hundreds of cottage and house rentals. A good tip is to book early and even book for the next visit before you leave for the best rental pricing. Ask family or friends to go in on a beachfront house to save money.
Williamsburg, VA. There are many attractions in Colonial Williamsburg that are more affordable when you buy a combination pass. This way you can visit all the historical sites as well as the theme parks. Go to www.visitwilliamsburg.com Early Spring and Late Fall are cheaper times to visit, but summer has some amazing deals when you book a package deal.
Virginia Beach, VA. There are many cost-effective hotels available here that are close to the ocean and within walking distance, so if you don’t have to be right on the boardwalk you can save some money. Rates for hotels are lower after Labor Day, but good deals can be found in the summer too. Go to www.visitvirginiabeach.com for more information.
Sedona, AZ. Parents and kids both love visiting Sedona for it’s wild adventure ride on Pink Jeep Tours which drives you through the rocky land and ruins on a bumpy, yet thrilling ride. The hotel and lodge rates here for an overnight stay are super affordable. Slide Rock State Park offers camping and some awesome natural water slides. I like www.visitsedona.com for packages and good deals.
Amelia Island, GA. There are so many things to see and do here on Amelia Island that are cheaper than most Florida destinations. If you vacation here you won’t be bored with river cruises, fishing, museums, and a gorgeous beach to name a few. The summer rates are pretty affordable since the island gets visitors all year long. Try www.ameliaisland.com to get started planning your island trip.
New Orleans, LA. You may not think of New Orleans as a family friendly destination, but it certainly does offer a lot of cheap hotel rates and activities everyone will love. The Big Easy has a cool theme park right inside the City Park with Storyland characters and tons of fun things to do. The best deal here is staying right outside the city and taking the Trolley down Charles Street to see all the beautiful historical homes. Visit www.neworleans.com for great information.
These are just a few fun cities to explore so keep them in mind when planning your next family vacation. But we all know that making memories and spending time together is the most important thing.
Booking Your Trip – Tips & Tricks
How To Book Cheap Flights When You Travel
If you are looking to book the cheapest flights you can possibly find on the internet, then make sure to use Skyscanner when searching for flights. Don’t forget to download the Free Skyscanner App also which is very handy. This is how I was able to get $12.40 airfare from Los Angeles to London, as well as $9.40 airfare from London to Italy.
How To Book Affordable Accommodation When You Travel
When booking accommodation, TripAdvisor is the way to go because you can read reviews and see photos from other travelers to get a feel of where you will be staying. Other great sites to book hotels are HotelsCombined, Booking.com and Hotels.com. Don’t forget to check HomeAway and VRBO for house and villa rentals too. Perfect for when you travel with a large family, and also to save money when hotels are expensive. Another favorite of mine is BookVIP – they offer huge resort savings.
How To Book Activities When You Travel
My favorite website to search for activities, tours and especially skip the line tickets is Viator and Get Your Guide. This makes trip planning so much easier because you don’t have to search several sites as both websites have several options to choose from. Same also goes with TripAdvisor Attractions – you can search and book activities as well as read reviews.
How To Book Rental Cars When You Travel
Instead of checking every single website, I use RentalCars.com, Car Rental 8 and Skyscanner Car Rentals to find car rentals all over the world with just one click. If you plan to park at the airport, visit Airport Parking and make a reservation.
Why Travel Insurance Is a Must When You Travel
People book trips and forget the most important part, purchasing travel insurance. Because we travel often, I purchase our travel insurance through Allianz for a year at a time which means that we are covered for all trips within that year. Travel insurance will protect you and your family against theft, injury illness, flight cancellations and so much more. It is a MUST!
Looking to save even more money when you travel?
Visit my Travel Resources and Amazon page to see all the reliable and trustworthy brands that I use to book my travel with. I only recommend brands that I’ve used and can vouch for, so you’re in good hands! 😊 Also check out these posts below:
- How To Save Money On Flights
- Best Websites To Find Cheap Flights & Error Fares
- Tips On How To Make Travel Affordable For Families
Top Travel With Kids Tips
Traveling with kids and have a few questions you need answers too, these posts below will help your trip run smooth.
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