When it comes to family summer vacations, it doesn’t need to be all about spending more to guarantee a good time. Family summer vacation ideas on a budget are often better and more memorable. You’ll be surprised at how easily your kids can be entertained on less of a budget.
Budget vacations don’t necessarily mean that you do less on vacation, it can sometimes, in fact, mean doing a whole lot more with your time away. It can be a great means of bringing the family together and getting to know your kids a little bit better.
Another major benefit of budget vacations is that you can fit more in throughout the year, as opposed to blowing your money entirely on one trip.
If you’ve never been on a budget family vacation before, you’re probably wondering where to begin. Read this article to get some family summer vacation ideas and spend less this vacation season!
Camping out in Yellowstone National Park
You may find hotel prices in and around Yellowstone National Park to be more on the expensive side, particularly in the summer months. However, there are many ways to get around this cost and still enjoy the marvellous natural wonders boasted by this western-U.S. tourist hotspot.
Camping would be the most cost-effective way to explore Yellowstone, with plenty of low-rate sites throughout the park, making it one of the best family summer vacation ideas on a budget. There are even several camping grounds that are offered for free, although they have reduced amenities. These include Carbella Recreation Site and Red Rock Pass.
Hiking is mostly free throughout the park, which includes some of the best mapped-out walks offered. These include the Hot Springs Terrace Walk and the Mud Volcano Ramble. You can also visit some of the defining sites of the park, including the Grand Canyon, the Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Mammoth Hot Springs totally for free!
Costly things include rafting, canoeing, and other water and adventure-based experiences. However, with so much going on in Yellowstone, you can have just as much fun partaking in the free offerings.
Visit San Diego
Like anywhere, San Diego hotel prices are going to increase the longer you take to book it. It is possible to secure incredibly cheap rates in this Californian city if you search a few months in advance!
San Diego itself may not seem like an obvious choice when it comes to family summer vacation ideas on a budget, however, on a closer inspection, you’ll realize a lot of the city’s offerings are either incredibly cheap or offered for free!
San Diego’s 17-mile-long coastline is completely free to the public, and are sandy, clean, and safe – perfect for endless beach days! Beachgoers in San Diego swim, surf, sunbathe, and build sandcastles to their heart’s content!
On top of the beach, San Diego has a long list of free-admittance activities and locations that are great for the whole family. These include Mission Bay Park, Balboa Park, and the Old Town State Historic Park.
Head to Central and Eastern Europe – One of the Best Family Summer Vacation Ideas on a Budget
Pick a capital city in Central or Eastern Europe, and it’s almost guaranteed to offer cheap travel, accommodation, and attractions. A lot of countries in this region are just as alluring as the leading European nations, but with richer cultures, more activities, and equally as fascinating landmarks.
One of the best family summer vacation ideas on a budget would be Prague, Czech Republic. A beautiful city, Prague is based around the flowing Vlata River and offers a quaintness that will satisfy any Old-town Europe cravings. Restaurants are cheap, hotels are affordable, and top attractions are well within a budget holiday price range. Attractions include Prague Castle, Prague Zoo, and the National Museum – each of which is guaranteed to entice the entire family.
Other central and eastern European cities that would be ideal for a budget family holiday include Krakow, Poland; Budapest, Hungary; Bucharest, Romania; Tallin, Estonia; and Zagreb, Croatia – amongst many, many more!
Explore Niagara Falls on the Canadian Side
Admire one of America’s most famous beauty spots with a bigger variety of affordable activities to do within the vicinity on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Canadian Niagara Falls, like its American counterpart, is free and can be accessed any time of day. The Horseshoe Falls is the section that dominates the Canadian stretch of the waterfalls – probably the most iconic of the three.
Several free walking trails lead off from the beauty spot, towards other free attractions that can be enjoyed on the Canadian side. These include Dufferin Islands Park, Niagara Falls History Museum, Crystal Beach, and Hershey’s Chocolate World.
Niagara Falls City offers particularly cheap hotels and other forms of accommodation. Plus, the exchange rate makes a lot of the prices a lot more attractive than you’ll likely find on the American side.
Immerse Yourself in Lisbon
The iconic city of Lisbon, located on the Portuguese coast, is surprisingly affordable for how much it can offer. When wandering around this hilly capital city, you’ll be surprised at how unspoiled it feels, bearing no resemblance to other major capitals. Lisbon has maintained its elegance, despite its growth in popularity, and it’s still incredibly easy to immerse yourself in the food and culture on a very small, shoe-string budget!
The major hotels can be pricey, but there are some cheaper options available, particularly if you book far enough in advance. The public transport is well organized and affordable, with regular trains running to nearby beaches, perfect for family days out in the sun.
Entry is also well within budget to such family attractions as the city’s oceanarium, museums, and zoo.