HOW TO BUDGET A FAMILY VACATION PART 3

Go To: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

LET’S GO TO VEGAS!

Las Vegas isn’t just for grown-ups anymore! The city is becoming increasingly family friendly and you can take advantage of the typically low-priced rates for a great family Vegas vacation.
It’s no longer considered “Sin City” when you see the various kid-friendly attractions like the roller coaster atop New York, New York, or the theme park inside Circus Circus. There are arcades just about everywhere and special shows geared toward the family audience.
The best part is that many of the attractions that kids love are free! You can see the Pirate show outside Treasure Island, view the amazing light show on Fremont Street, or watch the volcano “explode” outside the Mirage at sundown.
Meals are cheap everywhere in Vegas. We once had a complete prime rib dinner including potato, vegetable, and salad bar for a mere $2.99 at a small casino across from the Stardust. It was delicious and filling. The various buffets have anything and everything you could ever want to satisfy a picky eater – all at a low price anyone can afford.
Vegas is designed to be inexpensive in the hopes that tourists will spend most of their money in the casinos. This is where you can splurge a little and hold back when you’re getting a little short on funds. After all, you’re in Vegas – you have to pull at least one slot machine’s arm.
Depending on when you book, you can get an air/hotel package for as little as $200 per person round trip! In many places, kids get a discounted room rate, and if you want your older children to have their own room, many hotels will let you have that at half price.
Once in Vegas, consider renting a car and going on an exploration of the area. You can take in The Hoover Dam, check out the Grand Canyon or take in the Richard Petty ride-along racing experience. There’s so much to do in and around Vegas, you’ll never be bored!
How about some less-traditional vacation spots?

HISTORY TOUR

While your kids might roll their eyes at the suggestion of a family trip based on history, they might be surprised once you get there. They’re probably thinking they’ll be tested at the end of the vacation, but we’re betting that what they learn will stay with them for a very long time!
Most of the initial settlements for our country are on the East Coast. Head east and learn more about America than you ever knew you could!
Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown are absorbing year-round, as historic interpreters dressed in period costumes help thoroughly modern families appreciate what life was life without TVs, computers, or indoor plumbing. In eighteenth-century Williamsburg, you'll find the largest outdoor living history museum.
The kids can help weed the garden in spring, make bricks in summer, or attend a slave couple's wedding in winter. Visit in summer and you can also go to Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA.
A trip to Washington, DC, will give you The Smithsonian Institute which is interesting for all ages. Plus, you can see the White House, Congress, and so much more!
One of our favorite historical places to visit is Boston, Massachusetts. This beautiful city is absolutely filled with historical significance. When you take the blue trolley tour, you learn so much about the city and everything that occurred there in the history of America.
You can see the grave of Mother Goose and stand in front of the North church where Paul Revere saw the lanterns signalling the coming of the British. John F. Kennedy’s first apartment is along the tour as is the “Cheers” bar that spawned the award-winning TV series.
Boston Common offers tourists the opportunity to ride the lake in their famous swan boats, and Faneuil Hall Market Place is a spectacular place offering not only great food and shopping, but entertaining street performers and musicians.
One of our most respected presidents was Abraham Lincoln. Springfield, Illinois, offers the most comprehensive and interesting museum based on his life and historical significance.
Visitors can tour his home, visit his tomb, and learn everything you never knew about this amazing man.
Just 30 miles down the road near Petersburg, Illinois, is New Salem – an early settlement where Lincoln lived and worked. There is one cabin that has been there since the 1800’s and has been carefully preserved to give visitors a taste of what life was like in the early years of America.
These are only a few places where you can go to find interesting, historic exhibits that your whole family can enjoy.

SOUTH DAKOTA

This amazing state has so much to offer in the way of family vacations. On a visit to the Badlands of South Dakota, the kids can count all of the different license plates in the parking lot of Mount Rushmore, which just celebrated its 60th anniversary.
You can explore caves, pick up rocks blasted from the mountain where the colossal statue of Chief Crazy Horse is a work in progress, join a "dig" at the Mammoth Site where more than 50 giant mammoths were trapped more than 26,000 years ago, and take a Jeep tour through a buffalo herd.
You can stay at Custer State Park, where besides seeing the buffalo, you can rent an old-fashioned cabin on a lake starting at under $100 a night, go gold-panning, or make animal tracks with the kids at hands-on junior naturalist programs.

DUDE RANCHES

This type of family vacation is perfect for city dwellers to get out and experience real country life. Fully operational dude ranches are everywhere throughout the United States and can offer up a very memorable family vacation.
Imagine yourself taking the best vacation of your life at a dude ranch. The cool, fresh mountain air, the open spaces, the feel of a steady horse beneath you as you top the next rise... the flash of color from the dark pool as the monster trout rises to your offering...luxuriating in the warmth of the setting sun as you wait for the dinner bell's call ... shared time with family and friends.
Most of these ranches are located in the Western United States, but a little homework can find them almost everywhere.
Riding horses is the main focus of a dude ranch vacation, but accommodations can range from simple to luxurious. You can perform the job of a cowboy at a working dude ranch or choose a resort style ranch to take advantage of other activities like tennis and swimming.
Eat authentic cowboy style meals and sing cowboy songs around the campfire. In some places, you can even spend a night sleeping under the stars!
Most of these dude ranch vacations are all-inclusive meaning meals and activities are in the price of reservation. A family of four can usually have this type of vacation for under $1,000 although prices will vary according to the location.
Do your research online and choose a spot that your family will love!

CAMPING

Thousands of people know and embrace the amazing relaxation and fun you can have on a camping vacation. This is probably the most affordable type of family vacation – especially if you take advantage of the country’s various state parks and campgrounds.
It costs around $12-$25 to spend a night at these campgrounds, which is much less than the cost of a motel room these days. The parks are typically run by park rangers, who also provide security at the campgrounds.
Each campsite will likely have a fire-pit, charcoal grill, and a picnic table. There will be an area to set up your tent and a place to pull your car off the road. These parks usually have buildings that enclose bathrooms and showers. You'll also find drinking water available, places to do your dishes, and trash containers.
You can choose to camp the old-fashioned way with tents, or you can rent an RV for added convenience. A typical RV motor home will rent for $90-$200 per day.
Some people feel that camping with an RV isn’t truly camping, but we think the point of a vacation is to spend time together doing things as a family. Whether you sleep under the stars or in a bed inside an RV makes little difference. A camping vacation is all about what you make it!
Most public parks have hiking trails, and many parks have lakes for fishing, boating, and swimming. Imagine the sight of your kids seeing a deer cross the path or a raccoon snooping through the campsite at night. There may also be a playground with swings, basketball courts, and other amenities.
Also remember to bring along bikes, balls and gloves, board games, Frisbees, or any other favorite game or toy. There will be plenty of opportunities for the family to play together.
Many state parks and other public parks offer nature programs for the kids, and some even show outside movies on weekends. Since most of these parks are located in remote areas away from city lights, they make great places to watch sunsets and to gaze at the stars at night.
If you don’t have any experience camping and are without camping gear, that’s alright! You can generally get everything you need for tent camping for under $600. What will you need?
· For a family of 4, you should have a tent that sleeps 6. You'll appreciate the extra room that a 6-person tent provides.
· Next you'll need sleeping bags. Since you're probably not camping in cold weather, consider a 3-season bag. These are still rated for 30 to 40 degree weather, and if they get too warm at night just unzip the zipper. Mom and Dad might like the coziness of sleeping bags that zip together.
· For added comfort and insulation from the cold ground, you might consider putting a pad under your sleeping bag.
· Your campsite will likely have a charcoal grill, which is great for some cooking, but dishes that require a pot or skillet won't get all black if you have a propane camp stove. You can find a 2-burner propane stove for around $35-$80. The propane cylinders are $2-$3 dollars and will probably last a week.
· To keep drinks cold and food from perishing, you'll need a cooler. Pick a cooler large enough to accommodate your needs
Other items to take camping can be found at home or bought at the grocery store: pots and pans, cups and glasses, silverware, pillows, flashlights, extra batteries, and food.
You may want to buy a cheap tarp for around $10 to place under your tent. This will help protect your tent floor against tears and to prevent water from seeping into the tent in case of rain.
Don’t bother with a lantern, because they get hot and attract bugs. Instead, buy a 9-volt battery lamp for around $10 and use it sparingly so that you can enjoy the night sky.
Here's a little shopping tip: rather than shop online for your gear, save even more money by going to a local Wal-Mart or Target store. They have everything you need at the lowest prices.
Figure $600 for a one-time cost to buy new gear, $200 or less for campground fees for a week, and $200 for food, gas, and ice, and you've got a great vacation for a family of four.
Once you've acquired your gear, each subsequent camping trip will be even cheaper. You'll add to your gear from time to time, and some items need replenishing. For economical and adventurous vacations, take your family camping.
We’ve found a couple of places online that just keep popping up when talking about affordable family vacations. While we don’t necessarily endorse them ourselves, they seem to be top picks when it comes to enjoyable family travel.

THREE WELL-KEPT SECRETS

Many of the award winning family resorts are beyond the means of those on a budget, but Woodloch Pines Resort in Hawley, Pennsylvania offers the amenities of a luxury resort for under $350 per night.
Located on a private lake in the Northern Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania, this family owned resort was voted Favorite Family Vacation Spot by the readers of Better Homes and Gardens. Open year-round, the resort offers an amazing feast of activities from waterskiing, sail boating, and bumper boats in summer to snow tubing, ice skating and snowmobiling in the winter.
Kids of all ages love the go carts, batting cages, pool water slide and hayrides. Parents enjoy the Jacuzzis, massages for themselves and the all-inclusive rates that are difficult to find at U.S. resorts. Prices vary depending on room selection, time of year and number of people, but a family of four can purchase a four-night package that includes room and 12 meals for under $350 per night.
The family-friendly, all-inclusive pricing draws hundreds of families south of the border to Mexico each year. But families don’t have to leave the country to find all-inclusive deals. Tyler Place Family Resort on Lake Champlain in Vermont also offers this pricing that includes meals, snacks, lodging, and most activities.
Tyler Place’s eight different kid’s programs offer structured nature and outdoor programs for children of all ages. Family water activities include sailing, canoeing, kayaking, waterskiing, paddleboats, bumper tube rides, banana boats, and lots more.
Other entertainment includes tennis, mountain biking, indoor and outdoor pools, and group sports. Newborn and infant care is provided for parents who want to take art, yoga and aerobics classes, or visit vineyards in Quebec.
Discount, off-peak rates for a family of four are just under $300 per night and include lodging with separate children’s rooms, all meals and access to services and activities.
Some of America’s original family resorts focused on simple accommodations that provided easy access to the great outdoors. Nitschke’s Northern Resort, in Minocqua, Wisconsin has carried on the fine example of the original resort, with its tidy accommodations, coupled with the pristine setting on the edge of a lake, surrounded by forest.
Activities include fishing, hiking, boating, jet skiing, or simply relaxing on the porch of your cabin. The beach and playground provide additional play opportunities for children. Ice fishing and snowmobiling trails provide winter entertainment options. Despite the secluded, natural setting of this family resort, the town is within boating, walking, and driving distance when you need groceries or a change of scenery.
Cabins accommodate up to eight people easily and rates start at an amazingly affordable $180 per night.

MEXICAN BEACHES

All-inclusive resorts abound in Mexico and if your family is looking for a beautiful setting to experience a new culture, Mexico could be for you!
All-inclusive resorts are always a hit because everyone can do what they want, when they want, and there are plenty of organized activities for the kids as well as other children for yours to pal around with.
Usually you can get bargain rates throughout the Caribbean until mid-December and then again from just after Easter all the way to Thanksgiving and beyond. A trip to Mexico can really be a bargain and will give the kids a chance to practice their Spanish!
There is just so much to do on a Mexican vacation. Not only can you tour the Mayan ruins in Cancun, you can take advantage of the beautiful beaches, go snorkelling or scuba diving, or just relax by the pool.
At many of these resorts, kids age 4-12 stay free with their parents. Your hotel may also offer free passes to some of the local attractions as a perk for staying at their resort. Several places have “kid’s clubs” with activities and entertainment geared to the younger visitors. These are great places for kids to have fun while Mom and Dad relax.
These all-inclusive vary in rate according to when you travel. They can often be found for as little as $600 per person including airfare. Just shop around and find the best deal you can!
Vacation doesn’t have to be tropical or exotic to be fun. Go out west and explore!

ROCKY MOUNTAINS

Many parents are familiar with the family-oriented mission of the YMCA programs. Located in urban areas internationally, this kid friendly organization offers many educational, sports, and social opportunities. The YMCA of the Rockies, Colorado also operates two budget vacation resorts that help families get out and enjoy the legendary beauty of the Rocky Mountains.
Snow Mountain Ranch and Estes Park Center are nondenominational programs open to any guest. However, members receive a slight rate discount and have their reservations processed first.
In addition to opportunities to enjoy the mountains, summer children's programs operate daily for ages three through 16. Age appropriate activities include hiking, hayrides, roller skating arts and crafts, campfire cooking, orienteering and archery.
In winter, families can spend the day cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on 125 miles of groomed trails, and return to the resort to warm up in the indoor pool. Estes Park and other prominent winter activity destinations are nearby.
Lodging options include cabins and lodge rooms. Cabins range from two to five bedrooms and include a fireplace and fully equipped kitchen. Rates begin at $138/night. Lodge rooms have two queen beds and a set of bunk beds. Rates begin at $64 during off-peak times. Accommodations are not luxurious but then you are on a budget, right?

The YMCA also offers many opportunities for family camps if you want to recreate the magic of scout camp with your loved ones. Many of these camps offer the traditional horseback riding and canoeing, but today, they’re adding modern activities as well. It’s not unusual to find rock walls for climbing and rappelling excursions.

You can stay in modest cabins or platform tents at a bargain rate – as low as $50 per night!

Have you always wanted to go to Europe but thought it was out of the realm of possibility when it came to your pocketbook? That’s not necessarily true!

EUROPE ON A SHOESTRING

In Europe, London is a top pick for affordable vacation destinations, for these exact reasons. Not only do you have more flights to choose from, they are cheaper than if you flew to a more remote location.

On average, staying in London may be a bit more expensive than other European destinations, but the seemingly endless choices in hotels, restaurants, transportation, tours, and other travel essentials gives travellers opportunities to mold their vacation to fit their budgets. And you can use London as your home base to set out on day trips to other more exotic locations or buy a Eurorail pass and see those more remote countries without the expense of flying there.

A note about Eurorail passes needs to be made here. You cannot buy a Euroail pass in Europe. These types of passes must be purchased outside of Europe. Also you must purchase it before your trip, and have it validated at a train station in Europe before boarding a train in your selected European destination.

You can purchase different types of Eurorail passes depending on how and where you’ll be using it. Prices vary according to the type of pass you buy. These can seem expensive at first glance, but they can be well worth the money when you consider the places you can go armed with this small card.

The greatest part about a European vacation is that the American dollar has massive spending power abroad. With the exchange rate, you can expect to get more bang for your buck when spending overseas.

For lodging, you should look at staying in hostels which are abundant in Europe. It’s best to make reservations so you don’t have to worry where you’ll be sleeping for any given night.

In general, hostels are quite inexpensive – in many places, you can expect to stay for under $20 a night. In a hostel you will have a bed, shared bathroom, and sometimes breakfast. Remember that you are going to Europe for the sites and people, not the hotel rooms.

Travelling abroad is, of course, going to be more expensive than a trip to Disney World, but the experience will be well worth the money spent. If you’ve budgeted enough money, you can have an amazing time with memories that will last forever!

These are only a few of the possible places that you can take your family for vacation. There are endless options for you if you think creatively and plan accordingly. What else should you know about taking a family vacation on a budget? Plenty!

GENERAL TIPS

No matter where you go on your vacation, there are tons of other money saving tips that you must know. And we’re here to tell you about them!

First, go to www.entertainment.com and buy The Entertainment Book. They are discounted at this website only. This valuable book can offer you significant savings on hotels, meals, admission to attractions, and travel.

These books usually retail for $25 to $45 per book, and can deliver as much as $10,000 in vacation savings. Books are available for over 150 major metropolitan areas. They are even great to use in your hometown area if one is available.

Be sure to join travel clubs like AAA and online travel clubs. They can be huge sources of savings not only when talking about vacation, but also year-round. Make sure you’re using these memberships to their fullest potential. You’re paying for the privilege of being a member, take advantage of all they have to offer.

Stay alert to the little things that siphon off money. It really adds up. If you have to pay for parking, look for parking a few blocks away and get some extra exercise.
If you are tempted to buy souvenirs, just stay out of the shops! If that seems too severe, give yourself a small budget and stick with it.

Take food into parks and attractions so you aren’t tempted to spend the exorbitant rates charged at concession stands. If you are a more mature person, always ask if senior discounts are available.

Keep a journal of expenses on each trip. This gives you an idea how much to budget for future vacations. Keep a record of the money you save as well. You’ll discover that it will inspire you to find more ways to save. Create a special fund to deposit the extra savings and use it toward something you’ve been wishing for – this will provide you with additional incentive.

Set your itinerary. Agreeing on an itinerary is important because adults and children have different ideas of "fun." Adults may want to do things that they can't do at home like drive through the mountains, visit historical sights, go horseback riding, etc.
Children basically want to do what they can do at home: watch TV, visit a man-made attraction like Six Flags, or swim in the hotel pool. You’ve got to compromise. If they agree to give you a day in the mountains, reciprocate with them by taking them to the run-of-the-mill theme park that seems like a waste of time to you, but heaven to them! After all, vacations are for the whole family.

As we’ve said time and time again, be flexible. Not every one of your days has to be planned. This can be risky, but sometimes the memories are worth it. You may happen upon a music festival that wasn’t in the brochures and be able to share your love of 80’s music with your children even if they are rolling their eyes the whole time!

If you are driving to your vacation destination, it’s a great idea to stay in one place for a majority of the time.
Admittedly, this is from Dad's perspective because he is the one who packs the trunk.
For at least part of your vacation, pick a place (like a family camp or the beach) where you are not packing and unpacking the car every day. Having five kids and your spouse packing and pointing toward a scheduled departure time begins to take on aspects of a cattle drive. Staying in one place allows you to relax for awhile.
Since prices usually are 30 to 50 percent less in off-peak times, you may need to take school-age children out of school to realize your vacation dreams. This isn’t as big of a deal as it used to be, so save the guilt and focus on the rewards.
As soon as you have your trip tentatively scheduled, inform the teacher. Ask for the work ahead of time and suggestions of how your children can share the experience with their classmates. Perhaps they can give an oral report when they return or present a photo journal. This is a great way to keep your child interested in the trip and let them get the maximum value out of what you’ve planned so hard to make a reality.
Set aside "homework time" every day so they don't fall behind, and bring some goodies back to share with the class from the region you're visiting. The teacher will appreciate it and the kids will be excited to have one of their classmates share the experiences they got to have first-hand!

Because you want to save as much money as you can without sacrificing fun or memorable experiences, you need to do research and shop around. What’s the best way to do this? Online, of course!

THE INTERNET IS YOUR BEST FRIEND

In this electronic age, the worldwide web is an invaluable tool for you to use in saving money over all types of arenas. When planning your vacation, it can be your best friend!

You can do much more than just book an airline flight or find a cheap hotel. You can check into sights to see at your destination, find alternative vacation spots, and garner the experiences of people who’ve been there and done that when it comes to travelling.

There are plenty of Websites that cater specifically to family travel and offer advice, tips, and articles on destinations. Many include chats and comments from travellers, many whom are looking for the same things you are and can offer valuable recommendations.

Of course, you also have to consider the auction websites as a perk of the Internet as well. Price Line is one of them, but you can find vacation deals on e-bay as well. However, if you buy off of e-bay, make sure you are buying from a reputable seller who offers guarantees on their products.

Check out some of the following websites for stellar tips, amazing deals, and guidance towards the best vacations ever!

www.familytravelnetwork.com
www.familytravelforum.com
www.familytraveltimes.com
www.family.com
www.budgettravelonline.com

All of these sites provide testimonials and suggestions from members as well as places where you can go to find the best deals on family vacation travel.
Many offer membership into their travel clubs that allow you to share in savings other members have found that they want to share. Membership is free and well worth the time and possible spam e-mail that might come from joining.
Be wary, however, of those pop-up sites that offer you the world for simply providing them with your e-mail address. If you didn’t type the address in your search bar, don’t click on their offer!

CONCLUSION

Taking a family vacation on a budget isn’t out of reach for the savvy person who wants to do their research and find the best deals out there.

At the heart of every good vacation is knowing that you're getting what you've paid for. Somehow sipping a piña colada on a lounge chair while your kids frolic in the pool feels that much more relaxing--and sweeter--knowing you've gotten a deal.

Whether you want to admit it or not, money is a big part of your vacation experience. Feeling like you're being nickel and dimed to death puts a dent in your wallet and your fun. There's nothing worse than waking up in an expensive resort room feeling like you'd rather be home.
Simple planning and forethought are all that's needed for a good experience. A great family vacation depends on the family and what their needs are. But most families will agree that a perfect vacation needs to be relaxing and fun with something for everyone.

There is a seemingly endless list of resorts in the United States that fit this description. But for many parents, there is one more essential aspect of the perfect family vacation. It needs to be affordable.

Again, the term affordable is a relative concept, but for many families, a resort that costs more than $350 per night takes the fun out of the vacation. Parents on a budget are too busy worrying about how they will fund the trip and are unable to relax and enjoy themselves.
On the other end, limited funds means that a more expensive resort results in less money to spend on tours, attractions, and food. Many families end up staying in cheap hotels with no kid-friendly amenities rather than spend all their vacation money on lodging.
By searching for discount resorts or obtaining the services of a knowledgeable travel consolidator, it is possible to find many affordable family resorts across the U.S. that
won't blow your budget.
The goal is simple – make everyone happy with an unforgettable trip to the perfect destination. Achieving that goal can be daunting, especially when all the travel planning falls on you. But it is obtainable, as long as you know what your family enjoys and what travel options you have at your disposal. In the end, seeing your children’s faces light up makes it all worth the effort.

In these uncertain economic times, being savvy about how you spend your vacation dollars is more important than ever. Though price is certainly important in planning your family trip, don't forget the most important factor: fun!

You want to go somewhere that everyone will delight in. And if you're dealing with young children, you need to be sure there's enough "downtime" as well. Because, in the end, all the money in the world can't make your kids happy. And if they aren't enjoying themselves, you won't either.

Family vacations can become more about tradition than where you go, so keep this in the forefront of your mind. If your kids know that every June you are going to go somewhere as a family, they are going to enjoy the experiences even more.

Don’t get overly caught up in worrying about money. Set your budget, stick to it, and have fun. Everyone can have a memorable family vacation no matter how much money you have to spend. It takes research, planning, and the desire to make more family memories than you already have!

HAPPY TRAVELS!

The following websites were referenced in researching this book:

www.about.com
www.familyfun.go.com
www.budgettravelonline.com
www.thedabblingmum.com
www.disneyworld.com
www.travelsense.com
www.clubmom.com

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