School is out and summer is here. Nothing like finally getting to spend some quality time with the family as everyone’s schedule starts to clear up. Surely you cannot just hang around the house all day. It is time to get out there and have some fun.
Family summer vacations are a great way to spend time with your family and imprint lasting memories on them as well. Summer is one of the better times to go on vacation thanks to great weather and open schedules. Most businesses and locations thrive in these months, making the experiences enjoyable.
So you decided to go on a family vacation, but what will you do? With so many options, how can you be sure you are getting the most bang for your buck? Well, you came to the right place. Keep reading to learn about 7 great family summer vacation ideas to fit your budget.
How Much Does the Average Family Summer Vacation Cost?
The average family summer vacation cost can fluctuate wildly, depending on a few different factors. Things you should consider are the number of people coming, transportation, lodging, and spending money in general. By cutting costs in certain areas, you can likely lower the overall cost of the trip. This is ideal for larger families or just fitting a family vacation into your budget in general.
On average, a family vacation will cost about $1,200 a person.
- This is after factoring in renting a car, finding a hotel, etc.
- This number should be used as a benchmark when trying to save money on a family vacation and can be altered depending on where you want to save money.
- Consider taking your own vehicle if you can or possibly going somewhere accessible via walking to avoid renting a car, for example.
By having a detailed itinerary of what you want to do during your trip and using the power of the internet to look up rates on hotels or different menus from where you want to eat you can get a very good idea of what you will be spending. Aim to save a little more money than what your estimate adds up to and you will be in very good shape for planning a cheaper summer family vacation no matter who is coming along.
Where Is The Best Place to Vacation With Family?
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to the best place to vacation with your family. Ideally, however, you will want to do something that has activities that everyone can enjoy. A lot of vacation destinations will market themselves as being “family-friendly” which will help you narrow your search. Ocean City, NJ is an example of this. It is a dry town in that there are no bars or liquor stores to create a family-friendly environment.
Taking your family to beach towns, in general, is a great idea. There are often plenty of things to do with children like amusement rides or mini-golf and the beach is a great place to spend a day without spending a fortune. At night you can take in the sights or, alternatively, maybe get a drink somewhere with your fellow legal guardians or even try one of the best walking tours in the US. Beach towns typically take into account that families have diverse interests and plan for it.
Avoid places with a “party all the time” atmosphere. If you are looking for a place to go with young children, it will probably be a good idea to cross Las Vegas off your list. Sure, there is plenty to do in a city like that, but the reality is it is not a safe or otherwise ideal place for children. Have no fear though, all you really have to do to avoid a situation like this is to do your homework about an area before you start packing up to head there.
One more amazing idea is a family camping trip. You will save tons on the hotel because you won’t need one. You and your family will be able to enjoy the great outdoors and see some amazing views. Plus, you can camp outside a major city so you can visit the city to do all the tourist things there. There are plenty of places to camp near Chicago and many other cities for you and your family to enjoy!
7 Great Family Summer Vacation Ideas on a Budget
Now that you hseven great family summer vacation ideas to fit your budget. You will be sure to enjoy some of the best things this world has to offer without breaking the bank. These vacation ideas have been curated to keep a family in mind, so do not be surprised if candle-lit surf and turf dinners are not included.
You will find some really fun ideas on this list that you may or may not have considered before.
- Hiking, for example, is completely free once you are on the trail. You just have to figure out how to get there.
- This is something that will gash your cost for the better, leaving you to focus more on transportation and lodging, as opposed to including entertainment for the whole week, into your budget.
Also, it is a very good idea to research a location’s cost of living or sales tax (if they have it). What may cost a certain dollar amount in your hometown may cost more or less in the area in which you are vacationing. This is a handy little trick to help make sure you are not being taken advantage of by a store owner and can work in your favor if the cost of living where you live is higher than the place you are going.
Washington, D.C.
The U.S. capital is not only rich in history, but also in activities. Washington, D.C. is home to a number of family-friendly attractions, museums, and historical districts that are ideal for sightseeing. It is a city so that means there are plenty of places to stay and traveling there is not the most difficult thing in the world thanks to many arterial roadways that lead directly there. Consider suburbs like Bethesda for lodging as well.
One of the most budget-friendly aspects of Washington, D.C. is that many of its museums and attractions are free to the public. You may have to deal with large crowds, but if you are patient or otherwise considerate with your time you will not have anything to worry about. These attractions are must-see sights for history buffs and monument enthusiasts alike, the fact that they are free is an added bonus to checking out D.C.
New York City, New York
The big apple, New York City is arguably the most significant and culturally impactful city in all of America. All of those tchotchke tee shirts that read “I Heart New York” are for a reason, there is so much to love about this epicenter of urban development. While the actual cost of living in New York City would be considered expensive by most families’ standards, there are a bunch of free activities for you and everyone to enjoy as well.
The first thing that you probably think of when New York City comes up is probably traffic. The second thing you probably think of is Times Square. Times Square is one of, if not the most, iconic sights to behold in New York City. This does not cost money to go to, it is just an intersection in the city, however, the bright lights and general hustle and bustle are what make this a highlight of your time in the city.
The Statue of Liberty, ever heard of it? She welcomed immigrants everywhere into Ellis Island, personifying the ideological pursuit of freedom. Taking the steps to the top of Lady Liberty is uncomfortable and extremely time-consuming which is not ideal if you are visiting with children. However, the Staten Island Ferry is a free service provided by the city that will take you past The Statue of Liberty, making a great photo op.
Hershey, Pennsylvania
No, you are not imagining things. Hershey, Pennsylvania, is an ideal travel destination for the family. Home to the legendary Hershey Chocolate Factory, you may want to schedule a trip to the dentist afterward. Hershey Park is the main draw. It is a full-fledged theme park centered around the titanic chocolate legacy. A ticket to the park is not only affordable, but it also has an onsite campground as well to package with your visit.
The park itself is home to enough rides to warrant going back two days in a row just to get to enjoy them all. Tours of the factory are a ton of fun and also free to everyone, regardless of whether or not you go into the theme park. This is the biggest thing happening in Hershey, PA and the Hershey company did everything in their power to make sure every amenity is readily available for your stay.
Santa Monica, California
The penultimate stop on the legendary Route 66 will land you in the serene oceanfront views of Santa Monica. Famous for a number of things aside from being beautiful, Santa Monica has a famous pier full of rides and an atmosphere that will pull you away from the bright lights of greater Los Angeles. The city of LA is incredible, however not necessarily great for kids. Santa Monica is the best of both worlds.
One of the best parts about vacationing in Santa Monica is the fact that it is just one of several little beach towns within the city of Los Angeles. You can hop around a little bit if you would like to, making this a great area to set up camp and then see where the rest of your adventures take you.
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Kentucky is home to more than just fried chicken, believe it or not, it is also home to one of the largest cave systems in the world. Bowling Green, KY is only an hour north of Nashville, Tennessee but has a small Americana town atmosphere to it. Free national parks are a big attraction here, where you can explore caves and nature. Tickets to tour the cave are available as well and the prices are extremely fair.
Be sure to check out the Corvette Museum as it is a highlight as well. Just about every Corvette in the world comes out of the assembly plant located in Bowling Green which makes for not only a visually stimulating attraction but also one of historical value.
Central Florida
If your only knowledge of Florida is from newspaper headlines, then you might not consider taking your family across its border. However, what the newspapers do not mention is the abundance of fun tourists have in Florida year-round. Central Florida is home to an insane amount of theme parks all trying to ride the coattails of Disney World.
Orlando, Florida, however, is a city that you have to visit when in the state. Aside from the Disney headlock that is perpetually put on Kissimmee and the surrounding area, the actual city of Orlando is home to a number of fun attractions and opportunities to learn about the state as a whole. Take a day off from the rollercoasters and teach your kids about Ponce De Leon or other Spanish settlers that paved the way for modern Florida.
Something else worth mentioning is the abundance of alligator habitats and orange groves found throughout Central Florida. Florida as a whole is mostly at or under sea level, creating marshes or everglades. This is ideal for alligators and there are tons of alligator farms you can check out if you are looking to learn more about our lizard friends. Be sure to look up places to pick fresh oranges as well for some outdoor fun.
Custer State Park, South Dakota
When you Google’d “vacation spots for the family” there is a really good chance that you not only completely forgot about the state of South Dakota but also would not have considered it to be on the list in general. Well, that is your first mistake. Custer State Park is one of the most scenic and enjoyable areas in the entire country. Guided buffalo tours and being able to see bison in the wild are two reasons to check it out.
Aside from Custer State Park, Mt. Rushmore and the Badlands are close as well, making this a great idea for a weeklong trip out into the wilderness. Admission is free into these parks making it budget-friendly no matter how big your family is.
Final Thoughts
Vacationing on a budget is easy and consistent. Being able to take your family out of the house and share new experiences is an invaluable thing to have in your life. Stop daydreaming and start researching to get started on planning your next trip.
If you do not have any summer vacation ideas already, then consider our seven great family vacation ideas and start making the most of your summer today!
(Saving on this vacation might give you the funds to splurge next year and get a Cabo all inclusive resort!)