3 Best Budget Family Vacations

We all know that spending time with our family is a great experience.  A good way to spend time with family is a vacation but let’s face it, in today’s economy, planning for a family vacation might be out of reach, well not necessarily.  There are a few places that are family friendly and reasonably priced.  I found three. These top 3 best budget family vacations offer reasonable rates for the whole year.

Starting at #3:

3.  Travel Back in Time
Colonial Williamsburg is a great place all year round. Its historic interpreters dressed in that era help modern families appreciate what life was like without today’s technology.  Children can help weed the garden in spring and in 18th century Williamsburg you’ll find the largest outdoor living history museum.  If you visit in the summer you can check out Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA.  You can book a family vacation of four-night/five day stay including accommodations and unlimited admissions for less than $700.  For more information visit williamsburgfun.com or call 800-465-5563.

2.  The Great Outdoors
If your family likes the outdoors, you can visit South Dakota.  Kids can see Mount Rushmore, climb on the monuments or explore the caves.  You can join a “dig” at the mammoth site where more than 50 giant mammoths were trapped.  For more information contact the state.sd.us/parks or call 800-658-3530.

1.  Great Old Disney
We cannot forget about Orlando, Florida.  Every family wants to visit Orlando at least once.  You might find a trip to Disney more affordable than you think.  If you do your homework and research, you can find deeply discounted hotel and air deals available.  After a long and hot day at the theme parks, you and your family can come to rest in a four-bedroom, three bath home for just $105 a night, with a three night stay minimum.  Check out or call Leisure Link International at 888-801-8808 or visit eleisurelink.com for more deals in the Orlando area.

Some extra tips:

1. Alternate pricey attractions with those that are free – a hike in the woods, playground area or a tour.
2. Make a budget for souvenirs before you leave and stick with it.  Suggest to the kids to start a collection of postcards.
3. Always ask if there are discount deals available for kids to eat free.

Get the Kids involved:

1.  Get the dust off your map and show the kids where you are planning to take them.  Even the little ones have an opinion.
2. Allow the kids to get in some of their suggestions in the itinerary.
3. If your kids are old enough, suggest they plan a day’s activities.
4. When surfing the web, find where you want to go and show the kids.
5. Consider inviting a friend for an only child or for a sole preteen or teen in the family.  He or she will be much happier.

photo credit: erin MC hammer