Planning a summer family vacation on a budget

Summers are all about family vacations. Generations of families have flocked to the beaches, the mountains and the country all over the world. With the downturn in the economy families have to take a hard look at how they are going to afford their vacation this summer.

The first thing that you have to determine is what your budget for this summer's vacation is. There are wonderful bargains to be had so with some extra work you will be able to have the vacation you want. What you may have to compromise on is where it is. Airline prices are still quite higher, lower than their peak but still high. Gas prices have also gone back up from the lows of last year. This may mean that you may have to choose a vacation destination closer to home.

With that in mind take a good look at the best vacation destinations for your family within an easy drive of your home. Check out the lakes, the beaches, the state parks or the major cities. State parks are always a good buy. Some of them offer cabins and others just camping. If you want to stay near the park you can find a motel, hotel or vacation rental. Rentals offer the budget friendly ability to cook meals in.

If you decide that you want to visit a major city like Washington DC or San Francesco you will have to consider where you are going to stay. If you stay downtown the hotel rates will be higher. In order to make a budget friendly selection consider finding a hotel near the local airport or in a suburb. You can find a hotel near local public transportation so that you will still only be minutes away from all the museum and other things that the city has to offer. In DC that means staying in Arlington or Alexandria and in San Francisco, Berkley. Another of the benefits of staying in the burbs is that chances are parking will be free while in the city it can be anywhere from $15-$40 a day.

If you decide on a beach vacation the same holds true. Beach front properties are going to be much more expensive than those even across the street from the beach. Try to chose a hotel that offers an inclusive breakfast and if they have any kind of evening snack or reception that is even better.

Once you decide where you are going to spend your vacation and have secured your accommodation it is time to try to find the best bargains on food and attractions. Get on the Internet and locate the local CVB or the tourism board and see if they have discount coupons and passes. You will find that many areas do. It doesn't have to be a city; it can be the county or the state. Go to Entertainment.com and see if there is a book for the area you are visiting. This will give you discounts on food, attractions and shopping. The book pays for itself with just one or two uses.

When it comes to eating, go where the locals go. Don't eat with the other tourists. Find a local dive or pizza joint with great food and cheap prices. Have a picnic; it is cheaper than restaurant food and fun. Be on the lookout for local fairs, festivals and church suppers. These are delicious and inexpensive ways to get a great meal.

Having to plan your summer family vacation on a budget isn't a bad thing. When you return home after your vacation you won't have to face a pile of bills and ruin all your wonderful memories with worries about how you are going to pay for them. Budgeting, it's a good thing. Summer vacationing, even better.

Learn more about this author, Belle Starr.
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