Best Cheap Family Vacations

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Yellowstone

Yellowstone's geysers are sure to inspire young children and teenagers, while geothermic wonders like the Grand Prismatic Spring and Mammoth Hot Springs will captivate visitors of all ages.  Families can also take in the natural beauty of the park while biking, horseback riding or kayaking. The entrance fees to this national park, which spans Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, are 

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Yellowstone

reasonable, but hotel rates are highest during the peak summer season. However, campsites are relatively cheap, so travelers won't have to worry about paying a pretty penny for a room if they bring their own tent or recreational vehicle.

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Yosemite

Yosemite's numerous hiking trails, rushing waterfalls and giant sequoias are just a few reasons why this California national park appeals to families looking for a fun, outdoorsy vacation.  Entrance passes are good for three days during peak season (May through September) and seven days during the offseason, allowing ample time for activities. While summer is 

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Yosemite

the busiest time of year for Yosemite, if you arrive in May or September, you'll still get great weather and won't have to deal with dense crowds. Camping is affordable, albeit popular, so you'll want to make your campground reservation months in advance.

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Grand Canyon

One of the world's most awe-inspiring sights is also one of its most affordable. For some of the Grand Canyon's most coveted views, hike the Bright Angel Trail or the Rim Trail.  While the wide variety of trails keeps the Arizona park accessible to all travelers, be sure to research each trail's difficulty before embarking. Also, keep in mind that affordable eateries are 

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Grand Canyon

limited in the area, so for more options, head about 75 miles southeast to Flagstaff. Just be sure to reserve passes, hotels and campsites months in advance; the park sees hordes of tourists every spring and summer.

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Outer Banks

The North Carolina coast's uncrowded beaches – which are free to visit – are its main draw, but families visiting the Outer Banks will also find can't-miss historical sites, such as the Wright Brothers National Memorial. (Passes to the memorial are free for children younger than 16 and $10 for adults.)  Meanwhile, adults and children will all enjoy climbing the Currituck Beach 

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Outer Banks

Lighthouse or the Bodie Island Lighthouse for a small fee.  After an active day, families can stroll along Duck's boardwalk or go ghost crabbing. To save on lodging, book rooms or vacation rentals a few months in advance

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Washington, D.C.

Full of free museums, iconic monuments, outdoor spaces and distinct neighborhoods to explore, Washington offers something for every type of family.  Checking out the city's Smithsonian-affiliated attractions (especially Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute) and popular sights like the Washington Monument, the Lincoln   

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Washington, D.C.

Memorial and the Tidal Basin are a must. For affordable eats, grab lunch at a food truck. Plus, families can explore the city by renting a bike or taking the Metro. Spring and fall are the best times to visit thanks to comfortable temps and manageable crowds.

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Gatlinburg

Best known for being the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg has everything you need for a family-friendly getaway that's easy on your wallet.  Not only is Great Smoky Mountains National Park free to enter, it offers fun-filled activities the whole family will enjoy, such as hiking, biking and wildlife viewing. Outside the park, visitors can take advantage of low-cost 

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Gatlinburg

attractions like the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway and the Gatlinburg Space Needle. Save additional coin by riding the free Gatlinburg Trolley throughout town and booking your accommodations early.

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Sanibel Island

Situated off of Florida's Gulf Coast, approximately 25 miles southwest of Fort Myers, Sanibel Island is a budget-friendly and laid-back alternative to Florida's more popular shorelines.  Kids will love collecting shells along Bowman's Beach and adults will appreciate the destination's quiet atmosphere. Visitors can also take in the impressive sight of the   

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Sanibel Island

Sanibel Lighthouse for free (the inside is not open to the public), or take a drive through the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge for a nominal fee. When it comes time to bed down, families will find several affordable hotels, inns and vacation rentals here.

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Myrtle Beach

The beach's calm water and ample room to sprawl out make this coastal South Carolina city a hit with adults and kids.  With free beach access and excellent weather conditions most of the year, Myrtle Beach is a family vacation paradise. Other kid-friendly attractions here include amusement and water parks, mini-golf courses and an aquarium. Plus, the 350-acre   

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Myrtle Beach

Broadway at the Beach entertainment and shopping center hosts complimentary concerts throughout summer. Sports enthusiasts will also love taking in a baseball game at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark.

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Niagara Falls

Travel to this destination that straddles New York and Ontario to catch a glimpse of its famous waterfalls.  The region offers reasonably priced hotels and attractions, plus a favorable exchange rate makes visiting the Canadian side of Niagara Falls even more cost-effective for families. Travelers who arrive in late spring or early fall will discover thinned crowds, 

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Niagara Falls

lower room rates and excellent weather. The area also features plenty of superb hiking options for families who love the outdoors, including the Dufferin Islands and the Niagara Glen.

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Branson

Families love Branson, Missouri, for its thrilling amusement parks, informative museums and ample opportunities for outdoor recreation.  Kids won't want to leave Silver Dollar City, a unique theme park boasting rides and musical performances. Meanwhile, Table Rock Lake is free to access and families can spend the day swimming, kayaking or   

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Branson

fishing. Branson's tourism board website also offers several discount packages on hotels and meals, and money-saving coupons on top attractions, so do your research ahead of time to get the most bang for your buck.

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Acadia National Park

Located off the coast of Maine on Mount Desert Island, Acadia National Park boasts more than 47,000 acres for adventurous families to explore.  Acadia offers all of the classic activities you'd expect to find at a national park (think: hiking, swimming, rock climbing and fishing), plus numerous pursuits geared toward children, such as 

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Acadia National Park

ranger-guided programs and hands-on nature exhibits. What's more, Acadia's 27-mile Park Loop Road makes the park easy to access, and entrance passes are relatively cheap and remain valid for seven days. Though you won't find traditional lodging in the park, several budget-friendly campgrounds are available on-site.

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San Diego

Parents and kids can enjoy an abundance of free and low-cost attractions during a San Diego vacation.  Visit Balboa Park (where the world-famous San Diego Zoo is located), get a hands-on view of history at the USS Midway Museum or pick one of the city's many beaches to play in the sand. When you're not sightseeing or soaking up some sun, wander around bustling Liberty Public 

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San Diego

Market or watch passing boats at Seaport Village. Book your hotel, resort or vacation rental a few months in advance to secure the best rates.

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Ocean City, MD

Ocean City, Maryland, is perfect for families who love spending their off time lounging on the beach.  With 10 miles of shoreline that's free to access and a lengthy boardwalk serving up affordable eats, families will have no trouble sticking to a budget. Plus, there are plenty of activities to keep the little ones entertained (think: mini-golf, arcade games and amusement rides). The best 

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Ocean City, MD

time to visit is in summer when temperatures sit consistently in the low 80s, but this is also Ocean City's busy season, so arrange your lodging well in advance to spare your wallet.

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Williamsburg

For a fun and educational family vacation you won't soon forget, head to Williamsburg. Located about halfway between Richmond and Newport News on the Virginia Peninsula, this historic town is brimming with free and affordable things to do.  Start your visit off at Colonial Williamsburg, where you'll be met with period actors reenacting what life was like in the 18th century. 

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Williamsburg

Then, check out the Yorktown Battlefield, home of the last major battle in the Revolutionary War. For the most affordable hotel prices, plan your trip in early fall or spring when crowds are at their thinnest.

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Adirondacks

The Adirondacks region of New York beckons to families who love to spend time together outdoors. In winter, families can enjoy skiing, snowshoeing and dog-sledding, while summer offers hiking, biking, fishing and whitewater rafting opportunities.  If your family is interested in Olympic history, check out the Lake Placid Legacy Sites, which include the Olympic Center, the Olympic Jumping 

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Adirondacks

Complex, Mount Van Hoevenberg and Whiteface Mountain. Stay outside of popular towns like Lake Placid to save money on lodging.

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Vancouver

Vancouver offers a wealth of affordable amenities made for families, from museums to beaches to parks. Located just north of the U.S.-Canada border in British Columbia, this bustling city is home to must-visit attractions like 1,000-acre Stanley Park and Queen Elizabeth Park's Bloedel Conservatory.  Plus, Vancouver features several family-friendly shores, including bustling Kitsilano Beach and quiet 

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Vancouver

Spanish Banks Beach. Keep in mind, though, that Vancouver is a huge city, so travelers will want to prioritize which neighborhoods and attractions to see before they arrive.

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The Catskills

Families looking for a cheap vacation destination should set their sights on the Catskills. Located in Southeastern New York, this beloved mountain range has long appealed to nature lovers and history buffs.  Learn about the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival at The Museum at Bethel Woods (tickets are free for kids 5 and younger) then hike to Kaaterskill Falls, the tallest waterfall in New York. 

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The Catskills

Visitors can also take a tour of Frederic Church's historic house at the Olana State Historic Site for a reasonable fee, or stroll the grounds at no cost. Come winter, the family-friendly ski resorts make for great fun.

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South Padre Island

For most of the year, South Padre Island, Texas, appeals to families with its array of affordable kid-friendly activities.  Children can swim at the beaches, touch critters at the Dolphin Research & Sealife Nature Center and watch turtle feedings at Sea Turtle, Inc. The surrounding area is also ideal for bird-watching and spotting alligators, so have the kids grab their 

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South Padre Island

binoculars and head to the South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary. But remember, spring breakers arrive in droves every March.

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Hot Springs, AR

Every family member will find something to love about Hot Springs, Arkansas. The town is intertwined with Hot Springs National Park, so popular hiking areas like the Hot Springs and North Mountain Trails are within walking distance of most accommodations.  Similarly, the town and park share Bathhouse Row, a collection of historic spas and other attractions that bisects the national park. 

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Hot Springs, AR

Perhaps most importantly, access to Hot Springs National Park, including the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center and Museum, is free. Campsites are available in the park, but keep in mind that reservations are required.

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Grand Teton National Park

Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park is best visited during the warmer months when most facilities are open and daytime averages hover between the 60s and 80s.  You and your loved ones can go swimming in or kayaking on bodies of water like String, Jenny and Leigh lakes. Additionally, you can trek various hiking trails and enjoy scenic drives on roads that wind through the park.  

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Grand Teton National Park

If your family prefers cold-weather activities, arrive after it snows to go skiing or snowshoeing. Regardless of when you choose to visit, you'll find that the park's modest entrance fee covers your entire car.

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