If you are embarking on a summer family vacation, there are plenty of places to go to. Obviously every family will be different in terms of their interests. However, there are certain places that offer the most bang for the buck for just about everyone. Here are three to consider:
#1) Tampa, Florida
If you want beaches and warm weather, Tampa has it. And if you get sick of the beaches, Busch Gardens Africa is a great place to check out. It is much less crowded than Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, but offers just as much bang for the buck.
And Tampa has great water parks as well. This is one city that flies under the radar in Florida, but has just as much to do as the more famous areas.
#2) Ocean city, Maryland
They have the famous boardwalk, which is excellent if you are into shopping and eating. Obviously it has beaches if you have the craving to go swimming. And it’s close to Chincoteague, Virginia, which is famous for having the wild horses that roam free.
#3) Carlsbad, California
This is a place that does not get a lot of attention, but it’s one of the better cities in California for things to do. and it is much cheaper than San Diego or Los Angeles.
Obviously it has got the famous Southern California weather. One of the main attractions is South Carlsbad State Beach. It is four miles long and has jogging trails as well.
It also is well supplied with waterparks, museums and restaurants. And Los Angeles and San Diego are easy day trips.
So these are a few under the radar places that you might consider for cheap summer vacations. Obviously there are many more, but these should get the juices flowing.
But how do you save money when travelling? You are already saving a little because you are avoiding the more popular tourist areas. But here are five tips for additional savings:
#1) Go during the week
If you travel on the weekends, you will obviously pay more money. That’s not a secret.
#2) Camp
Just about everywhere will have camping weather in the summer. This will save you a lot of money, and it can be a great family bonding experience.
#3) Do a home swap
This is easily one of the most underutilized strategies for saving money. All you do is find another family that is coming to your area while you are going to their city. Then you stay in their home, while they stay in yours. There are many sites that will connect you with others so that you can find them. This method is free, so why not give it a try?
#4) Book airfare 2-3 days before leaving
Airlines hate empty seats. Therefore, by purchasing a few days prior to departure, you can often save money. Try to leave and come back between Tuesday and Thursday for the best prices. So if you are going to be staying a week, try leaving on a Tuesday and returning on the following Tuesday. This helps you avoid the long weekend prices.
#5) Sign up for travel newsletters
Getting on the newsletters for airlines and travel sites is a great way to get last minute deals. They will often times give last minute discounts for trips. Disclaimer: this only works if you are super flexible. If you are ready to leave at a moment’s notice, this can save you money.
It might be hard to pack up the family real fast, but if you are able, this is something to consider. And it can be more fun, because you avoid the stressful planning that is usually accompanied by travel.
The bottom line is, your next summer vacation does not have to break the bank. Just look for under the radar vacation destinations. When you combine that with the five tips above for saving money, your summer family vacation will be surprisingly cheap.
