Cheap Vacations in the US for Families

Every cost multiplies with a family: four plane tickets, two hotel rooms, five admissions. The good news is that some of the best cheap vacations in the US for families are also the ones kids remember most: a campfire, a ranger program, a beach day, a city full of free museums. Here is how to plan one.

Family Budget Strategies That Work

• Drive rather than fly when the distance allows. One car carries everyone for the price of the fuel.
• Choose lodging with a kitchen, or at least a fridge, so breakfast and lunch come from the grocery store.
• Use the fourth-grade pass. The NPS offers a pass for fourth graders and their families as part of its America the Beautiful pass program.
• Look for free programs. Many parks run free ranger talks and Junior Ranger activities for kids.
• Go when it is cheaper. If school calendars allow, the weeks just outside the peak summer and holiday periods are often less expensive.

Keeping Food and Fun Affordable

Food is where family budgets quietly leak. A cooler, a grocery stop on the first evening and a picnic lunch each day can make a real difference across a week. Many hotels include breakfast, and kids often eat free or at reduced prices at some restaurants on certain nights, so it is worth asking locally. For entertainment, look for free summer concerts, outdoor movies, library programs and city splash pads, and save paid attractions for the one or two things the kids care about most.

Cheap Vacations for Couples, Too

Couples can use the same tricks with more freedom: midweek travel, last-minute deals, a single room and smaller cars. Small towns and off-season resort areas suit a budget getaway for two, and our budget-friendly places page shows how to judge any destination on cost.

Frequently Asked Questions