Summer is just around the corner and vacations are at the back of your mind. While every trip involves some expenses, there are plenty of destinations you can visit without breaking the bank. The trick is to pick the right places, places that are relatively quiet during the summer and where accommodation and food prices are affordable. And if you’re traveling with kids, pre-packing snacks or shopping at local grocery stores and preparing your own meals can cut down on overall costs considerably.
To help you out, we’ve rounded up 16 affordable places to have an unforgettable vacation. Great family destinations feature free or low-cost attractions and kid-friendly venues with free family amenities.
Our list of the best summer holiday ideas includes relaxing beach getaways, bustling city trips and a little bit of both. With local and international options listed, you’ll find inspiration for your biggest adventures and ideas for a long weekend getaway.
San Diego, California
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Sun-drenched San Diego, California, is home to an abundance of family-friendly activities, including theme parks, water parks, children’s museums and 70 miles of beaches. The Go City All-Inclusive Pass offers discounts of up to 50 percent per person at top attractions like the San Diego Zoo, Legoland California, harbor cruises and several museums in Balboa Park.
Bar Harbor, Maine
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Bar Harbor has plenty of places to swim, including the kid-friendly freshwater beach of Echo Lake. You can also organize your own walking tour by following the “Museums in Town” signs around Bar Harbor, or join one of the countless hiking, walking and biking trails. At nearby Acadia National Park, a vehicle pass allows the whole family access to the park for a day of hiking and admiring Maine’s wildlife and rugged coastline.
Winter Park, Colorado
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While you might think of Winter Park as a place where it snows, it’s also a great place to visit in the summer, especially if you want to escape the heat. Bring the family for a day of hiking, ropes courses, gondola rides and climbing walls. Buy your day pass early (which grants you access to all the activities listed) to get the best price. About a 20-minute drive away, Snow Mountain Ranch, a YMCA camp, has one of the few summer-only tubing hills in the USA and activities for everyone, including mini-golf, archery and a climbing wall.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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“Kidsburg” is packed with great activities for families, from the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium to the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. In the summer, the city hosts a 10-day Grand Prix, where you can get some exercise while enjoying the city on a vintage car or walking tour. There are also affordable lunch spots, and the subway provides free travel around downtown. Consider hiking or biking along the Great Allegheny Passage, a scenic outdoor activity that explores the city’s many bridges and tunnels along 150 miles of trails.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
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If you and your kids love splashing around, head to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Facilities like The Breakers feature five water slides, an on-site pool, a sunken pirate ship and a long lazy river. There’s also shuffleboard, a giant chessboard and cornhole. If your family enjoys mini golf, this seaside town boasts more than 30 courses.
St. Louis, Missouri
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Free attractions in St. Louis include Purina Farms (open April through October), where kids can enjoy dog agility shows and an animal enclosure, and the kid-friendly St. Louis Art Museum. Day passes or memberships are available for admission to the City Museum, which features a 10-story slide, giant ball pool and 40-foot-tall Ferris wheel. Afterwards, stop by Ted Drew’s Frozen Custard, known for shakes so thick they can be served upside down.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
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Located next to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg is the perfect destination for outdoor adventurers, with activities like biking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting and over 800 miles of hiking trails. For shopping fun for the whole family, check out the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, an eight-mile loop lined with dining establishments alongside artisan galleries selling handcrafted goods.
Accommodations in Gatlinburg include resorts and cabins; check the tourism bureau’s website to see which establishments offer free nights and discounts. Gatlinburg is also about a 20-minute drive from country music legend Dolly Parton’s famous Dollywood, making it the perfect day trip for amusement park lovers.
Lisbon, Portugal
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Are you ready to explore the world with your kids? In Lisbon, families can enjoy both the city and the beach in one trip. Explore the city’s quirky neighborhoods, castles and palaces, or take a cable car ride up the steep hills and around the beautiful cityscape. Lisbon has 10 museums with free admission, including the Money Museum, which is great for families.
Vienna, Austria
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The Austrian capital is walkable and affordable for families to explore, plus there are several free walking tours showcasing the city’s music, street art and recreational activities. With the Vienna Pass, you’ll get free admission to over 90 of the city’s top attractions, including sites like museums, the Giant Wheel and Madame Tussauds. Passes are available in single and multi-day options, with discounts available for up to six days.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
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The Dominican Republic is perfect for a family beach getaway, with plenty of all-inclusive resorts. The country is packed with amazing destinations worth visiting, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better place than Punta Cana. People of all ages can enjoy 30 miles of white-sand coastline, picturesque coconut trees, and direct flights from 96 cities in over 28 countries around the world.
Washington DC
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If you’re looking for a family getaway in a vibrant city filled with affordable hotels, kid-friendly restaurants, and free attractions, plan a trip to Washington DC. The nation’s capital has plenty to offer even for those on a budget. The Smithsonian museums, the National Zoo, and the monuments and memorials along the National Mall are all free to enter, as are outdoor sites like Rock Creek Park and the U.S. National Arboretum. However, some locations require free timed passes to enter, so plan ahead.
Register in advance through your local state legislator’s office and take the kids on a free (and educational) tour of the White House (if nothing else, the nearby White House Visitors Center is a good alternative), or book free timed tickets online for a guided tour of the U.S. Capitol.
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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Across the border, there are plenty of free activities to enjoy in Canada. In Victoria, British Columbia, on Canada’s west coast, families can explore Beacon Hill Park, try their hand at lawn bowling, stop by the Children’s Farm to meet the park’s residents and watch the twice-daily “Goat Frenzy.” For a blissful day on the coast, stroll along the waterfront at the famous Fisherman’s Wharf and pick up a sweet treat at Jackson’s Ice Cream. WildPlay Element Parks’ Victoria location offers a variety of aerial adventure packages, including zip lines, wobbly bridges, rope swings, axe throwing and bungee jumping.
Morro Bay, California
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There’s nothing quite like living on the California coast with the kids, and the oft-overlooked community of Morro Bay is a fantastic place to visit. Look for otters and whales from the shore, enjoy a picnic on the beach, or spend the day sailing, golfing, biking or surfing. When you need a break, grab a bite to eat at Sylvester’s Burgers – the garlic fries are to die for. Afterwards, head to Morro Bay State Park or stop by the Morro Bay Maritime Museum.
Rincon, Puerto Rico
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Puerto Rico has a little bit of something for everyone, and with direct flights from over 50 cities, it’s easy to get to. The surfing town of Rincon, on the westernmost tip of the island, is about a two-and-a-half hour drive from San Juan. The laid-back vibe, beautiful beaches, and great waves make it perfect for families. Book a room at the Rincon of the Seas Grand Caribbean Hotel, or save money on food by booking a villa with a kitchen; the largest villa sleeps up to six people. Either way, this hotel is right by the ocean and has a beautiful beachfront pool that’s perfect for lounging and playing.
Mackinac Island, Michigan
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In the summer, there’s no better place to be than Mackinac Island, a National Historic Landmark that’s free of chain hotels and cars. Yes, that’s right. Instead, families can enjoy old-fashioned experiences like sipping world-famous Mackinac Island fudge, biking around the island, taking a ferry ride under the Mackinac Bridge, and kayaking along the coast.
The island’s star attraction is the historic Grand Hotel, which opened in 1887. As well as old-fashioned hospitality and perks like afternoon tea, the hotel also has on-site horse stables and a spacious pool, and kids can spend the day playing lawn games and mini golf.
Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)
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A trip to the Grand Canyon is definitely on the bucket list for many families. This natural wonder tends to get busy in the summer, but you can avoid the crowds and enjoy it for less by heading to the North Rim (open seasonally). Relax at the Grand Canyon Lodge (book early to guarantee a room) or reserve a campsite at the North Rim Campground. The area has pleasant summer temperatures and is the perfect base camp for enjoying the abundant wildlife, hiking trails and stunning views of the canyon, which is 270 miles long, 18 miles wide and a mile deep.
