Does anyone have any suggestions for a "cheap" family vacation for a family of five - the children are ages 14, 13 and 2 so we have to have a wide choice of activities. We were looking at Virginia Beach but haven't been there before and don't know where to stay. Every place I've looked at will cost about 2k a week. I might as well drive down to Orlando and stay at Disney for that price.
NC beaches like Topsail Island and Atlantic Beach are very affordable. Just search online! And you won't get to Disney for that many at price!
Have you considered camping? A week camping close to your favorite tourist destination can afford you to be able to splurge and do some fun things like water park, amusment park, aquarium visit, or dolphin watching boat trip. We have camped in Va beach at the Trav-L park on General Booth Blvd. It is an AWESOME camping locatin. It is not your average rustic camping experience. All of the tent sites are well groomed, have water and electric hook ups, picnic table and fire pit. there are 5 swimming pools, and the main pool has nightly live music and activities for the kids. There's daily bingo outdoors next to one of the pools (real money!) nightly cartoons on an outdoor screen for the little tykes, a small putt putt course, an indoor arcade with video games, pool table, etc. A big general store that carries just about everything you need and the prices arent over inflated like most places. The entire park is well kept up, exceptionally clean, secure, and just overall gives you a nice feeling like your in a small community. Oh, and you get free parking down at the Va Beach oceanfront in a lot that is owned by the Trav-L park. Its one block off of the beach (Which is nothing down there). Parking down at the beachfront is expensive, especially if you use the metered parking which is notorious for expiring early resulting in a $20 ticket.
Another vacation that might be along the more affordable options would be a trip to D.C. The hotel portion would be the most expensive part, but you could stay further out from D.C, maybe even in Alexandria or Silver Springs and take the Metro into D.C. On the weekends you can get an unlimited metro pass for $5 a day. The 2 year old I believe would still be free. We have taken this vacation ourselves. We have a 15 yr old (G) and 5 yr old (B). Visit all of the Smithsonian Museums. They are free. Our 5 yr old loves the Air and Space museum and the American History Museum basement (the transportation area) and the national zoo, while our 15 yr old loves the Museum of Natural History, the Native American History Museum, and the Botanical Gardens. Husband and I love the White House, the Monuments and the Memorials. All are free to get into or see. Lunch is really good in the cafeteria/food court area of the American History Museum. If we dont go there,we usually hop back onto the Metro and go to the "Chinatown" area for lunch or dinner. We also always carry a backpack with snacks and bottles of frozen water (In the summer). We are actually planning to take this trip as a mini vacation this spring or early summer. We want to see the Spy Museum (fee for admittance) and the Holocaust museum before we move from this area.
We've done Colonial Williamsburg several times over the years, but it isnt a cheap vacation. Tickets are about $48 each, and unless the kids are REALLY into history or learning about it, they may not enjoy it.
Busch Gardens and Water Country are a LOT of fun. Both of my kids would live at Water Country all summer long if I let them. We have season passes to BG and WC but we finally visited Kings Dominion last summer. Busch Gardens is more beautiful and better maintained, but Kings Dominion has more rides for both children and adults.
There are always the state parks. My parents would take us to Westmoreland State Park every other summer. From what I remember it has camping, rv hookups, cabins, a beach, a pool and frisbee golf. It's close to Colonial Beach and a bunch of historic sites. You can check out the website to see what parks offer what amenities. Some are tents/primitive camping and others have cabins, pools, and are close to historic sites. http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/index.shtml
I hope this helps.
You could always go camping instead. It's cheaper and most beaches have a state park. They have bath houses and seem to always be filled with nice people. I have 2 children ages 4and 12. They seem to love it. I let them helppack and set everything up. When they feel like they are helping out they seem to enjoy it better. check on the net. Look up campgrounds and stste parks. You might be suprized at what you find. I hope this helps. T. P
Don't know exactly what you have in mind, but check out options in State Parks. They have everything a state park offers (like boating and hiking) and many are within easy driving distance to shopping or other attractions. Some are even on the beach. PLUS, they are insanely inexpensive. And you can choose from campsites, cabins, cottages, lodges, etc. Look at this link for ideas:
I have 4 children & we have always looked at cheap vacations. If you want to go to the beach you might want to look at Myrtle beach SC. or the outer banks of North carolina. Also you might want to look at the extended stay hotels if renting a house or condo is to much.
You could check out Hilton Head in SC. It has alot to do and you can rent a 2 or 3 bedroom villa thats even pet friendly if needed for about 1000-1200 for the week. Most include washer dryer, linens and tend to be a 5 minute walk to the beach or pool.
Hello R.,
Check out a place called Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg, Va. It is a great place for the young and old. My kids loved it!!! Also, there is plenty to do in the area. Good luck and enjoy whenever you may go :-)
As far as where to go, have you thought about going to Colonial Williamsburg? That might even be a point of interest the 13 and 14 year old might like as they're around the age that they cover colonial life in the US in school. I know everybody loves going up to the mountains, perhaps Asheville to see the Biltmore Estate??
As far as lodging, did you try some of the services available online such as Orbitz, etc? I've looked at those and they're not that pricy. Certainly less than $2 000 a week! I know Colonial Williamsburg and Asheville both have specials everywhere that will get you lodging for less than $100 a night, from Holiday Inns to little Bed & Breakfasts.
I hope this helps and have fun where ever you go!!
R. - if you have your heart set on the beach do some searching through realty places too - see if they do summer rentals - you may be able to get something cheaper there. We did a trip to VA beach and then went to Busch Gardens - and the kids had more fun there than at the beach (depending on when you go there can be lots of jelly fish). There is a water park there - we could have easily spent two days there - then another two at Busch - so see if those ideas work for you - good luck!
At Virginia Beach, I paid $59.95 to stay at the comfort inn. Unfortunately, you'll pay a lot for a week anywhere you go. I went to VA Beach and went to Busch Gardens all weekend. That is always fun and there's lot to do. You could also try Kings Dominion which is straight up 95. Myrtle Beach is always TOO crowded and the prices there are crazy. You also have to consider the time of year you go to the beach. THe summer you're going to pay more just because the hotels know everyone wants to go to the beach so they'll make a killing off of it. Hope you have fun in what you finally decide to do.
If you are going to go to Orlando check out www.familiesfirst.com they have vaction home for about the price per night of a hotel room. Since it is a house you can bring your own food and make breakfast and dinner instead of going out to eat. Although when we went last year wer hardly ever made dinner because we were at the park so late. Also do a search on line for conference at disney because you can buy you ticket ahead of time at the conference price with having to attend the conference. It is a big discount. I went to a conference last year but my family that came along did not and they all got the discounted tickets. It will be something you all will enjoy and not cost $2000. Just remember if you stay in the house to bring salt and pepper (i alway forget that when I go) and lots of water and snacks in backpacks for the park, that way you only have to eat lunch at the park.
I agree with Cindy. Before I had my travel credentials I would much rather camp out or get a cabin somewhere rather than getting a hotel. Actually, now that I think about it, a camping trip would be nice. If you consider the OBX, I know of a nice campground down in Frisco.
You could probably save money staying a little more inland in VaBch. But the con of that idea would be driving to where you'd want to go, then back again.
