Fun, Affordable Family Vacations

There are many fun, affordable family vacations that offer that sought-after combination of affordable lodging and dining and kid friendly, low-cost attractions. A fun-filled family vacation doesn't have to be a budget buster. 

Washington, D.C.
Most of Washington, D.C.'s attractions are free to the public, including museums, festivals, and national landmarks. Hotel rates are reasonable, especially on weekends when there are fewer business travelers, and the abundance of fairly-priced dining options have helped to move Washington, D.C. to the top of the affordable family vacation list.

The Smithsonian Institution is a must see: You'll find an exhibit there to suit every interest, from American history to Space Travel to Asian art. Kids are especially likely to appreciate the Air and Space Museum, where they can touch a real moon rock, tour a space craft and taste the freeze-dried ice cream eaten by astronauts during flight. Make sure the Natural History Museum is part of your itinerary, where you can view life-sized models of giant whales.

The National Zoo, which is operated by Smithsonian, is also free, and is a real treat for animal lovers as well as for anyone who enjoys a good stroll through a beautifully-landscaped park. One caveat: the zoo is very hilly, so wear good walking shoes. If you're traveling with stroller, be prepared to do some serious pushing.

Depending on your vacation schedule, you might want to time your travels so you can attend the Kite Festival held annually on the National Mall (usually in late March) or the Folklife Festival that takes place in July and features food music, dancing from countries around the worlds.

Branson, MO
Branson, MO is quite possibly the family entertainment capital of the United States. With dozens of museums, hundreds of theatrical shows, concerts and events and more fishing, hiking, golf and water sports than you can imagine, you'll have to look for things not to do on your visit. But if you do want to relax, many of Branson's hotels and resorts are situated on lakes and offer easy access to kayaks and paddle boats.

Most area hotels have pools along with waterslides and some larger properties have on-site water parks and miniature golf courses. With hotel rates that almost seem too good to be true, you can't go wrong if you visit Branson-the value is hard to beat as is the country charm of this Ozark Mountain town.

Williamsburg , VA
Williamsburg, VA will appeal to both history buffs and those who want to spend a little more time living in the moment. While Colonial Williamsburg is the primary draw, it's also home to several theme parks including Busch Gardens and Water Country U.S.A. What's more, Williamsburg is only a few miles Jamestown, the first U.S. settlement, and Yorktown where the American revolutionary Battle of Yorktown took place in 1781.

Colonial Williamsburg features interpretive history where actors inhabit the town and battlefields, reenacting life in the 18^th century. With its museums and almost 100 acres of well-tended gardens and farmsteads, this destination is an American history-lovers paradise. If the kids get tired of viewing rare cattle breeds and chickens, head to the amusement parks to ride some of the best roller coasters in the country.

If you plan to visit Colonial Williamsburg, look for vacation packages-some start as low as $40 per person, per night-that include lodging, breakfast and admission. You may find vacation deals that allow you to bundle theme-park admission into the price.

Florida's Space Coast
Florida's Space Coast spans 72 miles of beach on the Atlantic side and includes the cities of Cocoa Beach, Melbourne and Cape Canaveral. The Space Coast is so-named because it is home to the Kennedy Space Center, where families can tour NASA's space shuttle launch facilities, as well as meet astronauts and visit the Astronaut Hall of Fame. Kids ages 8 to 14 can also enroll in Space Camp, a week-long program that teaches them about space travel and just what it takes to become an astronaut.

If a week of Space Camp seems like too much, balance your visit to the Kennedy Space Center with time spent on local beaches and golf courses. Plan fishing, kayak or airboat excursions and don't forget to check out the area's flea markets for good finds.

Dining options along the Space Coast trend toward the casual---you'll find chain restaurants you recognize as well as local pubs suitable for family dining. Hotels are plentiful and affordable and you favor self-catering accommodations, you'll have several options to choose from.

Las Vegas, NV
Often referred to as Disneyland for adults, Las Vegas offers so many varied activities and forms of entertainment that it's a great family vacation destination as well. Tried-and-true family favorites include the Circus Circus indoor midway with its theme park and round-the-clock circus act performances, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum and magic shows by Lance Burton or the famed Cirque du Soleil.

Your family can eat affordably at any of the area's lavish buffets, but keep in mind that while most hotels allow children to stay, they don't offer any on-site services or activities that cater solely to children. If having these extras is important to you, you need to be willing to stay well outside the Strip.

If you want limit your kids' exposure to the casinos, the Las Vegas Zoo and the Lied Children's Museum are two additional non-casino oriented family activities. The farther you get from the Strip, the more affordable your entertainment options become. Red Rock Canyon, less than an hour's drive from Las Vegas, is home to wild horses and burros that roam the canyon's 197,000 acres of spectacular rock formations.