10 Amazing & Cheap Family Vacation Spots in the US

Best Cheap Family Vacation Spots in the Northeast Region

Here are the top five Northeast Region inexpensive family vacations when you’re on a budget.

1. White Mountains, New Hampshire

With their soaring peaks and lush valleys, the White Mountains of New Hampshire attract visitors worldwide. Popular activities include hiking, camping, skiing, canoeing, and excellent fall leaf-peeping.

Furthermore, the region is a year-round haven for nature lovers and a perfect cheap family vacation spot.

The White Mountains are ideal for driving, exiting the vehicle, walking, photographing, and stargazing with your kids. The Kancamagus Highway connects Lincoln and Conway and is a breathtaking drive.

The White Mountains offer a diverse range of lodging options, including lodges, motels, hotels, and campgrounds, and the opportunity to sample fine cuisine at one of the region’s numerous restaurants if you have the budget.

2. Montauk, New York

Montauk is located on Long Island’s South Fork in New York State. Whether you visit in the summer or winter, Montauk, New York, offers plenty for affordable family vacations.

Montauk and the rest of Long Island’s Hamptons are a summer haven for sun-seeking New Yorkers looking to escape the concrete jungle for a couple of hours. It’s also a tranquil seaside retreat in the winter when you can find great low-season deals!

You can tour the breathtaking Montauk Lighthouse, a historic landmark that your kids would love to discover. It is New York State’s first lighthouse, and visitors can climb it, enjoy the surrounding lush landscape, explore the museum, and shop at the on-site gift shop.

Additionally, you can visit Hither Hills State Park. The park’s biodiversity is a precious location for fishing, hunting, biking, hiking, and bird watching with the kids. You won’t have to break the bank to enjoy its lovely scenery. 

3. Niagara Falls, New York (& Canada)

Niagara Falls is one of the most impressive and well-known waterfalls globally. In the far northwest corner of New York State, you can find it along the Niagara River’s United States/Canada border.

Niagara Falls State Park, New York’s oldest state park, opened in 1885. The 400-acre park is home to nature and biking trails, picnic areas, and scenic photo opportunities, making it perfect for inexpensive family vacations.

Additionally, you can take your children to the Niagara Falls Aquarium. The Aquarium of Niagara is a family-friendly attraction that is particularly well-suited for chilly or rainy days.

Over 200 species of aquatic animals, as well as 30 educational exhibits, are on display here, and your kids will definitely love them! The aquarium’s presentations include sea lion shows, harbor seal presentations, and penguin feedings.

If you feel like splurging a little, you can also visit the stunning Canadian side of the falls, with additional attractions.

The Clifton Hill amusement park offers a variety of entertainment options, including midway games, bowling, arcades, and coaster-track go-karts for both parents and kids. It is also home to Canada’s giant observation wheel, the Niagara Skywheel, which offers breathtaking views of the falls and Niagara Gorge.

4. Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Cape Cod’s claim to stardom is its natural beauty, which flourishes throughout the Cape and Islands, with dune-lined shores, historic seaside villages lined with shingled “Cape Cod-style” houses, and quaint seafood huts.

Hundreds of miles of beautiful shoreline jutting into the Atlantic Ocean have captured vacationers’ imaginations for generations. It’s the perfect trip for nature-loving kids!

A visit to Wellfleet Bay is a must when visiting Cape Cod. It’s a pristine 900-acre sanctuary on Cape Cod’s coast. Moreover, the bay’s protected shoreline and waters support abundant marine flora and fauna. 

Numerous nature trails also offer excellent walking, hiking, and wildlife viewing opportunities. You can experience these memorable activities with your kids.

You can also bring them to the sanctuary’s award-winning Eco Visitor’s Center features educational aquarium exhibits.

5. Providence, Rhode Island

Providence combines the friendliness and convenience of a small town with the sophistication and culture of a large city. 

Providence is an ideal cheap family vacation spot, with a thriving arts community, vibrant and diverse neighborhoods, exceptional hotels, a renowned restaurant scene, and a wealth of activities.

Providence is an artistic and culturally diverse city.  It is home to the Rhode Island School of Design, one of its top art schools. 

Anyone interested in art and design would love this place. You would undoubtedly find something to your liking among the array of galleries, small exhibitions, and the RISD Museum. Your kids with a love for arts will surely enjoy walking along the streets and seeing all the pieces created by locals.

There are also numerous outdoor spaces in the city’s heart for tourists to enjoy! You can spend more time outdoors with your family, from Greater Kennedy Plaza’s countless public events to Waterplace Park’s waterfront concerts and events.

An excellent family-friendly activity is the year-round operation of Greater Kennedy Plaza’s outdoor ice skating rink if you have kids who love to learn new skills! 

Affordable Family Vacations in the Midwest

If you’re looking to explore the best that the Midwest has to offer, check out these budget friendly family vacations destinations.

6. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago embodies all of the characteristics of a world-class city. It boasts stunning architecture, incredible food and entertainment, and a long history of making significant contributions globally to art, culture, and technology.

Locals will tell you that it is also one of the best family vacations on a budget!

A visit to the botanic garden in Chicago is a wonderful way to experience the city. The Chicago Botanic Garden is a 385-acre collection of 27 extraordinary gardens that kids will enjoy roaming around.

You can visit the Millenium Park, Lincoln Park Conservatory, Navy Pier, and Lincoln Park Zoo for free. The Kohl Children’s Museum is also a good option if looking for family-friendly activities in Chicago!

Children can enjoy permanent exhibits at Chicago’s many museums. The exhibits are innovative and will engage your kids in various activities while also having a good time.

7. Branson, Missouri

If you’re looking for a unique destination for a final summer adventure, a cheap family vacation, a fall excursion, or a laidback winter trip, you’ve found it.

Branson, Missouri, an often-overlooked town, offers a variety of family-friendly activities. Take in the natural beauty, live music, theater, and adventure this incredible city offers.

Whether you’re looking for an entertaining outdoor concert or one of the more than 100 live shows that perform in Branson theaters each year, your visit will be jam-packed with fun options.

Fans of country music, rock, gospel, patriotic music, comedy, and magic will all find something here to enjoy.

Additionally, visit the White Water Park for an unforgettable summer vacation. The massive wave pool is a favored spot for families to have fun with tubes or simply relax.

At the same time, the more daring family members may want to hop over to the Kalani Towers, which appear to offer the splashing experience that only the bravest will attempt.

8. Columbus, Ohio

If Columbus, Ohio isn’t already on your list of “must-see” inexpensive family vacations in the United States, it should be. Columbus is no longer a forgotten gem among the Midwest’s major cities.

This Midwestern city is an exciting family travel destination with a vibrant downtown and a burgeoning local food and brew scene.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is one of the best ways to enjoy Columbus. The Columbus Zoo, central Ohio’s most popular zoo, welcomes approximately 2 million visitors each year and is home to about 10,000 animals worldwide.

You’ll see all of your favorite animals, walk alongside kangaroos and Lorikeets, and get up close and personal with some barnyard creatures.

Additionally, you can entertain your children by taking them to the LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus. It’s a surefire way to keep children engaged. Children will enjoy the opportunity to learn how Lego is made, view incredible small-scale models of famous structures constructed entirely of Lego, and build their own Lego creations.

Inexpensive Family Vacation Spots in the South

Are you planning to explore the beauties of the South? Here are some affordable family vacations that you might want to try out.

9. Williamsburg, Virginia

Greater Williamsburg, located only a short drive from Washington, D.C., embodies the spirit of America. It’s an excellent choice for a cheap family vacation.

Williamsburg and nearby towns such as Jamestown and Yorktown serve as living memorials to some of colonial history’s most illustrious figures. Explore early America’s sights, sounds, and flavors, or lace up your trainers and enjoy modern amenities and top-rated outdoor activities.

Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living museum in the world! It transports you to the birth of America, introducing you to “store owners,” “prominent politicians,” and “representatives of the enslaved society.” You can observe historical reenactments, tour historic buildings, shops, and mansions, and engage in hands-on activities.

And if you’re looking for some adventure during your family vacation, Go Ape! Treetop Adventures is a place where everyone can find something they enjoy.

Your little ones will blast navigating treetop obstacles and zipping down to earth. As is the rest of Williamsburg, Treetop Adventures is steeped in history. On the site of a Revolutionary War battle, Freedom Park was constructed.

10. Crystal Coast, North Carolina

The Crystal Coast, famed for its natural beauty, is located in the heart of North Carolina’s coast. The Crystal Coast is located on the Southern Outer Banks’ 85-mile-long Southern Outer Banks.

The collection of beaches and towns offers an unmatched blend of history, family entertainment, water sports, and natural areas. The free access to its beaches make it perfect for affordable family vacations.

Take a ferry to undeveloped beaches and their wild horses, sea turtles, and dolphins, or scuba dive in one of North America’s top diving destinations.

Begin your water adventure at Hammocks Beach State Park. Enjoy Hammocks Beach State Park’s splendor, located south of Swansboro and surrounded by miles of undeveloped barrier island beaches.

Put your phones and tablets away and spend some time in the sun with your family by participating in a family adventure that includes swimming, fishing, shelling, boating, and a mid-day picnic.

On Shackleford Banks, an undeveloped island off the coast of Beaufort, you can see majestic horses in their natural habitat.

There are approximately 115 wild horses on the island. The best time to see them out by the coast is low tide, which is usually around morning until noontime. While visitors to the island are welcome, park rangers recommend staying at least a bus length away from the horses.

Final Thoughts

Even when aiming for free activities, planning, and strategic frugality, affordable family vacations do not have to be boring. The best family destinations usually feature free or low-cost attractions and accommodations that the whole family can enjoy.

Hopefully, this list of budget friendly vacation spots has aided you in planning your next trip.

Does your family have a favorite cheap family vacation spot? Leave your best suggestions in the comments!

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