Frugal Family Vacation
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That year I knew that if I was going to be able to afford any vacation for us at all it was going to have to be at the beach. We live less than an hour away from a beach resort town. It wasn't going to be necessary to spend money on airline tickets, tanks of gas, or toll roads.
If your family lives near the shore a family vacation beach trip might be an affordable option for you.
Where to Stay
One of the great things about a beach vacation is that you can find accommodations near the beach to fit all budgets. If you start planning early you might be able to find a deal to stay someplace that you might otherwise not be able to afford.
Hotels and Motels
Decide when you're going to go and then start calling hotels to see who has the best rates. Some places still charge weekly rates but most are now switching to nightly rates which means that some nights of your stay will cost more. Weekends and holidays may cost substantially more per night. Make sure to get a breakdown of the cost.
What day you arrive and what day you depart might also make a difference in the total cost of your stay, so if your vacation time isn't locked in you might find that changing your plans slightly could save you money.
Although meal plans are usually only offered at larger more pricey resorts, lots of moderate and value hotels and motels will offer continental breakfast included in the cost of your stay. This can be anything from a platter of pre-packaged danish and cartons of apple juice, to a self-serve breakfast bar with fresh donuts, danish, bagels, toast and cold cereals served with butter, jams, jellies, cream cheese and fruit.
You can also get hot coffee, milk and juice. Each place is different so if they say they offer "continental" breakfast ask what kinds of things are on their menu.
The motel I took my family to on our family vacation beach trip included a self-serve cold breakfast bar each morning as part of our stay. We were able to eat as much as we wanted and there was lots of variety. It also helped me stretch the budget knowing that I wouldn't have to buy breakfast each morning of our trip. Lots of places do this and it could help your family save too.
Beach Rentals
Lots of families rent actual homes for their beach vacations. When you're traveling with young children, especially babies, it can be extremely convenient to have a fully stocked kitchen, washer and dryer, and bedrooms for everyone when you're staying at the beach.
Renting a family vacation beach house becomes a big money saver when you share the house with friends or other family members. Most beach rental homes are able to accommodate many more people than your average family home, so two or even three families sharing the cost of one home can make this a much more affordable option than staying in a hotel.
Also being able to shop for groceries and cook some of your own meals can mean big savings while you're on vacation. If you still want to splurge on some restaurant meals, (you are on vacation after all), eat out for breakfast or lunch. These meals generally cost less than dinner out. Cook your own dinner back at the house.
Use the money you've saved to splurge on surf and turf for the grill. Check if there is a local seafood house where you can purchase the days catch for much less than it would cost you at home in the grocery store.
You can find family vacation beach rentals by calling realty offices in the town you're planning to visit. Be aware, this usually requires planning months ahead as the properties book up quickly from summer to summer.
What To Do
There can be an endless list of things to do on a family vacation at the beach, or you can simply go somewhere that just offers the beach and beautiful surroundings.
If you end up in a beach resort town where it seems everything except the sand and surf has a high fee attached, there are some things that you can do with your family, other than play in the sand, that won't break the bank.
- A Picnic - See if there is a local park nearby, usually on the water, where you can have an afternoon picnic. Don't forget to bring a ball, a Frisbee, or some Dish Soap Bubbles for some playful fun after lunch.
- Miniature Golf - My kids love this and the rates can be reasonable, especially when you consider it does take a while to get through the course and it's a lot of fun to play together.
- Community Events - Local Fairs and Festivals are another inexpensive way to enjoy your surroundings and have fun with your family. My most unique vacation souvenirs were purchased at craft shows made by artisans from the destinations we were visiting. I like to buy items that depict the local culture.
- Free Concerts - During the summer months lots of beach towns offer free entertainment almost every evening. Usually at some nearby outdoor venue. You can stop in the Office of Tourism, or even City Hall to get a schedule of events. If you can remember, call before your trip and ask for that information to be mailed to you.
- Water Fun - Bring a stash of water and sand toys. Don't forget the snorkel gear. It doesn't cost much if you get it before your trip. The kids will have hours of fun in shallow water.
A family vacation beach trip can be one of the most fun and relaxing times you can have with your children. If you share a home with friends or extended family it will add to the fun as well as to your money savings.
Return to Family Vacation Ideas from Family Vacation: Beach Trip on a Budget
