Frugal and fun U.S. travel vacation ideas
Money Saving Travel Vacation Ideas
Travel prices have definitely been on the rise over the past year, and inflation data proves it. In fact, recent stats show the cost for airfare in the U.S. has increased 26 percent as of January 2023 when you compare it to the same month last year. Prices for rental cars and hotels are also on the rise, and the cumulative result is all of us paying more for trips right now than we have in the past.
If you’re hoping to stem the bleeding and save more of your hard-earned cash as you make your 2023 travel plans, it helps to consider options that are on the more affordable side. For example, you could look into camping at a KOA campground, taking a cruise from a port you can drive to or renting a tiny home in the wilderness instead of splurging for a stay at a pricey resort.
You can research the trip ideas we outline below on your own, but a travel agent can also help you find the best deal. Either way, you’ll want to check out these frugal and fun travel ideas for 2023 and beyond:
Book a Camping Trip with KOA
Camping has been a frugal travel option for years, although that’s mostly true for people who tent camp instead of buying an RV. Either way, KOA Campgrounds offer a fun and inexpensive way to entertain your family for a full week or a weekend.
Not only can you choose from over 500 KOA Campgrounds in the United States and Canada, but many of their parks offer benefits like on-site camp stores, glamping options, mini-golf, climbing walls and swimming pools. Some even offer family activities like crafts and movie nights, and dogs are always welcome.
Head to the Wisconsin Dells
If you want to have fun with the kids without leaving the United States, a road trip to the Wisconsin Dells in central Wisconsin could be in order. This area of the country offers a range of theme parks and water parks that are a lot more affordable than the big-name parks, and the dining options, mini golf, museums and other attractions are nearly unlimited.
Consider staying at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, which offers access to a water park with 125,000 square feet of space, a Timbavati Wildlife Park and a Tommy Bartlett Exploratory with each stay.
Explore Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina offers much more to see and do than many people realize, plus it’s just a car ride away from many parts of the United States. Greenville has a robust culinary and beer scene for starters, yet you’ll also find an endless amount of biking and hiking trails thanks to the region’s proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Greenville also boasts world class arts and cultural amenities, including its own zoo, the Children’s Museum of the Upstate and the Greenville County Museum of Art.
Visit Rush Creek Lodge Near Yosemite
Rush Creek Lodge is an outdoor lover’s dream and it’s located in Groveland, California right at the edge of Yosemite National Park. The property offers a range of recreation trips for families, including whitewater rafting and sightseeing tours. Plus, guests will enjoy perks like nightly campfires, arts and craft projects, stargazing, live music and more.
Lodge rooms at the property start at $265 per night and they sleep up to four people. You’ll even have your own private deck with spectacular views of the forest and mountains nearby.
Book Someone’s Timeshare through Redweek
Redweek.com lets timeshare owners list their weeks and rentals for sale. This gives travelers the chance to score an affordable rate on vacation rentals around the world and in popular locales like Orlando, Las Vegas Hawaii, Mexico and more.
Renting a condominium that’s someone’s timeshare comes with even more ways to save than on just the rental fee. For example, you can use your condominium’s kitchen to cook meals and snacks and save even more money that way. You can also split a timeshare rental with at least one other family to reduce your travel costs.
Plan a Theme Park Getaway
Theme park getaways can be a lot cheaper than other types of family trips, particularly if you’re able to avoid flights and drive to your destination instead. Some theme parks also include entry into an on-site waterpark in their daily rates, which makes it easy to get even more value whether you spend a full day or several.
As one example, Holiday World Theme Park and Splashin Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana offers both theme park and water park entry for a single price. Plus, parking, sunscreen and even soft drinks are included for free.
Book a Cheap Stay at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
Atlantic City, New Jersey offers a range of casinos and nightlife options that put it on par with Las Vegas, yet for a much lower price point. For example, you can book an inexpensive stay at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City starting at just $63 per night this upcoming March and April.
This iconic resort sits on 17 acres near the Atlantic City Boardwalk, making it perfect for checking out local attractions and people-watching. The hotel itself also offers an on-site spa and a huge casino with 2,200 slots and 120 table games.
Look into “Repositioning Cruises”
Repositioning cruises are itineraries that take passenger ships from one part of the world to another. For example, ships frequently reposition from North America to Europe, or from Europe to South America or Australia.
Instead of sending the ships off empty, cruise lines sell cabins at discounted prices and let cruisers enjoy the ride, often with some fun stops built in. VacationstoGo.com is a great site you can use to find repositioning cruises, but you can also ask a travel agent for help finding this type of itinerary.
Go Glamping
A website like GlampingHub.com can help you find a range of upscale camping or “glamping” options in your area, including treehouses, rustic cabins and yurts. You may be able to find relatively basic glamping options starting at around $50 per night, but the site offers more upscale lodging choices as well.
For example, you can book a mansion in the wilderness near the Rocky Mountains, or a luxurious tented villa in southeast Asia.
Cruise with Margaritaville at Sea
Margaritaville at Sea is a newer cruising option for people who want an affordable way to travel from Florida to the Bahamas. There are 3-day/2-night sailings available for exceptionally low prices, and the entire “microvacation experience” is Jimmy-Buffett inspired with the goal of making it as relaxing as possible.
Guests who cruise with the line will find nightly entertainment, a large and lively casino, exceptional dining options, pools, hot tubs and everything else you find with other top cruise lines.
Visit Caye Caulker, Belize
The Central American nation of Belize offers some of the most beautiful clear waters and beaches in all of the Caribbean, yet at a much lower price point since the country is still developing. The Island of Caye Caulker is close to popular Ambergris Caye in Belize, yet lodging and dining here is at a much lower price point.
Caye Caulker is entirely car-free and walkable from end to end, so it’s easy to get out and mingle with the locals. You can easily rent a condo here for less than $100 per night, and it’s a quick boat ride from the airport in Belize City.
Weekend Getaway to Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth, Minnesota is ideally situated along the shores of Great Lake Superior, so it’s perfect for activities like boating and spending time in nature in general. The area is also known for its many waterfalls, and for its historic Aerial Lift Bridge that offers unbelievable views of the water below.
Other activities offered in Duluth include visits to the Duluth Children’s Museum, The Tweed Museum of Art and the Duluth Art Institute. The Great Lakes Aquarium and Lake Superior Zoo also offer a great place to learn about animals with your family in tow.
Plan a Cruise with MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises offers quite a few shorter cruises that can be insanely affordable, including options from several ports in Florida. For example, a quick search of available options leads to finding two-night cruises on the remarkable MSC Seashore starting at just $109 per person, as well as six-night cruises from the MSC Seaside starting at just $379 per person.
Remember that food is included in your cruise fare, and that many offerings from MSC come with a free drinks and wifi package. Most cruises that depart from Florida also visit the cruise line’s private island in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve.
Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo
Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo is a central Florida resort destination that’s perfect for families on a budget. The dude ranch style hotel has a range of accommodation options to choose from, including luxurious converted wagons, glamping tents, teepees and regular lodge rooms.
The ranch is located on 1,700 acres of federally protected land, so there’s plenty of space to get away from the hustle of everyday life. Families can also participate in activities like late night s’mores, skeet range, wilderness trekking, horseback riding and more.
Plan an All-Inclusive Resort Stay in Mexico
Las Brisas Huatulco is situated on a coastal hillside with stunning ocean views, and it boasts several of its own beaches and lush tropical gardens all around. Private rooms with balconies are available starting at just $252 per night, and this hotel is all-inclusive so your dining and drinks are included.
Hotel amenities include tennis courts, squash courts, volleyball courts, a children’s club and several differing dining options. Note that this all-inclusive resort is located on the Pacific side of Mexico in the state of Oaxaca.
Book a Beachfront Condominium
You can always book a beachfront condominium if you want to save on your next trip, and doing so can be a lot of fun. Spending the day relaxing on the beach is always a good time, and the kids can play in the sand or splash in the pool while you read or join in the fun.
There are so many condominiums to choose from on sites like Airbnb.com and VRBO.com that it can be difficult to choose, but that makes it easier to score a good deal. To save even more, consider booking a stay in an area that’s a little off the beaten path from the main tourist areas.
Visit North Carolina’s Crystal Coast
North Carolina’s “Crystal Coast” has 85 miles of unspoiled coastline, water activities galore, exceptional culinary experiences and so much more. Plus, it’s an easy drive for a large part of the Midwest and many areas along the east coast.
Along with spending time at the beach, visitors can stay busy hiking through the Croatan National Forest and Fort Macon State Park or island hopping to Cape Lookout National Seashore for a fun ATV ride. A day trip to the Shackleford Banks to see the wild horses is another must-do activity in this area of the country.
Plan a Staycation at Home
If you’re looking for the ultimate frugal vacation idea, you can always use up your PTO and spend the time exploring your own town. This means making an effort to do all the things you have wanted to but never quite fit in your schedule. For example, you can tour all the local art galleries in your area, visit the local zoo, hike through trails at your state park and more.
No matter where you live, there should be a few activities you have always wanted to take part in. Sit down to create a list and start planning your own staycation, and you never know how much fun you’ll have.