If you are looking for a family vacation idea that won’t break the budget, then you should consider Dover, Delaware.
The Delaware’s Capital Region offers several free museums and historic sites, tax-free shopping and dining, and it’s "less than a tank-full away" for many families if the Mid-Atlantic Region. You can skip the air fare.
Here are just a few of the Delaware’s Capital Region free or low-cost things to do.
Air Mobility Command Museum has dozens of vintage aircraft including restored WWII B-17 Bomber. You can see aircraft movies in the theater or experience being a pilot in the flight simulators.
Delaware State House Museum is part of Dover’s historic district called The Green. It was built in 1792 which makes it one of the oldest state houses in the U.S. This is a great place to explore our country’s past. Don’t miss the life size portrait of George Washington.
Delaware State Police Museum explore the history of the State Police an includes displays of antique cars and motorcycles.
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge is an excellent place to view wildlife in their natural settings. You can have fun brird watching, take some great photos. The wildlife refuge has a tour route marked with numbered signs so that you can drive tour all the key spots.
Killens Pond State Park is a place to camp out and enjoy some hiking, fishing and canoeing.
Amish Country is west of Dover and is a great place to take a scenic drive.
Inexpensive Family Vacations #2:
Contributed by Shel Horowitz - author of the eBook "The Penny-Pinching Hedonist: How to Live Like Royalty with a Peasant's Pocketbook" available through frugalfun.com.
Join a homestay organization. We've been members of Servas for over 25 years, pay a small annual membership fee, and then stay in private homes; at no cost (we usually bring a small gift). Not only is it a great budget stretcher, it's a much more interesting way to visit a place, and sometimes long-term friendships can form.
In Servas, you can be a traveler, a host, or both--and the host can always say no if it's not a good time. Servas was set up to break down barriers across cultures. We go through the host book and contact a mix of people who seem to be like us or very different
Inexpensive Family Vacations #3:
Independence, Missouri, is a vacation destination that will give budget-minded families a lot of "bang" for their travel buck. Independence has one of the lowest cost of living indexes in the country. This translates into savings on vacation food, lodging, gas and attraction fees. There is a lot to see and do in historic Independence. Here are a few things in Independence that are free or low-cost.
1827 Log Courthouse; Last courthouse between Independence and the Pacific Ocean for forty years.
Bass Pro Outdoor World; Enjoy outdoor trails, playground, pavilion and lake, or wildlife displays and aquarium inside. Minimal charge for laser shooting gallery and rock climbing wall.
Chicago and Alton Depot; built in 1879, the oldest two story restored depot in Missouri. Furnished with railroad memorabilia and equipment, as well as period antiques upstairs in the station master’s home. Donations.
Community of Christ Temple; The Temple spirals 300 feet high and houses a museum, two theaters, bookstore, 1600 seat sanctuary graced by a world class organ, and artwork. Free organ recitals 3 daily, May through September. The Auditorium also boasts a famous organ and is home to the Children’s Peace Pavilion, a free interactive museum for children packed with hands-on activities and exhibits.
Historic Independence Square, Lexington and Main. Enjoy eight restaurants, 15 gift and specialty stores and five antiques shops in the charming area surrounding the historic Jackson County courthouse.
Independence Center; Sample all the best in retail shopping. Take a break at the indoor play area or spin on the elegant carousel (minimal charge).
Midwest Genealogy Center; Opened in June 2008, this is the largest public genealogy library in the nation.
Mormon Visitors Centerr; learn about the key roles Mormons played in frontier Independence through flat screens, video kiosks, dioramas and a full size log cabin, plus a frontier themed play area for kids. Upstairs, interactive displays and exhibits share modern beliefs of the Church.
Pioneer Spring Cabin; take a walk back into time and during a look at log cabin life in the 1800s.
Skate Park at Hill Park; concrete bowls, rails, stairs and grind blocks allow kids to show their skate skills.
Spraygrounds; Features that mist, spray and shoot water let kids cool off; Located in Rotary Park, 24th and Hedges and McCoy Park.
Walking Trails: Hike one of the three marked walking trails, with the themes of Truman sites, Mormon heritage and the Swales (ruts) made by covered wagons.
Or follow a driving tour of Civil War sites in Independence.
Inexpensive Family Vacations #4:
Contributed by Stephanie Moreland. Every year, my mom, brother, and I take a vacation somewhere different. We live in Houston, so we’ll do anything to get away from the heat of the summer. Last year, we spent three weeks in the Pacific Northwest and Vancouver. We went to Olympia National Park, Mount Rainier, Seattle, Mount St. Helens, Vancouver, etc. But that was a pricey trip, so this year we are scaling down our efforts.
Our plan for this summer is to fly to Denver (round trip flights from Houston to Denver can be picked up very cheap), rent a car, and take a classic American road-trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. We will stay in smaller motel-like properties, tent-cabins, or possibly just camping.
We are also a huge National and State Park family. Where else can you get so much entertainment for so little money? We also love to get outdoors, hike, and enjoy the cool, crisp weather. Since we live in Houston (a very non-pedestrian friendly city), we prefer to take vacations that involve stretching our legs----and our dollars a bit.
Inexpensive Family Vacations #5:
Contributed by Robert Todd Felton author of "Walking Boston: 36 Tours Through Beantown's Cobblestone Streets, Historic Districts, Ivory Towers and New Waterfront".
Beyond Boston’s well-known Freedom Trail are a variety of great walks and routes for a family ramble – a great way to spend an afternoon in the city without spending much money.
In Walking Boston, I profile 34 short walks in the Boston area that are a mix of the familiar and new finds. One of my favorites is a tour of the best playgrounds and ice-cream stores of Jamaica Plain – that one was suggested to me by a friend and her seven-year old. Also, the tours around Fenway Park, MIT, and the recently redone Children's Museum (with discounted admission on Friday nights) are wonderful for inexpensive family vacations with kids of all ages and virtually free.
