Creative Summer Vacation Ideas

Summer is a time to unwind, a time to relax, and a time to enjoy leisure activities with familybut for many of us, it is also a time to save money as best as possible. Summer vacations can be draining on the wallet, which is why more and more families are looking for vacation ideas that aren’t just fun, but are creative, as wellcost-effective breaks from the usual “touristy” stuff. And to be sure, you can create memories together as a family while cutting out unnecessary spendingand some of these creative ideas might be so off-the-beaten-path that they will end up wowing your kids as much as any traditional vacation model ever could!

One way to creatively save a few bucks is to come up with some alternative sources for meals. Consider, just for starters, the idea of a family picnic. This is especially effective for days spent at an amusement park, or in the midst of a particularly “touristy” area of town where there is nothing to eat but overpriced fast food. Packing luncheswith items from the local supermarketcan dramatically cut costs, and be a lot of fun, too. Consider also heading to the market for an array of do-it-yourself snacks and room-service items for in the hotel room.

Of course, there are other ways to save money and still have a great vacation, ways that have nothing to do with food. An obviousbut surprisingly overlookedstrategy is to choose activities that don’t cost anything. Amusement parks and the like can be amazingly costly, but spending an afternoon at a children’s museum may not cost much at all, and can be just as funas well as educational! Additionally, you might spend some time at a local park. And of course, there’s always the beach!

And of course, there is a great deal of money to be saved simply by planning things in advanced. If you plan on visiting a resort, consider going during the off-season; you’ll end up saving a bundle of money! Look for discounts on hotels or airfare on Facebook. Plan activities and events with your children ahead of time; if you buy tickets early, you can often get seriously discounted rates.

A final suggestion for family vacationers who want to save money and do something a little different is to consider making it a staycation, either by renting local lodging or even staying at home. You’ll cut out the cost of travelof airline tickets or gasand you can still have a lot of fun. Take it as an opportunity to watch movies, read books, or play games together as a familyor to enjoy the local attractions of your hometown, all from the standpoint of a tourist! This is an increasingly popular way to enjoy creative vacationingmaking fond family memories and saving big bucks in the process.