Our budget travel tips for making Holiday Getaways more affordable.
Besides using one of our guidebooks to get unique ideas for places to go, here are some other suggestions we offer.
1. PLAN 2 – 4 ACTIVITIES within a one hour drive time of each other. Base you choices on the season of year. Holiday Trolley Tours are so fun – singing carols and sipping hot cocoa…invite cousins, grandparents, etc. along.
2. If your budget allows, have the VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH A TV unit. Play Christmas movies all the way…
3. Choose FAMILY FRIENDLY LODGING. Our family “vacations for a living” so we found budget hotels the norm. We joined hotel memberships and charge cards. We look for hotels with indoor pools and free breakfast. For some reason, if they offer both, they are more likely to be clean and family-friendly environments.
4. HISTORY is easy, if you SNEAK IT IN! Engage your kids by learning with Santa and his elves. Historical homes are basically boring to tour in the summer, but near the holidays, what stuffy old house doesn’t smell sweet with the scent of cinnamon and gingerbread cookies?
What about you?
Do you have some tricks you’ve learned that make traveling to visit relatives at Christmas less stressful but still inexpensive and fun?
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMS – Flashback to an earlier time:
As we waited in some lines opening day of the new Creation Museum, we were greeted by friendly faces and warm smiles from the docents and the guests alike. Many had been waiting for this museum to open for years, so what was another few minutes. “Much of the experience features displays that would be similar to what you would find in a natural history museum, so you will see exhibits on par with some of the fine science museums around the world,” said director, Mark Looy. “Because we’re taking our visitors on a walk through history from Genesis to Revelation, it is a biblical museum combining Scripture with the best of what science can present.”
Interesting twist on most “Dinosaur” museums. Yes, there were tons of dinos, many animated –even dragons! Really, right up there with “Dinolands” in VA, OH & FL but also including some items like simulated walk-thru gardens, caves and even an ark!
Elements we like best in Natural History Museums are simulations: walk thru limestone caves (OH), Ice Age (OH), Indian mound sites (TN, IL, OH), copper mines (MI, TN), or coal mines (TN). Some of our favs have giant prehistoric creatures hanging overhead (OH, NC). Many have wonderful paleontology labs (OH, PA, VA, MD) where real scientists are actively working on specimens. All that wonderful science to absorb – but one difference…the timeline. Same science, different starting points. Curious? Check out the Creation Museum for details…
A fellow mommy blogger wrote this adorable post about not only the infamous Saugatuck dune buggy rides but some suggested eateries and shopping venues we haven’t tried:
Want over 50 different ideas for family travel in southwest Michigan (and hundreds more across the state)? Start reading on page 162, Southwest Chapter of KIDS LOVE MICHIGAN, 7th edition
Wondering where to take the kids this summer? Budget Travel has some great ideas and is pleased to unveil 15 More Places Every Kid Should See Before 15. (2 of them are favs from the KIDS LOVE ILLINOIS book)
Last year, Budget Travel chose 15 places they thought every kid should see before they turned 15. This year, they took it one step further and invited readers to weigh in on their favorite kid-friendly destinations. The editors then used the reader-generated nominations (562 to be exact) to create the 2012 list.
What made a destination worthy of inclusion? It needed to be fun, educational, and especially magical through the eyes of a child. It needed to inspire adults to tap back into that childlike sense of wonder. And it needed to have universal appeal.
In case you were wondering…my fav pick of the 15 is from our KIDS LOVE ILLINOIS book…Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield…Disney does Lincoln…overloaded!
With so many amusements, entertainment and water activities to choose from, you may forget the essentials: picking the right lodging and dining for your visit. Here’s some helpful insights from our recent trip to Myrtle Beach:
KINGSTON PLANTATION RESORT
This oceanfront hotel complex is located on 145 beautifully landscaped acres on approximately a mile of pristine beach, just 12 miles from Myrtle Beach International Airport and minutes from restaurant row.
Kingston Plantation Condos: individually owned and decorated casual upscale multi-bedroom condos are in towers on either side of the Embassy or Hilton Hotel Resort.
Embassy Suites Oceanfront: All of the luxurious two-room suites feature a spacious bedroom with one king bed or two double beds, plus a separate living area with mini refrigerator and microwave, and a private balcony with ocean views. Suites are fully equipped with two 32″ LCD televisions, a sleeper sofa, and a well lit dining/work table.
Resort Dining
Complimentary Breakfast – All registered guests of the Embassy Suites will enjoy a complimentary breakfast buffet daily. Other resort guests can pay for the buffet. The restaurant offers great views of the ocean and pool complex. Before you leave home, go to www.embassykids.com for online games and offline printable activity sheets. Fish Eye Grill features daily fresh fish specials, along with regional Calabash style cuisine.
SPLASH! WATER PARK
Recreation
Splash! Water Park is open seasonally. This 50,000 pool area is the main feature for fun in the water. It offers water jets, water pumps, water slides and the “bucket”. The bucket is a 500 gallon bucket which fills with water and dumps every two minutes on participants below. Or, Enjoy one of 9 swimming pools at the resort. Relax in the Lazy River. Fun for kids and adults alike.
The large complex also offers a golf course, tennis and a huge Sport and Health Club. And, of course, the Beach – soft sand, great body board surfing, and the Apache Pier with fishing and nightly entertainment during summer. Easy place to make friends around the pool, set up a family tent on the beach or prepare light meals back at the room. This resort is perfect for safe family fun with plenty of leisure activities available. We highly recommend it! www.kingstonplantation.com
Live Entertainment each peak season evening at Apache Pier
CAMPING: Sleep Under the Stars
The Myrtle Beach area offers campers and outdoor enthusiasts a choice of nearly a dozen campgrounds, two state parks and more than 7,000 camping sites, all located in close proximity to the beach and other attractions and amenities along the Grand Strand. Some locations include:
Myrtle Beach State Park: Located in the heart of Myrtle Beach and boasts an impressive beach, fishing pier, 350 campsites, cabins, picnic shelters, activity center, nature center, hiking trails and free nature programs with admission to the park. For more information, call (843) 238-5325 or visit SouthCarolinaParks.com.
Huntington Beach State Park: The diverse natural environment of the South Carolina coast consists of freshwater lagoons, salt marshes, nature trails along the fabulous stretch of beach. The park has 133 campsites, picnic areas with shelters, nature programs and the historic castle Atalaya, once the winter home of sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington and her husband, Archer. For more information, call (843) 237-4440 or visit SouthCarolinaParks.com.
Ocean Lakes Family Campground: Visitors will enjoy beachfront camping on the eight fresh water lakes. On-site amenities include the Four Seasons Center with heated pool, and a 17,000-square-foot recreation center – plus nearly 900 campsites, 250 rentals units and over 2,000 annual lease sites. For more information, call (877) 510-1413 or visit OceanLakes.com.
Lakewood Camping Resort: Offers visitors the choice of oceanfront or lakefront campsites or villa accommodations; with available amenities including golf cart rentals, on-site telephones, heated swimming pool, three-acre recreation complex, and oceanfront amphitheater and meeting rooms for clubs and rallies. For more information, call (877) LAKEWOOD or visit LakewoodCampground.com.
Pirateland Family Camping Resort: For nearly 40 years, PirateLand campground has been accommodating family travelers with more than 700 campsites, a heated indoor swimming pool, two- and three-bedroom vacation rentals, golf packages and a beautiful, wide span of beach. For more information, call (800) 443-CAMP or visit Pirateland.com.
DINING
RIVERSIDE CAFE
RIVERSIDE CAFÉ: With 5 locations around Myrtle Beach, this is an inexpensive dining hangout where you eat peanuts and throw the shells on the floor. They have a few specialties but probably the best bets are their sandwiches – specifically their many burger varieties. And, if your kids dare, people can write on the walls, tables, chairs here – go ahead! Lunch and dinner served. www.rivercitycafe.com
MARGARITAVILLE
JIMMY BUFFETT’S MARGARITAVILLE RESTAURANT – MYRTLE BEACH: After a fun-filled day with the kids on the beach and later at Ripley’s Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach, you may not want to loose that tropical feeling. After checking out some spectacular sea creatures, have a late lunch/ early dinner next door at Margaritaville to stay in that island state of mind. Kids have their own menu at this tropical-themed eatery including standards like chicken fingers, a “cheeseburger in paradise” or spaghetti but also grilled tilapia and fried shrimp plus 4 other selections. Margaritaville’s specialties include chicken, shrimp and fish entrees often served with Island rice and your choice of mango salsa, Jerk BBQ or Island butter. Key lime pie or their Chocolate Hurricane make a great dessert. Although their food is fun, folks really come for the atmosphere. While you wait for your meal to be served, a pirate on stilts makes balloon hats (we got fun palm trees and a shark fin). Once an hour, a tropical storm brews and there’s a hurricane indoors! It’s a party over there! Lunch and Dinner served daily. www.margaritavillemyrtlebeach.com
Want more INSIDER SCOOPS on how to take budget-friendly day trips and turn them into vacations?
Ok, moms, not only do you have to plan the next great family vacation, but you’re also the person who should hold, in your care ONLY, a wondrous backpack that keeps peace. Here is a Suggested Checklist:
Extra set of house and vehicle keys
Medical Insurance Cards plus prescription meds handy
A secure assortment of OTC meds – esp. ibuprofen – kiddie & adult versions
Many probably don’t know exactly how to prepare for longer trips. Most wonder: What should I be doing to prepare my house while we’re away?
As the family that’s been to 1,000 different cities and over 5,000 places around the Eastern half of the country, we understand. Honestly, it takes a checklist – one similar to the one we’ve put together here – to keep this sometimes frazzled mommy mind on track.
BEFORE THE TRIP CHECKLIST – HOME
2 Days Before Trip
Return library materials that come due while you’re away
Find a good book to read at the local bookstore/library or download e-book.
Do Laundry
Clean House (no mom wants to come home to a mess)
Pay bills / Banking (have some cash on hand)
If a friend or neighbor cannot collect your mail, make arrangements for it to be held at the Post Office.
Eat leftovers and sandwiches to use up perishable items in fridge & pantry
Make an arrangement with a neighbor, friend or relative to check your home periodically.
Arrange for lawn care or snow removal. Ignoring these areas will make your house stand out in the neighborhood and announce to everyone that you are gone.
DAY BEFORE TRIP
Fill up gas tank
Charge cell phones
Run dishwasher
Pack snack bags and kids’ travel backpacks
Pack suitcases. Begin lining them up in foyer.
Day of Trip:
Toss or freeze perishable bread, milk, meats and cheeses.
Take out the trash
Fill the gas tank of your traveling vehicle
Water plants
Secure care of pets
Empty dishwasher. No dirty dishes in sink. No standing water.
Unplug computer and TV. Pack laptop.
Turn off water and/or put water tank on vacation
Set thermostat
Disconnect garage doors
Close windows and secure exit doors
Make sure oven/stove are OFF (better yet, don’t cook the day you’re leaving).
Out the door:
Flip breaker on garage doors OFF
Grab purse / wallet
Secure lock. Set alarm.
Don’t forget to grab your destination KIDS LOVE TRAVEL guidebook! Place it on your dashboard for handy reference.
Ok, you’re ready to go and create some new family memories! No Worries.
In the recession this past year, I’ve given lots of workshops on how to travel cheap. Most everyone leaves with simple, clear ways to SAVE $$ on their next trip – hopefully, hundreds of $$!
But you know I never tell you anything from stage that I haven’t done myself. Nor do I ever receive $$ for a review of places we visit for our books.
WARNING: advice sources need to be analyzed before you make plans. One thing folks have consistently told me after each talk is how frustrated they’ve become with online FREE travel advice.
Example: many free websites are outdated – YOU end up having to check everything because the author just took free time (not professional travel writer) to post some fun things THEY like to do – not an offering of most everything available for family travel. Most folks who post lists start with the right intentions but what parent has the time to upkeep any list unless it’s their career?
Example: Websites are sponsored or biased. You’re swayed to spend more $ going to places that can afford to advertise or sponsor travel websites or bloggers.
Example: Friends advice. If you’re not on a budget and don’t mind just going to the most popular spots – try free web services. But, if you lean towards hidden gems and some freebies mixed in – you need an expert resource.
Conclusion: it’s your road trip, mom and dad – YOU make the plans that best suit your family tastes and budget. Just be sure the information you consult is varied and dependable (you may have to invest a little $ but not so much time). In the long run, it will save you loads of time (internet searching), $$ (not just going to high end places) but still prevent the possibility of vacation duds.
Other FREEBIES: Kids Love Travel offers FREE major updates to ALL of our books online and on email updates to free subscribers. Now you have a printed book (ORGANIZED SOURCE) PLUS the customer only benefit of online updates to keep the book FRESH for years.
HAD A VACATION DUD? I want to hear about it so we can warn others!
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