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FAMILIES LOVE TRAVEL – ON THE CHEAP

  • May 18, 2020 9:12 am

Take a Vacation without Breaking the Bank

-notes from Michele Z, the Family Travel Mom

Here are some tips to help you put together a trip that they will all enjoy…on a tight budget:

  1. Simplify your lodgings. Either join a rewards club or, if you can, plan to visit areas of the country where you can stay with friends or relatives.  Another option- vacation homes and campgrounds – using a grill or fully equipped kitchen and washer/dryer facility yourself saves money. Of course, the best way to save on hotels is to not use them. Plan day trips to sights and attractions within driving distance instead.
  2. Attractions. Buying tickets in advance online can save not only money, but time as well. Go in a group for shows and fee-paid attractions at a group discount. Get more value from historical places by: re-enactments, history mysteries, state history workbooks.
  3. Babysitting. When planning a road trip with young children, ask grandparents or another close relative to come along to watch the kids. This allows you and your spouse some time alone without paying for resort babysitting services.
  4. Discount or Membership Card. Buy a discount attractions pass for large cities like Chicago, Orlando, New York – especially if you know you’re going to visit four or more sites around town. You can also save up to $500.00 with free discount cards provided by local CVBs.  Some supermarket chains offer great discount tickets to major attractions in the area by just signing up for their Customer Card. If you already have family memberships to your local Children’s Museum, Science Center, Zoo or Aquarium, find out which places offer Free or Discounted Reciprocal Admission.
  5. Economize on meals.  Plan to splurge on one meal, but make the other meals less expensive. Staying at a hotel with a complimentary continental breakfast is our favorite option.  Pay attention to three magic words, “Kids Eat Free,” especially at hotel and chain restaurants. Look for Extra Value Meals or Early Bird specials, too. Often, historic taverns offer better value deals for lunch vs. dinner menus so maybe consider making lunch your main meal of the day.
  6. Freebies. (Yes, they still exist!) Keep the little ones entertained without opening the wallet at upscale mall stores like a Lego Store or Discovery Stores. Many upscale hotels now have live, caged animals in their lobby such as exotic birds.  Once or twice a day the management offers public programs with a naturalist or you can chance upon a feeding time.  Another freebie – free admission special events or festivals. Best of all, though, are the attractions that are still FREE admission.  One-quarter to one-third of all Kids Love Travel series guidebooks offer reviews on attractions that never, or hardly ever, charge to get in!
  7. Getting Around. Dad did all that driving to get there, now he just wants to get out of the van and take a nap, but the family is ready to see the sites. Most every tourist town has a trolley service and most every trolley has on/off privileges. To save even more money, opt out of actually visiting the historic museums (probably boring for kids anyway) and just absorb the views and snipits from the trolley guide.  Walking is free, too. Some historic towns are very walkable (ex. Alexandria, St. Augustine, Fredericksburg, DC, Lexington, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, etc.)
  8. Giving In.  Moms say “yes” to kids more often and to more requests on vacation. So, give in moms, but cheaply. The number one request of kids on vacation: Staying up late and Sleeping in – so let them, no cost here. Next on kids’ list was treats. Most “treats” like ice cream cones are little cost compared to sit-down meals so splurge on that cone or candy but save on dinner because the kids won’t be that hungry!
  9. Go off season.  Not only will the crowds be reduced, but hotels offer deep discounts and gift shops run clearance sales during off-peak times of year.
  10. Pack to Save.  A last minute purchase or rental of certain items out of necessity can add up quickly. If you have the room, bring your own stroller or bicycles. If you like to theme park or bike/hike, we have suggestions at our workshops and in the KIDS LOVE FLORIDA BOOK about what to pack in your backpack.

Kids grow up fast.  Enjoy time with them (inexpensively) while they’re young. Remember, this year may offer the best travel deals ever!  2020 – Michele Zavatsky

Want more ideas about how to plan your next family trip – and, maybe learn some tricks on how to get the most value? Michele Z, the Family Travel Mom, has been to 5,000 places and shares her journals in her KIDS LOVE TRAVEL GUIDEBOOKS – Family Travel Guides.

Visit www.KidsLoveTravel.com and let YOUR next family adventure begin!

Teens Do Country in Nashville

  • April 21, 2015 2:05 pm

In Nashville, it is truly all about the music. Country music is woven into every corner downtown. www.visitmusiccity.com

So we ventured around town with our teens for a day or two trying to catch that country vibe best…(and stayed within 4 blocks on/near Broadway)

kidslovetennessee nashville
kidslovetennessee nashville
kidslovetennesee giant guitar

Country Music Hall of Fame (PG 32, KIDS LOVE TENNESSEE, 232 Fifth Avenue South, http://countrymusichalloffame.org/) has a lot more interactive areas than we remember from previous visits. Now kids and teens can really engage their talents with inspiring creative activities and scavenger hunts…

Expansion: The new Taylor Swift Education Center is a “learning lab” as well as a children’s exhibit gallery…perfect for the younger set.

Johnny Cash Museum – 119 Third Avenue South. www.johnnycash.com. The museum is dedicated to “The Man in Black”, which, btw, is a super cool legend to teens. Lots of interesting never before seen letters, costumes and instruments reside in themed displays while Johnny’s music plays in the background.

GooGoo Shop – It’s a Honky Tonk for your taste buds! (across street from Johnny Cash Museum).  116 Third Avenue South. www.googoo.com. Invented in 1912 in a copper kettle right here in Nashville, the GooGoo Cluster is the world’s first combination candy bar. The Goo Goo Shop is more than a shop. It’s also a museum, a candy kitchen and a piece of Nashville history. Open daily.

Honky Tonk Highway – Music City’s honky tonks line both sides of Broadway and pump live music into the streets all day, every day. There’s no cover charge but the tip jar gets passed around for those wanting to appreciate the musicians. The music starts at 10am with the party lasting until 3 in the morning. Many clubs require ID after dark so enjoying this “highway” is best with teens to catch lunch or early dinner. Tootsie’s and Tequila Cowboy were our favs!

Wildhorse Saloon – (pg 50, KIDS LOVE TENNESSEE) 120 Second Avenue North www.wildhorsesaloon.com. This famous hot spot features hot bands, good food, fun drinks and line dancing fun! Our baseball team of teens joined us for dinner and dancing and…though reluctant at first, they loved it! (probably didn’t hurt there were pretty country girls in boots smiling at them from the dance floor)

Wildhorse is one of few venues playing live music evenings that is family friendly.       (youth are allowed entrance evenings accompanied by an adult)                                        The parents tagging along had as much fun watching our kids as we did learning a new dance step or two…

kidslovetennessee wildhorse saloon

Clarion Hotel Nashville Downtown – www.continentalinnsofamerica.com. 211 North 1st Street. The biggest draw to this lodging – the free downtown shuttle service and the fair price – about $120/night. Other perks: free deluxe hot breakfast buffet, mini fridge & micro in room, indoor pool & fitness center, lobby bistro & bar, nice renovated rooms. The staff were very welcoming and helpful as we tried to navigate the shuttle and all we wanted to do while downtown.

Family Travel Tips for Christmas

  • November 30, 2010 8:53 am

Think the family budget has no room for a family weekend trip right now?

Read our budget travel tips for making a quick Seasonal Getaway 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.  For the road, PACK small wrapped gifts of  TRAVEL GAMES & TOYS the kids get to open every couple of hours.  Why wait for all the gift giving on one day? Spread stocking stuffer giving out there & back.  

3.  If your budget allows, have the VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH A TV/DVD unit. Play Christmas dvds all the way…

4.  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 will not stay in places that are dirty. 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. 

In suburbs, I spend no more than $70 per night. Beach properties, no more than $100. Those rates are with the extras I look for.  For some other family lodging tips read: Three Tips On Choosing Budget Family Accommodation http://bit.ly/1qANyJ.

 5.  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?

Each Week in December we’ll choose more Holiday Travel Tips and share some examples.

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?

Please comment and let us know…

KIDS LOVE SOUTH CAROLINA – MYRTLE BEACH LODGING & DINING

  • August 24, 2010 8:44 am
Kingston Plantation condos sunrise view

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?

Pick up a copy of one of these family travel guides and let the exploring begin!

It really is like pressing the EASY BUTTON for family travel…

DC FOR FREE – WASHINGTON, D.C. ON THE CHEAP

  • July 18, 2009 8:33 am

One of the most visited cities in the country, Washington, D.C. is a huge attraction. But, many big attractions come with a big price tag. Here’s how we suggest doing this must see American attraction on a budget:

  • Overnight in nearby Virginia suburbs close to a Metro Station so once you get up in the morning – you can easily navigate the Metro or highway into town. The Holiday Inn Chantilly Dulles-Expo is one choice. It is located near the Udvar-Hazy Center, just minutes from Dulles International Airport. The hotel features spacious guest rooms with free wireless high speed internet, free airport shuttles 24/7 and even a free drop off to Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum. In general, travelers find the best hotel rates on weekends and in late summer or winter. Rates start at $189.
  • Meals – try to plan it so that you only eat one paid meal out each day. Base that “one meal” on the time of day when your family can get the most value or volume of food. The hotel offers Kids Eat Free at Bob O’s Restaurant with a daily continental breakfast buffet, a full a la carte breakfast and dinner menu. Their appetizers are actually my favorite – especially the mini crab cakes! Another option, if you don’t mind fast food, is one of six chain restaurants right across the street (Wendys, Arbys, Chick-fil-A, etc.).
  • Cheap Meals (continued): For the remaining meals of the day, pack a backpack full of non-perishable PB&J sandwiches, apples, breakfast bars and water bottles or juice boxes to drink. If you like to picnic, the National Mall and West Or East Potomac Park have cheap parking spaces (if you can find one) and dozens of lawn sites to spread out a picnic blanket. You’ll be dining, al fresco, by a view of famous monuments. Also, surrounding the White House are oodles of vendors offering the best prices in town on souvenirs and sandwiches. It’s a block or two walk to lawn space between the Lincoln & Washington Monuments.