16 Affordable Family Vacations to Take This Summer

Family vacations take some planning, especially if you’re looking to stay within a certain budget. While any trip will set you back a bit, there are plenty of destinations where the summer season is quieter or lodging and food are less expensive. These affordable family vacation ideas include a handful of relaxing beach towns, bustling city excursions, and trips that include a bit of both. We’ve also listed both domestic and international options, so you’ll find inspiration for an all-out adventure as well as ideas for a long weekend away.

• Best domestic trip: Bar Harbor, Maine
• Best international trip: Lisbon
• Best for relaxation: Rincón, Puerto Rico
• Best adventure destination: Winter Park, Colorado
• Underrated hidden gem: Mackinac Island, Michigan

Read on for the rest of our recommended destinations where you can have a memorable family vacation at a reasonable price.

Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar Harbor is known for its outdoor recreation, making it an excellent spot for a less-expensive summer vacation. You’ll find plenty of places to go swimming, including the freshwater beach at Echo Lake, which has calm waves that are good for kids. You can also follow signs labeled “The Museum in the Streets” around Bar Harbor to create your own walking tour, or hop on one of the myriad hiking or cycling trails. For kids who want to learn about local Maine wildlife, visiting the donation-based George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History is a must. It’s full of hands-on exhibits, including a touch tank with creatures from Frenchman Bay.

At nearby Acadia National Park, a vehicle pass will get the whole family into the park for a day of hiking, wildlife spotting, and taking in rugged coastal views. Or better yet, ride the fare-free Island Explorer shuttle into and through the park to avoid the entrance fee and the hassle of parking. Once you visit, you’ll see why Maine is considered one of the best places to travel in August.

Lisbon

Ready to take your kids to Europe? In Lisbon, families can enjoy an all-in-one city and beach vacation. Explore the Portuguese capital’s distinct neighborhoods, castles, and palaces, or hop aboard a funicular to climb its steep hills for a scenic tour. Lisbon is also home to 10 free museums, including the kid-friendly Money Museum, where you can learn about bartering and how money evolved over time.

When you’re ready for a break from the city and a day on the sand, hop aboard the train and head to the nearby seaside town of Cascais. Ribeira Beach is popular in the summer—it overlooks the fishing harbor and has calm water perfect for swimming. There are other beaches just east of this spot if you need more room to spread out.

Rincón, Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has a little something for everyone, and it’s easily accessible for U.S. citizens as you don’t need a passport. The surf town of Rincón, on the westernmost tip of the island, is about a 2.5-hour drive from San Juan. Its laid-back vibe, beautiful beaches, and great waves are perfect for families. Book a room at the Rincon of the Seas Grand Caribbean Hotel, or save on food by reserving a villa with a kitchen—the largest villas can accommodate up to six people. Either way, this hotel puts you right on the sea and has a stunning beachfront pool perfect for lounging and playing.

Winter Park, Colorado

While you might think of Winter Park as a snowy destination, it’s also a great place to visit in the summer, especially if you’re looking to escape the heat. Families can enjoy hiking, ropes courses, gondola rides, and climbing walls in a single day. Buy your day passes early—these provide access to all the activities noted—to secure the best available prices.

Snow Mountain Ranch, a YMCA camp about 20 minutes away by car, has one of the only summertime tubing hills in the United States, as well as miniature golf, archery, and a climbing wall to keep everyone busy.

Mackinac Island, Michigan

In the summer, there’s no place like Mackinac Island, a National Historic Landmark void of chain hotels and cars—yes, you read that right. Instead, your family will be treated to an old-timey experience filled with world-famous Mackinac Island fudge and days spent biking around the island, taking a ferry under the Mackinac Bridge, or cruising around the coast by kayak.

The star of the island is the historic Grand Hotel, which opened its doors in 1887. In addition to old-world hospitality and perks like afternoon tea, the hotel features on-site stables and an expansive pool. Kids can also spend the day playing lawn games and mini-golf. Booking in advance and choosing a package or less-busy “value dates” will make your stay less expensive.

San Diego

California’s sunny San Diego has tons of activities for families, with theme parks, water parks, kid-friendly museums, and 70 miles of beaches. If your family wants to visit multiple attractions, it can get expensive. The Go City All-Inclusive Pass can be used for top attractions such as the San Diego Zoo, Legoland California, harbor cruises, and several museums in Balboa Park, providing you with discounts of up to 50 percent per person.

Better yet, choose some free activities, such as a day at Coronado Beach, one of San Diego’s best beaches. You’ll find historic and replica buildings, museum exhibits, and plenty of areas for kids to run around at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Kids will love visiting the resident burros and the blacksmith shop. Grab a Junior Ranger booklet from the visitor center to get the full experience.

St. Louis

There are lots of free and low-cost attractions in St. Louis, making it a summer favorite for families. If your children love animals, visit Purina Farms (open mid-April to October), which offers dog agility shows and animal barnyards. The Saint Louis Zoo is another free option, where you can see lemurs, elephants, and anteaters up close. The Saint Louis Art Museum is especially kid-friendly on Sundays when it offers a special program with hands-on art activities.

You can’t visit St. Louis without a stop at the iconic Gateway Arch. The museum at the base of the arch is free to visit and has exhibits on everything from how the city was founded in 1764 to the construction of the 630-foot-high monument in the 1960s. You’ll have to pay a fee if you want to ride the tram to the observation deck at the top—but the sweeping city views are worth it.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

“Kidsburgh” has tons of great activities for families—from the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium to the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. In the summer, there’s a 10-day Grand Prix with vintage cars and walking tours to help you enjoy the city and get some exercise. You’ll also find economical lunch spots throughout town, such as The Pub Chip Shop, which is well-known for its shareable portions and reasonable prices.

The subway’s free fare zone connects six stations downtown where no fare is required, making for an easy and economical way to get around. Consider hiking or biking a section of the Great Allegheny Passage, which provides a scenic, outdoorsy way to explore the city’s many bridges and tunnels along a 150-mile trail.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

If you and your kids love the water, head to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where you’ll find 60 miles of soft sand. Broadway at the Beach is another fun spot in the summer, with live musical performances and Tuesday night fireworks. If your family is into mini-golf, this seaside town boasts over 30 courses.

Many families choose to stay at a property with its own entertainment to keep costs down. At The Breakers, guests can enjoy five waterslides, several on-property pools, a sunken pirate ship, and a long lazy river.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Located next to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg is for the adventurous outdoor lover, with plenty of opportunities for biking, horseback riding, and whitewater rafting, and more than 800 miles of hiking trails. For a day of shopping the whole family can get behind, visit the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, an eight-mile loop road with eateries alongside artisan galleries selling handmade goods.

Lodging options in Gatlinburg include resorts and cabins—check the tourism board’s website to see which ones offer free nights or discounts. Gatlinburg is also about a 20-minute drive from country music icon Dolly Parton’s famous Dollywood, a great day trip for all the amusement park lovers out there.

Vienna

The walkability of Vienna is part of what makes it such an affordable stop for families. Plus, there are several free walking tours, including options that introduce you to the music and street art of Austria’s capital city. With the Vienna Pass, travelers get access to more than 90 of the city’s top attractions, including museums, a giant Ferris wheel, and spots like Madame Tussauds wax museum. The pass has single- and multiday options, including up to six days at a steep discount.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is ideal for a family beach getaway thanks to its many all-inclusive resorts. While the country has lots of amazing destinations that are worth visiting, it’s pretty hard to top Punta Cana. All ages can enjoy the 30 miles of white-sand coastline, picturesque coconut palms, and direct flights from more than 28 countries and 96 cities around the world.

Washington, D.C.

For a family vacation in a bustling city full of affordable hotels, kid-friendly restaurants, and free attractions, plan a visit to Washington, D.C. The nation’s capital has lots to offer for anyone on a budget. All the Smithsonian museums, the National Zoo, and the monuments and memorials along the National Mall are free to enter, as are several outdoorsy spots like Rock Creek Park and the U.S. National Arboretum. Plan ahead, though, as some of these attractions require free timed passes for entry.

Register in advance through your home state representative’s office and take the kids on a free (and educational) tour of The White House—if all else fails, the White House Visitor Center just around the corner makes a worthy alternative. You can also reserve free timed tickets online for a guided tour of the U.S. Capitol Building.

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

There’s plenty of free fun to be had right across the border in Canada. In Victoria, British Columbia, on the country’s western coast, families can stroll through Beacon Hill Park, try their hand at lawn bowling, or drop by the children’s farm to meet the park’s residents and watch the twice-daily “goat stampede.”

For a day of coastal bliss, walk along the water at iconic Fisherman’s Wharf to see the colorful houseboats and grab a sweet treat at Jackson’s Ice Cream. If your kids are more adventurous, WildPlay Element Parks offers a variety of activities from zip lining and aerial courses to ax throwing and bungee jumping.

Morro Bay, California

There’s nothing quite like settling in along the California coast with your kids in tow, and the often overlooked community of Morro Bay is a great place to visit. Spot otters and whales from the coast, pack a picnic to enjoy on the beach, or spend the day sailing, golfing, biking, or surfing. When you need a break, grab a bite at Sylvester’s Burgers—the garlic fries are out of this world.

Afterward, head to Morro Bay State Park or hike the Black Hill Trail to the top for some epic views of Morro Rock. The Morro Bay Museum of Natural History is free for kids and has hands-on interpretive exhibits that teach you about the estuary and animals that live there.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

A trip to the Grand Canyon is almost certainly on the to-do list for lots of families. And while the natural wonder tends to be busy in the summer, you can avoid the crowds and find better pricing by heading to the North Rim (open seasonally). Cozy up in the Grand Canyon Lodge—book early to secure a room—or reserve a campsite at the North Rim Campground. This area offers pleasant summer temperatures and serves as the perfect base camp to enjoy the abundant wildlife, hiking trails, and views of the stunning canyon, which is 270 miles long, 18 miles wide, and a mile deep.