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As an added bonus, when you are registered at a state park, you gain free entrance into all state parks. This area is loaded with beautiful parks full of gorge trails, lake views, and camping facilities. And, if you find
time, you can visit Corning Glass Museum not far from this campground.
This is a tourist area you will definitely find yourself wanting to revisit. We did not get to see all we had wanted to see in a weeks time. You are likely to find an area of such natural beauty convenient to you as well. Just do a little research, you never know what you'll find!
If you want to beach it, be sure to check out all your options for lodging. Sometimes a large family can do better by renting a condo or home for week rather than staying at a hotel. Remember, you can save a tremendous amount of money if you can prepare your own meals while on vacation. A good portion of a families vacation budget can be literally "eaten up"! Even a little kitchenette in a suite can save you big bucks.If you're campers, you can almost always find a campground near popular beach areas and get maximum savings on lodging.
Don't forget your best resources, friends and family. Ask around to see if anyone has visited an area you plan to go. You may get lucky and have a "friend that has a friend" who maybe has a vacation spot they wouldn't mind renting to you for a lesser fee. Sometimes people won't rent out their vacation spots for various reasons, but don't mind doing so if tenant is a trusted acquaintance of a friend or family member.
When travel and lodging are cost prohibitive, you can still have a vacation right at home. Yes, in your own backyard. Many of us live within reasonable distance to museums, campgrounds, historic sites, and beautiful state parks. You might be surprised at what you find in your own local area. Do some research in your area to find free or low cost activities and sites to visit. Schedule something for each day of week, even if it's just a park visit for a picnic. Some areas have local public beaches. Plan an outing at a local public beach. Visit historical sites. Many of these are free, educational, and fun for parents and kids.
- You can even plan activities at home just as if you were at an exotic vacation spot. Have a different theme for each day. For example:
- A beach day (sun tanning, volley ball, make some fancy icy drinks to sip on in sun, have a picnic)
- A camp day (stay in a tent or sleeping bags under stars, build a little fire if allowed in your area, roast marshmallows, make smores, sing campfire songs)
- Have a backyard fair (create booths with games like ring toss or balloon popping to win little prizes)
- A colonial day (dress, and live in another era!). This is great fun. I thought of this one purely by accident when electricity went out one day. The kids expressed how "neat' it was to live like they did in "old days." No lighting except candles and lanterns, no T.V. or radio, no video games or computer. Sounds boring, but believe it or not, they had fun coming up with ideas to keep occupied. A good teaching tool too! Shhhhhhhh….. don't tell kids.
These "theme days" at home will take some imagination and a little work, but will be loads of fun for everyone. Half fun will be in creation, so let everyone pitch in. You may even have more fun than actually being there!
Whatever you decide to do, if you're traveling a great distance be sure to check all your travel options. With today's soaring gas prices it's not unlikely that you may be able to get there faster, and cheaper, in air. Hey, maybe there's a conspiracy here?
If all this just doesn't fall into your category of "fun", and you just have to have that exotic resort vacation, then at least be sensible about it. There are many great deals on vacation packages and off season rentals. And oodles of travel agencies just waiting to tell you about them. This is one area where do-it-yourself isn't most practical advice. Travel agencies are privy to a lot of travel information, especially seasonal discounts, that you and I don't have knowledge of. Do Your Research at least for goodness sake. You won't be kicking yourself later when you come across that great deal you missed out on!
Check out your local travel agencies, as well as some of many online agencies. Don't forget, if you're an AAA member you’re eligible for travel discounts. Before finalizing any plans, be sure to know your rights. What happens if you have to cancel? What is deadline to cancel? Will you loose your deposit or is it refundable? Know your options.
Wherever you go, whatever you do, don't lose sight of value of a family vacation. Be sure to schedule quality time together no matter what your destination. Be safe and enjoy!
Cheryl Johnson is a mother of four helping herself and others become and remain debt free. Publisher of Simple Debt Free Living - A self-help plan, ideas, and resources for debt reduction, personal budgeting, frugal living, and extra income opportunities.
