Non-Disney Budget Vacations

[Tygerlilly]

We've decided to skip Disney this fall and do some extra trips around the country. We're a family of 5, two adults, and a 8, 7, and 3 year old.

What have been some of your favorite budget friendly vacations? Thinking in the $2000 and under range (not including hotels/food as that's going to be an expense no matter where we go). We're open to pretty much anything.

 

[wabbott]

We've been to the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area several times over the years. Great Smokey Mountain NP is beautiful, with several first-class waterfalls if you don't mind the hike. There's plenty of overlooks and sights to see from the roadside pull-offs if hiking isn't doable.

Gatlinburg has some kid-friendly activities, and Pigeon Forge has Dollywood. We like the area in the summer, as it gives us a break from the Louisiana heat/humidity.

If you go in the fall, the colors are great, especially along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Camping at state or national parks are an option. Was just chatting about it with another aficionado
For my family it was a true bonding timeframe and the savings from doing it 10 odd years in a row allowed us to ultimately branch into WDW in the manner we preferred.

 

[Twilghtsprkle]

Depends on where you are located. For me I can easily take the train to NYC or drive to Boston, Montreal, Philadelphia or Washington DC which makes those locations more budget friendly because of no airfare or car rentals.

 

[Tygerlilly]

Depends on where you are located. For me I can easily take the train to NYC or drive to Boston, Montreal, Philadelphia or Washington DC which makes those locations more budget friendly because of no airfare or car rentals.

We are in Oklahoma. We'd also be driving. We can have anywhere between 10 and 17 days so distance isn't a huge deal breaker.

 

[katyjeka]

White Sands National Park (kids will love sliding down the dunes), Washington D.C (a lot of free activities including the zoo), St. Louis (riding to the top of the arch, free zoo), Redwood National Park, Gettysburg, Baltimore Harbor, to name a few....National Parks are great for kids, and if you have a fourth grader you are able to download a free pass that is good for your entire car. They also offer kid stations, and the rangers are really good with kids.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Following

 

[MICKIMINI]

Four corners region is amazing! If you are AAA, get a big old fashioned paper map and a sharpie and go for it. We drove I40 on our way back from that area to NH (I90 on the way to WY). Back in the day without smart phones, we depended on maps. Our son was the navigator.

GCNP never gets old and make sure you make a reservation in the park. Black Bart's is a great place to eat in Flagstaff. Monument Valley is amazing as are the Utah National Parks. We love Santa Fe and the surrounding area. There is just so much to see in those four States. You can buy a National Park Pass for the entire trip. Load up a picnic cooler as there are many places without services. It will be mostly gas and lodging.

There are many other places I could recommend, but your proximity to that area stood out to me. Wherever you go, enjoy!

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

You light like Branson MO. There is Silver Dollar City, lots of small attractions, and the lake. Something for everyone.

 

[DanceDisney23]

I second Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/Dollywood. We ditched Disney for that destination this spring. It was considerably cheaper and there is so much to do!

It should also be a reasonable drive from OK.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I second the pigeon forge/gatlinburg area. It’s beautiful, not too hot and lots of fun stuff to do. Not sure how far of a drive that would be though. A beach vacay is always fun and not too expensive since the ocean is free.

 

[tampabrat22]

We did an Arizona road trip last year and loved it. We spent days in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, Flagstaff, at the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Williams and Prescott. If we ever go again we will spend more nights at the Grand Canyon (we stayed in the Bright Angel Lodge) and Sedona because those were both amazing places.

 

[tetera]

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[Minnesota!]

Black Hills/Badlands was incredible and super affordable!

 

[starry_solo]

Do you want to fly or stay local (within 4-6 hours driving distance?

Our family enjoys various National Parks

 

[Kestryl]

Another vote for national parks in general. Find your closest ones and then move out from there.

I live in east Tennessee, and while I can appreciate the Smokies and parts of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, I do not think it lives up to the hype and I think it's more expensive than its reputation implies. Dollywood is great, but day tickets are $82. (Look at season passes or for discount cards.) Those dinner shows in Pigeon Forge start around $35 per kid, $60 per adult. (Again, look for discount cards). Mountain coasters start at $10 a ride; Ripley's Aquarium $40; Anakeestra $35. And Tennessee tries to make up for its lack of income tax through higher spending taxes (aka trying to get our tax money from tourists). Sales tax is 9.75%; tax on groceries is 6.75%. Plus traffic is a monster, and you will absolutely need a car to get around because there is almost no public transport (unless you are really lucky with the trolley schedule and route.)

So what I'm saying is while is can be a cheaper vacation, watch what you do, because it adds up quickly.

 

[Tygerlilly]

Four corners region is amazing! If you are AAA, get a big old fashioned paper map and a sharpie and go for it. We drove I40 on our way back from that area to NH (I90 on the way to WY). Back in the day without smart phones, we depended on maps. Our son was the navigator.

GCNP never gets old and make sure you make a reservation in the park. Black Bart's is a great place to eat in Flagstaff. Monument Valley is amazing as are the Utah National Parks. We love Santa Fe and the surrounding area. There is just so much to see in those four States. You can buy a National Park Pass for the entire trip. Load up a picnic cooler as there are many places without services. It will be mostly gas and lodging.

There are many other places I could recommend, but your proximity to that area stood out to me. Wherever you go, enjoy!

We've absolutely considered that area. It's actually pretty high up on our list. We'll have to look into it a little more.

You light like Branson MO. There is Silver Dollar City, lots of small attractions, and the lake. Something for everyone.

We do Branson 1-2x a year and love it! I could go for some Paula Deen's right about now.

I second Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/Dollywood. We ditched Disney for that destination this spring. It was considerably cheaper and there is so much to do!

It should also be a reasonable drive from OK.

I've looked at it, but it seems pricy to do a lot of the things. Like each attraction was going to be $100+ for us to do. Maybe I'll look again.

Do you want to fly or stay local (within 4-6 hours driving distance?

Our family enjoys various National Parks

We would be driving. Distance is not an issue because we have a decent amount of days (10-17 depending on if hubby takes 1 or 2 weeks off).

 

[katyjeka]

I wanted to add that we love Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg but it is far from a budget trip. We've spent Christmas in a cabin for the last several years and unless you stick to the national park everything is going to cost.I know Xmas week is expensive but the attractions can easily add up anytime of the year. It's a great vacation but it's going to cost.

 

[smwisc]

I don't think I have any original suggestions here, but I'll reiterate:
- Black Hills/Badlands SD
- Great Smoky Mountains NP
- St. Louis
- Washington, D.C.

With all of those you certainly CAN spend a lot of money, but it is also very very possible to have a wonderful trip without spending a lot of money. You just have to plan your attractions to tilt heavily toward the free ones, and be very selective on which things you pay money for. If you exclude food and lodging (which I don't, generally), we've done each of those for under $2000 (in some cases, well under) for a family of five for a week or more.

 

[patm95]

We’ve been to Gatlinburg several times. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Rent a cabin. Spend time in there bonding. They often have hot tubs, movie rooms, arcades. Walk some trails. Have some picnics. It’s a great time.