The kids may be dreaming of Disney, but big amusement parks aren’t exactly wallet-friendly. Even worse, these popular destinations tend to be crowded and uncomfortable. If you’d rather spend your kid-time playing than waiting in line, we’ve got a handful of kid-friendly and budget-friendly destinations that you and your kids will love. Check these out for this year’s spring break.
Cape Cod
You don’t have to wait until summer to visit the Cape. Many hotels and resorts are open year round, and the rates in the off-season can be extremely attractive. Among our favorite family destinations any time of year is Plymouth, Massachusetts. While not strictly speaking a part of the Cape, Plymouth is close enough for day trips to Provincetown in one direction and Boston in the other. While you won’t spend much time swimming in the ocean on the Cape in April, you’ll still find plenty of amusement for you and the kids. If you’re looking for a cheap family getaway, check out the John Carver Inn, located just outside downtown Plymouth. Their big attraction is an indoor pool, complete with water slide and waterfalls, and the range of activities for kids might include bingo, cookie decorating and a live animal show. The Inn boasts an onsite family restaurant, The Hearth and Kettle, and an adult lounge with live music. If you happen to feel like leaving the hotel, you’ll find lots of shops, restaurants and attractions within walking distance. The family value package is as low as $103 for a family of four, and includes a $20 meal allowance for lunch or dinner each day, $10 breakfast allowance and admission to the wave pool.
Washington, D.C.
You can’t go wrong with a trip to the U.S. capitol, even during school break weeks. There are free museums, outdoor monuments and if you hit the season just right, you’ll be there for cherry blossom time. If you’re looking for a hotel with great family deals, check out the Embassy Suites DC Metro, which offers family vacation deals at all times of year. The DC Explorer Package, for example, offers complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast, two all-day Metro passes and up to two DC Kids Fun Packs. There’s an indoor pool and a free game room, and the hotel is on the Red and Blue lines, so it’s easy to get to all the top DC attractions, including the National Zoo and the Smithsonian Institute.
Williamsburg, VA
Just a short hop away from DC, you can travel back nearly 400 years in time with a visit to Colonial Williamsburg. You can vacation with the kids on the cheap at The Historic Powhatan Resort, which features a fully restored 1735 Manor House, indoor and outdoor pools, full kitchen and laundry facilities and comfortable condo accommodations. The resort is just 4 miles from Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg, and less than 10 miles from Busch Gardens and Water Country. Prices start as low as $99 a night. Add a ticket to Busch Gardens Williamsburg and save even more.
Tuscon, AZ
Looking for a great time for the kids in a warm location? Check out the Tanque Verde Ranch in Tucson, Arizona for a true ranch vacation experience. The all-inclusive rates include three meals a day, breakfast rides, barbecue dinners and lots of outdoor activities to keep you and your kids busy all day. If you’d rather build your vacation deal a la carte, by-the-night prices start at just $199 a night for a 1-room suite with two queen beds.
Bahamas
The Bahamas have a well-deserved reputation for being party-friendly during spring break, but don’t let that discourage you from taking a family vacation there. Just look around for Bahama resorts that are off the beaten path. The Sunrise Resort and Marina, for example, is located outside the main drag, and offers a number of amenities that make it a great spot for a relaxing family vacation. You’ll get free use of the hotel’s bicycles, kayaks and paddle boat, ping-pong and billiards, a freshwater pool and free Wi-Fi during your stay. With rates starting as low as $110 a night, you’ll have plenty of cash left to book snorkeling trips, golfing, horseback riding and other beach-y activities.
Don’t spend a fortune taking your kids on expensive vacations. Check out these vacation family deals for a spring break your family will remember forever.