After all the craziness with the coronavirus pandemic have you been thinking about how great it would be to have a vacation or even just a road trip with the family?
A lot of folks are still trying to save and prepare for the long haul hoping that this crisis ends soon.
At the same time, I think we all have been a little stir crazy with being cooped up at home and needing to see something else rather than those same walls every day.
The issue for you and many others may be that a vacation just isn’t in your budget right now. But I wanted to share a few places that, if they are a reasonable distance from your hometown, may be a great place to take a small road trip vacation to see some beautiful places, reset, and refresh from the stresses and isolation of the past few months while not breaking the bank.
Take a look at some of these locations that would make a great road trip without breaking the bank:
Niagara Falls, New York
With the gorgeous waterfalls being the main attraction, Niagara Falls is completely free to see! Parking can be around $10 and they have a few different parking areas. If you want to skip on the hassle of finding a parking spot, you can always use an Uber or Lyft to drive you to the park as well.
There are many other things to do at Niagara Falls as well such as the Maid of the Mist boat tour, botanical gardens, nature preserves, and much more! Some of these activities do charge per ticket. Generally around $20/adult, $13 for teenagers, and are free for younger children!
Albuquerque, New Mexico
If you live in an area that has fierce winters, Albuquerque is a great place to escape to soak up some sun! Albuquerque is packed with things to do with the family. Here are just a few:
- History, Legends & Lore of Old Town Albuquerque
- ABQ BioPark Zoo
- Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure - Albuquerque
- La Luz Trail Sandia Mountain Hike
If you have a little more to spend you can experience other attractions such as The Wild West Towns and Turquoise Trail Tour and lots of other amazing old town attractions. You can even just hop to the dozens of wonderful restaurants with amazing Mexican cuisine!
San Antonio, Texas
If you’ve ever heard about San Antonio you have heard about the infamous Riverwalk. You can stroll the Riverwalk for free and see thousands of amazing shops and restaurants.
Another must-see in San Antonio is the Alamo which is not far from the Riverwalk. You can see the historic battlefield of the Alamo and other amazing landmarks.
Here are a few other things to do in San Antonio:
- Japanese Tea Garden
- The San Antonio Zoo
- The Witte Museum of Nature, Science, and Culture
- Alamo City Golf Trail
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas has some of the biggest attractions in the country. Although it is most known for being extravagant, the gambling scene, and other nefarious attractions, Vegas really has many other things to do that are family friendly and won’t break the bank.
Flights to Vegas can be relatively cheap during the summer time and you won’t have much trouble finding a flight that suits your budget if you’re unable to make it a road trip.
Vegas has a great tourist infrastructure setup for all types of budgets, not just for the ones looking to roll out the big bucks. One feature is the Bellagio fountain show. Every 15 minutes they set off their gorgeous fountain along to great music and according to other tourists it’s really an amazing site.
Other cheap attractions on a budget include:
- The Mirage Fire Show
- The Famous Neon Museum
- Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay (one of the largest aquariums in North America)
- Circus Circus
- Adventure Dome Indoor Amusement Park
- and much more!!!
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Obviously at Myrtle Beach the main extraction is the beach! There is no cost for spending a wonderful day with your family soaking up the sun (other than those pesky parking fees).
Other than the beach, Myrtle Beach has lots to offer. There are over 1800 restaurants and fine dining options for you to choose from and enjoy! If you’re really looking to get the most out of your vacation, Myrtle Beach has it all. Check out some of the other attractions:
- Family Kingdom’s Seaside Amusement Park and Oceanfront Water Park
- $20 Helicopter Rides at Helicopter Adventures
- Hollywood Wax Museum
- Radical Ropes Adventure Park
- Ripley's Haunted Adventure and Moving Theater
- Water Sports such as kayaking, banana boat express, jet skis, parasailing, and more
After such a hard few months, you and your family deserve a vacation! Hopefully one of these great places caught your eye. If not, there are lots more places you can visit on a budget and have some much needed fun for everyone!
Many places are still shut down or limited due to Covid-19, so be sure to do your research and make sure everything you want to see is open and following necessary guidelines to keep you and your family safe!
Hopefully these ideas can help you find a great place for you and your family to have an awesome summer!
Material discussed is meant to provide general information and it is not to be construed as specific investment, tax, or legal advice. Individual needs vary & require consideration of your unique objectives & financial situation. Please consult with your accountant or tax advisor for specific guidance.