A great vacation does not have to break the bank. It's not only possible, but it's fun to have a cheap and memorable trip. Forget timetables and itineraries, it's time to relax and make priceless memories. You may even be able to put the memory of high priced vacations in the past. Read on to learn how to have a cheap and memorable trip.
Be creative. Travel to out of the way places and stay in a mom and pop motel. Pack the family in your car and drive to the Garlic festival in California or to a medieval festival. Plan for a concert in the park or a Shakespeare festival. Participate in bed races or run in a marathon. Plan a volunteer vacation or drive through three southern states for the endless yard sale. A memorable trip is limited only by your imagination.
Travel the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway and end with a stay in one of the beautiful National Forests or Parks or visit Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Mine for rubies in North Carolina, then take a white water rafting trip on the Nantahala or Chatooga Rivers.
Buy a rail pass and let the train do the driving. A rail pass allows you to travel anywhere in the portion of the country you have chosen. There is usually a 30- or 60-day limit to the pass, but you can board and disembark anywhere or anytime you choose. Trains are a little more expensive than car travel, but the savings add up when you aren't paying for gas or motels.
Take a history tour, visit your own state capital or take the time to see Washington, D.C. Tour the Smithsonian Institute and visit the Museum of Natural History. Visit the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Cemetery to rediscover the amazing history of the United States. See the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, then drive to Gettysburg National Battlefield.
Stand in awe at the base of Mt. Rushmore and visit Custer's Last Stand at the battle of Little Big Horn. View the strange land formations of the Badlands. The Grand Canyon will amaze you with its sheer size and beauty; then drive to Sedona and have your palm read.
Pack a cooler with food and water. Make sandwiches and place fresh fruit in zip top bags. Try to stay away from salty treats when on the road. Keep a smaller cooler in the trunk of your car for drinks only. Replenish your food with a trip to the local grocery store. Avoid pre-packaged sandwiches from the quick stop, as they are not only expensive but rather tasteless.
Stay in small mom and pop motels, they can be an amazing value. Camping in a National Forest or State Park is also a cheap alternative to expensive motels. Some National Forests also have cabins or lodges for rent but please check ahead, especially if it's tourist season.
Fill your gas tank at a truck stop, close to an interstate where gas prices are lower. Driving at a steady pace without quick starts and stops will help with gas mileage.
