I love to vacation, but admittedly, budget plays a big part in when, where, and how we travel.  Here’s my list of ways that we save money while on vacation.  (Visit Twittermoms for more ideas from other travelers.)

1. Stay off the beaten path. Be creative in your destination choice.  Last year, my “big” summer vacation was to North Dakota and you’d be surprised at all the fun we found there.  My dream for this summer is to spend a week or more traveling around Nebraska, where admission to most places on my list will be less than $10–for our entire family of six!
2. Take the back roads. Slowing down will not only save money on gas, but allow you to see the marvelous small towns that the Interstate highways have passed by.
3. Go in the off season. Lodging and attraction rates are often reduced in less busy times, and you won’t fight the crowds as in the busy times.
4. Camp. When we looked into buying a camper last year, we figured in meal and hotel savings as well as the added expenses of gas and camping fees.  Our verdict: camping would save our family about $100/day over eating out and staying in a moderately-priced hotel.  Plus, we’d have our bikes along and be able to enjoy the outdoors instead of being cooped up in a hotel room in the evenings.  Whenever possible now, we take the camper on our vacation.
5. Cook. If camping’s not your thing, consider a hotel room/suite with a kitchen.  Hotels like Homewood Suites and Hyatt Summerfield Suites not only offer full free breakfast and evening “receptions,” but the opportunity to make a cheap and healthy meal for my family without the pressures of a restaurant.
6. Eat early. If eating out is a must, be an early bird.  Eat before the kids are starved and you’ll have a happier gang, and take advantage of restaurants with early-dinner specials.  (We’re fond of rolling into Famous Dave’s at 4:50 p.m. to get some great food deals.)
7. Stock up. When crackers are BOGO at the grocery store, or soda is on sale, stock up for vacation.  Keep a cooler and a box of food in the car for snacks at a fraction of convenience-store prices.
8. Bring your own entertainment. We enjoy a movie night midway through a vacation, but we do it on the cheap with a movie rented off iTunes and played through the iPod Touch on a hotel TV.  (If your kids enjoy playing on the iPod, Best Kids Apps is a good place to learn about quality iPhone apps for kids.)
9. Membership. I’ve preached about museum memberships before.  They can be a great way to see new museums for cheap or free, in addition to supporting a local establishment.
10. Plan ahead. Contact visitor’s bureaus several weeks before your trip to get packets of information that often include coupons and other money-saving offers.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the Toyota Sienna and TwitterMoms blogging program for a chance to get a $30 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

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