Planning a family summer vacation can be a strenuous task. Where will you go? What will you do? Will the family be happy? After all, every family member likely has some kind of summer bucket list, and there’s only so much time to get everything done! But what you as a parent are tired of the amusement parks, plane rides, and mediocre cruises? If your children are old enough to appreciate the beauty of their own backyards, there might be an easy solution. Why not take a vacation***, but be incredibly cost effective?
Whatever your reasoning, deciding on an outdoor vacation adventure takes a fair bit of planning. Of course, you want to make sure you’re hitting all of an areas points of interest, in the time frame you set, and within your budget. Whether it’s pumping up your adrenaline sliding down a zipline, white water rafting, or relaxing in the perfect campout spot for a long weekend; it’s best to try to find a vacation location where everything on your checklist is within arms reach. Here are a few tips to get you on your way:
Visit a “Ski Town” in the offseason.
If you want to get away from all the hustle and bustle of those well known summer vacation spots, but still want to enjoy an array of entertainment options, we recommend you hit a ski-town in the offseason. These towns may be well known for their winter activities for a reason, but sometimes finding the time to take a vacation out to these winter wonderlands during a short winter break can be both tricky, and pricey.
Whether it’s Park City, Utah, or the lovely towns in Summit Valley, Colorado. Just because it’s considered “offseason” doesn’t mean any location you choose will be short of things to do. Each year, these little mountain locations are upping their entertainment and activities game, and you aren’t going to want to miss out on what they have to offer.
Between those potentially adrenaline filled vacation moments, you may be feeling you need some vacation downtime. Why not seek out some family friendly festivals? From art festivals, to food festivals, most any ski-town will have something that can entertain the kids as much as the adults no matter what the season.
Bring what equipment you have, and rent the rest
If you’re looking to travel to various vacation spots around the United States, think about what you already have gear wise to bring with you. Obviously packing a healthy amount of clothing options (i.e. layers, bathing suits, light jackets) is a must. If you’re road tripping, it’s not a bad idea to bring that kayak that’s collected dust over the winter, the camping supplies you’ve been waiting to use, or the family’s bikes. Save some time before your trip by preparing your gear for the terrains they’ll be used on.
If you don’t have the gear you think you’ll need for your dream trip, that’s no problem. Most towns that cater to winter sports are open year round to provide rental equipment for the lake, camping, or trails nearby. Call sport shops ahead of time and see if you can make a reservation on equipment you know you’ll need for specific dates.
Find a vacation spot that fits the whole family
Even if your family loves and enjoys outdoor activities, vacation time is notorious for being a bit of a mess here and there. You could plan every moment out perfectly, and still the might be an afternoon when those plans go to waste. One of your kids may be enjoying a certain activity, while another isn’t. Maybe you’re feeling a little burned out yourself. Be sure to make time for moments in your vacation that will cater to everyone in one way or another, like a day at a national park or the lake!
Choose a vacation area where different points of interest are in close proximity to one another. Make it easy on yourself if your plans have to change last minute, or find a place that gives you as many activity options as possible. For instance, if you’re in an area that has several lakes to choose from, try to find the one that best suits your family’s energy levels. Are you wanting to fly fish and enjoy wildlife watching, or is sailing more your speed?
One Final Thing
Whether you’re using this family time together to see new sights, or just to get a bit more active in this summer, with a little planning and the right equipment, you can create a beautiful and frugal vacation that won’t require you to make compromises and everyone can end the summer with memories to last a lifetime.