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| | Plan your family vacation with our 50-plus great ideas |
Dear Family Travelers:
Who says money buys vacation happiness?
You don't always have to shell out big bucks for theme park tickets or a fancy hotel to please the gang. I fact, the kids will be happy as long as the hotel has an inviting pool and perhaps suite accommodations so they can have their own space-and TV.
Make it a game to see who can come up with the most cost-efficient activities. Extra points for free ones! And remind them how much extra money there will be for souvenirs! Here are 10 ideas, I found researching my Kid's City Guide series: - Consider a foray to a local playground or park, Bring a soccer ball or Frisbee and your kids will meet plenty of new friends.
 - Visit a farmer's market and get the fixings for a picnic at an outdoor free concert. IN SAN DIEGO: Enjoy a free organ concerts on Sundays at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park featuring one of the world's largest outdoor pipe organs;. IN CHICAGO: Go to a free concert in Grant Park or Millennium Park where the kids will love playing in the water fountains. You'll find plenty of free concerts in mountain towns all summer
- Go to the Beach! Get up early and watch the surfers or explore the tidepools along the coast. If you are in Los Angeles, try out the gymnastics equipment at Muscle Beach.
- On a rainy day, take a tour of a local factory. Factory Tours USA lists nearly 600 to choose from.
- Go on a hike to a water fall. Just remember, with kids, it is about the journey, not always the destination. You may find free guided hikes, like those offered in Aspen by the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies
- Opt for a bike ride. (You can rent all varieties of bikes and helmets in most vacation destinations. Check out the rails-to-rails conservancy with its network of trails from former rail lines. (We love the one in Aspen!)
- Sign on for a free tour led by a Global Greeter Network volunteer in a city you are visiting. Your guide can make the tour about something you are particularly interested in-or aimed for the kids. Boston by Foot offers special in expensive Boston By Little Feet tours for families.
- Join a ranger program geared to families at a National Park. Some are specifically designed for families and to help kids complete the requirements for their Junior Ranger Badge
- Go to a family workshop at a museum. Many are included with entrance fees. And if you are in Washington, DC, most museums are free too.
- Take advantage of your museum, zoo and aquarium memberships. Many will get you access to those in areas where you are visiting.
Find out what local and visiting kids have to say about nine great American travel destinations through our Kids' Guides Series from Globe Pequot Press.
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