By myself, I’ve visited over 60 countries on 6 continents. I did everything from cruising in the Mediterranean, scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef, shopping in Paris, to climbing Kilimanjaro. I’ve almost always stayed in hostels, worked in exchange for room and board, or traveled carry-on only to avoid baggage fees on budget airlines.

I am no stranger to budgeting for travel. But then we had our son.

We didn’t want our travel lifestyle to change, but we needed to make some adjustments for our baby and to better suit our situation.

I’ve put together a list of my favorite ways to travel cheap with kids. Take a look to see if your family can benefit from any of these tips!

1. Travel Cheap With Kids While They’re Young

My little guy is under 2 which means most of what we do is no more expensive than if I was doing it by myself. We do pay a little extra for international flights, even as a lap child, but it is a fraction of what we’re going to pay after his second birthday.

On our most recent trip, we traveled from Texas, stopped in Boston, and visited Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Estonia. I paid $75 for my baby. That’s it.

Besides food (which we would be buying no matter where we were), I paid $0 for a ferry from Helsinki to Stockholm, $0 for hotel rooms (because they count per person in most hotels), $0 for activities, $0 for public transportation. The only money specifically for him was for the international flights.

2. Sign Up For Travel Deal Alerts

These sites are great for looking up the best-priced hotel and flight deals. They also give you the ability to sign up for deal alerts so you get information right into your inbox.

My favorite way to use this is to set a few alerts on Skyscanner for different routes or trips I’m thinking of taking. It alerts me to trends in prices, and I can see how they are changing daily. This helps when I want to hold off on buying in the hopes of price drops.

Here are some websites for you to check out:

• Skyscanner
• Groupon Getaways
• Travelzoo
• Living Social Escapes
• hotels.com
• booking.com
• Dealbase
• Airfare Watchdog
• The Flight Deal

3. Start Travel Hacking

Travel hacking is the art of accumulating points by patronizing travel companies (like airlines and hotels), using credit cards to gain more points, and finding great deals to redeem said points for hotels or air travel.

It’s definitely not for those in a shaky financial situation and shouldn’t be taken too lightly. The best place to start is to sign up for every reward program for each airline or hotel chain that you stay with. Just patronizing those companies help gain you points that can be used later.

However, the real “money” comes in when credit cards get involved. There are sign up bonuses on cards that will maximize your return. You’ll gain points for every purchase you make (1 point/mile per $ is standard but some get 2/$ or special 5x deals). There are other perks that come with cards like priority boarding, complimentary upgrades, and lounge access.

Check out The Points Guy online for guides and advice that I’m still learning from myself.

4. Stay In An Airbnb Or Similar

While some Airbnbs can be extremely expensive, there are plenty out there that will save you money in the long run. Not only will you be more comfortable as a family, as opposed to a one-room hotel, but you’ll have access to a kitchen and laundry facilities.

You can shop for groceries and cook meals at home instead of eating out every meal. Laundry facilities will help save on expensive hotel laundry services and will allow you to pack less, possibly saving on baggage fees on airlines.

5. Avoid The Busy Season

This is harder the older children get because of school and other activities they might be involved in, but steering clear of school holidays is essential when trying to travel cheap with kids. Flights, hotels, and activity prices all increase with demand.

You can travel during the week, instead of Friday to Sunday, when most travelers want to get away for the weekend.

For typical family trips like Disney, there are calendars that mark the most popular days. Visiting those areas in low-season will save on hotels and transportation. Other high-demand times are any school holidays like summer, Christmas or Easter. Even choosing to travel a week outside those times might save you, while still being able to appreciate the season or weather typical during those days.

6. Set A Budget For Every Day

To truly travel cheap with kids, you can’t just cut costs for travel. By setting a budget for everyday expenses like food, you’ll be able to increase your travel fund to either go on more trips or add some wiggle room for more expensive activities.

Try cutting out things that aren’t essential. We don’t have cable, instead we choose to use Netflix and save a ton every month not paying for a TV we wouldn’t really need. We also rarely buy clothes (except for my child who seems to need a bigger size every day), live in a home well below our budget, don’t spend a ton on home decor, and just generally try to save for travel.

Start by looking at your finances and cutting out things that you’re not getting your money’s worth with. Start shopping at less expensive grocery stores, use coupons, and plan meals to avoid food waste. Set up a separate account, or piggy bank, to store any money that you save and watch as your travel fund grows.

7. Be Flexible

As parents you know that things don’t always work out. How often have you left home with your kids thinking one thing was going to happen, but your kid had other ideas? It’s the same with travel.

Be open to the possibility of traveling to not-so-typical places or on routes that aren’t ideal. Usually, the cheapest option isn’t the easiest but having an open mind will let you still experience the world while saving a ton.

Look into traveling to less expensive locations. Southeast Asia might be far from home, but hotels, food, and transportation in the area are a fraction of the cost of similar locations in Europe. Your dollar will go further and you will be able to experience some amazing places along the way.

8. Travel Close To Home

Travel doesn’t always have to mean long-haul flights, weeks away, and exotic locations.  Travel can be a weekend away in the city a few hours from your home. It could be a small road trip camping in state parks. It could also be a week at the beach near where you live.

If you can’t work a trip to Europe into your budget today, there’s no shame in planning a weekend away to experience what your area has to offer. We often travel to cities around Texas. We aren’t originally from here, so we make it a point to visit as many places as possible.

You’ll save on flights, time away from work or school, but can still get away from home to create some new memories.

Try out a few of these tips so that you can travel cheap with kids and explore the world as a family. Good luck!

Suggested next reading: Fun Places To Take Your Kids This Summer In The U.S.

The post How This Family Is Actually Able To Travel Cheap With Kids appeared first on Modern Trekker.

Straddling both sides of the Mississippi River, St. Louis is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the Midwest. Due to the influence of several industries, it’s also a city with great family attractions. Our favorite is Grant’s Farm. The Farm is home to the famous Anheuser-Busch Clydesdale horses. It’s also a zoo park with everything from peacocks to camel rides. Your kids will enjoy the tram ride through the Deer Park with hundreds of grazing animals on the way to the zoo area. Parents aren’t left out, as the farm is owned by Anheuser-Busch, and offers beer tastings and snacks in The Baurnhof, German for “farmstead.”

We also love to visit Missouri Botanical Garden when we are in the city. The gardens are beautiful throughout the year and are a great place for children to roam and explore nature. We love visiting in early May. That’s when the tulips, irises, and peonies are bursting with color all over the garden. Visiting the garden is a cultural experience for kids, as it sports both a beautiful Japanese Garden and an old-style English kitchen garden and boxwood maze.

There’s a Children’s Garden on where your little ones can play the day away. The Children’s Garden is part play, part science and history. Your kiddos can explore a Midwestern village, climb a tree house, or splash like crazy. It’s a place to delight every sense and open new discoveries for your kiddos. Always check hours for the Children’s Garden, as they vary slightly from the full garden hours.

If you’re in St. Louis, you’ve got to stop at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, also known as The Arch. The curved monument dominates the St. Louis skyline and is a beautiful park for your family to explore. Once in the base of the arch, you’ll be treated to models and descriptions of the building process of the arch itself. Just under a mile from the Arch and at the edge of the park, you can visit the Old Courthouse. A historic site and current museum for expansion artifacts, the Old Courthouse is the location where you purchase your Arch tickets. In July 2018, the renovated Museum at the Gateway Arch will open at the base of the Arch and detail Native American, explorer, and pioneer history.

If you’re up for a family challenge, take a trip up the inside of the arch to the top. The small elevators hold five people at a time and are a bit challenging for anyone with a fear of small spaces. However, they do have a window in the door, and the trip is not as bad as it may sound. I’m definitely not a fan of being in a small space, but have made the trip to the top several times and am still standing! The view from the top is worth the ride, as you’ll see the Mississippi on one side and metro St. Louis on the other. One note: If you have small children and use a stroller, it is not possible to bring the stroller to the top. Make sure you have a baby carrier of some kind for the ride up and to use in the observation deck.

Our last favorite place to visit in St. Louis is the St. Louis Zoo. Like Grant’s Farm, the St. Louis Zoo is a free family activity. The Zoo is a great stop and is well designed for spending a part of your day without being too tiring. Our kiddos love the sea lion exhibit. We’ve even had the sea lions “play” with our kids at the big window before! The Zoo does have a train through the park, and it’s one of the best ways to get a good look at the resident elephants. Keep in mind, the only type of stroller you can take on the train is an umbrella stroller.

For more locations filled with great learning adventures for children, see links below:

• North Carolina & Virginia
• Southeast US
• Washington D.C.

Article Links:
St. Louis – https://explorestlouis.com/
Grant’s Farm – http://www.grantsfarm.com/
Grant’s Farm Attractions and Fee info – http://www.grantsfarm.com/attractions.html
Missouri Botanical Garden – http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/
Missouri Botanical Children’s Garden – http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/learn-discover/youth-families/just-for-kids/doris-i.-schnuck-childrens-garden.aspx
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial –https://www.nps.gov/jeff/index.htm
More about the Arch – https://www.gatewayarch.com/
Old Courthouse and Arch Elevator Trip – https://www.nps.gov/jeff/planyourvisit/index.htm
St. Louis Zoo – https://www.stlzoo.org/

The post Fun Activities In St. Louis That Your Kids Will Really Love appeared first on Modern Trekker.

1. The National Archives

The top of our list has to be the National Archives. The rotunda is massive and dim, and there are guards everywhere. It’s a place that gives everyone entering a sense of awe and respect. There, under the bulletproof glass, you’ll find the founding documents of the U.S.A. From left to right you’ll see the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The ink is faded, but the words that were scribed upon the old paper stand the test of time.

2. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Where else can you go to see some of the original flying machines and touch a piece of the Moon in the same building? Awe, wonder, and delight will be words you use to describe your children’s reactions upon entering the Air and Space Museum. They’ll race from room to room, thrilled to see rockets, planes, and jet engines. Our family’s favorite room was the pioneers of air travel upstairs in the center. There we found planes and profiles from some of the biggest names in flight history, like Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart.

3. National Museum of American History

“O, Say can you see…” What did the poem that became the anthem really mean to Mr. Key when he wrote it? Who made that huge flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the war of 1812? Discover the answers to those questions and much more information in the Star Spangled Banner wing. You’ll be able to view the iconic flag and study the stories surrounding the flag’s journey from battle to museum. If you have kiddos in your crew that love dress up or fashion, make sure you visit the First Ladies section of the American History Museum. With everything from Mary Todd Lincoln’s day gown to Melania Trump’s Inauguration Dress, your fashionista can walk through the styles of history all in one place. Finally, experience the American struggle for independence and enduring freedom through the War Room. You’ll start several hundred years back in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, then meander through relics and displays from the World Wars. To finish, you’ll have a chance to see a Huey up close and learn more about modern warfare.

4. Arlington National Cemetery

As you enter Arlington, there are signs declaring the place America’s Most Hallowed Ground. It’s an incredibly special place and one that should be on everyone’s D.C. “To Do” list. There’s a feeling of awe and gratitude surrounding you as you walk the roads between acres of white headstones. As you approach the Tomb of the Unknowns a sense of honor and dignity pervades the atmosphere. My children all stood in hushed silence during the Changing of the Guard ceremony, as you could feel the care and honor the guards grant these unidentified warriors. While Arlington is not a fun or exciting site, it’s an incredibly valuable stop on your family’s visit to the nation’s capital.

5. The National Mall

With monuments and iconic buildings that span the entire history of the U.S.A., the National Mall is a sight to behold. It’s also a huge amount of territory to cover, as the distance from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial is over two miles. We found that dividing the Mall into three sections worked very well for our family. Our first night in town we walked through the area after dark and we got a fabulous view of the White House lit up at night. We walked to the Washington Monument from there, and we were able to see all the monuments from a distance. Later in the week, we spent most of the day at a museum and then would walk a different direction on the Mall to see different landmarks and monuments. One day we walked west towards the Lincoln Memorial and visited the war memorials along the way. Another day we started with the Air and Space Museum and visited the Capitol on our way back to the Metro and dinner. The Capitol features tours and a visitor’s center, so make sure to check the hours if you’re using this method.

D.C. was a fabulous adventure for our family. We are already planning our next trip, as there is simply too much to do in one trip with small kiddos. Make a plan for your time in the city, make sure you hit the highlights, and don’t sweat it if you can’t get to everything. No one can, and there’s no reason to feel the pressure to “do it all” in just one D.C. visit. By making sure to visit the highlights with kids on their first visits, you’ll inspire your children to enjoy the national history of the U.S.A.

For more locations filled with great learning adventures for children, see links below:

• North Carolina & Virginia
• Southeast US
• St. Louis

Article Links:
The National Archives – https://www.archives.gov/museum/visit/
Smithsonian National Air and Space – https://airandspace.si.edu/
National Museum of American History – http://americanhistory.si.edu/
Arlington National Cemetery – https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/#/
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Tomb-of-the-Unknown-Soldier
The Lincoln Memorial – https://www.nps.gov/linc/index.htm
The National Mall – https://www.nps.gov/nama/index.htm
The U.S. Capitol – https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/
The Washington Monument – https://www.nps.gov/wamo/index.htm
The White House Visitor Center – https://www.nps.gov/whho/planyourvisit/white-house-visitor-center.htm

The post 5 Places You Simply Must Take Children In Washington D.C. appeared first on Modern Trekker.

Whether you’re looking for a beach getaway, a mountain hike, or a city adventure, you’ll find it all between the streets of Charlotte and the hills of Arlington. As a North Carolina native, I’ve got three getaways for adventure and delight for your whole family.

1. Asheville, NC

One of our favorite getaways is the Asheville region of the NC Mountains. With easy highway access and hidden treasures, you can’t go wrong in the area. The top of the list of adventures is always going to be a day at the Biltmore Estate. Its old-world charm and delightful gardens are a sight to behold for every generation.

To enjoy a lovely day, your family can visit Biltmore Village at the gates of the Estate and check out the world’s nicest McDonald’s. If you’re looking for more of Asheville’s nature-loving flavor, take a stroll through downtown Asheville and have lunch at either Tupelo Honey or the Early Girl Eatery.

For more mountain fun and challenges, head south a bit from Asheville, and pick your seasonal adventure. In the spring, take a nice long hike up the mountain and stand on top of Chimney Rock. For a fun summer adventure, visit DuPont State Forest and go for a swim at Hooker Falls (yes, that really is the name!), one of several falls along the Little River. In the fall, the area is filled with apples and you can enjoy the Hendersonville Apple Festival or a day in the orchards at Stepp Orchard. Hendersonville also has designer bears all over downtown from spring to October as part of a charity event. Take a morning for a “bear hunt” and stop in at Kilwin’s Chocolates when you’re done!

2. Atlantic Coastline

For an incredible maritime adventure, you’ll be thrilled to find a plethora of experiences along the Atlantic. Colonial Williamsburg tops the list for historic learning, and your kiddos can round out their history lesson with a day at the neighboring Busch Gardens.

Continue your adventure by visiting Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Norfolk is the Atlantic hub of the U.S. Navy and the largest naval station in the world. You can tour the base and then you can check out Nauticus National Maritime Center and tour the Battleship Wisconsin. Virginia Beach is the home of an aquarium, a military aviation museum, and a boardwalk along the shore with a huge statue of King Neptune.

Further down the coast and over the border into North Carolina, the adventure continues with the wild lands of the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is home to the world-famous Corolla Wild Horses, reptiles of all sorts, and many mammals like deer and squirrels. There are no roads into the Refuge, so you’ll have to pack for the day and truly go off the beaten path to see the wonders of this natural coastline.

3. Charlotte, NC

Known as the Queen City, Charlotte is filled with southern charm and opportunities for families to play together. On the north side of town, you’ll find Lazy 5 Ranch, where your family can take a hayride and feed everything from giraffes to ostriches.

Trekking through downtown, or Uptown as the locals call it, is a fun adventure for every family. Start your day at the literary steps of ImaginOn, Charlotte’s children’s library and theater, have lunch next door at the Seventh Street Public Market, and then spend your afternoon playing and learning at Discovery Place.

On the south side of town, you and your crew can get outdoors and visit a 19th Century Living History Farm at Kings Mountain and take an easy hike around the mountain. If you’d like a little more of a challenge, head next door and hike to the top of Crowder’s Mountain, the highest point in the NC Piedmont.

For more locations filled with great learning adventures for children, see links below:

• Southeast US
• St. Louis
• Washington D.C.

Article Links:
Asheville – https://www.exploreasheville.com/
Biltmore Estate – http://www.biltmore.com/
Biltmore Village – http://www.historicbiltmorevillage.com/
Downtown Asheville – https://www.exploreasheville.com/iconic-asheville/downtown/
Tupelo Honey – https://tupelohoneycafe.com/
Early Girl Eatery – https://earlygirleatery.com/
Chimney Rock Park – https://www.chimneyrockpark.com/
DuPont State Forest – http://www.dupontforest.com/explore/hooker-falls/
Hendersonville Apple Festival – http://www.ncapplefestival.org/
Stepp Orchard – https://www.facebook.com/SteppsHillcrestOrchard/
Hendersonville Downtown – http://downtownhendersonville.org/
Kilwin’s Chocolates – https://www.kilwins.com/stores/kilwins-hendersonville
Colonial Williamsburg – https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/
Busch Gardens – https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/
Norfolk Naval Station – https://www.visitnorfolk.com/things-to-do/tours/tour-norfolk-naval-base/
Nauticus Maritime Center – https://nauticus.org/
Battleship Wisconsin – https://nauticus.org/battleship-wisconsin/
Virginia Beach – https://www.visitvirginiabeach.com/
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center – https://www.virginiaaquarium.com/Pages/default.aspx
Military Aviation Museum – http://militaryaviationmuseum.org/
Virginia Beach Boardwalk – https://www.visitvirginiabeach.com/explore/attractions/boardwalk/
Currituck National Wildlife Refuge – https://www.fws.gov/refuge/currituck/
Corolla Wild Horses – https://www.outerbanks.com/corolla-wild-horses.html
Charlotte – https://www.charlottesgotalot.com/
Lazy 5 Ranch – https://lazy5ranch.com/
ImaginOn – https://www.imaginon.org/
Seventh Street Market – http://www.7thstreetpublicmarket.com/
Discovery Place – https://www.discoveryplace.org/
King’s Mountain – https://www.nps.gov/kimo/index.htm
Crowder’s Mountain – https://www.ncparks.gov/crowders-mountain-state-park

The post Fun Learning Adventures Your Kids Will Love In North Carolina & Virginia appeared first on Modern Trekker.

1. Seattle, Washington

Seattle is a treasure trove of family-friendly attractions. Explore the Boeing Museum of Flight and see the history of aviation unfold before your eyes. Step back in time at Fort Nisqually and see what it would be like to live in the days of early settlers and fur traders. You can visit the Ballard Locks and witness the engineering feat of moving ships from one water level to another. Kids will love watching salmon climb the fish ladder through viewing windows beside the locks. And the Pike Place Market is a must-do for fresh produce, souvenir shopping, and people-watching. The Market Theater Gum Wall is always a favorite for the younger ones because it’s high on the “disgusting” list! One more stop on the list of things to see in Seattle? The Seattle Center—with an arcade, carnival rides, the Space Needle, the Pacific Science Center & IMAX Theater, the Chihuly glass garden, and the Museum of Pop Culture, you could spend an entire day right here where the 1962 World’s Fair was held.

2. Grand Canyon South Rim, Arizona

The Grand Canyon is one of the seven wonders of the world and offers geological features on a “grander” scale than you will see anywhere else. Hike or cycle through the Grand Canyon National Park, see lots of wildlife, enjoy the South Rim Visitor Center and its interactive exhibits or watch the 20-minute film “Grand Canyon: A Journey of Wonder”. Be sure to take your kids to the National Geographic Visitor Center in Tusayan; there’s an impressive IMAX theatre, good-quality souvenirs, and all kinds of information about guided tours, including the Pink Jeep tours. Get a different perspective of the canyon from the Desert View Watchtower—a Native-American style 70-ft tall tower with stunning 360-degree views of the widest portion of Grand Canyon. If you’re willing to wake them up early, take your kids to watch the sun rise over the canyon from Yaki Point. This is sure to be a highlight.

3. Orlando and Daytona Beach, Florida

Go to Orlando, but not necessarily for the big theme parks like Disney World and Universal Studios. What you would pay to take your family to one of those parks for a day will allow you to explore many more authentic experiences. Did you know that the Everglades reach as far north as Orlando, and you can ride an airboat to view exotic birds and even alligators? Or spend half a day at Gatorland—a family park that includes a small water park, a zip-line over gator-infested water, a zoo, train ride, shows (have you ever seen a crocodile devour an entire chicken in one gulp?) and a swamp walk. Right in Orlando’s “backyard” is Winter Park, with quaint stores, a stained glass museum, farmer’s market, and a chain of lakes connected by canals. You can take a boat tour on the lakes and hear all about the multi-million dollar homes on their shores (and the celebrities that own them!)

If you’re willing to drive just 55 miles, you can include Daytona Beach in your explorations. Be sure to take your kids to the boardwalk there—it’s world-famous. They can also enjoy a walk on the Daytona pier to watch the fishermen or a splash in the water pad at Ormond Beach. An adventure your whole family will enjoy is climbing the 203 steps to the top of the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse to enjoy views of the beach and two rivers. The lighthouse is the tallest in Florida! Cape Canaveral’s Kennedy Space Center is in this neighborhood as well. See the rocket that won the race to the moon or learn what it takes to be an astronaut. You can walk through the Rocket Garden and take part in a rocket mission simulation from a control room.

4. Zion National Park, Utah

Southern Utah is the star when it comes to other-worldly terrains. With bright red and yellow soils, towering monoliths, ancient rivers that have carved canyons and arches, there’s a lot to see and explore. Zion National Park really does have something for everyone. There are beautiful hikes overlooking emerald pools and a weeping wall where the water literally seeps out of rocks and creates a wall of falling water. The Subway tunnel, carved by wind and water, opens up to a rock water slide, while Angels’ Landing will take your breath away as you reach the top and see the whole park spread out in front of you! Accommodations can include tent camping, RV parks, hotels, or the Zion Lodge in the park itself if you’re looking for a little luxury.

A stroll through the park nearly always includes a deer spotting. The visitor center also has fun interactive displays for the kids, where they can learn more about the animals and plants that make Zion National Park their home. And at the end of the day, if everyone is worn out, be sure to visit the Zion Canyon theater to enjoy a movie on the largest movie screen in Utah.

5. Santa Cruz, California

You often hear about Anaheim or San Francisco, but how many times does someone say, “I’m taking my family to Santa Cruz, California for vacation”? But you really should, because Santa Cruz has so much for families, and it’s far less crowded. And Santa Cruz really has it all—a beautiful beach and boardwalk, a lighthouse, quaint little town, and a lot of side attractions, too.

There’s the Mystery Spot where buildings seem to defy gravity, the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, and the Forest of Nisene Marks state park with beautiful trails among the Redwoods for hiking and bicycling. The Roaring Camp Railroad takes you from Felton, CA through the forest to Santa Cruz Beach on a train, running on a route that has been operating since 1875!

So what are you waiting for? School will be out sooner than you think! Start planning your family trip, and take your kids to one of these great family destinations now!

The post 5 Super Fun Places To Take Your Kids This Summer In The U.S. appeared first on Modern Trekker.

You see, being on vacation is almost always a child’s favorite time of the year. School is out and it’s time for freedom! But just because school is out, the learning and growing don’t have to stop for your kiddos.

The Southeast US isn’t just one long beach with a mouse-themed park in the middle. There are day trips in the Southeast teeming with learning adventures and discoveries just for your family. We’ve found three affordable family adventure vacations in the Southeast to set your family on a journey to fun, discovery, and deep, hands-on learning.

1. Space Coast, USA

On Florida’s east coast lies the one place in the USA where all manned space flights have lifted off. Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station launch rockets all through the year, and it’s an earth-shattering experience to watch a rocket blast off into space.

Check the websites of both organizations for their rocket schedule before visiting to plan around a launch window. This has to be one of the best vacation spots in the Southeast for your kiddos!

The Kennedy Space Center also has a phenomenal visitor’s complex where your family can get up close and personal with the Atlantis Space Shuttle and investigate more about the USA’s space program.

Also in the area are a freshwater manatee park and a peaceful state park at the ocean’s edge for your family to enjoy after your visit to the Space Walk Hall of Fame.

2. Sarasota Bay

Directly across the state is a little piece of family vacation heaven. A personal favorite and a unique family vacation idea, Anna Maria Island tops the chain of barrier islands from Tampa Bay south into Siesta Key and Venice.

This calm, resort like area of Florida’s Gulf Coast is rich with opportunities to uncover everything from history to botany and ocean science.

Walk where the conquistadors came ashore 500 years ago at De Soto National Memorial in Bradenton in the morning. Then, in the afternoon you can walk among trees from all over the world in one of the nation’s only frost-free zones at Palma Sola Botanical Park.

Heading south from Anna Maria takes your family towards St. Armand’s Circle and the Mote Marine Laboratory. Start your day at the Mote where you’ll enjoy the aquarium and rescue programs, or you’ll board a research boat for a trip out on Sarasota Bay and one of the small uninhabited islands.

With all your exploring, make sure you stop to enjoy a fabulous Cuban and Spanish lunch at the open-air Colombia Restaurant in St. Armand’s!

After all the fun, you’ll feel even better reflecting on how much an affordable family adventure vacation the whole experience was.

3. Atlanta, GA

In the center of the thriving metropolis that is Georgia’s largest city live four of the world’s largest sharks. You’ll find these whale sharks gracefully lumbering through their tank along with gliding Manta Rays and other ocean wonders. As the premier residents of the Georgia Aquarium, they are simply the tip of the iceberg for rich experiences in and around Atlanta.

With older children, you’ll be able to take them deep into the civil rights history of the USA with a visit to Martin Luther King’s home and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. They can also enter the story of race relations and tour a 1930s home at the Atlanta History Center.

Take a step further back in time with the Fernbank Natural History Museum and hang out with some of the largest dinosaurs to walk the earth.

You can get outdoors as well and visit the highest waterfall in Georgia. At over 700 feet high, the cascading waterfall and trails take your family close to the nature and history of the state.

Top off your travels by going to one of the best mountain vacation spots in the Southeast by standing on top of Stone Mountain and getting a full view of the Atlanta skyline.

How do you like our choices for the best family vacation spots in Southeast US? Would you suggest any more? What do you think are the best family vacation ideas on a budget around the Southeast? Feel free to comment below!

Alternatively, click here for the best family vacation spots in North Carolina & Virginia, St. Louis, and Washington D.C.

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