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The Best Affordable Family Vacations in the US

The Best Affordable Family Vacations in the US

Planning a family vacation that checks all the boxes—fun, memorable, and affordable—can feel like a tall order. Between different interests, varying age ranges, and budgeting for meals, lodging, and entertainment, it's easy to feel overwhelmed before you've even packed a bag. But good news: creating lasting family memories doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag. Across the US, there are plenty of wallet-friendly destinations that offer big fun without draining your savings.
Whether you're dreaming of exploring the great outdoors at a national park, digging your toes in the sand at a budget-friendly beach town, or enjoying small-town charm with big attractions, we've rounded up some of the best affordable family vacation spots across the country. From hiking through the scenic red rocks in Sedona, Arizona, to riding coasters in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, these destinations promise fun for kids and parents alike, without blowing your travel budget. Plus, we included where to stay in each city at properties with starting rates of $400 or below per night.
Ready to start planning your next family adventure? Here are 11 of the best affordable family-friendly vacation spots in the US that offer great experiences at just as great a value.
The Ozarks run through parts of Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
Paul Knightly/Getty
The Ozarks
Nestled across the Midwest and West South Central region of the US, the Ozarks offer a timeless backdrop of rolling hills, crystalline lakes, and hidden caves—all at wallet-friendly prices. Families can camp under the stars along the Buffalo National River, where canoeing and gentle hikes are ideal for both toddlers and teens. Cabins, lodges, and KOA campgrounds provide affordable lodging, and many even include complimentary activities like fishing poles and game rooms. Kids will delight in exploring Dogwood Canyon's family-friendly wildlife tram tours, while parents can sneak in paired tastings at local artisan wineries, proving that scenic beauty doesn't have to be pricey. With tons of free or low-cost outdoor adventures—from zip-lining to swimming in natural springs—the Ozarks are an all-season, budget-savvy playground that feels far more indulgent than it costs.
Where to stay in the Ozarks:
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Use These 7 Methods to Find Hidden Cameras in Your Airbnb Rental
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Hidden cameras and spying have become rampant in recent years. We've seen it happening in Texas and California, with one host secretly saving over 2,000 images of guests and read reports of instances where couples have found themselves vacationing in a romantic Airbnb only to discover that someone is watching them via voyeur cams. There are also Reddit discussion boards where vacationers are sharing tales of it happening to them. It's a proven international problem, too, with stories ranging from Ireland to Malaysia. However, if you're preparing for a vacation this summer, don't let the idea of being spied upon ruin your vacation. For one thing, you can instantly report cameras to Airbnb, which guarantees you an automatic relocation if you do happen to spot any. And spotting them will be significantly easier once you check out our guide on how to catch hidden cameras around your rental. Read on to learn more. A guest-friendly router may deserve a closer look. Netgear 1. Check out the local Wi-Fi network Most Airbnbs offer some kind of guest Wi-Fi. Log into it and hop into your settings to view the Wi-Fi network and see if you can find all the connected devices. Use the provided login and on-board router passwords or app to look for a section about connected or attached devices. Or if these options aren't available, you can try out a third-party app like the Wireless Network Watcher. (Note for the techies, the arp -a command line won't work here, because it displays only your own computer's cache of connected device info, and the Airbnb owner probably didn't leave their laptop behind.) Now look for any unexpected online devices that don't match up with any of the technology in the house. You may think that voyeurs would avoid connecting their hidden cams to local Wi-Fi networks, but that's giving them too much credit. Watch for surprise online devices and see if you can track them down or tell what they are. 2. 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