logo
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:
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

This On-Sale Shed With Tons of Functional Windows Doubles as a Mini Backyard Getaway
This On-Sale Shed With Tons of Functional Windows Doubles as a Mini Backyard Getaway

Travel + Leisure

time26 minutes ago

  • Travel + Leisure

This On-Sale Shed With Tons of Functional Windows Doubles as a Mini Backyard Getaway

Believe it or not, you don't have to pack luggage and hop on a plane to get away. Shoppers are investing in tiny homes that feel like an escape and won't break the bank, which leads us to the Handy Home Windemere Shed. People have transformed the contemporary construction into various types of spaces, including a camping getaway site, an extra office space, an art studio, and a tiny waterfront house. So, if a backyard retreat piques your interest, consider bringing this charming shed home while it's on sale for just under $3,100 at Wayfair. Measuring 10 feet wide, 12 feet deep, and 10 feet tall, and offering 120 square feet of floor space, this small space-friendly hut is whatever you make of it. For instance, one shopper, who loves being outdoors, turned it into a camping getaway site. Whereas another buyer transformed it into a work office and 'added a bathroom with a beautiful shower, toilet, and sink.' While several reviewers reported that it took them days to build the outdoor storage shed, many noted that the instructions were easy to follow, including one who mentioned that it 'came with everything that was needed and was exactly what I was looking for.' Plus, for security reasons, it has a rust- and corrosion-resistant handle with a lock and two keys. If you want to turn this shed into an art or yoga studio, you'll be happy to hear that it has a lot of windows (11, to be exact), which, as one reviewer said, gives it an 'open feeling.' The 6-foot-high double doors, which come pre-hung with integrated transom windows that help keep it ventilated, also don't go unnoticed. A shopper who was looking for something more elevated than a basic shed to store their patio furniture during the winter said, 'This sealed the deal' for them, adding that they were able to adjust the windows to fit their needs. Long story short, this woodshed provides a place to escape to year-round, and now is the time to invest while it's marked down at Wayfair. Below, we've rounded up a few more highly rated options that are worth the splurge, including a Handy Home Tribeca Shed that you can have installed for an additional fee (because why lift a finger if you don't have to?).

CHLA Hospitality Foundation Awards $170,000 to 97 Hospitality Students
CHLA Hospitality Foundation Awards $170,000 to 97 Hospitality Students

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

CHLA Hospitality Foundation Awards $170,000 to 97 Hospitality Students

Empowering the Next Generation of Hotel and Culinary Professionals SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ninety-seven students pursuing degrees in hotel management, tourism and culinary arts at 21 California colleges and universities have been awarded $170,000 in scholarships by the California Hotel & Lodging Association Hospitality Foundation. CHLAHF supports the education and professional development of students who commit to pursuing a career in hospitality. This year, the Foundation received a record number of applicants and was honored to provide scholarships to 35 more students than the previous year. "These students have the power to shape the future of the hospitality industry in bold and innovative ways," said Michael Pace, Chair of CHLAHF and General Manager of the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco. "What excites me most about our scholarship program is that it allows us to support and inspire a passionate, talented group of future leaders to keep pushing forward in their pursuit of careers in hospitality." Recipients will be honored at the 2025 Scholarship Awards Gala on October 23, 2025, at The Argonaut Hotel in San Francisco. We invite all hospitality professionals to join us and support our current and future scholarship recipients. This year's schools with the highest number of scholarship recipients are: San Diego State University: 32 recipients California State Polytechnic University, Pomona: 14 recipients California State University, Monterey Bay: 12 recipients California State University, Long Beach: 10 recipients University of San Francisco: 5 recipients We are grateful to the following hotel brands for their continued support over the past 15 years: Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, Handlery Hotels, and others. About the California Hotel & Lodging Association Hospitality Foundation CHLAHF is a non-profit organization that provides scholarships and research in support of industry employees and hospitality students. Our aim is to raise the profile and promote excellence in the California hospitality industry. Learn more about how you can support the CHLA Hospitality Foundation at Contact: Jesse Geremia916.554.2660jesse@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE California Hotel & Lodging Association Hospitality Foundation Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data

American Airlines Earnings: What To Look For From AAL
American Airlines Earnings: What To Look For From AAL

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

American Airlines Earnings: What To Look For From AAL

Global airline American Airlines (NASDAQ:AAL) will be reporting results this Thursday before the bell. Here's what to look for. American Airlines met analysts' revenue expectations last quarter, reporting revenues of $12.55 billion, flat year on year. It was a slower quarter for the company, with a significant miss of analysts' EBITDA estimates and EPS guidance for next quarter missing analysts' expectations significantly. It reported 56.36 billion revenue passenger miles, down 1.9% year on year. Is American Airlines a buy or sell going into earnings? Read our full analysis here, it's free. This quarter, analysts are expecting American Airlines's revenue to be flat year on year at $14.3 billion, slowing from the 2% increase it recorded in the same quarter last year. Adjusted earnings are expected to come in at $0.77 per share. Heading into earnings, analysts covering the company have grown increasingly bearish with revenue estimates seeing 6 downward revisions over the last 30 days (we track 13 analysts). American Airlines has missed Wall Street's revenue estimates three times over the last two years. Looking at American Airlines's peers in the travel and vacation providers segment, some have already reported their Q2 results, giving us a hint as to what we can expect. Carnival delivered year-on-year revenue growth of 9.5%, beating analysts' expectations by 1.7%, and Delta reported flat revenue, topping estimates by 1.5%. Carnival traded up 5.9% following the results while Delta was also up 11.9%. Read our full analysis of Carnival's results here and Delta's results here. There has been positive sentiment among investors in the travel and vacation providers segment, with share prices up 13.9% on average over the last month. American Airlines is up 14.9% during the same time and is heading into earnings with an average analyst price target of $13.70 (compared to the current share price of $12.52). When a company has more cash than it knows what to do with, buying back its own shares can make a lot of sense–as long as the price is right. Luckily, we've found one, a low-priced stock that is gushing free cash flow AND buying back shares. Click here to claim your Special Free Report on a fallen angel growth story that is already recovering from a setback. StockStory is growing and hiring equity analyst and marketing roles. Are you a 0 to 1 builder passionate about the markets and AI? See the open roles here. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store