Family Spring Break On A Budget
As a family on a budget, we have put together a list of ideas for great spring break vacation spots. Whether you are just looking for fun activities to do, or an unforgettable out-of-the-box getaway, you’re sure to find something on this list that will suit your taste and your price range.
Hey, you. Yeah, you. Got some vacation time in March and looking for family fun? Yes, spring break is coming! Actually, it’s already here for some of you. With more than half the country enjoying a few days of school-free fun, many parents are going “all in” planning a fun-filled vacation to make these days extra special for the kids.
I’m a big fan of family vacations. A few years ago we were driving one morning to visit my in-laws, and it was a rainy winter morning. The weather was so bad that the highway patrol was stopping cars and asking them to turn around and go back home. We ended up not leaving that day.
The average cost of a day at an amusement park is approximately $100/person. Weekends are generally more expensive than weekdays and will likely run around $120/person if you have children ages 5-11. Add snacks and souvenirs on top of that and a family of 4 can easily spend $400 in a single day at the park.
Family Spring Break On A Budget
With inflation and the high price of gas always in the news these days, cheap spring break trips for families are top of mind for parents looking to get away with the kids this spring. And while there may be some costly obstacles at the most popular family vacation spots in the U.S., you can rest easy knowing that there are plenty of fun spring break ideas for families on a budget too.
Spring Break Ideas for Families on a Budget
From Nashville to Nevada, the best spring break destinations for families are also some of the most affordable. Here’s where to go with the kids for cheap family vacations that don’t skimp on the fun.
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1. Kissimmee, Florida
The Orlando theme parks help make Florida one of the best family vacation ideas any time of year, but spending spring break in Orlando won’t come cheap. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative in Central Florida, consider using neighboring Kissimmee as a convenient base camp, where hotel rates tend to be lower but all of the best things to do in Orlando are just minutes away.
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There are a lot of fun spring break ideas for families on a budget in the greater Orlando area. A perennial favorite is Old Town Kissimmee, a throwback re-creation of a Florida town with tree-lined streets and live entertainment, plus a parade of classic cars on weekends. And Disney’s Wilderness Preserve offers acres of native habitat, including restored wetlands where bald eagles soar and the elusive Florida Scrub Jay sings a sweet song. Hike or birdwatch as you soak in the beauty of the ecosystem free of charge.
With a few days of free or low-cost activities under your belt, you can probably squeeze a visit to Disney’s Star Wars land at Hollywood Studios or the Harry Potter theme park areas at Universal into your spring beak budget even if you’re trying to keep costs down.
Where to Stay on Affordable Spring Break Trips in Kissimmee
The two-bedroom villas at Fantasy World Resort are a well-priced alternative to cramped motel rooms. A lazy river, game room, and tennis courts are kid-friendly perks. If you do want to stay in Orlando at a Disney property, a few of the value-priced Disney World hotels in Orlando can actually accommodate large families of five or more quite comfortably.
2. San Luis Obispo, California
Midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, gorgeous San Luis Obispo County is an affordable spring break destination with a little bit of everything for families.
In Pismo Beach, there’s a long pier where surfers and sun lovers paint a quintessential California picture. Allow time for the kids to romp at Whale Surfing Playground at Pismo Pier Plaza, with a fun slide that leads straight down to the sandy beach. The free Montaña de Oro State Park is nearby. Scenic trails, tide pools, and secluded coves are accompanied by the scent of eucalyptus trees.
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In the small city of San Luis Obispo, the historic Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa offers free daily tours. Wandering among the pretty garden has a grape arbor, fragrant roses, and citrus trees is a great way to keep little ones entertained and burning up some energy on spring break.
And for a cool treat, head to Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab, an old-fashioned ice cream parlor with flavors like Motor Oil and the Elvis Special joining tried-and-true classics like mint chip and strawberry.
Where to Stay in San Luis Obispo County on Spring Break
Every room at the adorable Apple Farm Inn comes with complimentary Wi-Fi and a cozy gas fireplace. The inn is centrally located for visiting the beaches and wineries of California’s central coast.
3. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
You’ll find plenty of cheap spring break ideas for families in Pittsburgh. Once upon a time, Gilded Age millionaires built their industrial fortunes here, but today their legacy of wealth is what sustains numerous museums and cultural institutions. The Carnegie Museum of Natural History charges half-price admission weekdays after 3:00 p.m., for example, and kids love browsing its sparkling gem collection and gawking at the enormous dinosaur skeletons.
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A visit to one of Pittsburgh’s verdant parks, including Highland Park’s landscaped gardens and Riverview Park’s wooded hiking trails, is always a good spring break idea for families on a budget too. You could spend a whole afternoon at either park and the price tag can’t be beat—the parks are always free.
When hunger strikes, head to one of the city’s many diners that serve homestyle meals for a low price. In the Strip District, the tall stack of fluffy pancakes at Pamela’s Diner are reportedly a favorite of former President Barack Obama.
Where to Stay in Pittsburg on Spring Break
Hampton Inn and Suites Pittsburgh-Downtown is located in the Strip District, and a stay includes breakfast and parking—both big savers for families on a spring break budget. The hotel is a short stroll to Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop, a fantasy for anyone with a sweet tooth.
4. Nashville, Tennessee
Spirited Nashville welcomes visiting families with a range of free and low-cost experiences that can make spring break affordable. At the Frist Art Museum, guests under 18 are always free, and its Martin ArtQuest Gallery is a hands-on wonderland designed for multigenerational engagement. Visitors of all ages can try their hand at painting, drawing, printmaking, and animation at numerous art-making stations, with materials and guidance provided.
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Kids ages five to 17 pay only $3 to visit the Lane Motor Museum, home to the largest collection of European cars and motorcycles in the United States—a great activity for all ages, but especially good for family vacations with teenagers because oddities such as the museum’s amphibious vehicles really boost the wow factor. And if the younger kids in your crew need a break from engines and hubcaps, there’s a large indoor play area with imaginative toys.
Another reason Music City is one of the best spring break ideas for families on a budget? Kids are welcome to listen to live music along the city’s famed Honky Tonk Highway before 6:00 p.m. most nights free of charge.
Nashville’s culinary scene is a hit with kids too, and hot chicken is one of its stars. This delectable fried favorite is both filling and inexpensive. At family-owned Hattie B’s, chicken can be served with no spice for those who enjoy their food mild. And scratch-made sides like creamy mac-and-cheese should tempt even finicky appetites.
Where to Stay on Cheap Spring Breaks with the Kids in Nashville
The centrally located Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown is a budget-friendly choice with complimentary hot breakfast plus snacks and beverages at 5:30 p.m. daily. Or go big (and more expensive) at the Gaylord Opryland Resort, an impressively self-contained resort complex in Nashville with kid-friendly dining, entertainment, and one of the best indoor water parks in the country