Yahoo Finance I’m a Travel Agent: 6 Popular Vacations the Middle Class Can Still Afford
With rising costs, vacations are becoming more difficult for middle-class families to justify taking. Thankfully, there are a few popular vacation spots that a middle-class family can still afford.
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Of course, estimated costs may vary depending on accommodations, transportation, food, entertainment, etc. However, the costs are estimated based on the average spending for a middle-class family on a budget.
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National Parks
National parks can provide beautiful yet affordable vacations for middle-class families who enjoy the outdoors. Some more affordable national parks include Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming and Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina.
Many national parks are free to enter, but some larger locations have entrance fees. However, you can usually find affordable lodging or camping accommodations nearby. Plus, you won’t need to spend much on entertainment since the great outdoors provides plenty of free or inexpensive things to do, like hiking, fishing and biking.
Unless you’re flying to a national park, meaning you’ll have airfare and rental car costs, your biggest national park vacation expense will be gas. Most national parks cover a lot of ground, so you could be driving a lot while you’re there.
If you must fly to reach your destination, try traveling during the slow season (usually late fall to early spring). This will allow you to get a cheaper flight and rental car.
You can also save money by booking your lodging in advance, renting an RV or staying at a campground. Camping costs around $20 per night, and budget-friendly hotels in nearby towns start around $50 a night. For a national park vacation, you could get away with under $100 a night, including camping, parking and gas.
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Destin, Florida
Destin is located in the Florida panhandle and has miles of white sandy beaches with many public access points. Beaches are popular family vacation destinations because the sand and water provide free entertainment for the family. You can access the beach for free at the Shores at Crystal Beach Park.
After a day at the beach, your family can walk along the Destin Harbor Boardwalk as cheap nightly entertainment. If you own beach equipment, like chairs, towels, umbrellas, etc., your primary expenses will be your hotel, gas, travel and food.
If you avoid visiting during the busy summer season, there are plenty of inexpensive hotels. Look for one that has a refrigerator or small kitchen. This would allow you to have breakfast before you leave for the day and pack sandwiches for the beach, reducing your food costs.
“A U.S. city I recommend visiting that could easily compare to Malibu or Miami while being a lot cheaper is Destin in northwest Florida,” says Mercedes Zach, a travel agent at ASAP Tickets. “It’s known for its Emerald Coast beaches, many golf courses and the Destin Harbor Boardwalk. Many say Destin gives out Caribbean vibes without having to fly there. Plus, there are plenty of great beach rentals to choose from for as little as $100 per night.”
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville has a lot to offer for families looking for a non-beach but budget-friendly vacation. Located in western North Carolina, Asheville appeals to music lovers, nature lovers and adventure travelers.
To stick to your budget while on vacation in Asheville, find free entertainment, like festivals, concerts and hiking. There are plenty of free or affordable activities, like hiking to waterfalls in Pisgah National Forest, driving along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway and attending free music festivals during the summer.
Staying in a hostel, vacation rental or campground can save you money on accommodations. Depending on the option and timing, these can cost under $200 a night.
Surfside Beach, Texas
Texas might not be what many people think of when it comes to beach vacations, but the state has plenty of shoreline to offer. Over the years, places like South Padre Island and Galveston Island have been the “it” places to go. However, with increasing costs, the appeal is moving further down the coast to Surfside Beach.
“In Surfside, we can book a beautiful home with a 180-degree oceanfront view with enough bedrooms/bathrooms for everyone in our large family for $600-900/night for a 5BR/4BA (nearly half the price of staying in South Padre Island),” says Kourtney Shepard, beach house vacation rental host at Lone Star Casitas. “A savings of about $600/night really adds up over the course of a week — it means we can stay and play twice as long with the same budget.”
Shepard went on to discuss Surfside Beach’s great restaurants, splash pad, Jet Ski dolphin tours, horseback riding, golf carts and fishing charters. Because it is less developed, Surfside Beach feels closer to nature and offers a more authentic, noncommercialized beach experience.
Nags Head, North Carolina
Nags Head, North Carolina, is a budget-friendly family vacation destination with beaches, fishing, lighthouses, wildlife and more. Many birds, sea turtles and more are at the nearby Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge on Hatteras Island.
To stay within budget, visit during spring or fall to enjoy fewer crowds and lower accommodation prices. You can find budget-friendly hotels for under $150 a night during these times. Eating at affordable restaurants and enjoying the many free activities that Nags Head has to offer can also help you stick to your budget.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg is located outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. You can book a vacation to see the leaves change color during the fall — a prime time to enjoy the outdoors in Gatlinburg. The city also offers many free activities, like bird-watching, hiking, fishing and biking.
There are also many delicious, affordable restaurants in Gatlinburg. During the fall, you can find budget-friendly hotels for under $200 a night. Stick to free activities and budget-friendly hotels and restaurants, and you can have an enjoyable family vacation within your budget.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I’m a Travel Agent: 6 Popular Vacations the Middle Class Can Still Afford