Want to go on a vacation but your piggy bank has been squeezed dry?
Don't worry. With a little planning, you can find U.S. destinations that will fit into your budget.
"The closer to home your vacation can be, the more budget-friendly it will be," said Margie Lenau of Wonderland Family Vacations. "Airfare can be costly when you have a family of four or more traveling."
Lenau suggests looking close to home for some amazing vacation spots.
"I live in Michigan, and traveling to Mackinac Island is a great option here," she said. "Families love riding bicycles on the island, where no cars are allowed, and the fudge is the best in the world. You will find that you are lucky to be near some of the sites in your area, too, so discover them for yourself by traveling close to home."
However, if you want to get on a jet and get out of your area, Danielle Dougan, public relations manager at Student Universe, explains that roundtrip spring fares (for travel between March 20 and June 21-the official dates of spring) start at $58 for domestic flights.
"These are flights to Las Vegas, Miami, Philadelphia, Phoenix, New Orleans, Chicago, Boston, Denver, Dallas, Minneapolis and San Francisco from a variety of origins, and they can be purchased for under $100, which makes for a very low-budget spring getaway," she said.
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Keep in mind that low-budget doesn't have to mean low-quality though.
"Low budget and quality need to go hand in hand, so you need a place that will give you great value for your money," said Lenau.
"The Tradewinds Resort, Guy Harvey Outpost in St. Petersburg, Florida is a great choice in a great location. You can eat at the popular Rum Fish Grill or participate in the many water sports, from fishing to camp fires on the beach. You can get there by car or by boat. They are next door to their Island Resort, so you get two resorts in one with a huge beach to play on. There is so much to do here, you may not have time to travel to see the sites near this resort."
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If you live in, or close to, the southeast corner of the country, Jenny Denney of NWA Getaways Dream Vacations recommends a vacation in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
"It's a great, low-budget travel destination," she said. "By renting one of the many cabins available you can cut cost by buying groceries and cooking some or all of your meals in the cabin instead of eating out. There are also many free outdoor activities, such as hiking, driving through Cades Cove, biking, window shopping and sightseeing to do between a few of the shows or activities if you choose to budget for those. In my opinion, Gatlinburg is truly a travel destination that can be customized to fit your taste and budget."
The earlier you start planning your vacation, the more time you have to research and find what fits your budget as well as what sales are running.
Whether it's a close-by amusement park or a weekend getaway, everyone deserves a vacation.
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