Last-Minute Spring Break Vacation Ideas That Won't Break the Bank

Stuck figuring out your spring break plans at the last minute? You're certainly not alone, but you should probably start planning right away - before it's too late. These frugal vacation ideas will help you score a change of scenery without draining your bank account.

First and foremost, if you're in need of any last-minute travel plans, using a travel agent or advisor is the way to go. It's a great way to get the most bang for your buck when booking a vacation. They can help plan for exactly what you're looking for to stay within your budget.

Cheap cruises are all the rage throughout the year, but they can be an especially good deal when you book them at the last minute. Check your favorite cruise line's website for their last-minute deals, or explore options on VacationtoGo.com, which offers up to 82 percent off cruises that depart within 90 days.

If you are dreaming of a relaxing oceanfront getaway in a beach house or vacation condo, there are still plenty left to choose from! Booking a home with a kitchen will help you save money since you can cook some of your meals at "home," and you'll likely find plenty of options leftover on sites like Airbnb.com and VRBO.com.

If a beach doesn't sound like your cup of tea, take the time to explore vacation rental sites for mountainside cabins off the beaten path and within driving distance of your home. You can skip the high cost of spring break airfare if you drive to your destination, and you won't have to rent a car, either. The best part? You can hike and spend time in nature for free.

Here's another idea: Rent an RV from someone near your home, or in a destination you want to visit anyway. An RV rental through RVShare.com will provide you with transportation and a roof over your head, and you can save money on meals by doing all your own cooking on the road or wherever you decide to camp.

Want to go all out without spending a fortune? Check discount sites like CheapCaribbean.com and Expedia.com for inexpensive all-inclusive vacation options. While you'll have to fly since most all-inclusive resorts aren't in the United States, you'll get all your food, drinks, entertainment and lodging for one low price.

If you're angling for a severe change of scenery and desperately want to travel somewhere exotic, keep your eye out for last-minute airfare deals on websites like TheFlightDeal.com and SecretFlying.com. Both feature daily airfare deals out of the country for as little as $300 round-trip, although you must book quickly because these deals rarely last more than a day.

State and national parks provide some of the most beautiful scenery our nation has to offer. Best of all, most of them require only a nominal charge for daily entry. If you can't get away for a lengthy getaway, a quick day trip or overnight stay in a park lodge or rental cabin can be a nice treat.

Pack up the kids and a cooler of snacks and drinks for a few days of fun and family memories. Camping is a great way to enjoy nature and get away from the hustle and bustle of work and school without having to spend a ton of cash. If you don't have a tent, you can always buy a cheap one or even borrow one from a friend!

Asheville, North Carolina has just about anything you could want for an educational, outdoorsy getaway with room for adult fun. Book a mountain cabin here for instant access to mountains and hiking trails, proximity to the famous Biltmore Estate and breweries galore. It's a destination where you can get a lot of bang for your buck.

Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains are also a great stop for hiking and fun in nature with the kids. Destinations like Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, in particular, are home to plenty of museums, restaurants, and family fun centers along with tons of inexpensive hotels and vacation homes you can book at the last minute.

While most people who think of "wine country" conjure up images of the Napa Valley or Sonoma in California, there are plenty of smaller wine regions throughout the United States. If you need a spring break and don't have any kids to bring along, consider booking a wine-themed getaway in Oregon, Texas, Virginia or even New York state.

While some theme parks in the northern U.S. and Middle America aren't quite open for their seasons yet, there are still plenty of theme parks you can visit if you're willing to drive toward the coasts or visit an indoor park. Pack up the car for a trip to Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, or to Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, for example.

Also check to see if any cheap vacation packages are around for destinations you want to visit since these packages usually include airfare, your hotel stay and sometimes even a rental car. You can do this by checking deals pages on travel discount sites like Expedia.com, Travelocity.com and Priceline.com.

If you're leaning toward an educational trip, pack up the kids for a few days in your state's capital. You could visit government buildings, world-class museums and historical attractions that can help your kids learn what your state is all about. You can probably drive there too, which means you'll save big by not having to pay for a rental car.

The state of Florida has beautiful beaches on both coasts along with more than its share of theme parks and attractions built for family fun. You can stay in an affordable hotel, rent a beachfront condo or home or redeem some hotel points to stay in a resort. Make sure to shop around to see which destinations are offering the best deals for your dates.

If you'll pretty much travel anywhere and don't mind taking care of someone's home and potentially their pets, housesitting can provide you with a low-cost and unique experience. Check out TrustedHousesitters.com, the premier website that helps homeowners who travel connect with people willing to watch their pets in exchange for a place to stay.

Groupon Getaways has some deals that could work for spring break depending on your travel goals. Options include everything from indoor waterpark getaways to Las Vegas vacation packages, so make sure to check deals and their pricing to see how much you could save.