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10 great vacation ideas to cut the budget

I’ll admit it: I was bitten by the travel bug at a very young age, and now, there are very few things that I love as much as traveling. Over the years, my wife and I have taken our family to amazing places. But there was one big difference between our trips and those of many vacationers; We didn’t have excessive amounts of cash to spend when we went on vacation, so we learned to travel cheap, while still having a great time doing it.

From the beginning, I want you to know that I do not intend to detail all the places you should go on your next vacation, but I will show you HOW to make your next vacation cheap. If you are an exclusive fan of Disney, you better stop reading this article right now, because when you consider the high cost of admission and food inside the park, there is no way to do it cheaply. However, if you’re not locked into Florida’s expensive BIG NAME theme parks, then I can give you some great options.

Our journey begins in my family’s favorite destination: Gatlinburg, TN, home of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. An ideal vacation destination for families, East Tennessee offers many options for budget-conscious travelers and can be enjoyed for much less than most people think.

Not only that, but all of the cost-cutting vacation ideas I’m about to share with you can also be applied to many of your family’s favorite vacation spots.

1. Don’t spend a lot of money on fancy hotel rooms. You can save a lot of money by renting a log cabin. Cabins cost about the same per night as hotel rooms, but are a more affordable option. Why? You can have one or more meals there, every day, and you can usually find cabin rentals with third or fourth night free deals. Want to save even more money? Ask another family to go on vacation with you; then you can split the cost of the cabin and your meals in common.

2. Have breakfast, lunch or dinner in your stateroom. Doesn’t that sound great? Oh, but it is. Many of the cabins in the Gatlinburg area offer fantastic mountain views or are located along a creek. If you are looking for a place to get away from it all and spend some relaxing time, even a couple of hours a day, then a log cabin is perfect for you. Even if you don’t want to cook anything, you can save money by stocking up on some basic groceries and having breakfast in the cabin, or having a rotisserie chicken and potato salad for dinner, instead of spending a lot more money at the restaurant.

3. Spend a day in the National Park. It is shocking to read the statistics of how many people come to Gatlinburg and never set foot inside the national park. And that’s a shame. Personally speaking, some of our most enjoyable times as a family are spent tubing, wading, or picnicking along one of the park’s streams. Not sure where to go? That’s an easy fix. Drive to the Sugarlands Nature Center (just outside of town) and ask a ranger. They are very knowledgeable and will get you on your way safely and quickly.

4. Take a walk! Literally. With nearly 900 miles of trails, dozens of waterfalls, hundreds of scenic overlooks, and available natural areas, the Smokies offers something for just about every outdoor enthusiast. And best of all: the trails are classified by degree of difficulty and length. So whether you’re a novice or an expert hiker, you can find a trail that’s right for you. Are the trails safe for children? Many of the trails and outdoor sites are classified as family-friendly. Need help? Once again, just ask a Ranger.

5. Go to Dollywood. I told you I had good news for theme park addicts. Dollywood is a great, family friendly park packed with great rides, it has a water park, musical performances at various venues, all day long and to top it off the park offers very affordable food and drinks. Tired of spending thousands of dollars at theme parks, then go see Dolly. Dollywood will present you with affordable vacation options. Helpful Hint: If you plan on spending multiple days at the park, which we have, consider purchasing season passes. They are very affordable and will save you a ton in the long run. Who to ask? Call Dollywood or ask one of their helpful salespeople. They will guide you in the right direction and they will do it with a smile.

6. Hang out on Main Street. But before you do, be sure to set a spending limit. If you don’t predetermine your spending limit, you can break your bank fast along Gatlinburg’s main street. But here are some fun options: Instead of buying full meals for the family, at some of the more expensive restaurants in town, treat the kids to an Ogle Dog, or after dinner, buy them some Donut Friar baked goods, hang out at some shops or enjoy a round of Mountain Mini-Golf.

7. Take the kids shopping early for school and save big! You never thought you could actually save money on vacation, did you? Well, in Gatlinburg (Pigeon Forge), you actually can. How? Take a day and go shopping at Belz or Tangers Outlet malls. You’ll find incredible deals on clothing, shoes and back-to-school items from name brands at hundreds of stores.

8. Rainy day? Not a problem in Gatlinburg. Get the kids in the car and drive to one of the malls in Knoxville. They are less than an hour away and offer great indoor fun for all. Don’t you want to drive that far? Then stop by Smoky Mountain Knife Works or the Bass Pro Shop. Both are great stores and will provide you with hours of entertainment.

9. Fishing trips create memories. Bring your rod and reel, grab some bait, and go dip a line in a nearby mountain stream or lake. Fishing licenses can be obtained locally, along with all the free advice you’ll need to have a great time in the great outdoors. What fish are available? The mountain trout is my favorite, but the area also offers great bass and bad fishing.

10. Wildlife viewing is an amazing and affordable option. Grab a picnic lunch, pack the family in the van, and head to Cataloochie to see some elk, Cades Cove to see deer, and Roaring Fork to see bear. Don’t forget to bring your camera and binoculars too, because everyone likes to see wildlife up close. But remember: Wild creatures are best viewed from the safety of your vehicle – this is no petting zoo. So bring the binoculars and get some safe views, without endangering the animals or your family.

I can’t believe we hit ten so fast. Looks like I just scratched the surface. Which, I guess, I did. But, at least you get an idea. Now that I’ve started the thought process for you, I’m sure you’ll be able to generate many more money-saving ideas of your own.

Great vacations can be cheap, if you do it the right way! But remember; If you really want to create great memories, then you need to spend quality time together. Because when it’s all said and done, the kids won’t remember another meal at the restaurant, but they’ll never forget the good times you had together swimming in a Smoky Mountain stream, watching elk graze in a mountain meadow, or fishing for brown trout. nine inches. here water, mid-July.