School is back in session, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to end. Traveling during the summer is great, but gas prices are sky high. Hotels jack up their fees in the heat of the summer fun, and long lines face vacationers everywhere.
Traveling in the off-season is possibly better than planning a summer vacation, simply due to all of the perks that come along with a change in pattern. Off-season prices are often considerably lower, and you’ll have your pick of locations/accommodations once the crowds recede.
Here are a few crafty ideas for a mini-vacation with the family, even after the school year has begun.
Plan a tropical cruise
Cruise the Caribbean on a Carnival cruise ship, and take the kids on an extended weekend tour of some of the most beautiful tropical stations in the world. Carnival offers some insanely low prices in the months of September and October, so start plotting your course today.
Keep the kids busy at the onboard water park. They’ll have a ball twisting down the slides and splashing around in the soaking splashdowns. Meanwhile, moms and dads can enjoy the perks of the adults-only Serenity retreat onboard.
Go camping in the woods
Take a family road trip to the nearby national forest, and pitch the tents for the weekend. Camping with the family is a timeless way to reconnect with nature and your loved ones.
Make sure to pack for every possibility, and refresh the whole family on road safety practices. You must first make it safely to your destination to enjoy the camping part of the adventure, so buckle up and avoid figuring fault in an accident.
Visit the Magic Kingdom
Just like most tourism destinations, Walt Disney World drops their prices just below insane after the school year begins. Families can get excellent dining packages, including two free meals and snacks, per person, per day at any of the major parks when you stay at certain hotels within the park boundaries.
Take a trip to San Diego
Throughout the month of October, San Diego is a super affordable spot for family-oriented getaways. You can book a san diego mission bay resort or similar properties and take your family there for a short trip. Moreover, October is the dawn of the Kids Free San Diego promotion. That means kids between the ages of 3 and 11 get free admission to more than 100 different attractions throughout the city.
Some restaurants and hotels also support the mission of Kids Free San Diego, so do some hunting to find the best deals. Check out the San Diego Tourism Authority website for more information.
Educate the family in Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg will bring your kids’ history lessons to life. If your family is a fan of “Hamilton,” you can experience a recreation of the Battle of Yorktown in 1781, and the kids can even rent period specific costumes to join in the fun.