Spring break is just around the corner. Have you planned your getaway yet? Planning for a family vacation takes time and commitment. How much your trip will cost depends on where you plan to go and how many people you are taking with you.
According to VacationKids.com, an average family vacation costs between 5 and 10% of your total income. For example, if your household income is $60,000, then experts say your yearly vacation budget should be between $3,000 and $6,000. Of course, there are so many variables to consider: Will you drive or fly? Are you staying with friends or in a hotel? Are you staying stateside or traveling abroad? These and others factors all contribute to the cost of your vacation.
On average, airline tickets within the U.S. cost between $300 and $500 per ticket. Most hotels range from $120 to $300 per night. And you’ll need to eat while on vacation, as well. Vacationkids.com recommends budgeting $60 per adult and $45 per child each day.
If you are looking for some close-to-home and more affordable options for spring break, consider these top vacation spots in and around the area.
Kalahari Resorts features America’s largest indoor water park, providing the perfect backdrop for your family vacation. The park provides space to relax in your own indoor private cabana or catch some rays under the Texlon transparent roof, while enjoying the wavepool. There are raft rides, zip coasters, mat slides and more.
Adult general admission passes are $79; passes for children under 42 inches are $35. There are many great places to eat at the resort, as well as guest rooms and suites on site ranging from $299 to $799 per night. If you book a room, you get a free water park pass.
Get out your hiking boots and dust off your bikes. For outdoor lovers, Emmet County is a great place to vacation. Located in Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula, it has a “getting kids outdoors” campaign that helps families figure out what to do and where to go for fresh air fun.
The County offers many inland hiking and biking trails, 15 nature preserves (landtrust.org), and many playgrounds and recreational areas. If you’re looking for something different, visit Pond Hill Farm which welcomes visitors and has regularly scheduled events and tours. Trip Advisor is a great resource for other activities. Check out “Things to Do in Emmet County.”
Hotels in the area start at just $89 a night. Check for the best value on Trip Advisor’s website.
Louisville, Kentucky is home to many family-friendly attractions to make for a memorable vacation.
The Louisville Zoo has a wide variety of animal presentations, rides, playgrounds, and a splash park. Tickets for adults are $15.95 and for kids 3-11 are $11.50.
For indoor fun, Renaissance Fun Park features laser tag, go karts, arcade games, and mini golf. An unlimited all day pass is $30.
Louisville Mega Caverns is an underground adventure rich in history, offering zip lines, bike tracks and more. Tickets for the zip line start at $59 for an adult and child. Bike track tickets start at $24 for an adult and child and bike rentals are available.
Finally, Bernheim Arboretum has special drop in activities planned throughout spring break, including guided nature hikes for children of all ages. There’s also fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing and a Children’s Play Garden. Admission is $5 per car.
Click here for a full Louisville spring break itinerary.
If you haven’t visited the museums in Chicago, perhaps planning to do so over spring break is just what your family is looking for. Located in a cluster near Lake Michigan just south of downtown, The Museum of Science and Industry, The Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, and Shedd Aquarium offer days of family-friendly fun. If you plan to visit all four, a Chicago CityPASS offers the best value. It is $99.75 for adults and $84.75 for kids (3-11) and it is valid for nine days.
Hotels can be a bit pricey in Chicago, especially downtown, but Air BNB offers wonderful places to stay, often for less than a hotel. Another option to save money, is to stay somewhere outside of Chicago city limits and rely on the train or an Uber for transportation. This option will also save you money on parking, which can be expensive in and around the downtown area.
No matter what you choose for your vacation, the memories you make with your family are priceless. And, if you are really drawn to an area after vacationing there, you may consider investing in a vacation home. Our team can help you get started today!