Budget-friendly family vacations have come a long way since the Griswold family adventure/horror in "National Lampoon's Vacation." Nowadays, there are more great resources on how to plan the perfect - and affordable - family vacation than you'll know what to do with. This article highlights three boating destinations that will cost you less than $600 for a family of four during a three-day weekend: Pawleys Island, South Carolina; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; and Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine. Each destination focuses on a particular interest: the beach, history and national parks. Read on for detailed ideas and resources for each area, as well as general tips that will help you to plan an affordable and fun family vacation, regardless of your destination of choice.
Pawleys Island, South Carolina
Pawleys Island is the perfect retreat for your family's beach vacation. It's been called "one of the best kept secrets on the Atlantic Ocean ... one of the few unspoiled, non-commercial oceanfront communities remaining on the east coast of the United States" (www.pawleys.org).
It's a great boating destination, renowned for its laid-back lifestyle, scenic stretch of wide, sandy beach and its famous Original Pawleys Island Rope Hammocks. Take your family to the original hammock shop to see the hammocks being made - they're manufactured by weavers who make them on the premises everyday. It doesn't get much more "original" than that; it's definitely a must-see.
Brookgreen Gardens contains the country's largest outdoor collection of figurative sculptures. It hosts a variety of tours, programs and exhibits, which are all free with admission (admission is $12 per adult and $10 for children ages 13 through 18, and $5 for children ages 6 through 12). Picnics in the garden, creek excursions and nightly programs are all free, and provide a great setting for mingling with visitors and locals alike.
Pawleys Island's east coast borders the Atlantic Ocean, and the west is enclosed by a salt marsh. The rivers and ponds provide plenty of crappie, bass and bream, while the surrounding creeks are home to flounder, black drum and trout. Surf fishing doesn't require a license, but you must purchase a recreational fisheries stamp if you'll be fishing from a boat ($11 for non-residents).
Huntington
Beach State Park provides boat access (there are also two other boat ramps on the island,
outside of the park) and swimming areas, and its freshwater lagoon, salt marsh and beach are ideal
spots for your family to discover the true Carolina coastal environment. The Park has a boardwalk,
and areas for surf fishing, crabbing and bird watching. The Coastal Exploration program (from March
to November) is an opportunity for visitors to join staff educators for alligator viewing, marsh
and natural trails exploration, and even a close-up look at the Atalaya castle, the Moorish style
winter home of sculptress Anna Huntington and her husband, Archer.
According to TripAdvisor.com, the Best Western Hammock Inn is the best hotel value, at around $60 per night. The rooms have a microwave and mini-fridge, so save a little on food expenses and make a quick trip to the local Piggly Wiggly (in Litchfield Market Village) to get some snacks for the beach.
For dinner - and a spectacular coastline view - spend an evening at Huntington Beach State Park at one of its shelters. Cook out with the family and then enjoy a relaxing walk on the beach. No need to rush, either, because the Park stays open until 10 p.m. during daylight savings time.
For a night out, and for "casual dining with an island atmosphere, come as you are ..." to the Island Café and Deli. According to its website, the Island Café and Deli gives the real Pawleys Island experience. It offers outdoor patio seating and three different areas of indoor seating. For more restaurant options, go to www.pawleys- islandrealty.com/restaurants.
Money-Saving Secrets
A beach vacation to Pawleys Island doesn't have to be expensive - but you'll have to do a
little planning ahead. You can save a lot of money on food by stocking your hotel with breakfast
items and snacks for the beach. The Best Western Hammock Inn (7903 Ocean Hwy., Pawleys Island, SC,
29585; 843/237-4261;
www.bestwestern.com) offers a mini-fridge
and microwave in its rooms, and you'll be surprised at what you can save if you utilize these
amenities and prepare some of your own meals. The Piggly Wiggly (Litchfield Market Village, 115
Willbrook Blvd., Pawleys Island, SC, 29585; 843/235-9434;
thepig.net) is one of a few local spots for
groceries.
Admission into Brookgreen Gardens (1931 Brookgreen Dr., Murrells Inlet, SC, 29576; 843/235-6000;
www.brookgreen.com) will be $24 for two
adults and $20 for two children (ages 6 through 12 are only $5). A Creek Excursion (if you choose
to take one during the day - during "Cool Summer Evenings" they're free) will be approximately $22
for two adults and two children. A visit to Huntington Beach State Park is highly recommended -
southcarolinaparks.com claims that
it's the "best preserved beach on the Grand Strand." Admission for a family of four is $16.50, and
to reserve a picnic shelter for a cookout dinner costs only about $25. You can fish in the park -
to access the inlet, a boat ramp is located one mile from the park entrance at Oyster Landing. Eat
at the Island Café and Deli (10221 U.S. Hwy.17 S, Pawleys Island, SC, 29585; 843/237-9527;
www.islandcafeanddeli.com). It's
reasonably priced, and offers a good atmosphere for a family night out.
Best Western Hammock Inn (3 nights) $200
Brookgreen Gardens (admission) $44
Creek Excursion $22
Two adult fishing licenses $22
Huntington Beach State Park $17
Cookout at Huntington Beach State Park $75
Dinner at the Island Café and Deli $70
Piggly Wiggly $149
TOTAL $599
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole is a big range with a lot of water - known for some of the West's best fly-fishing on the famous Snake river and in its countless trout lakes. This spirited Old West town is also rich in history and tradition.
The
Jackson Hole Historical Society is a great place to begin immersing yourself in
Jackson's history. Its contents document the settlement and growth of Jackson Hole, Grand Teton and
Yellowstone National Parks.
The Jackson Hole Museum contains a collection of 12,000 artifacts, Native American
pottery, weapons, stone tools and other "objects of antiquity." Even the museum building itself has
historical significance - make sure to ask about its origins when you go.
The
National Museum of Wildlife Art has a great Children's Gallery, which features
interactive displays, including a magnetic nature scene with movable segments, which allows
children to change the wildlife scene. In the art corner, kids can draw and color a wildlife
picture for display in the Children's Gallery.
Just a short drive from Jackson, the
Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming, is an educational, kid-friendly
establishment that organizes and sponsors a variety of annual events ranging from educational
seminars to powwows and shoot-outs. For more information on how your family can take advantage of
the Buffalo Bill Historical Center's many (free) fun, unique and educational opportunities, go to
www.bbhc.- org/events.
Jackson Hole
fly-fishing: four magical words that carry with them a world of legend and lore. Create some new
memories with your family and try fly-fishing for wild cutthroat trout on the
Snake River, one of the best rivers in the West. A great place to access the Snake
River, and to absorb some breathtaking natural scenery, is
Grand Teton National Park. You'll need a Wyoming fishing license ($11 per day,
children under 14 don't need a license if accompanied by a license-carrying adult), which you can
buy in the park. Remember to review the Wyoming Fish and Game Department's regulations before your
pursuit.
"Young Naturalists" is a type of junior ranger program at Grand Teton National Park - it's open to children of all ages, and promotes protection and awareness of the park. You can print out your child's Young Naturalist newspaper (a great, free, traveling activity) online at www.nps.gov/grte /pphtml/forkids.html.
There are plenty of hotels to choose from in Jackson, but the best values are listed on www.hotel-rates.com. The Angler's Inn in Jackson Hole is a great value, at $72 per night. Its interior is a showcase of handmade pole furniture and fine art by local artists - but best of all, it's within a few short blocks of the town square, which means that in the early evening (5:15 p.m.) on Monday through Saturday, you can take the family down to watch the Town Square Shoot-Out - the longest running shoot-out in the country, featuring actors who dress in period costumes.
After the shoot-out show, walk one block north to The Merry Piglets Mexican Grill. Despite its comical name, this restaurant's salsa is nothing to joke about - it's been voted the best salsa in Jackson.
In Wyoming, you're deep in the heart of rodeo country - so for some lively entertainment, experience the true American sport - the rodeo! The JH Rodeo Company has shows twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and it's website tagline advertises it as "Jackson Hole's Least Expensive Family Activity" - a grand total of $35 for the entire family, or $11 per adult and $8 per child. Call JH Rodeo's ticket office for information on their "Just For Kids" events. Once a week, kids can enter the calf scramble, and on big rodeo nights (such as the 4th of July and the Teton County Fair weekend in the summer) kids can participate in mutton busting (riding sheep). Cowboy up!
Money-Saving Secrets
The Jackson Hole Historical Society (105 Mercill Ave., Jackson, WY, 83001; 307/733-9605) and Museum (105 N Glenwood Ave., Jackson, WY, 83001; 307/733-2414; www.jacksonholehistory.com) is only $6 per family. For another $6, take the guided tour - it'll definitely be $6 well spent. A visit to the Children's Gallery at the National Museum of Wildlife Art (2820 Rungius Rd., Jackson Hole, WY, 83001; 307/733-5771; www.wildlifeart.org), a must-see for the whole family, will be $20 for two adults; kids under 18 are admitted free. And, despite the short drive, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center (720 Sheridan Ave., Cody, WY, 82414; 307/587-4771; www.bbhc.org) is well worth the gas money, especially since most of its activities and events geared toward children are completely free of charge.
It's recommended to buy a fishing license one day at a time - and children don't need one if they fish with a license-carrying adult. It doesn't get much better than legendary Jackson Hole fly-fishing, and at $22 for the whole family, it's something you won't want to pass up.
The Angler's Inn (265 N Millward, Jackson, WY, 83001; 307/733-3682; www.anglersinn.net) is one of the best hotel values, at $72 per night.
Dining at small, local restaurants is a great way to save money - and to eat some terrific local fare as well. The Merry Piglets (160 N Cache, Jackson Hole, WY, 83001; 307/733-2966; www.merrypiglets.com) is a great value, and it's backed by locals' confidence and a 37-year-long history of success. For entertainment, the Wyoming Rodeo (www.jhrodeo.com) is, after all, "Jackson Hole's Least Expensive Family Activity," so allot $35 for your family to attend this famous western show.
Historical Society and Museum $6Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine
Acadia
National Park offers plenty of boating and outdoor activities for you and your family to
enjoy together. To get the most out of your experience, team up with an expert. Between mid-May and
mid-October, you can accompany a Ranger for boat cruises, a hike or a shoreline walk. You'll feel
more relaxed because you're not constantly pulling out the map, and your kids can get all of the
(correct) answers from the Ranger about plants, animals, rocks and history that they're curious
about. Additionally, the Park offers the
Acadia Junior Ranger Program. The Junior Ranger Program is open to children of all
ages, and it's an exciting way for them to explore the park's natural and historical wonders. For
more details, see the Acadia National Park Junior Ranger website (www.nps.gov/acad/
kids/jrranger.htm).
Although you can fish for trout and salmon during July and August, they're found deep in the
cooler waters of lakes and ponds - meaning you'll need special (and potentially expensive) gear.
Warm-water fishing is a better alternative -
Long Pond, Hamilton Pond and Seal Cove Pond are all warm-water fishing spots,
where you can catch large and smallmouth bass, white and yellow perch, brown trout and Pickerel. In
addition, there are a number of other lakes in Acadia that permit boating as well. Non-Maine
residents 12 years and older will need a license, which can be purchased in town offices (e.g.
Paradis True Value Hardware, Bar Harbor). If you haven't trailered your boat, Bar Harbor and other
nearby towns rent canoes, kayaks and motorboats.
Acadia has two campgrounds -
Blackwoods and Seawall. If you'd like to be closer to Bar Harbor (recommended),
Blackwoods is the best option. It's also closer to the main park area and the carriage roads. If
you'd prefer a more remote site, choose Seawall - however, Seawall is first come-first served,
whereas Blackwoods takes reservations. Both sites are wooded and within a 10-minute walk of the
ocean, and include comfort stations, cold running water, a dump station, picnic tables, fire rings
and water faucets. Showers and camping supply stores are within a half-mile of both campgrounds.
Most campers spend about two nights in Acadia - but for $20 a night, an extra night or two is a
feasible option if everyone wants to stay a little longer. For further information about Acadia
National Park, go to
www.nps.gov/acad.
A great plan is to spend the third night in one of nearby Bar Harbor's hotels.
TripAdvisor.com has a list of at least
five hotels in Bar Harbor that are under $100, and probably the best deal is at the
Bluenose Inn. The hotel is classic and elegant - a perfect indulgent treat after a
two-day rendezvous with nature. Best of all, it has a huge indoor pool - needless to say, your kids
will probably take full advantage of this amenity. While you're in Bar Harbor, treat the family to
the full New England experience - go to a lobster pound, like Thurston's (under $7 to $17 ... just
right). The kids can pick out their own lobsters from the tanks and then walk out to the cookers
and actually watch the lobsters being boiled. Within about 10 minutes, you'll be ready to enjoy the
fantastic experience of eating your lobster on the dock, while looking out into a charming harbor
dotted with lobster boats and waiting for the fog to roll in. Not too shabby.
Money-Saving Secrets
Before entering Acadia National Park, stop at one of the local grocery stores in Bar Harbor,
and purchase whatever you can ahead of time. Don's Shop 'n Save (207/288-5680) is one option.
Buying groceries here, and even some camping supplies, will save you some money and an expensive
trip to the camping store on the park's grounds.
While you're in town, purchase fishing licenses as well - they're $7 per day for children 12 to
15 years old, and $9 per day for non-resident adults. To purchase, visit Paradis True Value
Hardware (31 Holland Ave., Bar Harbor, ME, 04609; 207/288-4995).
Entrance into Acadia National Park will cost a maximum of only $20 per vehicle for seven days. Camping at either Blackwoods or Seawall is $20 a night, practically a steal compared to even the least expensive lodging anywhere. A night in a Bar Harbor hotel (e.g. Bluenose Inn, 207/288-3348; www.bluenoseinn.com) will run about $100, depending on the season; however, there's at least five other hotels in Bar Harbor with rates starting at $60.
Four lobsters at Thurston's Lobster Pound will run about $40, but it's best to expect to spend
about $100 total on eating-out in Bar Harbor. Last, but not least, splurge on a little something
sweet - or not. Try the Lobster Ice Cream at Ben and Bill's Chocolate Emporium (66 Main St., Bar
Harbor, ME, 04609; 207/288-3281). The shop began making their specialty lobster ice cream to
disprove myths about whether or not they made their own cream. For only $15, the whole family can
enjoy the pleasure, or pain, of this homemade concoction. No doubt about it, they definitely make
their own cream.
Acadia National Park $20
Campsite Fee (two nights) $40
Campsite Cookouts $200
Thurston's Lobster Pound $100
Fishing Licenses $40
Hotel $100
Lobster Ice Cream (4) $15
TOTAL $515