summer

Summer is in full swing and the temps are creeping into the triple digits no matter where you live. In the Kimmet household we are doing our best to beat the heat by running through sprinklers (ours and the neighbors), rafting on the Boise River, and searching for shady spots to hang up the hammock I got from the boys on Father’s Day.

With the kids out of school, Summer is the perfect time for a vacation road trip. We took advantage of the 4th of July falling on a Wednesday and made it a 5-day weekend. We explored a little more of the Pacific Northwest, visiting Portland, and making the boys’ first trip to the Pacific Ocean.

If you haven’t planned your summer getaway yet this year, here are a few great inexpensive vacation ideas to consider:

Camping

The original budget friendly family vacation choice. For less than $100 you can rent a campsite for the weekend, and spend your days hiking, exploring and swimming until it’s time for hot dogs and s’mores around the campfire. If you haven’t been camping in a while or don’t have the necessary gear, websites like outdoorsgeek.com have popped up with tents and camping equipment for rent. If sleeping bags and air mattresses aren’t really your thing you can check out cabin rentals and glamping options on sites like hipcamp, airbnb, and vrbo.

Cruise

Cruises can be an inexpensive family vacation option due to their all-inclusive pricing and the number of activities available on the ship. It’s also a great way to explore multiple new places on the same trip by spending a few hours at each on a shore excursion. CruiseSheet.com is a great site for comparing cruises from different cruise lines and destinations. You can also sort by last minute bookings and score some great deals!

Utah

With the snow gone from the ski slopes you might think there wouldn’t be any reason to visit the Beehive State, but Utah has great outdoor sights to explore year-round. Utah is home to Arches, Zion, and Bryce Canyon National Parks. White water rafting, kayaking and of course mountain biking are just a few great outdoor adventures to experience in the summer. During the summer rates at resorts in ski towns like Park City drop by up to 50%.

National Parks

Speaking of National Parks, another budget friendly vacation and a great reason to see different parts of the country is by planning a trip to a National Park. An Annual Pass which is good for your family is only $80, or if your child has just finished the 4th grade it’s free! Yellowstone and Old Faithful are the first thing to pop into most people’s heads when they think of National Parks, but there are many more options available, and probably not too far away. Head to NPS.gov to find a national park site near you.

Mexico

Believe it or not, the summer is a great time to visit Mexico. Another offseason destination, all-inclusive resorts and airlines slash rates to lure tourists to Playa del Carmen and Cancun during the summer months. Summer is also a great time to view wildlife in Mexico. Sea Turtles lay their eggs on the beaches in May, and the eggs hatch about 40 days after. You can also try swimming with Whale Sharks off Cancun from July to November. Check out CheapCarribean.com for deals on a vacation south of the border.