| Funand Frugal | | | | day cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on |
| | | | 125miles of groomed trails, and return to the |
| 10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-fam | | | | resort to warm up in the indoor pool. |
| ly:Arial">Perfect Family Vacations | | | | |
| | | | Estes Park and other prominent winter |
| That Won't Blow Your | | | | activity destinations are |
| Budgetmso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:V | | | | nearby.mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family: |
| erdana">mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family | | | | Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"> |
| :Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Whatmake | | | | |
| s a perfect family vacation? Thatdepends on | | | | Lodging options include cabins and lodge |
| your family; what they like to do, where they | | | | rooms. |
| like to go, the ages ofyour children, even | | | | |
| your parenting style. Butmost families will | | | | Cabins range from two to five bedroom and |
| agree that a perfect vacation needs to be | | | | include a fireplace and fullyequipped |
| relaxing and funwith something for everyone. | | | | kitchen.yes"> Rates begin at $138/night. |
| Thereis a seemingly endless list of resorts | | | | |
| in the United States that fit | | | | Lodge rooms have two queen beds and a set of |
| thatdescription. But for many parents,there | | | | bunk beds. |
| is one more essential aspect of the perfect | | | | |
| family vacation. | | | | Rates begin at $64 during off-peak times. |
| | | | |
| It needs to be | | | | Accommodations are not luxurious but then you |
| affordable.mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-fam | | | | are on a budget,right? |
| ily:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Again | | | | |
| ,the term affordable is a relative concept, | | | | Northwood's |
| but for many families, a resort thatcosts | | | | |
| more than $350 per night takes the fun out of | | | | Getawaymso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family |
| the vacation. | | | | Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Someof |
| | | | America's original family resorts focused on |
| Parents on a budget are too busy worrying | | | | simple accommodations thatprovided easy |
| about how they will fund thetrip and are | | | | access to the great outdoors. |
| unable to relax and enjoy themselves. | | | | |
| | | | Nitschke's Northern Resort, in Minocqua, |
| Or limited funds means that a more expensive | | | | Wisconsin has carriedon the fine example of |
| resort results in less tospend on tours, | | | | the original resort, with its tidy |
| attractions, and food. Manyfamilies end up | | | | accommodations,coupled with the pristine |
| staying in cheap hotels with no kid-friendly | | | | setting on the edge of a lake, surrounded by |
| amenities ratherthan spend all their vacation | | | | forest.mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family: |
| money on lodging. | | | | Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Activitie |
| | | | sinclude fishing, hiking, boating, jet |
| But by searching for discount resorts or | | | | skiing, or simply relaxing on the porch |
| obtaining the services of aknowledgeable | | | | ofyour cabin. The beach andplayground |
| travel consolidator, it is possible to find | | | | provide additional play opportunities for |
| many affordable familyresorts across the U.S. | | | | children.yes"> Icefishing and snowmobiling |
| that won't blow your budget. | | | | trails provide winterentertainment options. |
| | | | Despite thesecluded, natural setting of this |
| Here are some examples. | | | | family resort, the town is within |
| | | | boating,walking, and driving distance when |
| The | | | | you need groceries or a change of |
| | | | scenery.mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family |
| Criteriamso-bidi-font-family:Arial">§ | | | | :Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Cabinsac |
| | | | commodate up to eight people easily and rates |
| Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">U.S. | | | | start at an amazingly affordable |
| resort under $350 | | | | |
| nightmso-bidi-font-family:Arial">§ | | | | $180 per night. |
| | | | |
| Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Structur | | | | Award-winning |
| d activities for kids of all | | | | |
| agesmso-bidi-font-family:Arial">§ | | | | Resortmso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family: |
| | | | erdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Manyof the |
| Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Family | | | | award winning family resorts are beyond the |
| friendly | | | | means of those on a budget,but Woodloch Pines |
| atmospheremso-bidi-font-family:Arial">§ | | | | Resort in Hawley, Pennsylvania offers |
| | | | theamenities of a luxury resort for under |
| Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Wide | | | | $350 per night. |
| range of activities to accommodatedifferent | | | | |
| interestsmso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-famil | | | | Located on a private lake in the Northern |
| y:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"> | | | | Pocono Mountains of |
| | | | |
| DisneylandArial;font-weight:normal" | | | | Northeastern Pennsylvania, this family owned |
| class="results-property-number"> | | | | resort was voted Favorite Family |
| | | | |
| 12.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-fam | | | | Vacation Spot by the readers of Better Homes |
| ly:Arial" | | | | and Gardens. |
| class="results-property-number">Disneylandis | | | | |
| one of the world's all time favorite family | | | | Open year-round, the resort offers an amazing |
| vacation destinations. | | | | feast of activities fromwaterskiing, |
| | | | sailboating, and bumper boats in summer to |
| Anyone who has traveled there with children | | | | snow tubing, ice skatingand snowmobiling in |
| knows that it meets ourcriteria of a wide | | | | the |
| range of family friendly activities. | | | | winter.mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family: |
| | | | Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Kidsof |
| Known to be one of the more expensive family | | | | all ages love the go carts, batting cages, |
| vacation destinations, thereare affordable | | | | pool water slide and hayrides. |
| lodging options that provide easy access to | | | | |
| Disneyland and helpkeep costs down. The All | | | | Parents enjoy the Jacuzzis, massages for |
| Star | | | | themselves and the all-inclusiverates that |
| | | | are difficult to find at U.S. resorts. |
| Music Resort is one of Disney's most | | | | |
| affordable resorts. | | | | Prices vary depending on room selection, time |
| | | | of year and number ofpeople, but a family of |
| As the name implies, it has a music theme, | | | | four can purchase a four-night package that |
| with different areas decoratedto reflect | | | | includesroom and 12 meals for under $350 per |
| various music genres including jazz, rock, | | | | night. |
| country, and Broadway. | | | | |
| | | | Another |
| The resort's two pools are shaped like a | | | | |
| piano and a guitar. | | | | All-inclusivemso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font- |
| | | | amily:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">The |
| Kids love the playground and arcade. | | | | family-friendly, all-inclusive pricing draws |
| | | | hundreds of families south of theborder to |
| Parents love the baby-sitting service. | | | | Mexico each year. Butfamilies don't have to |
| | | | leave the country to find all-inclusive |
| 12.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-fam | | | | deals. |
| ly:Arial" | | | | |
| class="results-property-number">Thebasic | | | | Tyler Place Family Resort on Lake Champlain |
| amenities are in keeping with a budget resort | | | | in Vermont also offersthis pricing that |
| but are more numerous thanthose of a standard | | | | includes meals, snacks, lodging, and most |
| hotel. Mostrooms sleep four with two double | | | | activities.mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-fam |
| beds. Diningfacilities are limited to a mall | | | | ily:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Tyler |
| style food court, but the wide variety | | | | |
| ofchoices is sure to please everyone. | | | | Place's eight different kid's programs offer |
| Ratesfor a family of four at this 2000-room, | | | | structured nature and outdoorprograms for |
| Disney resort start at just over $100per | | | | children of all ages. Familywater activities |
| night.mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"> Becauseit | | | | include sailing, canoeing, kayaking, |
| is part of the group of Disney resorts, there | | | | waterskiing, paddleboats,bumper tube rides, |
| are often vacation specials andpackages | | | | banana boats, and lots more. |
| available.mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-fami | | | | |
| ly:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"> | | | | Other entertainment includes tennis, mountain |
| | | | biking, indoor and outdoorpools, and group |
| Rocky | | | | sports. Newbornand infant care is provided |
| | | | for parents who want to take art, yoga and |
| Mountainsmso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-fami | | | | aerobicsclasses, or visit vineyards in |
| y:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Manypar | | | | Quebec.mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family: |
| ents are familiar with the family-oriented | | | | Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Discount, |
| mission of the YMCA programs. | | | | off-peak rates for a family of four are just |
| | | | under $300 per night and includelodging with |
| Located in urban areas internationally, this | | | | separate children's rooms, all meals and |
| kid friendly organizationoffers many | | | | access to services |
| educational, sports, and social | | | | andactivities.mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font- |
| opportunities. | | | | family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Th |
| | | | islist of affordable family resorts is just a |
| The YMCA of the Rockies, Colorado also | | | | taste of what's available outthere for |
| operates two budget vacationresorts that help | | | | perfect family vacations if you are willing |
| families get out and enjoy the legendary | | | | to sacrifice some of theluxurious |
| beauty of the Rocky | | | | accommodations in lieu of a more family |
| | | | friendly atmosphere. |
| Mountains.mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-fam | | | | |
| ly:Verdana">Snow Mountain Ranch and Estes | | | | As with many vacation destinations, traveling |
| | | | during off peak seasonswill cut costs, and |
| Park Centerfont-family:Verdana"> are | | | | watching out for vacation specials, |
| 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family: | | | | discountflights, and discountcar rental can |
| Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial" | | | | also help keep costs down. |
| class="article">nondenominationalprograms | | | | |
| open to any guest. However,members receive a | | | | Vacation planners who work with a variety of |
| slight rate discount and have their | | | | destinations and packagesare often able to |
| reservations processedfirst. In addition to | | | | locate great vacation deals for you and your |
| opportunitiesto enjoy the mountains, summer | | | | family. |
| children's programs operate daily for ages | | | | |
| threethrough 16. Age appropriateactivities | | | | The perfect family vacation doesn't have to |
| include hiking, hayrides, roller skating arts | | | | blow your budget. |
| and crafts, campfirecooking, orienteering and | | | | |
| archery. Inwinter, families can spend the | | | | It just takes a little planning and research. |