| Fun and Frugal | | | | Cabins range from two to five bedroom and |
| Perfect Vacations for Teens That Won't Blow | | | | include a fireplace and fully equipped kitchen. Rates |
| Your Budget | | | | begin at $138/night. Lodge rooms have two |
| What makes a perfect vacation for teens? That | | | | queen beds and a set of bunk beds. Rates begin |
| depends on your family; what they like to do, | | | | at $64 during off-peak times. Accommodations |
| where they like to go, the ages of your children, | | | | are not luxurious but then you are on a budget, |
| even your parenting style. But most teens will | | | | right? |
| agree that a perfect vacation needs to be | | | | Northwood's Getaway |
| relaxing and fun with something for everyone. | | | | Some of America's original family resorts focused |
| There is a seemingly endless list of resorts in the | | | | on simple accommodations that provided easy |
| United States that fit that description. But for | | | | access to the great outdoors. Nitschke's Northern |
| many parents, there is one more essential aspect | | | | Resort, in Minocqua, Wisconsin has carried on the |
| of the perfect family vacation. It needs to be | | | | fine example of the original resort, with its tidy |
| affordable. | | | | accommodations, coupled with the pristine setting |
| Again, the term affordable is a relative concept, | | | | on the edge of a lake, surrounded by forest. |
| but for many teens, a resort that costs more | | | | Activities include fishing, hiking, boating, jet skiing, |
| than $350 per night takes the fun out of the | | | | or simply relaxing on the porch of your cabin. The |
| vacation. Parents on a budget are too busy | | | | beach and playground provide additional play |
| worrying about how they will fund the trip and | | | | opportunities for children. Icefishing and |
| are unable to relax and enjoy themselves. Or | | | | snowmobiling trails provide winter entertainment |
| limited funds means that a more expensive resort | | | | options. Despite the secluded, natural setting of |
| results in less to spend on tours, attractions, and | | | | this family resort, the town is within boating, |
| food. Many families end up staying in cheap hotels | | | | walking, and driving distance when you need |
| with no kid-friendly amenities rather than spend all | | | | groceries or a change of scenery. |
| their vacation money on lodging. But by searching | | | | Cabins accommodate up to eight people easily |
| for discount resorts or obtaining the services of a | | | | and rates start at an amazingly affordable $180 |
| knowledgeable travel consolidator, it is possible to | | | | per night. |
| find many affordable family resorts across the | | | | Award-winning Resort |
| U.S. that won't blow your budget. Here are some | | | | Many of the award winning family resorts are |
| examples. | | | | beyond the means of those on a budget, but |
| The Criteria | | | | Woodloch Pines Resort in Hawley, Pennsylvania |
| - U.S. resort under $350/night | | | | offers the amenities of a luxury resort for under |
| - Structured activities for kids of all ages | | | | $350 per night. Located on a private lake in the |
| - Family friendly atmosphere | | | | Northern Pocono Mountains of Northeastern |
| - Wide range of activities to accommodate | | | | Pennsylvania, this family owned resort was voted |
| different interests | | | | Favorite Family Vacation Spot by the readers of |
| Disneyland | | | | Better Homes and Gardens. Open year-round, the |
| Disneyland is one of the world's all time favorite | | | | resort offers an amazing feast of activities from |
| teen vacation destinations. Anyone who has | | | | waterskiing, sailboating, and bumper boats in |
| traveled there with children knows that it meets | | | | summer to snow tubing, ice skating and |
| our criteria of a wide range of family friendly | | | | snowmobiling in the winter. |
| activities. Known to be one of the more | | | | Kids of all ages love the go carts, batting cages, |
| expensive family vacation destinations, there are | | | | pool water slide and hayrides. Parents enjoy the |
| affordable lodging options that provide easy | | | | Jacuzzis, massages for themselves and the |
| access to Disneyland and help keep costs down. | | | | all-inclusive rates that are difficult to find at U.S. |
| The All Star Music Resort is one of Disney's most | | | | resorts. Prices vary depending on room selection, |
| affordable resorts. As the name implies, it has a | | | | time of year and number of people, but a family |
| music theme, with different areas decorated to | | | | of four can purchase a four-night package that |
| reflect various music genres including jazz, rock, | | | | includes room and 12 meals for under $350 per |
| country, and Broadway. The resort's two pools | | | | night. |
| are shaped like a piano and a guitar. Kids love the | | | | Another All-inclusive |
| playground and arcade. Parents love the | | | | The family-friendly, all-inclusive pricing draws |
| baby-sitting service. | | | | hundreds of families south of the border to |
| The basic amenities are in keeping with a budget | | | | Mexico each year. But families don't have to leave |
| resort but are more numerous than those of a | | | | the country to find all-inclusive deals. Tyler Place |
| standard hotel. Most rooms sleep four with two | | | | Family Resort on Lake Champlain in Vermont also |
| double beds. Dining facilities are limited to a mall | | | | offers this pricing that includes meals, snacks, |
| style food court, but the wide variety of choices | | | | lodging, and most activities. |
| is sure to please everyone. Rates for a family of | | | | Tyler Place's eight different kid's programs offer |
| four at this 2000-room, Disney resort start at | | | | structured nature and outdoor programs for |
| just over $100 per night. Because it is part of the | | | | children of all ages. Family water activities include |
| group of Disney resorts, there are often vacation | | | | sailing, canoeing, kayaking, waterskiing, |
| specials and packages available. | | | | paddleboats, bumper tube rides, banana boats, |
| Rocky Mountains | | | | and lots more. Other entertainment includes |
| Many parents are familiar with the family-oriented | | | | tennis, mountain biking, indoor and outdoor pools, |
| mission of the YMCA programs. Located in urban | | | | and group sports. Newborn and infant care is |
| areas internationally, this kid friendly organization | | | | provided for parents who want to take art, yoga |
| offers many educational, sports, and social | | | | and aerobics classes, or visit vineyards in Quebec. |
| opportunities. The YMCA of the Rockies, Colorado | | | | Discount, off-peak rates for a family of four are |
| also operates two budget vacation resorts that | | | | just under $300 per night and include lodging with |
| help families get out and enjoy the legendary | | | | separate children's rooms, all meals and access to |
| beauty of the Rocky Mountains. | | | | services and activities. |
| Snow Mountain Ranch and Estes Park Center are | | | | This list of affordable family resorts is just a |
| nondenominational programs open to any guest. | | | | taste of what's available out there for perfect |
| However, members receive a slight rate discount | | | | vacations for teens if you are willing to sacrifice |
| and have their reservations processed first. In | | | | some of the luxurious accommodations in lieu of a |
| addition to opportunities to enjoy the mountains, | | | | more family friendly atmosphere. As with many |
| summer children's programs operate daily for | | | | vacation destinations, traveling during off peak |
| ages three through 16. Age appropriate activities | | | | seasons will cut costs, and watching out for |
| include hiking, hayrides, roller skating arts and | | | | vacation specials, discount flights, and discount car |
| crafts, campfire cooking, orienteering and archery. | | | | rental can also help keep costs down. Vacation |
| In winter, families can spend the day | | | | planners who work with a variety of destinations |
| cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on 125 miles | | | | and packages are often able to locate great |
| of groomed trails, and return to the resort to | | | | vacation deals for you and your family. The |
| warm up in the indoor pool. Estes Park and other | | | | perfect vacation for teens doesn't have to blow |
| prominent winter activity destinations are nearby. | | | | your budget. It just takes a little planning and |
| Lodging options include cabins and lodge rooms. | | | | research. |