Vacation time will soon be here and families all over the country are trying to decide where to go and what to do.  Of course, when Mom and Dad say, “Let’s go on vacation,” the children probably start thinking about fantasy lands with talking mice and princesses.[ad]

You don’t have to save all year round to have a great summer vacation.  And you don’t have to spend it all at one high-priced amusement park.  There are plenty of low-cost ideas for summer vacation if you look around and think outside of the magic kingdom box.

It might be a surprise that each state actually has smaller theme and amusement parks that you can go to, enjoy your stay, and not have to spend a fortune to do so.  Go to your favorite search engine and search for “United States Amusement Parks” and you’ll find there is something in every state.

In Alabama, there is Alabama Adventures which is located near Birmingham in the center of the state.  Oaks Park Amusement Park in Oregon is a great place to visit if you live on the west coast.  On the east coast, consider Jolly Roger at the Pier.  In Tennessee, why not go to Dollywood? 

If your state doesn’t have a smaller amusement park, perhaps you could schedule your vacation around your State Fair.  This will give you plenty of time to see all of the demonstrations as well as give the children a chance to ride all of the rides.  These are often much cheaper than amusement or theme parks but have the same feel to them.  The biggest benefit, besides saving money, is that you can sleep in your own bed at night.

Camping is a common summertime vacation activity.  It gets the family away from the house, out into the great outdoors, and gives you a chance to reconnect with one another.  If possible, try to leave all unnecessary technology at home.  You’ll have a much better time without it.

Plan a road trip to a national monument like Mount Rushmore, Yosemite National Park, or the Grand Canyon.  On the way, visit historical parks and museums that you pass along the way.

Better yet, make plans to visit Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia or Old Sacramento in California.  They can teach your child history as well as inspire them to learn more.  If you can tie the trip into genealogical research, it may spark their interest in learning where their family came from.

Summertime vacations don’t have to be a week-long time at one particular theme park.  There are so many great places to see in the United States, it’s a shame to forgo seeing them to spend your time in a crowded, high-priced park.  Take the time instead, when someone says “Let’s go on vacation,” to see what the country has to offer.  You might be surprised at the beauty and the diversity right in your own backyard.

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