Seeking Good, Affordable Vacation Destinations

Hey Sara B. just wanted to share this extremly affordable travel website with you. They have everthing that has to do with travling from packages to car rentals even more the site is queenroyaltytravel.com You can find absoulutly anyplace at an affordable family get away!!! My family and I used this service and it has been a hit with my family and friends every since. the phone number is ###-###-#### the sales person is great.

I just love South Haven. The beach is beautiful and free, the town is quaint. There are B&B's, a very nice motel on the river in the town, great places to eat, The Blue Star Highway will take you to Fennville, Saugatuck, Holland. Hiking, boating, antiquing, whatever you want is there. Wonderful day spa in heart of downtown for a relaxing massage.

In June or July Saugatuck has a film festival as well as art galleries and a tourist town, Glenn has a Blueberry Festival. Lots of Arts and crafts. Holland has the largest Farmer's Market on Sunday. It is an event! I have never seen anything like it before. And there is an interesting art gallery in town. Sand dunes not far from there to hike if you are into that.

A friend of mine is a travel agent in town. She is wonderful and always finds us the perfect place with everything that we are looking for. Her name is Win Dickson and owns Graham Travel.
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We have a lot of allergies and cannot stay where there has ever been a dog or cat. You may not have those contrainsts, so it will probably be easier for her to find you something. Just tell her your price range and she is extremely helpful.

Have fun, M.

Not sure about places to go, but when you're looking for accomodation, www.vrbo.com is a great website. it's vacation rentals by owner. you have to research the area a little bit (googlemaps is good b/c you can see what the area looks like) just to make sure it's in a good spot, but we've found amazing deals through that!

We actually just returned from our first post-baby vaca yesterday! (Our daughter is 5 mo old and stayed with "grandma") We went to Michigan and stayed pretty low-budget. Of course it depends on what you like, but we stayed a couple days near Mackinac. It depends when you go, but we found rates to be cheaper in Mackinaw City than on the island. So we stayed in Mackinaw City, and got the ferry pass for $25 per person. We rented bikes for $5/hr on the island, which wasn't bad at all because even with stopping, we biked the entire island in 3hrs. The island is beautiful and we loved that there are no bikes! There's something for everyone- shopping, hiking, biking, historical sites, etc. Then we went to Traverse City, another fav of ours. You can get relatively cheap hotels (we stayed at the ParkShore, pretty decent, for about $55/night), there's cute shops downtown, and then also if you like wineries, there's tons of them up there! There are 5 wineries on the Old Mission Peninsula, and they all offer free wine tasting, so that's fun & cheap! The Leelanau peninsula has > 15 wineries, but some of them charge $3-5 for tastings, still a relatively inexpensive activity. Just West of Traverse City is Sleeping Bear Dunes, which is really pretty along the coast and you can camp there as well. We're also big fans of South Haven & Ludington. There are also a number of wineries in Southwest Mi, if you like that. I got a lot of our info from searching on the state's tourism website, www.michigan.org.
Whatever you choose, have fun!

Arizona, Miami, New York and, of course, Vegas are all great options when traveling sans kids. All are close enough for a quick get-away and you can generally find great deals in each location that make it very affordable.

Miami, more specifically South Beach, is probably my favorite on the list. It is somewhere that you can enjoy a lot more without kids (bars, restaurants, beach - no naps to worry about!) and the boutique hotels are what really make it South Beach. You can get fab deals on them - check a site like Expedia or Travelocity to see what they've got going on. My husband and I took a long weekend get-away there last month and stayed at a top-rated boutique called The Carlton for only $81 per night! And that was for a Fri/Sat night stay!

Hope this helps! Happy traveling!

We went to Santa Clause Indiana and had a blast!! Lake Rudolph is there and there is a great water park and amusement park meant for kids under 12. Very economical too. We rented a 40 foot trailer and "camped". the kids has a great time and we laugh that is was our Chevy Chase "Vacation" because it sounds so cheesy!!! It was our best family vacation we ever had and the kids ranged in age from 8 - 2 years old at the time.

S.

My husband and I have taken a few mini vacations. We have gone to a Spa (adults only) in Wisconsin Dells. It is wonderful. The rooms are just beautuful and the service is excellent. They have a year round heated outdoor pool. The spa services are great and relaxing. We have been there two times and plan to go back again! At night since you are in the Dells you can go out or stay in. It is a nice mix.

The website is www.sundaraspa.com

Enjoy!

My husband and I were able to travel to Negril Jamaica and stay at the Riu Tropical Bay which is an all inclusive resort- right on the crystal clear beach- the water is so gorgeous that you can literally see all the way to your toes being chest deep- it was the most relaxing beautiful trip we have ever been on and were able to fly/stay/eat/transfer for about $2200. Don't know what your budget is but I'm telling you- it was well worth the money. Go to tripadvisor.com and type in Riu Tropical Bay and see some the pictures posted- mine are on there but from a while ago- whereever you go- have a wonderful trip and enjoy each other! :)

We use a travel agent - they are wonderful at suggustions for budget and ideas on what you want in your trip... Call Sally at Sal Travel - ###-###-####, she is so great! happy vacationing!!! B.

I've been to a number of the places that were mentioned - SW Michigan (Sister Lakes - Benton Harbor area - Sister Lakes is a great little town, we stay at CJ's Landing); Starved Rock State Park (one of my very favorite places!!!); several places in Wisconsin; a cruise (not Carnival, but extremely fun!); I would highly recommend a cruise. I've not been on the Alaska cruises - yet - but I hear that's a wonderful summertime trip; I'd also recommend Denver and surrounding area. The Rockies are absolutely gorgeous, and in my book, everyone should go to Pikes Peak and to Rocky Mtn. National Park just once in their lives. The scenery is breathtaking.

If you ever vacation in the winter months (Jan/Feb), I'd recommend a Caribbean cruise. Very reasonable, and again, the scenery is like none other.

Going to ski destinations (Beaver Creek, Vail, Steamboat and many others) in the summer gets you off-season rates. The mountain views are gorgeous, plus you can hike, bike, canoe/kayak/raft, go to the spas and sometimes there's great golf in the area.

I am kind of surprised that I have been to most places mentioned. I loved Galena, I loved Wisconsin Dells(so much to do, and don't forget to take the cruises of the upper and lower dells), I live near Lake Geneva so have been there many times, and also liked SW Michigan. But I have to say my favorite place of all is Silver Lake in Michigan. It is about 50 miles north of Muskegon, takes about 5 hours from Wisconsin/Illinois state line, and is absolutely breathtaking in the lovely scenery because of the sand dunes. It is kinda touristy (is that a word?), but love it just the same. You can take the ferry to Ludington, MI from just above Milwaukee and that in itself is a real treat. Have a fun time :)

Warren Dunes in Michigan is great. Also, South Haven and other beaches heading north. Grayling, Michigan on the way to Mackinaw, Cheyboygan, Michigan, Mackinaw City. Shipshewanna area in Indiana. Indianapolis, Indiana.

J.

My husband and I do a VRBO vacation every time we want to get away. VRBO is renting someone's house any place in the world. This year we did Ft Lauderdale for $999.00. Last year we did Oahu for 799.00. One year we did Cancun $499.00. Each time we rented a beautiful house on a beach, this year we had a gorgeous pool in a private garden. The thing to remember is the asking price and down payment are negotiable. The house we stayed in this month was asking $1999.00 plus $1000.00 security down payment. We paid less than half on both prices. We always pay much less than a hotel would charge and we have our privacy plus a kitchen to cook if we want. VRBO.com is the site. Always stay at a place that has lots of positive feedback. Good Luck!

Mackinac Island, MI. It's a wonderful place. No cars - you have to take a ferry across. They have several B&B's on the island to stay in. Slow paced - gorgeous views. You can rent bikes, horses, take buggy rides, golf (if you like), great night life & restaurants, etc... Chamber Of Commerce on the island will send you a huge packet of info free.... We got married on the island & try to go back each year........... fall is a beautiful time up there too!

camping. always affordable. fun even without the kids. :)

try a carnival cruise.... very affordable and best experince ever! you'll fall in love with each other all over again!

I love the Saugatuck/South Haven MI area. Cute shops, great eateries, very nice beaches. Lovely summer festivals, even a couple wineries. Look up their chamber of commerce and see what you like to do in that area. Lot's of art galleries. Or just take a trip right up the Lake Michigan Coast....Manistee......up to Big Bear Dunes State Park......lovely scenery - awesome beaches!

Galena IL is a lovely place too. They have hot air ballooning up there too. Mississippi Palasaides State park is beautiful! (Got engaged there just 22 short years ago). Again, lovely shops and eateries - love the Eagle ridge resort but can be a bit pricey. Off the Mississippi River and Dubuque, IA just over the bridge.

Door County, Wisconsin - Fish Creek, Ephraim, Beautiful beaches, great eateries and shopping. Artsy. Fish boils are overrated unless you REALLY like fish, then, you just have to go to one to say you've done it!

All these places - you can rent homes or find hotels. If you have trouble in an area finding lodging, contact their Chamber of Commerce or a real estate agent in the area. Sometimes Real Estate Agents manage vacation cottages/houses in certain areas or they just know everyone! Have fun! Enjoy your hubby!

Hi S.,
Mackinac Island, Michigan is really fun. If you have never heard of it, it's an island between the two peninsula's of Michigan. There are no cars allowed on the island & you have to take a ferry boat to get there (takes about 15 minutes). The drive from Chicago is about 7 hours or you can fly. It's very romantic & has a lot of fun things to do during the day (ride horses, hike, bike, site seeing). The best place to stay is The Main Street Inn & Suites. It's located on the main street, the room decor is lovely & has a wonderful staff. We stayed there last year & loved it. The phone # is ###-###-####

We wnt to Galena. You can rents a beautiful house and they have great wine tasting. Have fun.

Lake Geneva Wisc. has some wonderful hotels and it is a beautiful place to go in the summer because of the lake, etc. Also, Kohler Wisc. has a great resort spa called American Club if you enjoy golf, spa, and shopping. Both destinations are close enough to drive to (only a few hours from Chicago area) and you really feel you have gotten away from the city.

Pre-kids we used to stay up by Starved Rock in Utica. We would stay in a cabin at Starved Rock Lodge or they just opened up a new huge resort thing- something with Bear in it- sorry! Utica is a cute little town w/ some nice retaurants and Starved Rock is just beautiful. In the summer it's nice to hike the trails and then find the waterfalls and cool off by the water spray and have a nice picnic lunch- enjoy!

My wife and I like to go to S.W. michigan.

We have gone up to Blackriver Falls, WI and the hotel we stayed at gave you a discount to rent 4wheelers. It was a ton of fun and was great to get dirty with my hubby this way! lol They also have a casino up there and a few other things... all I remember (in Black RIver Falls) is the 4wheeling and bug my hubby atleast once a week to do it again! Made us feel young and crazy ... we needed that!

On our way home we took the LONG scenic route and spent a night in Green Bay and drove all along Lake Michigan to get home and stopped to see light houses and other neat things... in my opinion anyhow! Was the best mini vacation and most affordable too I have ever had!

Hope you find someplace you will enjoy! I will be checking back to get ideas for myself incase I do not get to do mine again! :)

Many blessings!

Galena, Memphis, Mall of America/Minneapolis, Branson Mo, It really depends on what you like to do,fancy schmancy stuff like wine and spa and fine dining, see culture-museums, shows, etc, listen to good live music-and what type, do outdoor sports-land or water, watch sporting events-like racing or baseball games, etc.

I heard a good idea on the today show. Try places that are off season like a ski resort still beautiful with things to do. Michigan is always beautiful beaches

My husband and I went up to Wisconsin for our 10 anniversary to a bed and breakfast in Watertown, WI. We visited the octagon out house, home of the first kindergarten. We went to Holy Hill Shrine Cathedral Holy Hill, breathtaking scenery at 1,300 feet above sea level, is a historic sacred site and a registered state and national landmark. see more at this website http://www.sacred-destinations.com/usa/wisconsin-holy-hil... We also visited Old World Wisconsin in Eagle, WI. It is so cool to walk hand in hand with your husband the 3 mile walk and visit all the cabins and see all the sites of what it was like for the pioneers. http://oldworldwisconsin.wisconsinhistory.org/ We dined out at some nice restaurants and it was just a quite time just the two of us.
There is many more things to see in Watertown and surrounding areas but we only stayed 2 days and one night up there.

Have fun....

S.