20 Family Vacations Under $500

Happy family camping on beach sitting around bonfire and toasting marshmallows — Adobe Stock

Everyone is feeling the crunch these days and taking a second look at their budget. You might even think that means cutting out vacation. However, you might be surprised to know that there are quite a few ways to take a small family on vacation without spending a lot of money.

First of all, go really big on resources you already have, like camping or sporting equipment, airline or hotel reward points, and any discounts that come along with your employment or other memberships.

Consider staying more local than usual; stateside is usually cheaper than overseas, and in-state is usually cheaper than out-of-state.

If you are looking for some great vacations that won’t break the budget, check out these ideas for family vacations under $500.

Tucson, Arizona

Tucson, Arizona, is beautiful and very easy on the budget. Mid-tier hotels can be found for around $100 per night. There is plenty of reasonably priced food as well.

It is free to visit the outdoor plazas of Presidio San Agustín del Tucson (a re-creation of a 1775 Spanish fort) or the Mission San Xavier del Bac of the same era. Take the free Sun Link Streetcar to downtown or the University of Arizona campus.

Camp on the Beach

Beach Camping. Family camping and activity on the beach at sunset. Mother and child flying kite at beach — Adobe Stock

There are great beaches across the US that allow camping. Many are free, and almost all are low-cost. If you are trying to spend every waking hour of your vacation on the beach, what’s the point in renting a hotel anyway?

Wake up with a waterfront view at a fraction of the cost of a beachfront hotel. Bahia Honda State Park (Florida Keys), Sonoma Coast State Park (Bodega Bay), and Padre Island National Seashore (Texas) are all great options.

Asheville, North Carolina

Twilight scene overlooking Asheville, a destination vacation mountain town in western North Carolina — Adobe Stock

For around $130-150 per night, a family of four can get a room at a reputable chain hotel with breakfast included.

For two days, that might seem expensive, but in Asheville, the expense is dramatically reduced by amazing free activities nearby, including the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Botanical Gardens at Asheville.

San Antonio, Texas

River walk in San Antonio city downtown skyline cityscape of Texas USA — Adobe Stock

Packed with history, local flavor, and a surprisingly scenic downtown, San Antonio makes an easy and affordable escape. Stroll along the famous River Walk, hop between cafés and shops, or explore the legendary Alamo without spending a dime.

The city’s Tex-Mex scene is both delicious and budget friendly, with plenty of spots serving huge plates for under ten bucks. And if you plan ahead on hotels, you’ll still have room in the budget for margaritas, theme parks, or whatever vacation decisions seem smart at the time.