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Cheap Family Vacations in Minnesota

Frugal Travel Tips for
Minnesota Family Fun

We have lots of tips and resources for budget-friendly cheap family vacations in Minnesota that you can use to help you plan a low cost vacation almost anywhere.

Family vacations are important. Quality, and quantity, time spent together away from routine daily life deepens family ties.

And you can't beat the wonderful memories, stories and laughter you will share for a lifetime.

When we were young, and traveling solo, most of us knew how to see the world on a very skimpy budget.

We could toss some basic supplies in a backpack, take the cheapest form of transportation (including biking and walking), share a room with friends or family and have all the joy of travel with little of the cost.

Life gets more complicated and sometimes it seems difficult to make the time, or have the resources, for a family vacation. Start by doing a bit of research into vacation packages and comparing prices for your Minnesota family vacations.

With a family, even the thought of taking everyone out for dinner can be a budget challenge.

Contemplating airfare and several nights lodging for a family vacation may seem impossible.

Here is some help to reconcile those all-important familial needs in ways that won't break the bank.

The goal is to seek out age-appropriate activities that aren't mind-numbing for adults or boring for kids. Try for a mix of physical activity, educational opportunities, and sight-seeing adventures.

Many of the best family vacation destinations in Minnesota are also ideal for cheap family vacations.

You can save on every part of your Minnesota vacation with vacation packages and discounts on many things. You will find details on our Discount Family Vacations and the Minnesota Deals pages.

Get more idea by reading reviews of vacation destinations at the Minnesota Vacations Forum

One way to save money is to not try to do too much. Decide the type of vacation experience your family wants and then focus your travel plans on one of the unique regions in Minnesota.

Explore all of the attractions you can in just one area of Minnesota. You will find plenty to do to fill a week or more in any region of the state. Then come back on your next vacation to visit another area. Focus more on those things that can be done for free: hiking Minnesota trails, swimming, spotting wildlife, hunting for agates along the North Shore of Lake Superor....

Be on the lookout for free fun. Minnesota vacation destinations have "built-in" free activities in every part of the state.

Budget Friendly Lodging

Lodging is one of the largest budget items for your family vacation.

If your family likes to camp, you can stay in one of many campgrounds in Minnesota for just a few dollars per night.

There are also lots of hotel deals and special pricing at hotels in Minnesota's most popular vacation destinations.

For a large family gathering, like a family reunion, we rent one of Minnesota's lovely premiere vacation property rentals. These are privately owned properties that can accomodate larger groups. We split the rental cost between several families and find we can have a cheap family vacation in the most beautiful of settings. If you need more than one hotel room for your family, a vacation property is often a cheaper option as well.

Our online vacation planning page offers many more resources for a budget friendly family vacaaion.

Cheap Eats

Your budget for a cheap family vacation can be quickly "eaten up" by the cost of meals unless you plan ahead. If you choose to stay in a campground, a vacation rental or a cabin or hotel with a kitchenette you can save a lot of money on dining. Buy food for simple meals that you can prepare together. Stock up on fresh fruit and healthy snacks to stave off the munchies. Then treat yourself to a few meals in a unique eatery that the locals recommend.

We save hundreds every year on meals, hotels, and activities in Minnesota by getting an Entertainment Book. You can order these online and they will show up in just a few days. Here is a link to the book we buy: Get your Entertainment Book today! Discounts on dining, hotels, and fun!

Cheap Family Entertainment

The goal of your cheap family vacation is to invest time in each other. Make a commitment to disconnect from the iPods, DVD players and video games and reconnect with those you love.

When you pack for your Minnesota vacation, bring along some board games, card games and jigsaw puzzles. If you need more, stop in at a thrift shop and pick up an old favorite. Pick up a few bottles of bubbles, some Playdoh, sketch pads and pencils, and play together....adults as well as kids!

If you can, bring the rollerblades, fishing gear, golf clubs or bikes. Toss a frisbee in a suitcase.

Best times for a cheap family vacation

It’s easier to find inexpensive travel for cheap family vacattions during non-peak times. One of the best times to book travel to Minnesota is in April or May or in late August, just before school is about to start. Winter is another wonderful time for a family vacation in Minnesota. There are lots of winter activities and winter festivals in Minnesota.

A few more thrifty family vacation ideas

Plan a vacation with friends. You can share many expenses and even share babysitting so each couple can take a bit of time for themselves.

Visit Minnesota museums in all parts of the state. Many of these are free or have a minimal charge.

The Minnesota Zoo is one of the world's best zoos and is relatively inexpensive. Another favorite Minnesota zoo is Como Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul, and it is free...one of the state's best tourist bargains.

Learn about Minnesota history at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul or at historic sites everywhere in the state. Learn about the history of Minnesota Native Americans.