Check out Texas Travel Talk’s suggestions for top Texas family vacations on a budget.
It seems we are always watching our money very closely, so we can enjoy a family vacation. No one wants to stay home, especially in the summer. That’s why we researched and came up with several Texas family vacations on a budget. We are positive that some of these ideas will interest you.
Start planning affordable getaways in Texas that won’t break the bank that your kids will love too. Let’s go!
Tips For Texas Family Vacations On A Budget
But first, as we all know, cheap family vacations don’t always make the best family vacations. However, if you’ve come here, you’re doing your homework on a budget vacation for the family – that’s good. Look around here to see if anything interests you.
- You could also ask a family member what they would like to do. Let the kids know you’re on a budget and see what they come up with.
- Pick somewhere close. And, please don’t live above your means. Do only what you can afford and make the most of it.
- Skip the popular attractions – Disney World, Disneyland, etc. Maybe that’s for another year. Find an outdoor adventure that everyone will love.
- Don’t take out a loan for a vacation like those credit unions suggest.
- If driving, get gas when you see it at its lowest. Check every day. Ensure your car runs smoothly – i.e., check tire pressure, oil, water, etc.
- Pack your food for the road trip and use one of those fishing tackle boxes for perfect size snacks.
Weekend Family Vacations On A Budget In Texas
If you only have a weekend, there is a road trip for you and your family.
- Take a trip to the Texas Hill Country and find a place to rent with a swimming pool and a hot tub. We suggest looking somewhere other than Fredericksburg if you’re on a budget. There are other small towns that are just as fun, and may offer cheaper stays.
- Find a hotel close to home with an outdoor pool and call it a vacation or aka, “staycation.” Younger kids will never know the difference.
- Take a road trip to New Braunfels and tube down the Guadeloupe River. Again, look for cheaper hotels or decide to camp out in a tent.
- The Fort Worth Stockyard is a perfect location for outdoor activities. There’s a new hotel right in the center of it all – that’s not cheap, though.
- Take the entire family to the Live Music Capital of the World – Austin, if you dare. Thinks about going during the week for less expensive hotel rates.
- A weekend at Great Wolf Lodge. Not sure if you can – but bring your own food. Even though it’s not a cheap vacation, but if it’s close to home, that would make it less expensive than flying somewhere or taking a long road trip that will eat up your gas.
- About a weekend at Tanglewood Resort at Lake Texoma? The renovated pool area is marvelous.
Texas Vacations On A Budget
If you have a week for an entire family getaway, consider these ideas below for a family trip:
Again, if you can swing it, go during the week (M-F) instead of on the weekend. Some hotels are cheaper during the week.
- Galveston Island – you do not have to stay right on the beach to enjoy it all.
- Brazosport Area – it’s below Galveston and may be less expensive to stay there. Check smaller towns for home rentals.
- Mustang Island in Corpus Christi is always fun.
- How about one of those dude ranches in Bandera? I met my husband when he worked for a dude ranch in Fort Worth. We had some fun times at that dude ranch.
- Grand Canyon of Texas, aka Palo Duro Canyon. Stay in Amarillo and drive there. And, don’t forget to visit the iconic Cadillac Ranch for a memorable family photo.
Day Trips On A Budget In Texas
If you can only take a day trip, there are plenty of fun activities your family can do that everyone will enjoy.
- Go to a water park, let the kids do their own thing, and the adults hang out in the lazy river. Meet back at a specific time for ice cream. If affordable, rent a cabana for shade and a meeting place for lunch.
- Go horseback riding – go early in the day, especially in the summer! Horses do better when it’s not hot outside, and some outfits don’t let their horses ride in the heat.
- Visit a couple of Texas State Parks.
- Dig deep into your pockets, and go to an amusement park (look for discounts) – Six Flags, Fiesta Texas, and Seaworld San Antonio.
- Find a venue that has live music on a Saturday night. Most I’ve seen are free.
- If you’re close to the Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose – that’s a great place to go. It has picnic tables in a few different places. So bring a picnic, swimsuits, and life jackets for all.
- A day trip to Perot Museum of Nature and Science is always good.
Free Things To Do In Texas
If you’re on a tight budget, here is a list of free things, free admission, and a nominal fee.
- Outdoor live music at the Toyota Music Factory (Irving, TX). If you’ve never been here, it’s an outdoor area with a big grassy area with picnic tables in the middle of restaurants and a stage. You do not have to order at restaurants to hang out there. Bring a blanket and your own food and enjoy a picnic on the grass and the live music.
- Visit the Longhorns at the Fort Worth Stockyards and walk around. If I remember correctly, the children’s petting zoo is not expensive. I’d bring cash. And don’t forget there are cattle drives twice a day – 11 am and 4 pm.
- Have a picnic with wine at your area lake – but you knew that!
There are so many Texas family vacations on a budget that we added more!
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