While just about everyone I know has said ‘I need a vacation’ at least once, sometimes planning a vacation – especially one with kids (and on a budget!) – can be more stressful than the daily life you are trying to escape from! Over the years, I have definitely learned a few tips and tricks for vacationing that I am always more than happy to share.
Sometimes, deciding where to go on vacation can be the most difficult decision. Like most, I have a bucket list for places I’d love to go – and I hope I’ll get to them all eventually – but for now, we have some more ‘local’ spots we tend to frequent. For this years summer vacation, we will be returning to Branson, MO.
Branson is probably most known for it’s many shows. Musical, variety, magic, acrobatic, and so much more. Despite the many shows, there so many other things to do there as well. All of these little excursions can sure add up to a lot of $$ though – especially if you have a large family. So how can you cut costs?
Start by checking out Groupon. You can search by location and see what deals they have. You can get super discounted admission tickets, discounts on food, lodging, and more. And some deals are upwards of 50% off. That is a huge savings!!
For lodging, we are lucky enough to own a timeshare through Capital Vacations. They are always adding new locations and if you are a last minute traveler – you could get a private condo for $100 or less for your entire stay. Definitely worth checking them out! It is a big investment, but if you plan on traveling, it just might be worth it! Want the savings, but not the investment? A timeshare owner like myself can book for you – you just pay the cost!
For our Branson vacation, we have rented a 2 bedroom condo with a full kitchen, living room, washer/dryer. Even if you don’t have a timeshare, it’s worth finding a place that has a kitchen in it. This can help save you loads of $$ by cooking in instead of going out. The washer and dryer is a bonus as well – you can take less clothing and wash/dry it all while you are there.
Another tip is booking a place that already has a pool and/or waterpark there that is free for guests to use. To purchase tickets to a waterpark can be pricey, so if you book a place that has it included, it could definitely help add to your savings.
If you aren’t able to book a place that has the washer/dryer services and just want to try to condense packing as much as possible, try out some compression packing organizers. You can help maximize the space you do have!
Now, some recommended places to see in Branson:
- National Tiger Sanctuary
- Branson Ferris Wheel
- Top of the Rock
- Fantastic Caverns
- Hamners Variety Show
And probably our favorite…
This is a very SMALL sampling of what there is to do in Branson, it’s just a few of our favorites. If you go down to the jet boats, plan for an afternoon of shopping on their pier! Make sure to take plenty of sunscreen!
A few other things you may want top have for the kids if it’s a length drive:
These are just a few tips and tricks to vacation planning and can be applied to pretty much anywhere you go!
Here’s just a few pictures from our last trip:
