Low-Cost, No-Cost USA Travel Tips
We all like to save a little money...even on vacation. Here’s a few money-saving tips I’ve learned in over 30 years of road trip travel across America. First up: shop as if your were at home. Buy your camera memory chips, magazines, sunblock, groceries, insect repellent or other supplies at the local Walgreens, Kmart, Target, or supermarket. After all, we all know tourist destinations or gas station convenience stores are over-priced because they have you where they want you. So go back to town and shop the way you usually do. It may not seem as much fun, but then you will be able to afford that unique souvenir you just have to have tomorrow!
You can save money on meals by adding picnics to your trips. All you need is some food. Just buy something special at a supermarket in a nearby town or save even more money by packing your favorites from home. Then pick a spot to make your picnic a special part of the trip. Beautiful roadside parks are all sprinkled throughout country. Or in our National Parks, some picnic grounds are just as scenic as the wilderness! Watch a geyser from your table in Yellowstone, or have a quiet trailside meal in a canyon or on a mountaintop.
Here’s a free way to keep the kids busy having fun and wear them down a bit. Elementary age children can enjoy playgrounds at city parks or school playgrounds. Use your GPS to search for local parks or just drive around town a bit. They’re easy to find and almost always nearby. They’re also often different than the playgrounds back home, sometimes with unusual equipment. On a long trip, having children get physical for half an hour will make the next couple hours’ drive much easier on everyone. Just remember the kids don’t need an amusement park to have fun.
Go to the free places! Many museums and gardens charge no admission. They always appreciate donations, so if you an attraction and have the cash, donate to maintain it. But if you just can’t afford to, you can enjoy many for free. They are often funded in part by endowments or even public tax dollars. The grandaddy of museums is the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. Known as "America's attic," the Smithsonian is also the world's largest museum complex and research organization. A very good list of museums around the country is at MuseumsUSA. Find one in the area you’ll be vacationing at and enjoy!
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