Budget Travel: Tips to Get More for Less

While the prospect of a vacation often entails thoughts of exotic destinations, foreign cultures, and exorbitant expenses, that particular vision isn't always relevant, or do-able. The essence of a vacation is finding opportunities to decompress and to grow, away from the day-to-day grind. With a little creativity, you can make that intention a reality without spending a fortune.

The most expensive part of travel is usually airline tickets. Bargains are out there if you're willing to spend some time looking, especially if you can travel on weekdays. But even if flying is out of your budget, a vacation needn't be. Many great places are accessible by car – pick one within reasonable driving distance and then see what the place has to offer.

A few hours' drive brings most of us to a destination we've never explored. It may be a large city or a largely rural region; the point is to get away, to relax, and to have fun outside of your normal daily routine. And this can be accomplished just about anywhere.

Once you decide where to go and how to get there, you'll need a place to stay. Hotel chains are advertising all sorts of deals and incentives right now. You might have to dig a bit to unearth the real bargains, but the effort is worth it; some chains, such as the Apple Core (www.applecorehotels.com) group in New York City, have set up layaway programs so guests can save up for their stay over time. If reduced rates are still a bit rich for you, consider camping. A week or two in a national park or a campground just outside the city limits is exponentially less expensive than it would be in a hotel in New York City or San Francisco.

Food can be another big outlay. Luckily, restaurants around the country are offering fantastic meal deals and promotions, meaning travelers on a tight budget may be able to splurge more comfortably. Specially priced prix fixe menus, such as the one at Masa's in San Francisco, are a boon to foodies watching their wallets. Oenophiles should be pleased with another trend: free corkage. Although you won't find this perk at top tables like Bouley or French Laundry, you will find it becoming more common, at least while restaurants are working harder to attract customers.

For yet more savings, be sure to take advantage of 10Best's partnership with www.restaurant.com for dining certificates that can save you big bucks at establishments all over the US. Tourism offices and CVBs often have a stockpile of coupons for restaurants and attractions too. A local edition of the Entertainment Book (www.entertainment.com) might provide major savings, too, depending on where you're going. If your hotel includes free breakfast, make it a point to eat, even if it's not what you'd normally nibble first thing in the morning. It will fill you up and let you direct the savings to other alternatives.

Take advantage of special promotions. The Disney parks, for example, are now offering free admission on your birthday. What better incentive to head to Orlando? Large urban museums that ordinarily charge a fairly hefty admission price frequently offer free entry one or two evenings or weekends a month. The Denver Art Museum, for example, is free each first Saturday. Plenty of museums around the country charge a very low admission price, or none at all, particularly in smaller cities and towns. A few minutes doing research on the computer can net big gains. 

Minor League baseball games are another inexpensive option, considerably cheaper than Major League games. Ticket prices are usually a fraction of what you'd pay for a major league showdown, and concessions tend to be more reasonably priced as well. The smaller scale and added entertainment of mascots in the stands, not to mention between-innings contests, means minor league games are oftentimes easier and more fun, especially for families.

Many large cities have some variation of the "City Pass," a card that you purchase for a set price that allows access to a host of local attractions at substantial savings. If you're determined to visit a city's top sites, this is the way to do it.

Another great way to save: free performances and festivals. Browse 10Best's event calendars, or peruse local newspapers and check in at CVBs to find monthly event listings. Many cities offer free summertime concerts, like the "Music at Noon" series in Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park. Admission to civic- or community-sponsored festivals is often free, as well, so the whole family can enjoy live music, crafts, and activities without spending a bundle.

When it comes time to find souvenirs, opt for locally made foods and beverages (hot sauce, candy, wine, dried fruits, and nuts are all great choices), easily found at farmers' markets, roadside produce stands, and even local supermarkets. Flea markets are also a fun and funky source of unusual gifts and trinkets, or stop by an artists' co-op for unique arts and crafts from local or regional artisans. 

All in all, a vacation could be something you need a bank loan for, but it really doesn't have to be. Wherever you end up, there are bargains to be had. Think creatively, do your research on 10Best.com, check the CVB and local newspapers, and you're sure to find a wealth of savings.