Summer is here and it means vacation time for most people. But planning your vacation can be tricky and get very expensive if you don’t know where to look. Here are some places that are popular in the United States for your family to explore without breaking the bank.

Yellowstone:
If you’re never thought of traveling to Yellowstone as part of your vacation, you’re missing out on one of nature’s greatest treasures. It is home to a large variety of wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk. It has a collection of geysers and hot springs and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. If you’re interested in fishing, hiking, camping, or picnicking opportunities in one of America’s first national park, check out Yellowstone.

Myrtle Beach:
If your family likes to hang out at the beach, consider visiting Myrtle Beach this year. Trip Advisor reviewers have voted it as the Best Beach Destination in the United States for the second consecutive year. Myrtle Beach is great for any age or desired style of vacation. To save money on your lodging, consider staying at major hotel chains that are located away from the main beach. Introduce your kids to golf at one of more than 100 golf courses located in Myrtle Beach.

Fort Lauderdale:
If you love beach and nature, Fort Lauderdale should be your next choice. Most families visit the area in winter months to get away from the cold weather. So you can find deals on airfares and hotels if you plan to visit in June, July or August. You can check out Sawgrass Recreation Park, home to alligators and other Floridian wildlife. Take a walk down along the New River for art exhibits or take a river cruise to tour the city.

Portland, Maine:
Portland is considered one of the most popular summer destinations in the United States and home of Acadia, the only national park in New England, Maine. The city is known to draw outdoor enthusiasts who can hike along the ocean in Two Lights State Park, kayak in Casco Bay or lounge on secluded beaches. Look out for deals and discounts from travel discount websites to Portland, Maine.

Travel industry is struggling to attract customers, so if you plan your trip carefully, you will have plenty of opportunities to save on airfares, lodging and more. Here are some tips on how you can save on travel when planning a trip.

Be Flexible:
Depending on when you book your flight can either cost you or save you money. Most airliners know that many people like to fly on Sunday so chances are that you’ll be paying full price to fly on Sunday. If you can depart very early or very late in the day, or can fly on Tuesdays and Wednesday, you’ll likely save up to 20% on your flight.

Book Last Minute:
To get a deep discount, check airlines web sites to see if there are any seats available last minute. Many airlines would want to fill those seats than to have them unoccupied.

Travel Off Season:
During low travel periods, most airlines, hotels, tour operators offer deals to attract visitors. If you know where you want to visit, check to see when is the off season to travel. If you travel off season, not only you’ll pay less on airfares and hotels, you’ll enjoy less crowding and a more laid-back atmosphere.

Pack Light:
With so many airlines charging for checked bags it’s important that you pack only what you’ll need. Before you pack, check to see if what you’ll need can be purchased at your destination. It’s probably cheaper to buy those items than to pay for baggage fee.

Use Cash:
Cards are useful when traveling abroad, but avoid using them because they are always associated with hidden fees. Your best bet is to exchange some money when you arrive at the destination and use only cash to make purchases or payments.

Membership Discounts:
If you belong to organizations such as AARP or AAA, there are many discounts available you can take advantage of. Before you book a flight or hotel, check to see what offers are available. All you need to do is provide the membership card or number when booking to receive the discount.

Spending time with our families is priceless. Taking a whole family out for a day of fun activities can get quite expensive. A simple movie night out can put a hole in your wallet by the time you buy tickets, popcorn and drinks for everyone.

Movie Night In:
The biggest blockbuster movies come out in the summer. Trying to bring a family of four to a movie theater can get very pricey. The best way to save money is to create a weekly movie night in at home. You can sign up for a service such as Netflix to get dvd quality movies instantly on the internet. Make sure you have comfy seating for everyone. To complete the whole movie night experience, bring out the popcorn, chips, cookies and drinks like soda, water, or juice.

Outdoor Movies and Concerts:
Kids love to be outdoors. It doesn’t matter what the event is, as long as they get to be outside of the house doing something different is fun to them. Check your local paper or website for free concerts or kid-oriented movies in the park. Some areas even have live theatrical performances or orchestra. You and your children can enjoy these cultural activities for free.

Picnic in the Park:
Parks are great to spend a day with kids. You can let your children run around, play frisbee or ball, or you can set up a picnic and relax. The playground equipment can keep your children occupied for hours. Most parks have picnic facilities, so you can bring sandwiches, snacks and drinks instead of eating out. Pack everything light so clean up is a snap.

Planning a fun family outing shouldn’t require a six-figure income if you know where to look. You can always find activities that are free or next to nothing for the whole family to enjoy.