How to plan a weekend vacation on a budget

Hey there Lovelies, do you need tips on how to plan a weekend vacation on a budget? I know it’s difficult with busy schedules and life, but this getaway was the pause we needed. Let me tell you all about it and how you can still make beautiful memories with your family while pinching your pennies.

I never want to recommend a trip that I wouldn’t take.

So, back in March, I wrote a blog titled 5 Tips To Ease Cabin Fever. In it, Garden of the Gods was listed as the #1 location. I can honestly say I stand by that recommendation after exploring it myself.

The views are breathtaking, most importantly the memories you make with friends and family are irreplaceable and our bank accounts aren’t crying after this trip either.

To unplug from the world and our devices to tip your head back and take a deep gulp of forest air, to sit and watch the flames of a campfire; these are the things that make us feel alive and connected.

 

Do you need some budget-friendly ideas? 

Same State: Stay in-state. Gas is more manageable and lodging is too if you plan ahead or do a house swap or Air BnB special.

Long Weekend: Cut your lodging budget in half by leaving early Saturday morning and arrive back Sunday evening. Not as many to-dos will be waiting for you after a long weekend verses a week-long trip.

Eat-in: Instead of eating out every meal be sure to rent with a kitchen in mind, bring along an ice chest or make a quick trip to the market when you arrive.

No Admission Entertainment: National Forests like this one don’t have an entrance fee which is a saving in itself. Spelunking and hiking are often totally free entertainment. Some museums have free admission days, just check the website ahead of time.

Off-Peak Times: Business owners want to drum up business during the off-peak travel times as well and offer discounts for that reason.

 

Peak the camel rock and smokestack photographed above.

Peak the mushroom rock above.

“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.”- John Muir

Cave in the Rock and Garden of the God’s were both incredible locations to explore. If you are staying for a short time or camping out for a long weekend you can’t go wrong. We stayed at Cedar Hill River Resort and loved our cozy cabin! Ask for Mandy, she was very helpful!

We had a blast trying every bait in our tackle. We made a few wrong turns, chased a waterfall only to find it had dried up, climbed over fallen trees, stood on the edge of cliffs, walked into the forest with no map (I do not recommend this) lit a campfire with no matches, and explored an old cave.

Maybe exploring isn’t for everyone, in fact, my mom isn’t a big fan of it at all. We climbed back into the blessed air-conditioned traverse after a long hike and I said with a sigh, “That was so fun!” She responded with, “What part of THAT was fun?” She said to me, “You can’t make me like hiking it’s like taking the adventure out of you.” I totally get it. Maybe it wasn’t her thing, but we found other things that were, and it’s all about compromise and working together. Most importantly, we spent an amazing weekend together.

 

 

I have bombarded this blog with tons of photos, I’m aware.

(P.s. Some were taken by my mom)

But this is a place I want my loved ones to come back to and read the words and photos I left behind. Maybe that sounds a little too deep for a travel post, but what I really want to say is ‘connect with your family’. 

I hope this finds you well and inspires you to take a weekend getaway.

XOXO, Klassic Photography