From Roughing It to Four-star

What Are the Costs of Family Vacations?

By Deborah Ng

Twenty or 30 years ago, parents would pack up the family station wagon and drive a few hours to a popular, but domestic, vacation destination. This trend is changing. Many families would much rather vacate in style. From Caribbean cruises to weekend camping trips, there are vacation locations for all budgets.

Camping trips appeal to those who want to take their families somewhere nice, but don't necessarily want to spend thousands of dollars. While these places may not have the amenities of a major resort or cruise line, there are many pleasantries that come with the package.

Melissa McCann of Princeton, N.J., enjoys cramming her minivan full of camping gear and children and traveling to some of this country's wonderful national parks. "We've camped in canyons, on mountains and even next to the ocean," she says. "Why would I want to see other countries when there's so much beauty to explore right here? It's not even roughing it any more. Most campgrounds come with cabins so we don't have to worry about such things as leaky tents and sleeping on the ground."

The best part for McCann is the price. "Camping in these places costs less than $100 per night," she says. "For a family of six, that's quite the bargain." This doesn't include food, however. Since McCann does most of the cooking at the cabin, she doesn't have to worry about meals at expensive restaurants. Those who would rather not spend their vacations appreciating nature but still want to remain in this country have plenty of other options.

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