Hi...I wanted to know if anyone has suggestions for our family vacation next summer. We're on a budget and my family consists of two teen boys, a teen girl (that would be me), an 8-year-old girl, and well, two parents. We usually go on vacation for about a week and want to go places that are no more than 6 hours away from our home in New Jersey.

Maybe Weir's Beach New Hampshire, Old Orchard Beach Maine or Sebago Lake, Maine?

You're talking 6 hours BY CAR, right? What are your interests? Hiking/nature/family time - or- amusements/shopping/teens splitting up from the parents and going off on their own?

I think it's very nice you want to help plan the family vacation.

I have a couple of questions first:

-What do you like to do? Go to theme parks? Lie on the beach? Visit museums?

-Does your family have a budgeted amount? I'm not sure your parents will tell you the amount, but you and your brothers could offer to help out by saving allowances (if you receive one) or by getting a part-time job, or even by baby-sitting or lawn service work.

Now is a good time to start a savings plan. If the 3 of you (I'm exluding your 8-year old) could save $1 a week for one year ($52 each) you would have $156 to put towards your vacation. If you could save $5 a week (I know that's hard to do, but think about giving up something you spend money on like music or sodas) that's $260 each or $780 for the three of you.

If you stay in a condo, your family doesn't have to spend as much money on restaurant meals, but you would have to do some chores on vacation. That's a trade-off your family will have to make decision about.

Many parks (nature ones, not theme) are free or have low admission prices. Many theme parks offer discounts through websites or coupons available on soda cans or fast-food restaurants.

Good luck with your plans. Let us know where your family decides to visit.

I agree, 6 hours might get you to NH's White Mountains or someplace in VT and you might find good deals renting a ski condo. Some ski areas have mountain biking during the summer. You would be lucky to find a NH Lakes Region cottage for under $1500 but might be able to find one cheaper on a smaller lake. Another idea would be to check campgrounds that rent a large camper or camping cabin. Sleeping six might be pushing it so a tent for the teen boys might be a good idea. (Our camper claims it can sleep 6 but 4 is more like it.) One of the good things about a ski area condo or a campground would be the freedom you kids could have riding bikes, activity center, etc. whereas a lot of cottages are on roads without good bike trails. Congrats to you for doing some research for a family trip.

How about Williamsburg, VA and Virginia Beach. Lots to satisfy everyone. Or DC, Baltimore and Annapolis. Or take the Lewes-Cape May Ferry and go to the Delaware or Maryland Shore-great beaches, shopping, golf, minigolf,. Kudos to you---Wish my kids would do some of the planning.

Or how about the Lancaster PA area? There are amusement parks, history, farms, and you can get to Hershey and Gettysburgh.

I don't have any suggestions for the OP, but noted that ncgrrl's comments seemed particularly insightful. It looks as if you really put some thought into your reply. I usually just glance over responses, but for some reason your's really caught my attention. Kudos to you!

Blush, thanks Kennedy3.

I don't snuggles1 and her brothers should have to pay for the whole trip, but maybe offer to provide a family activity like going to a theme park, or a day's rafting trip.

Understanding of money and how hard it is to save for something special is a good thing to learn at a young age. And you should appreciate the experience more because you had to earn it instead of having it handed to you. At least that worked in my case.

Would (most of) you like to do some long distance bicycling?

If so, there might be a few options.

For a shorter vacation, there are a number of organizations, such as M.S., Lung Association, that hold 2-3 day bicycle rides. These are not races, and they usually have excellent support should your bike, or you experience any difficulties. If someone in the family can't or won't do the cycling, the organizations usually need help tending to the reststops, driving the luggage truck, or riding the route to see if any of the cyclists need help. Since you are on a budget, and this is a fundraiser, you'll have to pay a reasonalbe registration fee to cover the actual expense of the event (but not profit), and you then pursuade people to pledge to whatever the organization is that's hosting the ride.

If fundraising doesn't appeal to you, there are some non-profit organizations, such as bicycle and outdoor sportsclubs, that sponsor supported rides. Since they are not "profit-motivated" they are able to keep prices down. I did 3 rides a year apart in your own state of NJ from High Point to Cape May (what a beautiful state you have!!), but that organization no longer exists. Some of the past participants are doing similar activities now -- I will try to find their website to share with you.

Another thought I had was to visit hiayh.org They provide low cost rooming and lodging at many places both city and country, and often have family facilities.

BTW, I think it's great that you are planning some of this. Good luck and remember -

We like to read about your trip/vacation afterwards. Please tell us what you did.

The Brunswick Islands In NC may be what you are looking for. Just don't tell anyone.