If you had to go on a cheaper or shall we say budget vacation, where would you go? I think I would head to sin city-Vegas!!

I have never been to Las Vegas, but in my opinion, the cheapest and best vacations for my family were in Washington, DC (though we haven't been back since 9/11)- not sure whether a lot has changed since then. Nevertheless, there is great public transportation, great free museums, and lots of resonable and very good restaurants.

All my vacations are cheap. Outdoorsy vacations are the cheapest for us, followed by road trips.

Well, My cheapest trips are to visit relatives but I am not sure they are vacations. My cheap vacations are taking the RV to Mexico or along the Gulf Coast.

We consider all our western National Park driving trips to be cheap vacations, and I love them just as much as the more exotic trips (although I can't quite get the rest of the family to agree...)

Camping! And National Forests rather than State or National Parks. They are still cheap and then you can drive to the more expensive places to spend the day.

I never thought of Las Vegas as a cheap vacation! I've been to London for less than LV.

Lilley, where do you live and what kinds of activities are you interested in?? What is your idea of fun and relaxation?

I'm like J Correa, all my vacations are cheap and the destination are National Parks and being outdoors.

LOL, we head for Sin-City just to drive right by without stopping on our way to Zion National Park!

Utahtea

I live in Michigan and consider Vegas a economical trip. I can always find cheap rates from Detroit. Especially since we have casinos here. I'm not a big gambler so gambling isn't a big thing for me. I say Vegas isn't to expensive cause you can find cheap eats, free entertainment and do some sightseeing. It's all about what you make it. I personally don't have to see a show every night. I enjoy the free water show at Bellagio. We don't need to rent a car. I enjoy the walking in Vegas, great exercise! I've stayed at Aladdin & NY NY for great rates. So I say Vegas doesn't have to be expensive. Just depends what you are looking for.

It depends on whether one gambles or not, and whether one has self-control if he/she gambles. If one doesn't gamble at all, Vegas is a great deal, because you are subsidized by the gamblers for everything - from cheap hotel rooms, free entertainment, to cheap buffets.

However, if you do play in the casinos, then you can easily lose all those savings, and your budget vacation can become an expensive one.

If you like bicycling, then some of the "fund-raiser" rides are a way for a great vacation with a lot of exploring of places "off the beaten trail". And even if not a fund-raiser, many cycling clubs host events for members & visitors that are inexpensive (no profit is intended). I'm sure other outdoor clubs - hiking, canoeing, etc. -- host similar events. I've gone LA-Boston by bicycle, twice -- the best vacations I've ever had.

rb_traveler: please post more info on this coast-to-coast bike ride! How long did it take? Are there any websites you can point me to for more info?

Cruising. I can't believe the deals out there. Room, meals all day and entertainment for $50/day. But you must do a lot of research to get the super low fares.

Road trip to a nearby city. Washington and boston both have tons of things to do, by driving its practically free to get there and with Priceline you can get incredible hotel deals - an almost free vacation (you have to eat even if you stay home).

suzanne, here's some info about a bike ride for a good cause:

www.empirestateaidsride.org

Can someone define "cheap vacation"?

Bike Ride (for Suzanne):

The ride "Pedal for Power Across America" was 47 days long, with 5 days off (in Flagstaff, SantaFe, Topeka, Champaign, and Erie) but the group that organized it (League of American Bicyclists) no longer hosts it. The Lung Association used to have a "TransAmerica Bike Trek" -- they may still.

The son of the (late) organizer of "PFPAA" has a "for profit" bicycle touring company, "America by Bike" (www.abbike.com) with reasonable prices (tell him (Doug) that "Bob from Schenectady" sent you and he'll charge you double <g>). ABBIKE has options for only segments of that route, and a number of other rides too, and the last I knew, will work with you and a sponsoring organization if that group wanted you to do a bicycing fundraiser with them ... I'm sure other companys would too.

If you check the links of websites like www.bikeleague.org or adventurecycling.com you will find a number of rides, both non-profit and for-profit. BTW,

There's a company in CT that runs the EXACT route that I took -- it's run by some "Pedal for Power" alumni ... I'll try to recall the name & post it for you.

Bike Ride (for Suzanne):

Sorry about the delay. The bicycle touring company run by alumni of the Pedal4Power rides is:

http://crossroadscycling.com

For the Caribbean I would vote for Punta Cana, DR. Cancun and Playa Del Carmen is also pretty economical.As mentioned Cruises are the best thing going right now. If you live where you don't have to pay for airfare all the better. Las Vegas can be done cheaply also. Florida in the summer. All of the above is seasonable with high/low rates at certain times of the year.