Family Holidays On A Budget:

The threat of domestic terrorism looming in our psyches isn’t the only reason families are cautious about traveling and taking vacations these days. Gas prices, the state of the economy, and our wallets, also dictate how, where, and when we spend our disposable income. In lean times, vacations can seem like luxuries we can live without. But it is possible to enjoy well-earned and much-needed relaxation and quality family time without shortchanging ourselves and breaking our budget. Our own backyard offers a multitude of destinations, from sea to shining sea, and we can take advantage of the many pre-planned, no muss, no fuss vacation packages that are available. So pack your bags, round up the kids, and grab your camera.

The fab four vacations for the power sightseer:

New York City: If your vagabond shoes are longing to stray, now is the time to go. New York City has been a favorite destination for vacationers all over the world, and these attractions are why:

The Statue Of Liberty, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, Central Park Zoo, Lower East Side Tenement Museum, Empire State Building, Broadway, Grand Central Terminal, Ellis Island, Museum Mile, Times Square, Toys ’R’ Us Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Manhattan, Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum, Museum Of Television And Radio, National Museum Of The American Indian, Museum Of African Art, Ground Zero, The World Trade Center Memorial site, and more. Details: Holiday packages can include air fare, rooms, tickets to shows, free admissions to sites and tours like The Empire State Building and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Washington, D.C.:
For the patriotic, political, or just plain adventurous, it’s the capitol idea. Don’t let another year go by without visiting our nation’s most cherished attractions: The White House, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Arlington National Cemetery, Capitol Hill, the FBI Building, the FDR Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the National Zoological Park.

Hollywood, California:
Hollywood rolls out the red carpet for star-struck tourists, with attractions like The Hollywood Walk Of Fame, Mann’s Chinese Theatre, The Wax Museum, Paramount Studios, the Hollywood sign, LA Animation Tour, Hollywood Entertainment Museum, Sunset Boulevard, Universal Studios Theme Park, Hollywood Studio Museum, Guinness World Of Records Exhibition, Hollywood And Vine, Ripley‘s Believe It Or Not Museum, Cinema Glamour Shop, Warner Brothers Studio, Collector‘s Bookstore, and the Kodak Theatre. You may even spy some of your favorite celebrities, with or without a guided tour, so don’t forget your autograph book.

Las Vegas, Nevada:
Las Vegas isn‘t just for lovers or gamblers anymore. Put your money on a family-oriented holiday that includes fun attractions like Star Trek: The Experience at Las Vegas Hilton, Race For Atlantis ride at Caesar’s Palace, MGM Grand, Luxor, Adventuredome, Lied Discovery Children’s Museum, King Tut’s Tomb And Museum.

Las Vegas Natural History Museum, Neon Museum, Sundance Helicopter Tours of the Grand Canyon, Fantasy Faire At Excalibur, White Tiger Habitat, Scandia Family Fun Center, Gold Strike Canyon Hot Springs, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, MGM Grand’s Youth Activity Center (licensed daycare for those who hit the casinos) , Natural History Museum, MGM Grand Adventures, The Stratosphere Tower, which is surrounded by roller coasters. Or check out the Elvis-A-Rama Museum, Imperial Palace Auto Collection, Shark Reef, Bellagio Gallery Of Fine Art, Mystere At Treasure Island, Graceland Wedding Chapel, Liberace Museum, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, Sierra Golf Club, The Mirage’s Secret Garden And Dolphin Habitat, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Magic And Movie Hall Of Fame, World Of Coca-Cola, Las Vegas Mini Grand Prix Family Fun Center (go-carts), Wine Cellar Tasting Room, Lion Habitat, National Rodeo, Guinness World Of Records, Las Vegas Ski And Snowboard Resort, Lost City Museum (ancient ruins of lost cultures), or see out exciting shows like Blue Man Group, Wayne Newton, Celine Dion, Lance Burton.

And for those drawn to the elements of water, air, and earth:

Water:
Virginia Beach, Virginia: Make waves by surfing the sights of this holiday favorite. And remember, the beach is just one of its many attractions: Check out Busch Gardens, Virginia Marine Science Museum, First Landing State Park, Old Coast Guard Station, Back Bay National Refuge, Virginia Beach Boardwalk, False Cape State Park, Owls Creek, and more.

Orlando, Florida: You’ll have a splashing good time at the many attractions found here: Sea World Adventure Park, Universal Studios Orlando, Discovery Cove, Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney World, Titanic-Ship Of Dreams, Disney-MGM Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Gatorland, Blizzard Beach, Epcot Center, Typhoon Lagoon, ChampionsGate Gold Resort, King Henry’s Feast (medieval theme with knights, magicians, and jesters), Hard Rock Vault, Orlando Science Center, Wet ‘n Wild, Wide World Of Sports, Orlando Museum Of Art, Eight Seconds (bull riding bar for adults), Funspot Action Park, Fun ’n Wheels Fun Park, Audobon Of Florida, Orange Blossom Balloons (hot air balloon rides), Antique Row (antique stores galore on this avenue), Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, Nickelodeon Studio, Seuss Landing (wacky theme park for any Dr. Seuss fan, located at Universal Studios theme park), Orlando Hauntings (haunted houses and paranormal), and more.

Air:
Titusville, Florida: If you’re into all things aircraft, space, research and adventure, consider these attractions, located at the space capital of the world: The Kennedy Space Center‘s Visitor Complex, IMAX Movie Theater, NASA’s Observatorium, Space View Park, U.S. Space Walk Of Fame, U.S. Astronaut Hall Of Fame, U.S. Space Camp Florida, Astronaut’s Memorial, Air Force Space And Missile Museum.

Earth:
The Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona: The variety of attractions at this popular place is as wide as the canyon itself: Experience a Grand Canyon tour by air, bus, car, horseback, or foot; as well as kayaking, white-water rafting, hiking, backpacking, helicopter rides, and swimming.

Holiday packages make it easier to have an affordable but memorable holiday, even when you‘re on a tight budget. The hard part is deciding where to go.

(For details on holiday packages and other tourist attractions and events, go online or consult a travel agent)