Sign up for major hotel chain credit cards that give free nights. City hotels on weekends can also be a great deal, pick one with a pool and breakfast included and you are half way there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are an asshole.

Also, Dutch Wonderland.

I am not interested in this thread, but out of context, this comment cracked me up!

+1

+2 I laughed out loud when I read that comment.

Anonymous wrote:

We often went to a place near Wilmington, NC but I've since learned it has been massively developed, whereas 30 years ago it was pretty pristine.

Wrightsville is hyper fancy and expensive now, but quite nice despite development. if you can deal with traffic/parking situation, you can stay on the cheap in wilmington and drive to the beach. topsail beach is much cheaper, and not as popular, but has suffered more from the development (e.g. - they can't afford to do much about the beach erosion there). Carolina Beach is overdeveloped and a bit ruined. though maybe fun for little kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also find the title offensive and will be withholding my advice until it is changed.

OP replied. Some of you are really, really sensitive.

+1 OP has minimal budget for a summer vacation and is obviously asking for advice. Her use in the title seemed like an example of "reappropriation" to me.

We stayed in one of the budget hotels in Front Royal for a night or two (maybe 50 or 60 bucks a night). We drove through Skyline Drive, stopped to hike some of the trails. Also visited the little town of Front Royal and went to the Skyline Caverns, as well as, Dinoland.

If you are looking for a whole week somewhere, I agree that the Outerbanks can have some great deals, especially if you are willing to go slightly off season.

When I was a kid, nothing thrilled me more than a water park or a beach. I couldn't have cared less, and didn't notice until I was an adult that we never flew anywhere or that the beach condos we rented were dumpy. I also loved staying in a cabin at state parks, because there was always a lake or river or creek to swim and play in.

We often went to a place near Wilmington, NC but I've since learned it has been massively developed, whereas 30 years ago it was pretty pristine.

I have to say, this is an awesome thread full of both smart ideas and unwarranted snark at OP. Truly what makes DCUM great.

I think the time share presentation idea is clever, especially dragging along 3 kids. Great excuse to get out of there (sorry, the kids are hungry/tired).

I really don't see what was so offensive about this thread title.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are an asshole.

Also, Dutch Wonderland.

I am not interested in this thread, but out of context, this comment cracked me up!

I loved this too -- exactly what keeps me coming back to DCUM.

Anonymous wrote:Going to the Jersey Shore pre- and post- season. Or Delaware too one supposes. Have the boardwalk and rides to yourselves and rent a condo for a long weekend or week super cheap.

+1

I grew up in South Jersey and its great on the cheap. The White Horse Pike is one long strip of motels thats close to Atlantic City and Ocean City. If you get bored of the beach you're within striking distance of Lucy the Elephant, Storybook Land, Lake Lenape, Historic Smithville, and Young's Skating Rink.

Everyone's idea of inexpensive is different, but we rented a cottage near deep creek lake on air bnb. Was about 130/night for 2 bedroom plus sofa living room and close to the restaurants, etc in deep creek. It was very chill.

Last summer, we did 3 days in new hampshire (coincided with travel up north for work). got a suite in a motel for 99/night, did some outdoor activities and took the little ones to story land, see the white mountains, etc.

How poor is poor? In the DC area, it's really easy to do things around Williamsburg. On years where vacation budgets are smaller, we head down that way (easy drive - I've even done the round trip in a day). Season passes for Busch Gardens aren't that much, and if you are in Virginia keep your eyes out the free preschool passes, which have a few more hoops to jump through than they used to have, but are an excellent deal. Admission to a Colonial Williamsburg isn't bad either, and you can actually walk though parts of it with no tickets at all. Then it's just finding accommodation that fits in your budget. Since there's no flights involved, it's quite affordable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are an asshole.

Also, Dutch Wonderland.

I am not interested in this thread, but out of context, this comment cracked me up!

+1

A time share.

The trade off is that you have to sacrifice your entire morning (even though they claim it will "only" be 2 hrs of your time) listening to a pushy salesman during your stay, but the on the other hand you'll get free lodging, amenities, and usually some sort of a gift card.

Not ideal, but certainly affordable.