Affordable Family Vacations [East Coast Edition]

Family vacations are a great way to spend time with the ones you love. But time isn’t all you’ll be spending. If you’re looking for affordable family vacation ideas, East Coast and East Coast-adjacent destinations like Bar Harbor, Maine, Stowe, Vermont, and River Ranch. These destinations offer affordable activities for the whole family, from hiking to swimming to horseback riding and more, as well as some surprisingly inexpensive accommodations. We’ve got the inside scoop on all the budget-friendly ways to play and places to stay on the East Coast. Let’s get started!

Bar Harbor, Maine: Best East Coast Vacation for Affordable, Family-Friendly New England Charm

Looking for low-priced New England charm your family (and your accountant) will love? Look no further than Bar Harbor, Maine! Bar Harbor is an unspoiled paradise with lush forests and a rugged coastline. Located on Mount Desert Island next to Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor offers endless family- and budget-friendly activities, from scenic drives along Acadia’s historic carriage roads to hands-on wildlife encounters in its coastal tide pools, to tours of its historic sites and nature centers, strolls along its beautiful beaches, and much more. Admission to the park is just $35 per vehicle, and passes are good for 7 days. If you’re looking for a cheap way to get around Mount Desert Island, check out the free Island Explorer shuttle!

Affordable East Coast Family Vacation Accommodations in Bar Harbor, Maine: Terramor Outdoor Resort

Terramor Outdoor Resort offers affordable, family-friendly vacation lodging just minutes from the east coast of Maine and Acadia National Park. This family resort-cum-upscale glamping retreat boasts five luxury tent models sleeping 2 or 5 guests. Your kids will love the immersive camping experience. Meanwhile, you’re sure to appreciate home-like comforts such as electricity, Wi-Fi, heating and cooling, and luxury bath amenities.

If you’re looking for some affordable activities to add to your schedule, you don’t have to look far. Onsite at Terramor Outdoor Resort, you’ll find everything from a restaurant and bar to a pool and hot tub to wellness programming, community events, communal fire experiences, and more!

Stowe, Vermont: Best Affordable East Coast Family Vacation for Green Mountains’ Majesty

Stowe, Vermont, is one of the East Coast’s most affordable family vacation destinations, if you play your cards right. This beautiful mountain town offers year-round activities for the whole family, many of which are easy on the wallet. Tour the Ben & Jerry’s factory for a low-priced sweet treat your family will love. Afterwards, take advantage of the free hiking trails at Smuggler’s Notch State Park to bask in the natural beauty of Stowe while you work off the ice cream. Want to save on transportation? Rent a bike and use the Stowe Recreation Path to access premier points of interest throughout town!

Affordable East Coast Family Vacation Accommodations in Stowe, Vermont: Outbound Stowe

With a forest setting just minutes from the village, Outbound Stowe offers an affordable basecamp for all your East Coast family vacation adventures in Stowe. Choose from a cozy lodge room, a spacious loft, or a private cabin, and take advantage of cost-saving options like kitchenettes and pet-friendly policies. Low on frills, these accommodations are an affordable alternative to area resorts, especially if you visit during the shoulder season, which runs from late September to early November and late October, to early December.

Outbound Stowe boasts a generous array of on-site amenities that can help make your East Coast family vacation more affordable. Make a splash in the area’s largest outdoor pool or the West Branch Little River, which runs through the property. If you do decide to leave, you can leave your car, and your gas money, at the lodge; Outbound Stowe offers direct access to the Stowe Recreation Path!

River Ranch, Florida: Wild West Fun Well South of Your Budget

Think you have to spring for theme park tickets to have a great family vacation in Central Florida? Think again! Located about an hour south of Walt Disney World, River Ranch is a hidden gem overflowing with family-friendly activities. From petting zoos to swamp buggy tours, to camping, rodeos, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, and more, this affordable family-vacation paradise promises non-stop Old-Florida fun for a song. Not to mention, you’ll be a short drive from free beach access on both the Gulf Coast and Atlantic Ocean. Thus, River Ranch makes an unexpectedly convenient base camp for a family beach vacation. Popular beaches just a short road trip from River Ranch include Clearwater Beach, Daytona Beach, and Amelia Island. All three offer free admission!

Affordable Vacation Accommodations in River Ranch, Florida: River Ranch Resort and Rodeo

The Wild West is still alive and kicking, but you don’t have to go out west to find it. Just go to River Ranch Resort and Rodeo! River Ranch brings the spirit of the Old West to Central Florida, with accommodations that transport you to the frontier. Choose from a Luxe Teepee, Conestoga Wagon, Saddle Club Rail Car, or Luxury Glamping Tent and make sleeping part of the fun. For a more traditional lodging experience, lodge rooms, cabins, and cottages are also available.

River Ranch Resort and Rodeo is the perfect destination for family vacationers on a budget, as everything you need to create unforgettable memories is offered right onsite. In fact, a large portion of the community of River Ranch is occupied by the resort, which, at 1,700 acres, is the largest dude ranch east of the Mississippi, and many of the outdoor activities mentioned earlier, including horseback riding, swamp buggy tours, fishing, and even hunting, are offered on property. Other amenities include America’s longest-running Saturday rodeo, a Cowboy Adventure Park, on-site dining options, water sports, mini golf, a lazy river, and outdoor movies.

Discover More Affordable Family Vacations with Nook Outdoors

Didn’t find what you were looking for? No sweat! Nook Outdoors is your budget-friendly family vacation headquarters. We specialize in bringing you America’s best outdoor accommodations in family vacation spots like North Carolina, New York, and Hawaii. Enjoy unique accommodations, top-notch amenities, and access to budget-friendly attractions like historic towns, pristine beaches, and natural wonders. Ready to start planning your next family vacation? Discover more low-priced lodging options in our accommodations directory!