The best family vacations shouldn’t have to break the bank. With the help of MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV), planning a getaway is more convenient and cost-effective than ever before. A wide array of budget-friendly destinations that are also considered to be family friendly can be easy to find. It all comes down to planning and choosing the right location.
Here are some of the best affordable family vacation destinations accessible via BLV.
Beach Vacations
You don’t need to go to an all-inclusive resort in Cancun, Mexico or the Caribbean to have a fun, beach-themed, family getaway. BLV offers a mix of low-cost seasonal and year-round flights to some of the best beaches the continental U.S. has to offer. This includes Destin/Fort Walton, Fort Lauderdale, Ft. Myers/Punta Gorda and several other Florida destinations, as well as Gulf Shores, Myrtle Beach, Tybee Island and Hilton Head. These cheap family vacation spots, known for their natural beauty, are popular among tourists. Each destination offers beautiful oceanfront views; clear waters; stunning sunsets; nightlife; shopping and dining options to satisfy every budget; and a variety of free or low-cost, family friendly attractions, including waterparks, museums, state parks and more. There are also plenty of activities that vacationers of all ages can enjoy, including biking, horseback riding, building sandcastles, snorkeling, parasailing, ziplining, watersports and other types of outdoor adventures.
A wide array of beach resorts and vacation rentals available in each location offer spacious and affordable accommodations suitable for the whole family. With so much to see and do, a family friendly vacation to fit any budget is within reach. It all starts when you book an inexpensive, nonstop flight out of MidAmerica St. Louis Airport.
National Park Vacations
For those whose family vacation ideas center more around seeing natural wonders and exploring the great outdoors, a national park vacation may fit the bill. There are 63 national parks in the USA that offer a variety of manmade and natural beauties. Some of the most popular include Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and Yosemite National Park in California. National park vacations are great for families who want to plan a budget friendly family vacation and love outdoor adventure. Several parks are accessible via an affordable flight from BLV and Allegiant.
Allegiant offers seasonal nonstop service between BLV and McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville, putting vacationers right in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains and about 57 miles away from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Named after the iconic blue fog that rises from the trees, it’s the most visited national park in America and is free to visit. Experience a variety of nature-based activities, from hiking trails to scenic driving routes. Pack a lunch and picnic under a canopy of trees, but keep your eyes peeled for wildlife.
Two Florida national parks can be easily accessed when taking a flight from MidAmerica St. Louis Airport to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Biscayne National Park is about 61 miles away from the airport and is known for having one of the largest reef systems in the world. The park protects Biscayne Bay’s offshore barrier reefs and is free to enter. Though most of the park is water, there’s still lots to do and explore, including hiking, scuba diving, snorkeling and boat tours. In the south of Florida, Everglades National Park is located about 75 miles away from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and is home to one of the largest subtropical wildernesses in the United States. Lots of wildlife call the Everglades National Park home, including hundreds of species of birds, as well as alligators, crocodiles, and manatees. Families can take a hike and explore a Cold War Era military base hidden in the park, tour an alligator farm, and take a pontoon boat tour through the park.
Grand Canyon National Park can also be accessed when flying from MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. Grand Canyon National Park is the second most visited US National Park and is about a four drive from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Neveda. Flying into Las Vegas is ideal if you want to explore the Grand Canyon’s West Rim, which is closer to the Grand Canyon Skywalk and Hoover Dam. There’s lots do in the Grand Canyon West Rim, including river rafting, horseback riding, ziplining, hiking, shopping and more.
No matter which national park you choose, there are endless kid-friendly outdoor activities and other types of family fun. This includes biking, swimming, fishing, hiking trails, kayaking, visiting waterfalls and more.
National Park vacations are easy to do on a budget. If you can, plan your vacation around holidays where National Parks may waive entrance fees. These holidays include:
- Jan. 15 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
- Apr. 20 (First day of National Park Week)
- June 19 (Juneteenth National Independence Day)
- Aug. 4 (Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act)
- Sept. 28 (National Public Lands Day)
- Nov. 11 (Veteran’s Day)
Even if you can’t plan your vacation around free entry days, National Parks are still generally inexpensive to enter, and some offer weekly admissions to save money. National Parks like Biscayne National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park do not charge an entrance fee at all, though some might charge for a daily parking pass. National parks also offer admission discounts to current U.S. military members and dependents. From September through the following August, fourth-graders qualify for free admission under the Every Kid Outdoors pass, and those with permanent disabilities may also qualify for free admission.
Another great way to save money is to stay outside of the parks. Accommodations inside the parks can be pricey and tend to book up fairly quickly. If you’re trying to travel on a budget, consider staying outside of nearby parks. Just make sure to factor in the cost of transportation and admissions. To cut down on transportation cost, some parks also offer shuttle systems. While you’re exploring, don’t discredit state parks nearby either. Depending on the state, some offer free access to all state parks located in that state.
MidAmerica St. Louis Airport flies to many destinations across the country, making your national park vacation more accessible and affordable than ever.
City Vacations
City vacations are also great for families who love sightseeing and exploring. Popular city vacations for families include New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Orlando, Savannah, Las Vegas, Chicago, San Diego, Gatlinburg and more. City vacations are great because you can explore a variety of places, like eateries, historic sites, museums, entertainment venues and other hidden gems. While city vacations can seem overwhelming to plan, there’s a ton of great tips and tricks to help you stick to a budget.
With any city vacation, the closer you lodge at the epicenter, the more expensive accommodations will be. If you can, try to research vacation rentals and lodging in a nearby suburb or further away from downtown. You’ll find cheaper prices and maybe even find lodging that’s more suitable for your family’s needs.
You’ll also want to do your research on car rentals in the city. Not all car rental companies are equal, and finding the best vehicle for your family may require some shopping around. If you can book your rental car in advance, that will help your family save money too. City vacations aren’t just restricted to the borders of the city either. You can also take a day trip or road trip to nearby small towns and attractions to make the most of your vacation.
When planning, consider looking for discounted tickets to attractions online. Sites like Groupon have discounted tickets for just about anywhere. If you’re traveling with kids or grandparents, check to see if attractions offer student or senior discounts. Some cities even offer free entry to attractions, like free museums and parks to visit.
Another thing to consider when planning a city vacation for your family is the cost of living in an area. If you travel to an area with a higher cost of living, then it will probably be more expensive to vacation there. Just because an area has a lower cost of living though doesn’t mean it can’t be a fun vacation spot.
Still can’t decide what city would be best for your family to visit? Check out the full list of cities that MidAmerica St. Louis Airport serves to find the right fit for your family.
Amusement Park Vacations
Another popular type of family trip is amusement park vacations. Some of the most popular amusement park vacation destinations for families include Disney and Universal Studios in Orlando, Busch Gardens in Tampa, and Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. Though money saving tips will vary based on which amusement park your family chooses to visit, there are some general tips and tricks to help keep costs down no matter where you go.
Walt Disney World Resort is one of the most popular theme parks in the world, drawing in over 50 million tourists annually. Four different theme parks call this iconic Orlando resort home, including Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and all are easily accessible when flying from MidAmerica St. Louis Airport to Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). Walt Disney World Resorts sits just 40 miles (or 45-minute drive) from SFB, making your family’s Disney dreams more attainable than ever.
Walt Disney World’s four different theme parks mean there’s something for every family visiting. Explore Disney’s classic tales in Magic Kingdom with iconic locations and rides such as Cinderella’s Castle, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and Disney’s newest ride, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. EPCOT is home to the famous World Showcase with 11 themed areas based on countries from around the world, offering unique food and drink options and rides such as Soarin’ and Frozen Ever After. Animal Kingdom offers up-close experiences with animals in different safari experiences and is home to the Pandora – The World of Avatar. Rounding out the parks, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is home to one of the newest areas to Disney, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and also hosts attractions such as the Tower of Terror and Toy Story Land. All parks offer various meet-and-greet with iconic characters, unique shopping and dining experiences, roaming characters and more.
Universal Studios Orlando is another great attraction on Orlando’s theme park row for family vacations. Universal Studios Orlando is home to three different parks, including Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and the new EPIC Universe opening in May 2025. Universal Studios Orlando is another great vacation spot for families looking for a theme park vacation due to its close location to SFB. Sitting just 35 miles (or about 40 minutes) from Orlando Sanford International Airport, it’s a great option for families looking for theme park thrills.
Universal Studios is home to many iconic properties, including Diagon Alley from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter; Springfield, U.S.A, home of The Simpsons; Minion Land from Despicable Me and more. Keep the fun going and hop over to Islands of Adventure and experience Harry Potter’s Hogsmede, meet dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, and swing with Spiderman in Marvel Super Hero Island. Opening in May 2025, Epic Universe will introduce brand new attractions, like Harry Potter’s Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon and more.
Another popular Florida theme park is Busch Gardens. Located in Tampa Bay, Busch Gardens is just 25 miles from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) when you fly from MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. Busch Gardens is a family-oriented theme park offering different attractions, such as rollercoasters, animal experiences, safaris, live entertainment and more. Busch Garden’s unique blend of zoology and thrill rides makes it a great vacation spot for families of all ages.
If your family still wants theme park thrills without the Florida heat, look no further than Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Dollywood sits about 38 miles (or an hour drive) from McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville. Due to its unique location in the heart of Tennessee, Dollywood offers classic theme park attractions with a Southern twist. Dollywood hosts more than 50 rides, Southern-inspired dining experiences and award-winning live entertainment sure to encapsulate the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Travel to Disney and other Orlando-based theme parks will be cheaper during the off season, which usually falls between January-February and August-September. Most amusement parks will be more expensive and crowded during the summer months and spring break, so it’s best to plan your travel dates ahead of time and to keep checking flight and hotel prices for the best price if you can only travel in the summer.
Generally, when trying to save money, it’s best to avoid purchasing food inside amusement parks. Most parks do allow re-entry, so families can pack lunches and plan a picnic outside of the park gates. Just make sure you double check entry and re-entry guidelines for your specific park. Amusement parks like Disney or Universal Studios also have outside shopping and dining districts which are free to enter. Another thing to keep in mind is the age of kids. At Disney and Universal Studios in Orlando, children three and under get free admission, so you do not need to purchase a ticket for them.
Available lodging at amusement parks is dependent on where you visit. Disney and Universal Studios offer hotels associated with the parks, while other parks may not. Usually, staying off property near amusement parks is the best way to save money when traveling. Plus, this also gives your family the option to check out other attractions near amusement parks or explore nearby cities.
Another way to save money when planning an amusement park destination is to fly with a budget airline. Allegiant offers seasonal flights from BLV to Knoxville and offers year-round flights to Tampa Bay, as well as Orlando – the theme park capital of the world – with significant lower airfare when compared to other airlines.
Planning a family vacation doesn’t have to run you dry. Each vacation should be unique and tailored to offer the best experience. With nonstop flights offered to various destinations across the country, you can trust MidAmerica St. Louis Airport and Allegiant to get you to your family vacation destination. Flying with BLV allows you to focus on what really matters – creating memories that will last a lifetime.
