Top 5 Family Vacations Spots Priced Just Right

Last Updated on October 1, 2014 by

 New York City

New York City vacations have something for everyone from sampling contemporary culture to riding Colossus at Coney Island. Family vacations to New York City are ideal for kids to experience some of the best museums in the world and sample the eclectic foods that Manhattan is famous for. If you are not a local with a piece of your own New York City real estate, you can beat the high cost of corporate chain hotel chains by opting to stay in one of the New York City boutique hotels. Boutique hotels in New York City are priced just right and are conveniently located in the best parts of town. Pay less and get more with air and hotel combo packages and take Manhattan at the price you want to pay. Some of the top New York City attractions geared for children include:

 * Coney Island.

 * Motion ride on the second floor of The Empire State Building.

 * Central Park for carriage rides, carousel rides, and free performing arts with music, dance, theater and poetry reading.

 * The American Museum of Natural History for a collection of hands-on interactive exhibits.

 * Free kayaking at The Downtown Boathouse.

 Orlando

Orlando family vacations provide a warm and inviting climate twelve months a year. Book a Disney World getaway and be sure to leave a few extra days to take in the additional Orlando sites. Many of the top Orlando attractions are conveniently located on International Drive and a budget-friendly I-Ride Trolley service keeps your ground transportation costs cut down to size. International Drive attractions are easy access from most of the hotels in the Disney area and include:

 * Coco Key Water Resort for a tropical adventure with water slides, arcade games and fun foods for the kids. The Coco Key Water Resort is located at the I-Ride Trolley stop number 13 South.

 * Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum. Filled with the weirdest and wackiest exhibits in the world, Ripley’s is a must-see attraction in the Disney area. You will find Ripley’s Believe It Or Not at the I-Ride Trolley stop number 17 North.

 * Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf. This lavish miniature golf facility is priced just right and found at the I-Ride Trolley stop number 20 North.

 * WonderWorks. This amazing facility provides over 100 interactive experiences for kids. Learn to fly an aircraft, walk through a world that is upside down, and take in a magic show at the Outta Control Dinner Theater. WonderWorks is located at the I-Ride Trolley stop number 23 North.

 * Howl At the Moon is an audience participation music show geared for all ages. This unique musical night out is located on the I-Ride Trolley stop number 21 North.

 Los Angeles

 A Los Angeles family vacation takes you some of the most beautiful and lively beaches in California. Make your way to a three or four-star beach hotel or opt to stay and play in the heart of the L.A. action in Hollywood. Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm are less than an hour away in bordering Orange County for an all-day excursion for theme park fun. Some of the highlights for a family vacation in Los Angeles include:

 * Universal Studios. Cut the cost of a rental car when you opt to take the Los Angeles Metro Red Line subway service stopping in front of the main gate at Universal Studios.

 * Explore the legendary Kodak Theater with a backstage tour of the American Idol venue and learn the history of the Academy Awards. After the tour, walk to One Dollar Pizza for low cost dining on a shoe-string budget.

 * Spend the day at Santa Monica Beach for arcade action on the pier, fishing, and ride on the Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel.

 * Visit the hip and happening Venice Beach, located just minutes south of the Santa Monica Pier. Venice Beach is home to some of the most talented street performers in the area and the boardwalk is teeming with tasty fast-food treats.

 * Find your favorite celebrity at the Hollywood Wax Museum located on Hollywood Boulevard. Walk to Mann’s Chinese Theatre, economical dining, and enjoy easy access to the L.A. Metro trains serving Hollywood and the downtown Los Angeles areas.

Las Vegas

A Las Vegas family vacation offers some of the best discounts on air and hotel reservations. In addition, the Las Vegas city guide magazines provide valuable coupon books for shopping, dining and admission to the hottest attractions in town. Family fun in fabulous Las Vegas includes:

 * Dig This. The Dig This attraction is an opportunity to operate heavy equipment such as a bulldozer or crane. Have fun in the sand box moving your dirt and rocks when Dig This puts you in the driver’s seat. A one hour training and safety class is included in the admission price.

 * The Atomic Museum is located a few miles out in the Nevada desert and contains a wonderful collection of exhibits concerning the atomic bomb. Walk through the museum halls, catch a short documentary film and shop for one-of-a-kind souvenirs from the Atomic Museum shops.

 * Bodies: The Exhibition. Take a journey through the human body with a collection of specimens and 3-D animation to understand how this incredible machine works.

 * The Pinball Hall of Fame Museum. This collection of vintage pinball machines are not only on display, they are up and running for visitors to play. Purchase tokens and go for the gold on classic cartoon, super hero and television theme pinball machines.

 * The Ethel M Chocolate Factory. Take the tour and learn how chocolate candy is made. This Las Vegas attraction is free and guests receive a complimentary sample of the treats.

Honolulu

The fantastic Honolulu beaches may be the main event, however, Honolulu has a lot more to offer for a family-friendly vacation. Take the little ones out for a full or half-day excursion to some of Honolulu’s top attractions for kids:

 * The Hanauma Nature Preserve. Swim and snorkel in this sheltered bay and take the tour to learn about Hawaii’s conservation efforts for its marine life.

 * The Honolulu Zoo has been opened since 1874 and provides tours and lectures to educate the public on conservation.

 * The Honolulu Academy of Arts. This fun-filled museum is home to a collection of more than 50,000 exhibits which include paintings, architecture, and sculptures to thrill and inspire young minds.

 * The Sky Zone. This indoor trampoline facility also includes Skyrobics and 3-D dodge ball geared for all ages and fitness levels.

 * The Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center. Kids of all ages are welcome to interact with the exhibits to explore the human body, learn to drive a fire engine, learn about Hawaii’s botanical wonders, and experience life with the international appreciation exhibits. The Children’s Museum also has a Tot Spot for guests 5 years old and under to explore new sights, sounds and unique play things.

Alexandra Jacobs is a travel enthusiast who loves to write about tourism, beaches, food, and the wonderful things in the world.  She provides her own insights on vacationing to the blogosphere.  If you would like to learn more about her, follow her @alexsjourneys or visit her blog alexsjourneys.wordpress.com.

Photo credits:

Coney Island: Sarah_Ackerman on Flickr

Hollywood star: Pamla J. Eisenberg /DominusVobiscum Images on Flickr

Las Vegas Pinball: James Brooks on Flickr

Cinderella’s Castle and Honolulu are the author’s own.