our travel experts give up all their secret bargain vacation spots.
Our picks, like the Columbia River Inn in Washington below, are not only easy on the wallet, they pass the FAMILYFUN test, too, by offering memorable settings, lots of activities and a welcoming spirit to parents and children. If nothing else, these picks will put to rest the idea that you have to spend a fortune on a family vacation--or that you can trust a travel writer with a secret.
COLUMBIA RIVER INN
WASHINGTONFAMILYFUN readers recently voted the Grand Coulee Dam the Northwest's number-two tourist attraction--and families can see it in all its splendor from the 34-room Columbia River Inn just across the street.
For the peak-season price of $95 a night, a family of four gets a brightly decorated upper-level guest room with two queen beds and a view of the dam. Owner Ron LeMay welcomes his guests to this family-friendly inn that comes complete with swimming pool, hot tub, laundry facilities and cable TV. Nearby, families can cycle down a river trail for more breathtaking scenery. Call 800-633-6421 or visit their Web site for more details.
For other bargain vacation spots, check out the following links:
UNDER $30 A NIGHT
• Arkansas' "Diamond" in the Rough• Explore Colorado's Sand Dunes
• Strike Gold in California
• New York's Adirondack Adventure
UNDER $75 A NIGHT
• Sleep Over at Montana's Roosevelt Cabins• Camping on the Carolina Cape
• Camp in Style the Ohio Way
• A California Lighthouse Getaway
UNDER $100 A NIGHT
• All Rivers Lead to Nebraska• A Bargain Visit to Williamsburg, Virginia
• Illinois' Log Cabin Lodge
• Camp Pueblo-Style in Texas
UNDER $125 A NIGHT
• A "Hot" Time in Montana• Lake Powell Luxury in Arizona
• An Old-Fashioned Florida Family Vacation
UNDER $170 A NIGHT
• Cozy Up in a Maine Inn• Oregon's Mountain Retreat
• Dive for Pearls at this Tennessee Resort
• Wisconsin's Budget B & B
Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Updated August 2005.
