Our picks, like the bargain Birdsong Resort in Tennessee 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.
BIRDSONG RESORT
TENNESSEETalk about a hidden gem. At Birdsong Resort, Marina and Campground in Camden, Tennessee (one hour west of Nashville), families can stay at America's only freshwater pearl farm for $100 nightly. There are 11 cabins on the property with picnic tables, outdoor grills and full kitchens (some also have screened-in porches and fireplaces).
Guests can chat with workers as they gather pearls (Tennessee's state gem) along Kentucky Lake or, for a small fee, take a pontoon-boat tour. Other resort activities include swimming, basketball, volleyball, shuffleboard, Ping-Pong and fishing for bluegills and catfish. There is a three-night minimum at the resort on holidays. Call 800-225-7469 or visit their Web site for more information.
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
• A Grand Inn at the Grand Coulee Dam
UNDER $170 A NIGHT
• Cozy Up in a Maine Inn• Oregon's Mountain Retreat
• Wisconsin's Budget B & B
Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Updated August 2005.
