Summer Fun on a Budget
07/08/2025
Vacations can be expensive, especially for families with children or large groups. According to GoGo Charters, the average one-week vacation can cost up to $8,000. We have some tips to help you save money on your summer fun, whether you plan to travel somewhere exotic, enjoy a staycation, or take a handful of quick local trips around Montgomery County.
Act Early: Supply and demand affect the price of everything, including airfare, hotels, and entertainment. The longer you wait to book a rental car, flight, or hotel, the more it will likely cost. Plan your trip up to a year in advance, and you could save quite a bit of money.
Price Shop: Whether it’s a flight, hotel, resort, or tickets to a theme park, do some price shopping. Options to help price shop include Kayak, TravelPriceWatch, Google Flights, and more.
Discounts are Available: Theme park tickets are often cheaper on weekdays. Additionally, buying tickets online or bundling your hotel with those tickets can save money.
Don’t Buy Souvenirs: Instead, take plenty of photos. Those will last far longer than any keychain, t-shirt, or other overpriced item.
Take a Road Trip: Taking the car could save you thousands, especially if you have a few family members or friends joining. To set a budget, plan to spend around $1,200 per day for gas, food, and accommodations, according to AAA. To ensure your safety and savings, get your vehicle oil changed and all the fluids checked before you leave, inflate the tires to the proper air pressure (which can improve fuel or range efficiency by up to 2% according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), and pack light to reduce weight and save on fuel or to boost the range in your electric vehicle.
Go Local: There’s a lot to see and do in and around Montgomery County. To save even more money on your summer vacation, stay local. Some options include hiking the Billy Goat Trail or the Cabin John Regional Park, biking along the Capital Crescent Trail, kayaking at Rock Creek Regional Park, exploring Great Falls National Park, visiting the Glenstone Museum, attending a performance at the Strathmore Music Center, or taking in the beauty of Brookside Gardens.