Vacation Money-Saving Tip: State Park Cottage Rentals

This past weekend, we traveled from our home in PA to Cedarville University near Springfield, Ohio for Homecoming Weekend. Our little ones (ages 3 months and 19 months) did surprisingly well on the 8 hour drive!

We have found a great way to stretch our vacation dollars and to have a more enjoyable overnight experience for all of us--state park cottage rentals! We were able to stay in a two-bedroom cottage (that sleeps eight) for $85 per night. Our cottage at Buck Creek State Park included a full kitchen with dishes, pots/pans, and appliances; a flat-screen TV with Direct TV; towels and linens; a screened-in porch and a grill and fire ring. We loved having the extra room to spread out.

Isaac is excited to watch Mickey Mouse since we don't have cable at home!

Bedroom #1

 

Bedroom #2

Kitchen

Visit this website for a list of parks by state. Maybe you'll be able to find a State Park with cottage rentals near your next vacation destination!

Delaware Museum of Natural History

Family Photo outside the Museum

We love fun family outings, especially when they are free! For the last few years, Smithsonian Magazine has hosted Museum Day, when hundreds of museums around the country allow you to download tickets to get in for free! This year's Museum Day was on September 24, 2011. I've already got a reminder on my 2012 calendar to check for details about the 2012 Museum Day!

We chose to go to the Delaware Museum of Natural History. This was one of the first museums that Isaac has been to where he could actually interact and enjoy the exhibits! Joel had fun riding in the stroller and watching everyone!

In the Children's Exhibit

Joel and I being eaten by a T-Rex!

Checking out the Shell Exhibit

Examining the Warthogs