Cheap Places to Take Kids on a Three-Day Weekend

Everyone needs a vacation, but how do you do it when money is tight? Sometimes, you stay close to home. Sometimes you stay at home and take local day trips. Here are some ideas to help you get away without busting the budget.

State Parks
With over 90 state parks to choose from in Texas, there’s no end to the hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, nature trails and camping for the whole family to enjoy. Just $60 a year for a Texas State Parks Pass gets your vehicle, with as many people as it can hold, into any Texas state park for 365 days, plus discounts and coupons on camping facilities. Each park also has daily pricing.

For the state’s Parks Getaway online publication, click here.
For a map of the state parks closest to Dallas, click here.

Glen Rose, TX
If your kids love Dinosaurs and animals, this is the place to be. Glen Rose is a small city west of Fort Worth. It is home to Dinosaur Valley State Park, Dinosaur World and Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, to name a few. Explore dinosaur tracks, dig for fossils and more. Then, take a ride through a 9.5 mile safari park. Glen Rose is also home to accommodations that range from hotels and motels, cottages, rustic cabin and bed and breakfasts.

Grapevine, TX
>> Head to DFW International Airport or a nearby park to watch airplanes take off and land.

>> Spend a half day at the Bass Pro Shop. Watch their staff feed alligators and fish, and take part in their many free workshops and activities.

>> There’s a lot to do at Grapevine Mills Mall that doesn’t involve shopping. Catch a $5 matinee at the AMC Theater.  Head to the indoor skate park or the indoor ice skating rink. Visit the arcade. There are also specialty toy stores where kids can play for free.

>> Board the Grapevine Vintage Railroad and take a day trip to the Fort Worth Stock Yards.

>> Stay at home or find affordable accommodations here.

Fair Park
Home to the state fairgrounds, Fair Park has seven different museums and attractions, and most are kid friendly. Get a Fair Park passport and visit all seven museums for only $13.99 per child and $23.99 per adult. Plus, ride the swan boats, see native plants and flowers and so much more. Coming this summer is Summer Place Park - a state fair style midway open all summer long. Museums at Fair Park include:

• African-American Museum
• Museum of the American Railroad
• Museum of Nature & Science/TI Founders IMAX® Theater
• The Women’s Museum
• The Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park
• The Hall of State
• Texas Discovery Gardens
• South Dallas Cultural Center

Pick a City
Just about every city has something special to experience. Pick one you’ve never been to and Google it’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau to find affordable deals. Another idea to hop aboard the DART rail, pick a stop and explore what’s there. You can do a lot on a small budget when you use a little creativity.