Beach-Vacation-238x300If you’re a budget-conscious traveler, there are several ways to keep costs low while enjoying a Gulf Shores Orange Beach vacation with family.

Sometimes thinking outside the sand pail can save you big clams when it comes to lodging. Have an RV, camper, or even a tent? Consider camping on the coast! Several campgrounds feature amenities such as pools and bay-front beaches. The Gulf State Park also offers primitive sites for tents, in addition to a selection of RV hook ups and lakeside cabins and cottages. If roughing it in a tent isn’t your cup of tea, but you want to go easy on the wallet, consider last-minute deals on Gulf Shores condos and Orange Beach hotels. If your travel dates are flexible, consider booking a “fill-the-gap” or mid-week special through a vacation rental management company to save money.

Book a hotel that offers a continental breakfast, and remember most Alabama Gulf Coast condos and beach houses have fully equipped kitchens allowing you to cook your meals at your home away from home. Eating out for breakfast or lunch can be less expensive than dinner. Consider splurging on lunch and cooking dinner in at your beach rental.

Looking for some adventure that won’t break the bank? Explore historic Fort Morgan or the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. The Naval Aviation Museum, a short drive away in Pensacola, is free to the public and is the world’s largest museum of its kind! For attraction fun, consider miniature golf, a matinee movie at The Wharf, or an arcade. Also, don’t forget to stop by the Gulf Shores or Orange Beach Welcome Center for local coupons books and rack cards for additional savings.

They say the best things in life are free, and the same can be said about a beach vacation. You have miles and miles of nature’s most beautiful playground right at your toes. The white sands hold seashell treasures, buckets make a sandcastle masterpiece and the Gulf Coast sunsets will touch your soul. These priceless beach memories won’t cost you a dime.