Best cheap family vacations revealed in 2025 rankings — and two of them are just a 4 hour drive from NYC

Amid the rising cost of living, cash-strapped American families are looking to save serious money on their getaways this summer.

And the US News & World Report’s rankings of the Best Cheap Family Vacations for 2025 prove there are still several domestic destinations where you can get bang for your buck.

“Rest assured, you won’t have to break the bank to take the kids on a memorable trip this year,” the report’s editors wrote.”Based on traveler feedback, editor analysis and factors like sights, value and accessibility, US News compiled this list of the best cheap family vacations.”

Yellowstone National Park took out top spot, thanks to its “reasonable” entrance fees. According to the National Parks Service website, a whole family can enter in a single vehicle for just $35.

While accommodation can be pricey in peak season, the publication urged families to check out the park’s “highly-regarded campsites” to avoid “paying a pretty penny for a room.”

Coming in second place on the Best Cheap Family Vacations list was Yosemite National Park in California, thanks to the fact that its entrance passes are valid for seven days.

That fact means it’s easier to squeeze a whole week’s worth of value out of a single payment.

But if families fear that both Yellowstone and Yosemite may be too busy at this time of year, the US News & World Report ranked Gatlinburg third on its list of cheap family vacations.

The lesser-known mountain town in Tennessee is “the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains,” and families can still engage in hiking, biking and sightseeing without the crowds.

Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Teton National Park rounded out the top five in the rankings.

For families who prefer beach getaways, North Carolina’s Outer Banks (number 6 on the US News list) and South Carolina’s Myrtle Beach (number 11) were among the best cheap vacation destinations for families.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking to travel to a city to soak up some art and culture, Washington DC was named the 7th best cheap family vacation spot thanks to its free museums, iconic monuments, outdoor spaces.

For New York City residents looking to escape the city this summer, two places on US News & World Report are just a 4-hour drive from the Big Apple.

The Adirondacks in upstate New York came in 12th spot, while Ocean City, Maryland, ranked at number 14.