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How I didn’t break the spring break bank!!
How I saved money, bonded with my teens, and
didn’t break the spring break bank.
1 Van
4 Teenagers
800 Miles
14 Hours
5 Movies
One of the best vacations ever!
This spring break with money being a little tight, but the price of gas being right, I decided to take a road trip with my teens. My husband couldn’t (wouldn’t) join us but I decided to go for it.
THE CHALLENGE…HOW TO ENTERTAIN, ENGAGE, EDUCATE, AND ENJOY SPRING BREAK WITH 4 TEENS?
OH ALMOST FORGOT…ON A BUDGET…..DID I MENTION A SMALL BUDGET…
Traveling with teens and taking them anywhere can be treacherous; they grunt and groan mumble and moan. 
As they arrived home from school on Friday I decided to surprise them, I told them to pack a bag and grab a pillow because we are going on a road trip. We had never been on a road trip before, it was a surprise for them, so I knew not to tell them before hand because then they would of given me grief. Of course they also realized they didn’t have a choice, and I knew they would have the time of their life. Where was I going to take four teenagers for fun? The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On a free day…only 500 miles away….
Here is how we had a Spring Break that didn’t break the bank and created memories we will all treasure forever.
1. With gas prices in our favor I decided to do a road trip. I check within a two state area of events on state calendars to see where and what was going on, things that teens would like. When I found out the Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony was going to be that weekend, and that the museum was going to be free on Saturday, I decided we would drive to Cleveland, a 7 hour drive. ( General Public admission is usually $22) They do have some free days during the year, you can find them at http://www.rockhall.com/visit/hours-admission
Knowing that we were going to be in the Van for at least 7 hours I came prepared.
A. I checked out 10 Rock and Roll movies from the library, to get us in the mood and educate
B. Purchased a case of bottled water, a few bags of pretzels, apples, dry cereal, and oyster crackers for the road. http://www.walmart.com/
C. Charged their hand held electric gadgets, brought an extra car charger, and each teen brought a pillow.
2. I called the Museum and asked them advice about other things to do with teens in the area, they told me that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was hosting a simulcast the night of the induction and I could purchased tickets from Ticketmaster.com 5.00 each. I was happy I did that because they did sell out. http://www.rockhall.com/pressroom/
3. I went to priceline,com and found a great price on a hotel, 2 blocks from the Rock and Roll hall of fame. We loved the Doubletree it was clean and lot’s of hip people were also checked into this hotel by the lake. http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/CLELSDT-Doubletree-Hotel-Cleveland-Downtown-Lakeside-Ohio/index.do
4. I gathered a list of thrift stores Flower Child on Clifton Blvd,, record shops, small café’s and coffee shops that places I knew the teens would enjoy, didn’t cost much and we could spend hours browsing
5. For the best Chocolates ever Homemade Chocolates so good http://www.lillytremont.com/
6. We found a cool bowling ally that we could eat and bowl http://www.east4thstreet.com/entTCA.php
7. Cleveland has a great market, The West Side Market, where we were able to get fruit, cream puffs, and breakfast for a very reasonable price http://www.westsidemarket.org/
8. Only made one stop on the road and that was a rest area.It is very fun to watch strangers, get a cheap meal, and stretch your legs.
I have to be honest this was one of the best spring breaks I have ever had, and it might be the last time all my kids get that same week off. Also open for more ideas..just let me know!! It was a great road trip….thanks kids
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I feel like I should print this out and stash it in a calendar for the next break. Fabulous idea!