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There is no denying that the economy is bad, and that the current situation is taking its toll on many Americans. But does this mean your life has to stop? Does this mean you have to stay inside all day and save your money? Of course not. You can still have fun even if the economy is going through a rough patch. Believe it or not, vacationing on a budget is more than possible.

Some people don’t know the concept of a cheap vacation. They think the only way to have fun is to pay the first price they see, and spend, spend, spend when they reach their destination. Fortunately, this is far from the truth.

The following tips can make vacationing on a budget tons of fun:

1. Use the internet to search for deals. Sites such as Expedia.com, Kayak.com, and Tripadvisor.com are great for finding the best deals on airfare, lodging, and car rentals. To go along with this, many of these sites also offer vacation packages that are sure to save you some money. For instance, Expedia is in the process of pushing their “Winter Sale” packages which offer hotel and flight to many popular destinations for $278 per person.

2. Before you ever start planning your vacation you should first set your budget. Do you know how much money you can comfortably spend? Your budget should be set from the beginning so you don’t get in over your head. If possible, begin to plan and budget for your trip a couple months in advance. This will help to ensure an accurate and efficient process.

3. Meals can be expensive. Have you ever thought about packing food to take with you on vacation? This is an idea you don’t want to overlook. If you are driving this is a particularly good idea. To go along with this, once you reach your destination you should head for the grocery store instead of a five star restaurant. You may spend a lot of money on groceries, but the fact of the matter is that they can last you a long time.

4. Travel with others. Have you ever thought about asking another family to join you on vacation? By doing this you will cut your costs in half from the word go. Does it get any easier than that? When you vacation with another family you can save on everything from gas to lodging.

5. Don’t be married to one destination. Remember, not every vacation destination is as expensive as the next. For instance, if you live on the east coast of the United States it will be much less expensive to vacation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina than Los Angeles, California. Not only is it closer to your home base, but once you arrive you will be able to save money as well. Even though you may be interested in taking your dream vacation now may not be the best time to do so. Instead, opt for destinations that are known to be more budget friendly.

6. Drive don’t fly. For many, the cost of airfare is the expense that breaks their budget. Why let this happen to you? There are bound to be many top notch vacation destinations within driving distance. And with gas prices lower than they have been in a while you can surely save a lot of money. For more information on gas prices and planning your trip visit GasBuddy.com.

7. Hotels can be expensive. If you really want to save money on lodging you should consider camping out. No matter where you are traveling, as long as the weather is warm you can opt for camping as opposed to spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on lodging. If you have your own equipment all you have to do is pay for the site which can be as little as a few bucks per night. For more information on campgrounds in the United States visit KOA.com.

8. When you arrive at your destination don’t feel obligated to spend money like most tourists. Instead, opt for free or cheap entertainment. There is nothing wrong with sitting on the beach or at the pool. Not only is this fun, but it will not cost you a dime. Of course, you may get the urge to scour the area and there is nothing wrong with this. Just make sure you opt for activities that fit your budget.

Now do you believe that vacationing on a budget is possible? The above tips and links are all you need to plan a vacation even when the economy is on a downswing and the so-called experts are telling you to tighten your belt.

[Source: Vacationing on a Budget]

Recreational activities

Tucked away in the Northwest corner of New Jersey lie two little known gems – Mountain Creek Resort & Crystal Springs Golf Resort (affiliated with the Minerals Resort). Far and away the top ski and snowboard destination in New Jersey, Mountain Creek offers not only fabulous skiing and snowboarding, but a top notch water park for those hot summer months. Being at elevation in quaint Vernon, NJ not only serves the skiers well but helps to keep the temperature an average of ten degrees warmer in summer.

The snow resort is home to classic beginner-through-expert terrain on Vernon and Granite Peaks. First-timers, families and all leisure skiers and snowboarders spend their time playing then choose where to relax for a break. Discount lift tickets are available for much less than the retail price. There are myriad places in nearby Vernon, Warwick NY, and other small towns which offer a tremendous selection of activities for both singles and families. More about this below.

Mountain Creek – formerly known as Vernon Valley or Great Gorge – has long been a fixture in the NJ Skylands region. In the 70’s Action Park was the summer attraction. It has long since been revamped and modernized and is now called the Mountain Creek Water Park, a truly unique park carved into the natural mountainside, and featuring over 26 rides and attractions.

When mountain biking became popular in the 80’s the designers sculpted out an internationally renowned mountain bike course. Diablo Freeride Park has risen to the top of every thrill-seeking mountain biker’s must ride list. Playing host to the U.S. Open of Mountain Biking, Diablo features challenging terrain serviced by the open air gondola used by skiers and snowboarders in winter.

If golf is your game, you can experience world class golfing just minutes from Mountain Creek. Choose from six award-winning golf courses, each with its own set of characteristics and challenges. From beginners to experts, the courses offer something for everyone. There are 6 distinct and challenging courses to choose from:
- Crystal Spring Golf Club in Hardyston, NJ
- Wild Turkey Golf Club – Hardyston, NJ
- Great Gorge Country Club – McAfee, NJ
- Minerals Golf Club – Vernon, NJ
- Ballyowen Golf Club – Hamburg, NJ (rated #1 public golf course in NJ)
- Black Bear Golf Club – Franklin, NJ

Real Estate
As urban and suburban areas get more and more congested, people are increasingly moving further and further from NYC and the more congested areas of NJ.

The Village at Crystal Springs is an exclusive, northern New Jersey real estate community in a comfortable resort setting. Nestled in the scenic Kittatinny Mountains, the collection of luxurious New Jersey homes are situated in the Northeast’s premier four-season residential resort.

This choice selection of prime real estate in New Jersey is complemented by Crystal Springs Resort’s 7 award-winning golf courses, 2 luxury spas, world-class dining and wine-cellar – and is just 47 miles from Manhattan.

Whether you’re looking to buy a primary residence, vacation getaway spot or investment property, you’ll find a variety of home styles and floor plans to meet every taste.

Spas

Elements Spa

The Elements Spa is located at Crystal Springs Resort (often called Minerals Resort) is ranked in the top 20 spas in America and #1 in NJ. This Northern New Jersey luxury spa was designed in such a way that the healing powers of the earth have been incorporated into breathtaking design and rejuvenating services.

Reflections Spa
The brand-new Reflections Spa is certain to challenge Elements for the honor of being the # 1 ranked spa in NJ Reflections’ Service Menu includes many themes and elements of the resort and local environment, such as “The Wine Cellar” featuring treatments using wine and grape seed extracts.

Other local attractions and activities in the NJ Skylands region:

There are a plethora of things to do year round in this area. Pumpkin and apple picking, hayrides, wineries, vineyards, and distillers. Experience how wine is made and life on the orchard.

Explore the Appalachian trail through the Kitatinny range in Northern, NJ. You’ll find amazing scenery and you only need a day to hike a portion of beautiful New Jersey.

They are located just over the border in Harriman, NY.

Warwick, New York

Located fifty-five miles from New York City, The Town of Warwick has a distinctly rural character with rolling hills and farmland dotted with red barns and gracious old farmhouses. The Town of Warwick spans 104 square miles and includes three villages (Florida, Greenwood Lake, and Warwick) and five hamlets (Amity, Bellvale, Edenville, New Milford and Pine Island). Warwick’s natural beauty extends beyond its farmland to mountains, streams and lakes. Greenwood Lake, the closest lake to New York City large enough to accommodate water sports, has long been a popular summer resort of such famous entertainment and sports figures as Babe Ruth. The ten-mile-long lake straddles the New York / New Jersey border.

[Source: Mountain Creek & Crystal Springs - New Jersey's Burgeoning Vacation and Real Estate Destination]

Over the past 10 years, both Whistler Blackcomb and Mont Tremblant have experienced significant growth. Lodging options have expanded and there is now more variety than ever. From ski-in/ski-out condos located in and around the pedestrian villages, to 5+ bedroom private chalets that spread across hectares of open forest; every guest will feel at home.

Winter Lodging – Mont Tremblant vs. Whistler Blackcomb

During the wintertime, both resorts offer a plethora of lodging options. Mont Tremblant has three main lodging areas: the Pedestrian Village, Domaine de la Foret and Domaine du Geant. These three lodging regions can be compared respectively to Whistler Blackcomb’s: Whistler Village, Blackcomb Benchlands, and Creekside area.

Comparing Lodging Areas in Mont Tremblant & Whistler Blackcomb:

Mont Tremblant Pedestrian Village & Whistler Village: Both areas are very central in location and have the most selection when it comes to shops & restaurants. Lodging here is ideal for those who like to dine out and enjoy the nightlife.

Domaine de la Foret (Tremblant) & Blackcomb Benchlands (Whistler): Many of the properties in these locations are larger in size and offer ski-in/ski-out access. Not quite walking distance to the village, hopping on the shuttle bus service to and from the mountain hubs is a breeze.

Domaine du Geant (Tremblant) & Creekside (Whistler): Lodging in these areas is much more secluded and further away from the hustle & bustle of the villages. Guests who appreciate the ambience of nature will feel very comfortable in these areas.

Summer Lodging – Mont Tremblant vs. Whistler Blackcomb

Aside from skiing, both mountains feature an array of activities for guests. Both Mont Tremblant and Whistler Blackcomb feature world class golf courses, lakes, and mountain biking/hiking trails.

Passionate golfers will be glad to know that the two public courses on Mont Tremblant were voted no.1 in all of Quebec.

Whistler Blackcomb on the other hand, has 4 prestigious golf courses which earned it the distinction of being ranked Canada’s no.1 golf destination by Golf Digest. Golfers looking into Whistler will be impressed with the selection of vacation homes that are situated right on Nicklaus North and the Chateau Whistler golf courses.

Mont Tremblant’s Lac Tremblant is a great place to escape the summer heat. Lodging options that surround the lake are usually larger-sized private chalets, many with their own private stretch of beach.

Whistler Blackcomb’s Lost Lake is also a great place to take a dip. Set apart from all civilization, Lost Lake is a simple walk along the Nature Valley Trail.

[Source: East Vs West Lodging - Mont Tremblant Or Whistler Blackcomb?]