Cheap Family-Friendly Cities

Check out these four great destinations to get the best bang for your family travel buck.

Salt Lake City
Nestled at the base of a stunning mountain range, near miles and miles of shimmering salt flats and the Great Salt Lake, not to mention some of the country's best skiing. Cultural attractions include the Family History Center and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Stay in one of the city’s many hotels, or venture out to a nearby resort or campground.

Atlanta
This southern jewel offers history, culture, shopping, and dining, surrounded by plenty of natural beauty. Check out the Atlanta History Center, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic Site (admission is free), and local family favorite, Stone Mountain Park (which has just opened a winter SnowZone with igloo- and snowman-making, a tubing hill, and snowball arcade). Atlanta on the Cheap is a great resource for freebies and discounts.

St Louis
Cruise Route 66 to St. Louis, offering free family-pleasing attractions like the the St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Science Center, and Missouri History Museum.

Austin
This sunny, diverse city features plenty of free family fun. Head to Zilker Metropolitan Park and stroll through Zilker Botanical Gardens, take a dip in the spring-fed Barton Springs swimming pool (free early in the morning and between 9 and 10 p.m.), and learn about the area’s history at the free Texas Memorial Museum.

-- Text by Meagan Francis

Photo credit: Salt Lake City, Utah (Joe Sohm/Digital Vision/Getty)