3 Ways To Cut Down On Travel Costs

Image Credit: TheDigitalArtist from Pixabay.

Travelling can often be an expensive process, even if you’re just going for a short vacation. For many people, it could prove too unaffordable for them. That doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to cut down on travel costs. By taking advantage of them, you could make your vacation more affordable than you’d think.

If you do it well enough, you could even afford a longer vacation than you otherwise would have. By using three ways to cut down on your costs, it’ll be easier to do than you’d think. You and your family will be vacationing in style before you even know it.

Cut Down On Travel Costs: 3 Top Options

1. Book Tickets In Advance

Booking tickets at the last minute often means you’ll end up paying quite a bit for your flights and any ticketed-activities. The easiest way to make this more affordable and cut down on travel costs is to book everything as early as possible. Prices will just go up the closer you get to your vacation time.

It could even avoid a lot of stress with the booking process, as you can rest assured there’ll be more than enough tickets available for you and everyone else going on the vacation.

2. Use Low-Cost Options

Speaking of flight tickets, it’s always worth looking for low-cost options as much as possible. You could be surprised by how much more affordable some airlines will be compared to others. It’s worth spending some time researching and comparing them before booking.

The same can be said for anything else you’ll need to pay for, such as finding the cheapest car rental possible. Putting a little time and effort into looking around for good-quality deals pays off more than you could think. It’s worth spending the time on.

3. Travel Off-Peak

Some times of the year are inherently more expensive than others, such during school holidays. If you want to cut down on travel costs, it’s worth making sure you avoid travelling during these times of the year. Off-peak seasons will be much more affordable, saving you much more money than you would’ve thought.

There’s also the fact there’ll usually be fewer people travelling during these times. If you’re visiting popular tourist locations, you shouldn’t have to deal with nearly as many crowds. It could also mean the price of various activities could be much lower than during the more popular times of the year.

Cut Down On Travel Costs: Wrapping Up

Most people want to cut down on travel costs, as they don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on their vacation. It often seems impossible to do, however. At a minimum, people believe they’ll have to stay in terrible hotels or hostels just to keep costs low.

That isn’t the case. Travelling during off-peak seasons, using low-cost options for everything you have to pay for, and booking your tickets well in advance all help with this. You’ll be vacationing in style without breaking the bank before you even know it.

Explore St. Louis Summer Fun!

Welcome to St. Louis! If you’re here for the summer you might as well enjoy the humidity and find something cool to do. Living here all of my life I find that there are still things that I have never done in my own neighborhood. St. Louis and its surrounding areas offer a variety of exciting summer activities.

Things to Do in The Lou

Here are some of the best options that are always at the top of every recommendation list:

Gateway Arch: Begin your summer adventure by visiting the iconic Gateway Arch. Take a tram ride to the top for stunning views of the city and the Mississippi River.

Forest Park: Explore Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in the United States. Enjoy a leisurely walk or bike ride through the park’s trails, visit the St. Louis Zoo, or rent a paddleboat on the park’s Grand Basin.

City Museum: Experience the City Museum, a unique attraction that combines an interactive art installation, playground, and architectural marvel. Climb through tunnels, slide down slides, and explore hidden passageways—it’s fun for all ages.

Missouri Botanical Garden: Escape the city’s hustle and bustle at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Wander through beautifully landscaped gardens, visit the Climatron tropical rainforest conservatory, and admire the stunning Japanese Garden.

Grant’s Farm: Take a trip to Grant’s Farm, a family-friendly attraction featuring animal encounters, tram rides, and a petting zoo. Don’t forget to sample the Anheuser-Busch beer brewed on-site.

The Muny: Catch a show at The Muny, an outdoor amphitheater in Forest Park. The Muny is known for its Broadway-quality productions and offers a unique open-air theater experience.

Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour: Learn about the brewing process and the history of Anheuser-Busch on a brewery tour. Discover the famous Budweiser Clydesdales and enjoy a complimentary tasting at the end.

St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Game: Cheer on the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Catching a baseball game is a quintessential summer activity in St. Louis, and the atmosphere at the stadium is electric.

The Magic House: If you’re traveling with kids, make sure to visit The Magic House. This interactive children’s museum offers hands-on exhibits and activities that are both educational and entertaining.

Day trip to the Ozarks: Take a day trip to the nearby Ozark Mountains, where you can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and boating. There are several scenic spots, including the Lake of the Ozarks and Elephant Rocks State Park.

These are just a few of the many fantastic summer activities you can enjoy in St. Louis and its surrounding areas. Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or family-friendly attractions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in the Gateway City.

More Things to Do This Summer in St. Louis

If that’s not enough, here are 10 more ideas of things to do in the lou!

Laumeier Sculpture Park: Explore the outdoor sculpture park, featuring large-scale contemporary artworks amidst nature trails and picturesque landscapes.

St. Louis Science Center: Engage in interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, and educational programs at the Science Center. It’s a great place for kids and adults alike.

Six Flags St. Louis: Enjoy a thrilling day of roller coasters, water rides, and live entertainment at Six Flags St. Louis amusement park.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site: Step back in time at Cahokia Mounds, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves the remains of an ancient Native American city. Take a guided tour and learn about the fascinating history of the Mississippian culture.

The Delmar Loop: Explore the vibrant Delmar Loop neighborhood, known for its eclectic shops, unique boutiques, art galleries, and delicious restaurants. Catch a live music performance at The Pageant or Blueberry Hill.

Missouri History Museum: Discover the rich history of Missouri at the Missouri History Museum. Explore engaging exhibits that cover topics ranging from Lewis and Clark’s expedition to the Civil Rights movement.

Grant’s Trail: Go for a bike ride or a leisurely walk along Grant’s Trail, a 9-mile paved path that winds through scenic parks, neighborhoods, and wooded areas.

Meramec Caverns: Venture into the depths of Meramec Caverns, a fascinating underground cave system located near St. Louis. Take a guided tour to see stunning rock formations and learn about the cave’s history.

The Butterfly House: Visit the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House in Chesterfield. Walk through a tropical conservatory filled with beautiful butterflies and learn about their life cycle and conservation efforts.

Katy Trail State Park: Embark on a biking or hiking adventure along the Katy Trail, a 240-mile long trail that follows the path of the Missouri River. Enjoy scenic views, historic landmarks, and charming small towns along the way.

These additional ideas should provide you with a diverse range of options to enjoy during your summer in St. Louis. Any questions, post a comment or message me on social media and I can provide even more recommendations based on budget or interest!

Tunnel of Love Valentine’s Events at City Museum

St. Louis — City Museum has Valentine’s celebrations ready for families and sweethearts. Bring the kids or bring your boo on a City Museum date for amazing photo ops in the Tunnel of Love and many other heart-related activities, free with admission. Valentine’s activities take place from February 1 through February 19.

The historic cabin inside City Museum is transformed into Cupid’s Cuddle Cabin for the celebrations. Valentine décor, themed cocktails, and a love songs playlist are just some of the cabin’s highlights. The Tunnel of Love light exhibit will brighten up the Vault during the entire month of February. Don’t miss the live Elvis show and an extravagant Gal-entine’s Day.

Fierce and fun love month activities include:

February 3-5 and Friday, February 10:

  • Valentine craft in Art City from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Cupid’s Cuddle Cabin with specialty cocktails
  • Tunnel of Love light exhibit in the Vault

Saturday, February 11:

  • Valentine craft in Art City from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Pinatas in the Vault Room (kids only) from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Cupid’s Cuddle Cabin with specialty cocktails
  • Tunnel of Love light exhibit in the Vault from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. 
  • Special 21+ Event: Live Elvis Presley Show from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Separate ticket required; all day entrance to the museum included.)

Sunday, February 12:

  • Valentine craft in Art City from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Pinatas in the Vault Room (kids only) from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Cupid’s Cuddle Cabin with specialty cocktails
  • Tunnel of Love light exhibit in Vault from 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.
  • Special 21+ Event: Galentine’s Day in the Vault Room from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Smooth jazz, waffle bar, mimosas, heart pinatas for smashing, Valentine box-making contest and Valentine exchange, Bestie Photo Booth. (Separate ticket required; all day entrance to the museum included.) 

DETAILS

Admission to City Museum is $20. Children under 2 are free. Special rates are available for groups of 12 or more. City Museum is located at 750 N. 16th St., St. Louis, MO 63103. The attraction is open Thursdays through Sundays and select holidays. www.citymuseum.org; 314-231-2489; @citymuseum on social media.

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