We all love a summer vacation…up until the very point we return home and look at our bank account. And with how painfully expensive it is to even afford staying in our own NYC apartments to begin with, many wanderlust-plagued New Yorkers are looking to save money on their summer travels–and those with families feel this tenfold.
Just in time, US News & World Report’s released their ranking of the best cheap family vacations for 2025, and two New York spots made the list! The website writes:
Finding a vacation destination with multigenerational appeal and dining and hotel options that can accommodate groups can be difficult. Finding a spot that won’t destroy your wallet can be even tougher…Rest assured, you won’t have to break the bank to take the kids on a memorable trip this year.
Cheapest Family Summer Vacations for 2025
Adirondacks – #12
We’re going to go ahead and pat ourselves on the back for this one because, not to brag or anything, but we suggested the Adirondacks as a summer 2025 hot spot back in June! We are, after all, your complete guide for all things to do in NYC (and, well, close by!).
With 10 distinct regions, a six-million-acre mountain range, and lush wilderness, the Adirondacks are simply booming with outdoor adventures for the summer. Hop aboard the Adirondack Railroad for a scenic journey, zipline through the treetops at the Adirondack Adventure Center, or close out the summer at the Adirondack Balloon Festival! Either way, you can’t go wrong. The ranking writes:
The Adirondacks region of New York beckons to families who love to spend time together outdoors…summer offers hiking, biking, fishing and whitewater rafting opportunities. Mirror Lake and Lake George also offer laid-back beaches for swimming. If your family is interested in Olympic history, check out the Lake Placid Olympic Museum.
The Catskills – #22
Though naturally are sights are typically set on NYC, we could talk about the Catskills ’til we’re blue in the face. First off, the Catskills are home to Peekamoose Blue Hole, one of our absolute fav swimming holes in New York, and you can also get some much needed R&R at the most relaxing wellness retreat in the area, Hemlock Neversink.
And, if you’re looking for rustic charm, riverside relaxation, and summer adventures that feel a world’s away from city life, be sure to pass through Hancock, a small town in the Western Catskills and quite possibly the most underrated summer New York town. The ranking writes:
This beloved mountain range has long appealed to nature lovers and history buffs. Learn about the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair at The Museum at Bethel Woods, then hike to Kaaterskill Falls, the tallest waterfall in New York. Visitors can also take a tour of Frederic Church’s historic house at the Olana State Historic Site for a reasonable fee, or stroll the grounds at no cost.
To come up with the ranking, US News & World Report ranks travel destinations against one another that are featured on a variety of lists covering topics such as the World’s Best Places to Visit and the Best Places to Visit in the USA.
They then ask travelers whether they believe a destination belongs on the list, accounting for 50% of that destination’s weighted score, and then U.S. News travel editors score each destination on a scale of 0 to 5, accounting for the other 50% of that destination’s weighted score. See the full ranking.