There are SO many options out there for finding accommodations that it's really hard to narrow it down.  The way Cheap Family Fun has done it is to limit what we list below to what we have found to be really helpful.  While camping is usually the most economical way to go, it's surprising to find, sometimes (if you're in the right place at the right time), just how inexpensively you can get a room for.  Plus, there's some inexpensive Mom & Pop motels out there that are really nice!  See our suggestions below and let us know if you have others, okay?

Airports
The Budget Traveller's Guide to Sleeping in Airports -- Unique, but fascinating idea! This site has reviews from people who have traveled and slept in airports all over the world. In a pinch, or while backpacking, it's not such a bad idea. This site gives reviews on the best and worst terminals for bunking down over night.

B&Bs
Bed and Breakfasts -- I haven't been able to find any online sites that give you a listing of family-oriented Bed & Breakfasts Inns. But, if you like staying in B & B's, here's a listing of sites that will help you find them all. Keep in mind, not all of them allow children, but if your kids are older, these can be fun and relaxing places to stay.

Campgrounds -- I wish there was an easy way to find that perfect campground. There's just so many to choose from: public, private, commercial, county parks, state parks, national parks, and the list goes on and on. The best method I've found for finding a perfect site at or near my destination is by going to Yahoo Groups and finding a discussion group centering around my preferred method and style of travel. Join, send an intro, and start asking questions. Those groups are filled with folks who love to help. The listings below are ones I learned about through joining those discussion groups!
Christian Camping International -- Looking for a program or facility for your children, family, or group? Access their searchable database of 1,000-plus-member organizations, most of which offer a wide variety of accommodations and activities and serve a diverse clientele. You can also order a hard copy of the directory from CCI/USA while supplies last. CCI/USA maintains the Internet's most extensive database of summer and year-around faith-based camps, conferences, and retreat centers.
Discount Campgrounds -- Free membership. A growing organization offering discounts on their member campgrounds.
Guide to U.S. National Parks -- View all Parks A-Z and see an alphabetical listing of National Park Service sites or, do a Geographic Search and locate parks on a map, by state, region, or zip code or, search by topic for parks by recreation and special topics ... from boating to dinosaurs to the Civil War.
International Parks -- The national park idea has spread around the world. Some of these sites are maintained by the federal governments of each country. Others are maintained by individuals, non-profit organizations, schools, universities or businesses in the tourism industry.
National Parks -- National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior's Official Site.
National Parks Pass -- The National Parks Pass is an annual pass that provides admission to any national park charging an entrance fee. The pass costs $50 and is valid for one full year from first use in a park. More than 80% of the proceeds from the sales of National Parks Passes go directly into supporting priority projects in national parks.
Passport America -- Passport America has over 1,000 participating campgrounds throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico -- with new parks joining daily. Offers 50% on fees at participating campgrounds.
Reserve America -- "The #1 Access Point for Outdoor Recreation". They process over 3 million camping reservations per year and service over 1.1 million members. Their inventory includes access to over 140,000 campsites in 44 states and 1 province.
Resort Parks International -- When you're a member of Resort Parks International, you've joined a family of over 100,000 other avid RV travelers.
State Parks -- State park listings for all 50 U.S. states.
Thousand Trails, Inc. -- "Founded in 1969, Thousand Trails, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful private camping clubs in the country. We own and operate more than 50 membership-based campgrounds, the result of having combined three strong systems — Thousand Trails, NACO, and Leisure Time. With more than 30 years of experience in family camping, we are committed to providing the highest quality private camping ... clean, safe, affordable and fun. Our properties are known as “preserves,” because we protect nature and beauty of the environment for our members’ enjoyment. Today, Thousand Trails offers a premium outdoors destination to more than 112,000 (as of June 2002) members at preserves in 16 states and British Columbia, Canada."

Condo Savers Vacation Rentals -- I've included this link to Condo Savers because they often have some really good deals. Plus, I know from personal experience that when you have a large family and you're staying at the beach, sometimes renting a condo is the cheapest and easiest way to go!
Branson starting at $75
Cancun starting at $65
Daytona Beach starting at $49
Ft Lauderdale starting at $89
Gatlinburg starting at $99
Hawaii starting at $69
Las Vegas starting at $35
Miami starting at $89
Myrtle Beach starting at $75
New York starting at $149
Orlando starting at $69
Phoenix starting at $35
Santa Fe/Albuquerque starting at $79
Washington DC starting at $89
Williamsburg starting at $95

Cruise America
Cruise America RV Rentals & Sales -- What I wouldn't give to be able to buy and RV and travel full-time! Even though I know envy is a horrible and dangerous virtue, I gotta' admit, I envy those who are able to full-time. For those of us who can't, Cruise America is a good option when we do go on the road -- here's a quote from their own web site: "We're Number 1 in the RV Rental industry for good reason. Good people, family friendly vehicles, 148 motor home rental centers in the United States & Canada, accommodating motor home rental & pet friendly policies, and we price our products fair and square. Our reputation, built over 32 years of quality service, is proof of our commitment to fun family vacations."

Entertainment Coupon Books -- Having one of these for the city you are visiting can save you big bucks wherever/however you go!
Up to 50% off hotels with the Entertainment Book!

Expedia -- Again, I always recommend checking Expedia and Travelocity first if you're looking for a hotel -- they pretty consistently come up with the best rates and give you full overviews of the accommodations they have to offer so you can check first to see if they have the amenities your family needs.






Home Exchanges -- I've never done this myself, but it's an interesting and easy way to save money.
Home Exchange Vacationing -- In this book you'll discover how home exchange vacationing works, how to make arrangements, what pitfalls to avoid, etc.
Only in America Home Exchange -- Travelers within the Continental United States, its Territories, Canada, Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean may arrange both short and long-term home swaps: weekend getaways, weeklong vacations, several weeks or longer.
Home Base Holidays -- Swap Homes for a Free Vacation Home Away from Home.
Intervac -- Live "at home" while on holiday - member families take care of each other's property, feed each other's pets and water plants. Before you have decided on an exchange, you have gotten to know your exchange partners, through correspondence and telephone calls - you will be staying in the home of friends - and they will be staying in yours.
Public Listing of Homes Available for Exchange or Private Rental -- "Thousands of members have safely and successfully avoided hotel and restaurant bills; obtained free use of cars and boats; and lived like a resident apart from commercial tourist attractions."

Hostels and Other Budget Accommodations -- Hostels vary from location to location. Not all are family-friendly. Others are nicer than the nicest hotels. They are all fun, affordable, and worth checking into.
Hostelling International-USA
Hostels, Guesthouses & Other Budget Accommodations Worldwide

Homestead Hotels -- They have some pretty good deals if you're planning on an extended stay.
A room. A kitchen. A reasonable price.

Hotels.com -- I like Hotels.com -- I highly recommend checking them right along with Expedia and Travelocity. Plus, the have a new service called "Road Trips" that you can access from this link. From their site: "Get in the car and hit the road this weekend! With a Road Trips search, you can find great destinations and fantastic deals just a short drive from where you are": Hotels.com
Get in the car and hit the road this weekend! With the TravelNow.com Road Trip search, you can find great destinations and fantastic deals just a short drive from wherever you are.

KIDS GO HO JO -- Let's face it, HoJo's is just plain, good ol', nostalgic fun.
KIDS GO HO JO

Lighthouses -- What an adventure. There's not many of them -- but talk about a blast for a family adventure!
Lighthouses Offering Guest Accommodations
Lighthouses With Overnight Accommodations

Places to Stay -- Just like with Hotels.com, I like Places to Stay because of the broad array of accommodations they offer -- everything from hotels to B&B's and condos. They're very well worth taking a look at along with Expedia, Travelocity, and Hotels.com. You just never know which one will have the best, and most appealing deal.

Choose A Destination... Save up to 70% on your next vacation rental. Choose from condos, villas, private homes, hotels, or resorts.
Achar-Olhar-Registrar
Asia
Boston
Canada
Denmark
Encuentre. Vea. Reserve.
Europe
Italy
Las Vegas
London
Los Angeles
New York
Orlando
San Francisco
Trouvez. Regardez. Réservez.
Trova. Guarda. Prenota.
US
Worldwide
Zoek het. Bekijk het. Boek het.

Travelocity -- You're probably tired of reading this by now, but Expedia and Travelocity are always the two places I look first for accommodations when I'm not camping. They pretty consistently offer the best prices.
Save Up To 70% On Your Hotel Stay
Travelocity Preferred Program

YMCA Rooms for Travelers -- While there are very few Y's that offer family accommodations, the ones that do are fun, fun, fun places to stay because there's so much you can do as a family right in the building where you're staying. Plus, they are mega-inexpensive!
YMCA