Save money on entertainment in the city where you're vacationing, by checking the theaters. Many offer half-priced tickets on the day of the show. New York does this for some of their Broadway shows. Some theaters in Chicago tend to do this as well.

Work on planning your trip way ahead of time. In this case "the early bird does get its worm" when it comes to better bargains on hotels, airfares and rental cars. When it comes to seats that haven't been sold by the airlines, this is where being a last-minute shopper actually is an advantage.

Check out campgrounds and state parks. Kayaking, camping out, swimming, canoeing, or hiking are just a few of the many active and inexpensive things campgrounds and state parks provide.

Plan a little road trip instead of taking a flight the next time you've just got to get away and get out of a town or city. Use a weekend to check out a place that's only a couple of hours away. This can give you and your family and friends a good change of scenery.

A possible good place to take a trip to within the United States is Annapolis, Maryland. Just hours away from Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C., Annapolis has colonial architecture and historical sights. A seaport town in the 1700s, Annapolis is a great place for those who love sailing because it's located on the Chesapeake Bay, a good place to take in the sights while having a nice walk during the autumn and springtime or sail and soak up the sun during the summer. Enjoy East Coast dining with some of the best seafood around.

Don't forget to visit the United States Navel Academy while you're there. The academy sits on 330 acres and was founded in 1845. The tour consists of visiting Bancroft Hall, the world's biggest dormitory, the crypt of John Paul Jones, which is beneath the Naval Academy Chapel and Dahlgren Hall. The United States Naval Flight Demonstration, the Blue Angels, puts on an air show in May specifically in Annapolis. If you happen to miss this show, they do have a tour of the show during the year around the country.

There can occasionally be some bargains if you are traveling even by bus or train. Some bus lines and trains will have offers like buy one ticket and a senior citizen or young child rides free. This offer can sometimes be made by airlines as well, so check with them.

A trip to the Caribbean is a lot cheaper during its slow season. A cruise to Alaska during the winter season will be a great bargain. The greatest deals for vacations can be offered during the off-season. Save money by planning your vacation according to the different and sometimes odd bargains available.