Looking for a summer family getaway? Here are some tips for saving money on a vacation

July 11, 2:34 PMEarly Childhood Parenting ExaminerAngele Sionna

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We're in the middle of summer - the heart of family vacation season. To help save money here are a few tips.

"Be adventurous with your choice of destination. Going to the “summer hot spots” will always end up costing a little more than usual," says Charlie Martin, President of PerfectFamilyVacation.com. He adds, think of planning an "escape to the mountains or places that are generally popular in winter such as Park City, UT. More than often you will get a great deal on accommodation and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at all the wonderful summer activities."

Park City is a wonderful spot for family fun anytime of the year. I used to live in Salt Lake City and ventured their often. The weather is great in the summer and there are many outdoor activities and beautiful views to fill your day. Plus the downtown area is really quaint and somewhat old fashioned. You also have Salt Lake City just 30 minutes away which has tons of family fun. PerfectFamilyVacation.com has discounts at Park City hotels for 33% off, like a studio suite for $96.

Another great cool spot for the summer is Glenwood Springs, Colorado. I went there myself for family vacation this year. Read about the city and where to stay HERE.

No matter where you opt to go, there are things to look for in hotels that can help you save money overall, even if the room is a little pricier.

"Look at condo style resorts that offer amazing suites with fully equipped kitchens; this gives you more 'Bang for your Buck' because you can accommodate and cater for your entire family. Having a full kitchen allows you to choose if you want to eat in, so you can save on expensive dinners out. The suites generally come as studios, 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms, sleeping up to a maximum of 8 people for the 3 bedroom, therefore eliminating the hassle and cost of booking multiple hotel rooms. Most people think resorts such as this can be more expensive than a standard hotel, however this is quite the opposite, in fact you can get some amazing deals this year," says Charlie.

One other way to save money on food is to go to the less touristy parts of town. Often these restaurants are more colorful and give you a real feel for the city too. My family used to call this "going off the beaten path" on vacation. But really those restaurants are the city's most popular because they're supported year round by locals and don't just depend on seasonal tourists. You can find lots of local favorites by finding locals on Twitter and just asking for restaurant suggestions. I do this when going out of town for the day, weekend or what have you.

Another tip - consider booking your hotel when you arrive instead of in advance. You might be able to save some big money, especially if you're just road tripping it and need a place to stay for one night at a time. This works best when you're not going to or through summer "hot spots." You can still plan out your trip and you can print out hotel coupons ahead of time using a hotel coupon site like HotelCoupons.com or you can pick up hotel coupon books at gas stations or local libraries in the area you're going to stay. I've personally used coupons from there on many occasions and saved as much as 50% of the discounted online price.. I researched the hotels that looked good ahead of time and I called ahead to find out if they had vacancies. The only downside to these coupons is they can't be used for advance reservations, so you do take a bit of a gamble.