CLEVELAND -- It's a summer tradition but sometimes sand, surf, and sun soak up more money than fun. However, tough times don't have to mean an end to your family vacation.

Julie Dick is new to the world of campfires and kayaks. She and her family are trying a new way to enjoy each other's company in the great outdoors. She was attracted to the campground route because it's more economical.

So she and her family rented a camper cabin at Mohican State park for $50 a night. It's like an outdoor dorm room with a full-size bed, two twin beds, a mini fridge and microwave. But with free activities under every tree, they have a five-night family vacation for $250.

Dick said, "This is a way for us to get away. It's a few hours from where we live and we can spend a whole week."

If you prefer a private bathroom, Mohican also rents two-bedroom cottages for $700 a week. AAA reports more and more families are doing just what the Dicks are doing.

Robert Ross with AAA said, "They may have gone on a seven-day vacation, but this time it's a three- or four-day vacation."

So NewsChannel5 hit the Web to find some of the hottest deals for a mini vacation for a family of four. If the state parks are too rustic, maybe a drive to Niagara Falls is more up your alley. We found three-star hotels overlooking the water for just $100 a night, making the whole weekend under $500.

If you'd rather fly, the Big Apple has something for everyone. There are last-minute deals starting at $250 per person that includes your flight and hotel for a weekend.

And Las Vegas is also a destination for families said Ross. "When it comes to entertainment right in that area, especially for young kids, there's so much going on."

Hotels.com is advertising rooms at Circus Circus Las Vegas Hotel & Casino for $30 a night.

And if you prefer the beach, Apple Vacations is offering four non-stop flights from Cleveland, a five Apple Resort for three nights for $369 per person. And this an all-inclusive resort, which means your family can eat, drink, take a couple excursions and still spend less than $2,000.

Remember that if you are traveling to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls or Mexico, you do need a passport. If you don't have one, you might want to consider Puerto Rico.

Don't forget places in our own back yard, as well. The phrase stay-cation has been tossed around this summer quite a lot. But when you consider all that the Cleveland and Akron areas have to offer, it might make sense. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a place to learn a lot about the history of music and it's right next to the Great Lakes Science Center. You can tour the USS Cod, a WWII submarine in downtown Cleveland as well as the International Women's Air & Space Museum next-door.

Cleveland and Akron both offer zoos, as well as art museums, and of course, there is Cedar Point for those looking for some thrill rides. The Lake Erie Islands offer a place for tourists who want a sandy getaway or may enjoy fishing. For more ideas, simply call your local Chamber of Commerce.

Low Cost Family Vacations:

Prices as of July 7, 2009

MOHICAN STATE PARK
Loudonville, Ohio
Driving Trip

Camper Cabins (sleeps 4)
$50/night

Cottages (sleeps 6)
$700/ week

Mohican State Park

NIAGARA FALLS
3 nights, Aug. 4-Aug. 7

Driving Trip

HOTELS:

Oaks Hotel Overlooking the Falls
6546 Fallsview Blvd.
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
$118/ night
Total (including taxes and fees): $355.10

Orbitz

Howard Johnson at The Falls
454 Main Street
Niagara Falls, NY
$110/night, total (including taxes and fees): $372.75

Hotels.com

Crowne Plaza Hotel
300 3rd St.
Niagara Falls, NY
$161/night
Total (including taxes and fees): $548.45

Hotels.com

NEW YORK CITY
3 nights, July 25 - July 28

Flight and Hotel
AirTran Airways
AirTran Airways

Outbound:
Departing Akron Canton Airport (CAK) 6:40 a.m.
Arriving New York LaGuardia 8:09 a.m.
$59/person

Return:
Departing New York LaGuardia 8:50 a.m.
Arriving Akron Canton Airport 10:26 a.m.
$59/ person

4 Roundtrip Tickets (including taxes and fees): $556.80

HOTELS:
Ameritania Hotel (near Broadway)
230 W. 54th St.
New York, NY
$168/ night, total (including taxes and fees): $580.41

Hotels.com

The Belvedere (near Rockefeller Center)
319 West 48th Street
New York, NY
$163/ night… Total (including taxes and fees): $573.09

Hotels.com

The Tudor (Midtown)
304 E. 42nd St.
New York, NY
$146/ night, total (including taxes and fees): $549.28

Rooms.com

LAS VEGAS
4 nights, July 27 - July 31

Flight and Hotel
FLIGHT OPTIONS:

Continental Airlines
Cleveland to Las Vegas (non-stop) July 27, 2009
Departing: CLE 8:50 a.m., Arriving: LAS 10:05 a.m.

Las Vegas to Cleveland (non-stop) July 31, 2009
Departing: LAS 4:45 p.m., Arriving CLE 11:56 p.m.

4 non-stop round trip flights on Continental: $1,196.80

Akron-Canton Airport to Las Vegas (connecting in Atlanta, GA)
Departing: CAK 7:30 p.m. (7/27) Arriving: LAS 12:50 a.m. (7/28)

Las Vegas to Akron-Canton Airport (connecting in Atlanta, GA)
Departing: LAS 10:00 p.m. (7/31) Arriving: CAK 9:31 a.m. (8/1)

4 roundtrip flights on AirTran Airways: $1,141.60

HOTEL OPTIONS:
Hotels.com

Circus Circus
2880 Las Vegas Blvd, South
Las Vegas, NV
$29.95/ night (Tower Room, Kids Eat FREE)
Total Price (including taxes and fees): $134.60

Excalibur Hotel
3850 Las Vegas Blvd, South
Las Vegas, NV
$33/ night
Total Price (including taxes and fees): $148.32

CANCUN
3 nights, July 30 - Aug. 2 (Other weekends available)
Apple Vacations

Five Apple Square Deal
All-inclusive Hotel (Including Food and Drinks)
One room, 2 Queen Size Beds for 2 adults and 2 children
Includes Non-stop flight from Cleveland Hopkins to Cancun on USA 3000
$369.99/ adult, $349.99/ child
Price (Including taxes and Fees): $1843.76

4 nights, July 19 - July 23 (Other weekends available)
Apple Vacations

Six Apple Square Deal
All-inclusive Hotel (including food and drinks)
One room, 2 Queen size beds for 2 adults and 2 children
Includes Non-stop flight from Cleveland Hopkins to Cancun on USA 3000
$449.99/ adult, $399.99/ child
Price (including taxes and fees) $2143.76

Riu Playacar standard run of house room
Departing Thursdays in July
15 percent spa discount on spa treatments
2 adults/ 2 kids 8 & 10
2 adults x $659.99 each = $1319.98
2 kids x $129.99 each = $259.98
4 departure taxes x $100.95 = $403.80
Grand total for family of four = $1983.76