Save money this summer by picking a vacation spot you can drive to in a day, with free or cheap things to do and family-friendly places to stay. Local parks, small towns with community events, and lakeside cabins often cost less but pack plenty of fun for all ages. You won’t have to stress over every penny or say no to every treat and outing. There are still a lot of affordable US summer vacation spots where a week away with your family won’t break your budget. Start with places close to home, check reviews for affordable lodging, and put those saved dollars toward making memories.