If you don’t have a summer vacation planned yet, don’t fret! We have researched some great last-minute deals that also don’t take a lot of planning!
Tropical Adventure with Tweens and Teens
Enjoy some relaxation AND adventure at Hotel Xcaret! We love this hotel because you get access to all the Xcaret parks included, plus free transportation to and from the parks and to and from the airport. The hotel is a bit pricey compared to others in the area, but not when you consider what is included. The parks themselves are so unique, beautiful, and fun! You can also stay off-site and buy tickets to just some of the parks and experiences. If you are unfamiliar with the parks, watch some YouTube videos to see if all or some of the parks would be enjoyable to your family.
We rate this one as best for families with tweens and teens because there are height and weight requirements for some of the activities. The parks and experiences are also quite adventurous and best for older kids and teens with a sense of courage and independence.
The Deals:
- Kids Under 18 are Free at Hotel Xcaret! Book now through June 1st and visit July – Dec. 22, 2025. This is a good deal!
Check prices and availability > - If you don’t want to stay at the hotel but would like to book a few parks or experiences, they are 10-30% off right now >
- If you want to find a cheaper resort or more space, this Wyndam resort in Playa del Carmen has 2-bedroom suites for $196/night.
Summer Cruise Deals
There are some good last-minute cruise deals! Our favorite cruise lines with kids are Disney (which only occasionally has deals) and Royal Caribbean. Booking a Royal Caribbean cruise through Booking.com right now is offering $1000 onboard credit and 60% off the second guest.
Royal Caribbean:
- Cruise out of Tampa, FL – 5 nights Western Caribbean in June or July – $350-$1500
- Cruise out of Port Canaveral, FL – 3 Night Perfect Day Getaway – from $411 (the rate for a balcony room for July 25-28 is only $540!)
We also like Carnival because the prices are hard to beat and they still have good food and excellent customer service. We found a few good deals still left for summer:
Carnival:
- Cruise out of Miami – 3 nights Bahamas in June from $399 + $1000 onboard credit
- Cruise out of Miami – 4 nights Bahamas – from $459 in August + $1000 onboard credit
Check out all the last-minute cruise deals here >
Beat the Heat with some Mountain Fun
The Appalachian Mountains are a great place to relax and have some outdoor fun in the summer! It’s fun to play in mountain streams, swim in waterfalls, go river tubing, canoe or raft down a river, and other mountain water fun. There are so many great places to go, but here are a few of the locations we like and deals we found:
Gatlinburg, TN:
We like Gatlinburg because it’s a charming tourist town with lots to do, plus it’s next to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Check out this nice creekside hotel for only $114/night through August.
Check out our Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge Itinerary for more suggestions >
Brevard, NC:
We like this area because it has great kid-friendly hikes, waterfalls you can swim in, river tubing, and so many fun outdoor adventures close by! It’s also not far from Asheville and there are many great breweries and restaurants around.
Check out this creekside cabin with open summer dates for only $124/night
Blowing Rock, NC:
We like this area because it’s a cute mountain town, has great hiking, and it has Tweetsie Railroad – a cute little amusement park with a real train ride that young kids love! It’s also not far from Grandfather Mountain, where you can walk across a huge suspension bridge and see animal exhibits.
Check out this 3-bedroom cabin with mountain views for $130/night
I’ll try to add more to this list, but for now I have to stop and help a kid with a school project. May is crazy but summer is coming!
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