Like most families, yours likely faces the age-old dilemma: How do you afford a getaway for the whole family while ensuring the best vacation for kids, parents, singles and seniors? These seven affordable places to throw your family reunion deliver exciting options for the whole family without breaking the bank.

For extended families who want to travel in a large group, check out our group travel page to access tools that will simplify your reunion planning and help you earn Choice Privileges^® rewards in the process.

1. Gear up for family-friendly fun in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Offering both nonstop fun and proximity to family-friendly attractions like the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Dollywood, the most-visited national park in the country, Pigeon Forge is a popular family reunion destination. Point your relatives to stay at Laurel Crest resort—a cozy stay featuring a wide selection of villas with full kitchens and separate living and dining areas, perfect for hosting a large family gathering. Afterward, take the family out on the town in this kid-friendly Las Vegas, where the city’s main drag, the Parkway, is packed with high-energy shows, rides, dining and shopping. You can take in a dinner show with the ever-feuding Hatfields & McCoys, enjoy historical plays at the Button Willow Civil War Theater or take part in a landlocked ship tour at the Titanic Museum. Many of the shows shift to holiday themes in the later months, making Pigeon Forge one of the best and most affordable family reunion destinations, no matter the time of year.

2. Have a royally good time in the Queen City of Charlotte, North Carolina

Whether your family loves nature, museums, or outdoor excitement, Charlotte makes for a fun, yet affordable family reunion destination. The U.S. National Whitewater Center—an Olympics training ground—is a popular outdoor complex featuring pay-per-adventure whitewater rafting, zip lines and more. Hiking and biking trails are free, and you can relax along the simulated river’s edge and people-watch, while only paying to park. For a healthy dose of history and nature, you can visit the Historic Latta Plantation, a circa-1800 cotton plantation and living history farm in nearby Huntersville. And don’t miss the Carolina Raptor Center, an avian rehabilitation and education center where you can closely interact with eagles, owls, and other birds of prey.

3. Get up close with underwater creatures and wildlife in Kansas City, Missouri

Right smack in the middle of America, Kansas City is an affordable family reunion destination that’s not only easy to get to, but also offers amazing attractions. Polar bears, giraffes, penguins and more come out to play at the Kansas City Zoo. Sign up for one of the many zookeeper chats or animal shows (if your reunion group is 40 or more, go for the picnic package). And, the Legoland Discovery Center indoor playground makes for another kid-friendly day of excitement in the “city of fountains,” of which Kansas City has over 200. SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium delivers underwater adventure for kids and adults alike with its freshwater streams and play zone, where children can get up close with starfish, eels and more. Group discounts are available.

4. Thrilling attractions and beach-bum fun await in Kissimmee, Florida

With its beach access and proximity to the theme-park capital of the country, this Orlando-adjacent stop is a perfect fun family reunion location idea. The Fountains resort—situated between Orlando and its southern sister, Kissimmee—is a great place to post up for family gatherings. With so many exciting theme parks nearby—Gatorland, Fun Spot America and dozens more—your family can spend a day or two seeking thrills. Just don’t forget to prepare for your reunion in Kissimmee with our family theme-park survival guide. For a change of pace, unwind at nearby coastal hotspots like Cocoa Beach, or catch a rocket launch and other exciting outdoor activities along the Canaveral National Seashore.

5. Explore nature, dig into history and more in Phoenix, Arizona

Easy to fly into, with excellent entertainment and a variety of dining options, Phoenix is definitely a destination to add to your list of best family reunion locations. Dubbed “The Valley of the Sun,” the Phoenix area offers close proximity to parks, monuments and lakes. Host an event and take a group tour at the Desert Botanical Garden or explore the impressive Montezuma Castle, an 800-year-old national monument and one-time Sinagua establishment nestled high in a limestone cliff. For music buffs, nearly 7,000 instruments from all over the world shine at the unique Musical Instrument Museum. Consider a stay at Cibola Vista Resort & Spa, just northwest in Peoria, Arizona, if you're seeking a spacious home base for your reunion.

6. Outdoor wonders—and other “Mile High” adventures—in Denver, Colorado

Walkable downtown Denver, with its impressive cultural scene and the Rocky Mountains so close by, delivers an affordable blend of urbanite delights and outdoor adventures perfect for a family reunion. Housed in a vintage depot replica, the Colorado Railroad Museum offers model railroads, a working roundhouse and other rail-themed artifacts. Larimer Square thrives as an on-trend district of Victorian-era buildings, now home to boutiques, a comedy club and the city’s top restaurants. For a full day of outdoor exploration—or more—visit Rocky Mountain National Park for hundreds of miles of trails that lead to sightings of waterfalls, big-horn sheep, wildflowers, impressive alpine lakes, elk and more.

7. Classic charm—and amazing food—in Charleston, South Carolina

As a city atop any foodie family’s hot list, Charleston also offers tons of historic fun, natural beauty and beaches made for kids of all ages for an ideal family reunion getaway. Hit up Hank’s for some of the best locally caught seafood options around. Group walking tours are a fun way to learn about sites from the pre-Revolution through Reconstruction eras to today. And everyone in the family, from grandparents to teens, will ogle in amazement at the gargantuan and transcendent Angel Oak, a nearly 500-year-old oak tree and must-see on any trip to Chucktown.

Hopefully, with this list of affordable family reunion destinations, you’re feeling a bit more up to the task of planning this year’s group gathering. So, go ahead and call up your kin and start planning your trip today!