Live in or near Alabama and want a cheap getaway? Try these three suggestions for inexpensive family fun.

Getting away for the weekend can really help ease stress and get you ready for your busy week ahead. Alabama offers lots of affordable statecation (a vacation where you explore your home state) alternatives that will leave you with memories and joy.

If you’re heading towards the coast, Gulf Shores is a family-friendly hot spot that offers access to the beach, Gulf State Park, golf courses and a zip line that carries you over the dunes. The Gulf Shore beaches are free for visitors to come and go and the state park is a great place to take a walk with your loved one(s) and explore.

Another cheap, yet awesome thing to do in Alabama is visiting Fort Morgan. Fort-morgan.org tells us, that the fort was “used intermittently through the Spanish American War, World War I and World War II. The site showcases the evolution of seacoast fortifications and adaptations made by the U.S. Army for the defense of the country.” How cool is that? What’s cooler is that it’s only $7 per ticket for adults and children under 6 years old are free.

If bed and breakfast joints appeal to you, then you might consider spending the weekend at the Smith Lake Bed and Breakfast located about 50 miles from Birmingham. This inn comes with some serious perks: a free paddleboard, a kayak, a dock for your boat, and direct access to the breath-taking Lewis Smith Lake where you can fish, swim, or paddle.

If you live in Alabama (or any of the states we operate in from coast to coast) and need a little help affording your Statecation, see if you qualify for one of our personal loans by applying today. With fair rates and flexible terms, it’s easy to fit payments into your budget. And, one of our loans is a whole lot smarter way to finance your vacation than putting some or all of it on credit cards. Read more about that, and other affordable travel tips in our many travel posts.