By Valerie Moloney

For some of us, nothing strikes more fear than parading around in a swimsuit — in public. Add a water park to the mix, and that’s downright fearless.

Clearly, I’m on the team of visitors who spend most of the day floating in the wave pool or splashing under the water umbrellas with my little girls. Regardless, a water park is a surefire way for anyone — adrenaline junkie or sun baby — to beat the heat and burn a day of summer vacation.

It’s also a more affordable option for cash-strapped, but trip-starved parents looking for an easy road trip and attractive alternative to pricey theme parks. And considering some water parks — such as Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Gurnee, Ill. — are connected to amusement parks, a water park excursion holds built-in summer fun.

So pack the flip flops. Slap on the sunscreen. It’s time to zip down the list of America’s  best water parks.

1. Water Country USA (Williamsburg, Va.)
2. Wet ‘n Wild (Orlando)
3. Disney’s Blizzard Beach (Orlando)
4. Evergreen Wings & Waves (McMinnville, Ore.)
5. Schlitterbahn (Galveston, Texas)
6. Wilderness Waterpark (Wisconsin Dells, Wis.)
7. Castaway Bay (Cedar Point, Ohio)
8. Splash Lagoon (Erie, Pa.)
9. Water Park of America (Bloomington, Minn.)
10. Great Wolf Lodge (multiple locations)

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Valerie Moloney, who manages the Orbitz and CheapTickets blogs, is too chicken for any body of water other than a wave pool, and even then, prefers the cool comfort of a swim-up bar.

Try whitewater rafting in North Carolina. Credit: chrishusein.

By Derek Brown

Mosquitoes and humidity come to mind when I recall summer camp, but I didn’t have the fortune of growing up in Asheville, N.C. Tucked into the Appalachian Mountains, this Western North Carolina town is active and only a short drive to adventure and full of history.  When the mercury rises, the chilly mountain waters and outdoor adventures are natural magnets for explorers like me.

Start off by splashing around at Sliding Rock near the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Mother Nature built her own pool and 50 foot slide that’s now a part of the Pisgah National Forest.  The place gets packed, so be sure to arrive early.  Also, wear old clothes and some type of protection for your feet.  The entrance fee is $1 per person; kids 6 and younger are free.

Tubing is a little more adventurous, and many of the river outfitter companies offer trips on local rivers.  They also offer plenty of adventure for when bobbing along isn’t enough fun.  Be prepared to get drenched while whitewater rafting.  The French Broad River is the closest river for whitewater rafting, and it’s only about a 3- minute drive from Asheville.

After a day of adventure, check into a cheap Asheville hotel. You’ll be happy that you’ll have a nice warm bed and a hot shower after being sprayed by buckets of water.

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Derek Brown, a member of the Orbitz editorial team, has been rafting, hiking and skiing In Western North Carolina.

Two wedding invites for May 28? The verdict: Indiana, because it can be done on one tank.

By Valerie Moloney

In the battle for Memorial Day weekend 2011, it was the classic fly-versus-drive scenario: my third cousin’s wedding in Columbus, Ga., or a good friend’s wedding in Hobart, Ind.

I love my cousin, but economics won.

A prized weekend for barbecues, family reunions and all-around vegging, rarely does it coincide with trips down the aisle. I’ve met brides who wanted to be married around the holidays, even on New Year’s Eve, but no one in my circle ever booked the official start to summer.

Between lodging, car rental and flight, the Chicago-to-Columbus itinerary — what would have amounted to a day and a half’s worth of travel — would have cost around $900. And that’s just for me. The hotel would not allow my cousin to block a set of rooms at a discounted rate due to the timing of the event.

I’m happy to pay $50 for a tank of gas and $100 for an Indiana hotel – especially since my husband and two daughters were invited to the Indiana wedding, which will be feted on an apple orchard. (I realize that this makes me look stingy, but tell me that other folks are in the same boat.)

How have gas prices affected your Memorial Day plans?

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Valerie Moloney is a writer for Orbitz who was born in the Philippines, lived in Morocco and married a native Irishman. She now covers hotels around the world and contributes to the Orbitz and CheapTickets blogs.

Cancun under a C-note: Gran Melia Cancun treats guests to all-inclusive luxury for under $100 a night.

By Vince Font

A hundred bucks doesn’t go nearly as far as it used to in today’s world, but believe it or not it’s still possible to score cheap Cancun hotels without even hitting the centennial mark for a night’s stay. One such place is the Gran Melia Cancun Beach and Spa Resort, which on first view might give you cause to think you were quoted the wrong price. This place certainly doesn’t look like a cheap hotel – and it’s anything but.

Not only does its sprawling, pyramid-shaped exterior scream magnificence, but its interior is just as epic. Each one of the resort’s 676 rooms is elegantly furnished without being over the top, and all have an interesting blend of modern décor and indigenous artistic sensibilities. All rooms have private terraces that either open up to ocean views or garden views, but with everything else Cancun has to offer, it’s not likely you’ll be spending much time here. Still, it’s nice to know you’ve got a classy retreat to head back to at the end of the day.

If you like variety in your meals, you’re in luck. The Gran Melia has five restaurants from which to choose, and a fitness center that you can visit to work off the guilt of one too many paellas. If you’d rather work off the calories swinging a club, there’s also a nine-hole golf course on resort grounds not far from the beach. But alas, too much physical activity can work up the nerves – which is why a few dozen dips in the resort’s two huge swimming pools and at least one visit to its full-service spa are strongly recommended.

All this for under $100 a night? Don’t forget, it’s called Cancun, not Can’tcun. Your bucks go a long way here, and if you book a package deal, you can take your pick of cheap flights as well. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll have everything you need without having to leave the resort grounds – but if you’re looking for something interesting to see and do, you can’t beat the experience of visiting the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, just two-and-a-half hours away by tour bus.

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Vince Font is a freelance writer born in Puerto Rico and currently escaped to Utah. When not dreaming of interstellar travel, he’s on the hunt for weird, wacky, and off-the-beaten-track vacation destinations. Next stop: The Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast.

Tampa's Ybor City rivals Bourbon Street with electric nightlife in a historic enclave filled with bars, restaurants and shops.

By Valerie Moloney

With the calendar creeping into May, many of us are in full-on summer vacation planning mode. In previous years, cheap Orlando hotels lured us to Disney World, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal Studios, but a cheap Florida vacation doesn’t have to involve one more trip to see Belle and Jasmine.

Call it the Tampa secret.

Just an hour from Orlando off I-4, Tampa is equal parts familiar and unexpected, pretty and gritty. Pass the bank of strip malls and strip clubs – yes, there’s no glossing over it – to find neighborhoods dotted by Spanish-style bungalows, sprawling homes on Bayshore Boulevard and fairly recently, the mega mansion built by one very famous New York Yankee.

If you’re not willing to commit to more than a day or two at Disney, a stay at cheap Tampa hotels could be the low-key vacation that you’ve been pining for. Consider these 5 free things to do in Tampa for real local experiences instead of waiting in lines.

1.  Walk or ride a bike on Davis Islands.
The laidback, man-made island was hand-picked by Derek Jeter for a 30,000-square-foot waterfront “home.” Even if you can’t get close to the compound, you’ll find comfort in the warmth of the neighborhood, starting with the Main Street feel of Davis Boulevard and its cute shops and restaurants.

2.  Stroll along 7^th Avenue in Ybor City.
The former cigar rolling center of Tampa keeps its historical character via brick streets, iron balconies and loft-style buildings now populated by bars, restaurants and shops. By night, expect to see denizens crawling New Orleans style from club to club.

3.  Rollerblade, jog or walk on Bayshore Boulevard.
Bayshore, which connects South Tampa to downtown, is the kind of street that could show well in the opening credits to a “Dallas-” or “Dynasty-”type show. Dotted with just about every style home imaginable – from colonial brick houses with stately columns to Mediterranean-inspired villas – the boulevard offers prime recreational space to locals who simply can’t get enough of the water views, along with the occasional dolphin sighting.

4. Take photos of the University of Tampa.
Standing in front of the majestic minarets, you’ll wonder whether you landed in Tampa or Moscow. Your dripping forehead will be proof that you’re in the former.

5. Drive across the Gandy Bridge or Courtney Campbell Causeway.
OK, so this cheats a little since it requires enough gas, but boy, are they some sights to behold. The wide expanse of water – almost blinding on a sunny day – captivates with its beauty and simplicity. Remember this moment when you’re boarding a plane back to Gary, Ind.

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Valerie Moloney is a writer for Orbitz and CheapTickets who was born in the Philippines, lived in Morocco and married a native Irishman. She now covers hotels around the world and contributes to the Orbitz blog.

Start your cheap Mexico vacation at GR Solaris Cancun Resort & Spa, where luxe meets cheap.

By Vince Font

If you’re in bad need of a vacation but don’t have all the money in the world to spend — who does? — you can still land some pretty sweet Mexico deals that are so low cost you just might pull a double-take. You simply have to know where to look and how to do it. Although there are no real secrets to finding cheap Mexico vacations, there are some common sense tactics that a lot of people overlook.

First, let your budget decide your vacation, not the other way around. If money is an issue, it’s likely an issue because you’ve got far less of it than you’d like. The first step to vacationing without breaking the bank is by understanding that you don’t have to bankrupt yourself in the process. Pitfalls like these are for people who aren’t as slick and don’t know the first thing about landing a cheap Mexico vacation.

Second, pick your vacation time wisely. It’s important to plan ahead, which will require a bit of patience on your part, but remember that you’re doing this to squeeze the last possible drop out of every dollar. Find out what the peak season is where you want to vacation, and do your research. Many airlines and hotels offer cheap Mexico deals during the low season as a way to entice visitors and as a way to fill those empty rooms and empty seats. If you can wait until just before or after peak season, you stand to save a lot of money — and you also won’t have to deal with throngs of crowds.

Third, book everything together in a single package deal. Just like with any shopping experience, you’re bound to pay more if you buy things individually than if you were to lump them all together. Airlines, hotels and rental car companies frequently work together to try to spread the business around, and you can take advantage of those rewards for your ultimate benefit. Now get out there and hunt down that cheap Mexico vacation that’s got your initials all over it.

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Vince Font is a freelance writer born in Puerto Rico and currently escaped to Utah. When not dreaming of interstellar travel, he’s on the hunt for weird, wacky, and off-the-beaten-track vacation destinations. Next stop: The Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast.

Gamble and feast in glamour at Atlantic City Hilton, a surprisingly affordable hotel right on the Boardwalk.

By Vince Font

Few people hear the name Hilton and think “cheap,” but the fact is, the Atlantic City Hilton is one of the highest-rated cheap Atlantic City hotels on the boardwalk. By day, the hotel stands like a pristine megalith with a black glass window façade. By night, its well-lit exterior shines like a beacon that wouldn’t look out of place if you were to transplant it to the heart of downtown Las Vegas. All glamorous outward appearances aside, it’s what’s inside the AC Hilton that really sets it apart.

First of all, there are the hotel rooms, with regular nightly rates that offer intense competition with most other Atlantic City hotel specials. Why pick small, uncomfortable digs elsewhere when you can secure a room in one of the swankier establishments for just a few dollars more? Alas, that’s the question of the ages, and one that the AC Hilton answers by offering nightly rates that start at around $110 per night.

In short, this is one cheap Atlantic City hotel that’s got it all over the rest: a 75,000-square foot casino, a 9,000-square foot pool, 8 restaurants, two bars, one health spa, a salon and a whole lot of rooms with killer ocean views.

The Atlantic City Hilton is an all-in-one haven for the vacationer with a hankering to gamble, and is situated conveniently on the south end of the city which makes for easy ins and outs. Reserve your stay now and take advantage of incredibly low nightly rates, but be sure to purchase round trip airfare and rental car to score an even lower bottom line.

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Vince Font is a freelance writer born in Puerto Rico and currently escaped to Utah. When not dreaming of interstellar travel, he’s on the hunt for weird, wacky, and off-the-beaten-track vacation destinations. Next stop: The Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast.

Don't assume that resorts are too expensive. Coco Key boasts spacious suites for reasonable rates.

By Maria Mora

For its value prices and theme park appeal, Orlando will always be on the family’s radar as a spring break destination, but a tight budget shouldn’t be a sentence to cramped quarters or zero amenities. Follow these tips for cheap Orlando vacations that incorporate both space and amusement.

Save your vacation dollars at a cheap Orlando hotel equipped with a kitchenette.

By Valerie Moloney

I like dining out as much as everyone else, but when it comes to feeding my family while on vacation, the expenses are as hard to swallow as the $5 bottled water in any given theme park. During our last family vacation, we found a cheap Orlando hotel equipped with a kitchenette to be a lifesaver. Thank goodness for the four-burner stoves; why pay Denny’s $40 for breakfast when you can cook your own eggs and toast in the privacy of your own room? And the best part: Not having to make yourself up just to look halfway decent in front of the rest of the guests in line for the free Rice Krispies.

When you’re craving your own little dining den, consider this pair of Orlando hotels for your next getaway:

Lake Buena Vista Resort Village and Spa, a Sky Hotel & Resort
Black granite countertops and matching kitchen appliances create a high-end condo feel at this Orlando resort, where families have space to crash in front of the TV, eat in their own dining room and give mom and dad privacy when they need it. Downstairs, a mini grocer keeps the pantry stocked for your weeklong spring break vacation. Don’t forget to check out the pirate ship in the pool. Your kids will stand in awe of the water cannons and for hours underneath the water umbrellas.

Star Island Resort and Club
Star Island throws a chic spin on hotel décor—even in the kitchen. Beige granite countertops and blond wood cabinets coordinate with cosmopolitan accents such as oversized lamp shades hung over the dining table and a cool palette of sage and blue. Families also flock to the lagoon-style pool and jet skiing excursions on Lake Cecille.

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Valerie Moloney is a writer for Orbitz who was born in the Philippines, lived in Morocco and married a native Irishman. She now covers hotels around the world and contributes to the Orbitz blog.

Souvenir shot glasses. Credit: meddygarnet.

Like bringing home a little piece of paradise as a vacation memento? Smart travelers know there’s no need to empty your wallet for expensive souvenirs.  We’ve got the scoop from our budget-savvy travelers on the secrets to bringing home the best memories–without breaking the bank.

9 Thrifty travel tips for souvenir shopping from CheapTickets travelers:

1. “Invest in a digital camera and snap shots of funny gifts. You can make e-cards to send to friends! They’ll laugh just as hard–for free!”
2. “Buy souvenirs the US dollar is stronger than that country’s currency, but don’t forget to save some room in your suitcase for your gifts!”
3. “It never hurts to ask. Many attractions (like the Stanley Cup at the Hockey Hall of Fame) charge to snap a photo.  Ask the staff to use your own camera for free.”
4. “Instead of buying postcards, use the hotel stationary to write a letter and send a photo along with it. It’s more personal, plus you save more money!”
5. “Always keep a journal!  Pictures are great but can be costly to print out but it’s free to keep a written record of all your experiences.”
6. “Souvenirs are usually way overpriced so find some cute gifts for your friends at home to avoid tourist traps. But shhhh… don’t tell your friends how much you saved.”
7. “Stay away from tourist traps. They’re not authentic and are usually overpriced.  Venture off the beaten path to discover the true gems of the city.”
8. “Be Thrifty!  Bring clothes you can discard or donate after your trip.  You’ll have more room for souvenirs and a lighter load all in one.”
9. “Curb your impulse shopping!  Set a daily budget and stick to it. We promise you’ll get the most out of your vacation.”

Want to share your thrifty travel tip with us?  Comment below or Tweet it to @CheapTickets and it might appear in our next list!