FrugalMonkey Discount Travel News

Tag: family attractions

  • Frugal Family-Friendly Attractions in Vietnam

    Vietnam is heaven for bargain hunters, but tiny tots won’t enjoy the shopping in Hanoi and historical sites the country is famous for. So what are families to do? As it turns out, there’s plenty for the entire brood to see and do in this budget Asian destination.

    The secret to traveling with children is offering a few sweeteners so they won’t tire of the attractions you really want to see. The kids won’t be thrilled with Hue’s striking Thien Mu Pagoda, but they’ll love the journey down the Perfume River so much that they won’t complain about the destination. Time on a boat is always a bit of a novelty, especially when there are working barges and water buffalo to admire along the way. With cruises costing as little as $6US, the experience is also much cheaper than the more high profile Mekong River cruises.

    Lac Thien is one of the most affordable and unique dining experiences in Hue. The café is run by deaf mutes who will offer your children valuable lessons in diversity and tolerance. They’ll be happy with the diverse array of dishes too. The fresh seafood and leafy green vegetables should satisfy even the fussiest appetites. And your wallet will also be satisfied; the meals are some of the cheapest café dishes in the country!

    Hitting the markets is another great way to find affordable food that your children will enjoy. Known as street food, these Vietnamese dishes are whipped up in front of your eyes. Kids will love the theatre of the experience and be more likely to step out of their culinary comfort zones.

    A visit to some mountains doesn’t sound too thrilling on paper, but the Marble Mountains in Da Nang shouldn’t be missed. There are five mountains in all, with Buddhist grottos and tunnels carved into their faces. Children will love exploring these historic hideaways.

    Waterside theatres around Hanoi regularly perform shows featuring Vietnam’s traditional water puppets and classic folktales. Young and old will enjoy the wooden dragon, warrior, fairy, and fishermen puppets that appear to float on water. You can expect to pay around $5US for seats up the front, and about $3US for places further back.

    Cham Island is paradise for adults and children alike. Dive boats can take you out for snorkeling and scuba diving, or you can enjoy the waves closer to shore. The water is pleasantly warm all year round, so you needn’t worry about your kids catching a chill.

    If Vietnam’s natural waterways don’t provide enough thrills for your brood then head to the Dam Sen Water Park in Ho Chi Minh City. Adults will pay as little as $3.35US, while kids can enter for just $2.15US, depending on the season. That’s a steal for a full day’s entertainment on the many waterslides, roller coaster, and wave pool. There are also plenty of lifeguards on duty, so parents can chill out under the palm trees knowing their little ones are safe.

    Street Food in Vietnam
    Street Food in Vietnam
    Using peddle-power in Vietnam is much more fun than getting around on foot. Big kids will love hiring bikes, while smaller children needing to save their legs will have great fun in a cyclo. These three-wheeled bicycle taxis are large enough to carry an adult and child passenger, along with the driver. Just make sure you negotiate the fare before leaving to ensure you’re not ripped off. Offer a third of the amount quoted, and never haggle up to more than half the original price. Sometimes walking away from the driver will be all it takes to get the right fare.

    With a little research, it’s possible for adults and children alike to enjoy an affordable vacation in Vietnam.

  • Family Fun in Hong Kong – Kid-Friendly Tourist Attractions in Asia

    Most of us think of Hong Kong as a fast-paced destination designed for adults with cash to splash or healthy dim sum sized appetites.

    But it's actually a great family vacation spot. Here are a few tourist attractions that kids and their parents will enjoy. Hong Kong's most popular tourist attraction is Victoria Peak, a summit which offers more than picturesque views. Little ones will probably enjoy the ride on the hair-raising funicular railway more than the view at the top, but don't let that worry you. Once they're tired of the scenery you can let them burn off some energy in the playground or virtual sports zone. Once they've worked up an appetite visit one of dozens of onsite restaurants. Make sure you don't miss Ocean Park, which is regarded as one of the best amusement parks in the world. Once a humble aquarium, it's now home to roller coasters and giant pandas! The marine animals still draw crowds though, especially the Sea Jelly Spectacular. Bright lights and classical music add a sense of theatre to the graceful movements of more than 1000 stingers. [caption id="attachment_4213" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Happy girl at Hong Kong Disneyland"]Happy girl at Hong Kong Disneyland[/caption] You’ll find more animals at Hong Kong Wetland Park. The 60-hectare space has crocs, birds, and butterflies. The kids won’t even realize their learning as they engage with the interactive games dotted around the park. Of course, a list of children's tourist attractions wouldn't be complete without mentioning Disneyland in Hong Kong. If you've been to any of the Disneyland's around the world you'll know what to expect, with all of the familiar lands populated by the iconic characters. While it's formula is tried and true, it's easy to get swept up in the magic of this theme park. So don't leave the children at home when you head to Hong Kong. This Asian metropolis has plenty of attractions to keep them entertained.

    [Image Source: Tommy Wong/Flickr]

  • Animals Great and Small at Auckland Zoo, New Zealand

    International favorites and local oddities are all on show at Auckland Zoo. This family tourist attraction is adjacent to Western Springs Reserve, a stone’s throw from Auckland’s central business district.

    New Zealand's national bird, the kiwi
    New Zealand's national bird, the kiwi

    The Pridelands, home to a pride of five lions, giraffes, and zebras, and the rare Sumatran tigers of Tiger Territory always draw a crowd. The zoo is also home to Burma, New Zealand’s only Asian elephant and an underwater viewing area for California sea lions and New Zealand fur seals. More New Zealand natives are found in the nocturnal house, including kiwis, tuatara lizards, and the Southern Boobook owl or morepork as it is commonly known. New Zealand’s Australian neighbors also have a place in the Aussie Walkabout, where visitors can walk through an enclosure with emus, wallabies, and kangaroos.


    Little ones can enjoy an animal encounter in the Kidzone, which features pigs, rabbits, goats, sheep, chickens, and many other farmyard friends.

    Auckland Zoo is active in conservation efforts in New Zealand and abroad. The zoo is particularly committed to captive breeding programs for the native kiwi and tuatara. The zoo is also active in educating school children about the environment and its animal kingdom. These efforts look to make the next generation more aware of the world around them.

    Auckland Zoo opens at 9:30 am every day but Christmas Day. Adult passes cost $19 while children, seniors, and students enjoy discount rates. Further discounts are available for families and social groups. Parking is available on site for drivers, who will find the zoo well signposted. The Explorer bus also travels from Auckland Museum every hour between 10:30 am and 3:30 pm each day.