Living paycheck to paycheck definitely means vacations are a luxury for the few. Even a flight to the East Coast to visit my own family is out of the question this year, as finances need to be controlled. As a mother, I feel guilty for not being able to give my son the experience of traveling to various destinations or even the Lake Erie peninsula of my youth. In the city of Chicago itself, even a typical stay needs to be cut in budget.

Get rid of the guilt. The most important thing is the time we spend together. Here are some options to higher cost alternatives.

If you can’t afford to go to a Chicago Bulls game, attend a local college basketball game ie Depaul, University of Chicago, Loyola, etc. My 8 year old was just as happy and it was pizza night at the game so we saved money on concessions with a free slice of pizza.

Can’t afford the Mexican Resort? – Take your kids to Pilsen, the Mexican neighborhood just off the 18th St. Pink Line train stop. Your children will be able to experience authentic Mexican culture in America instead of a sterile cruise ship and a resort where everyone speaks English. Find out at the National Museum of Mexican Art located at 1859 W. 19th St. Visit a Panaderia (Mexican bakery). Let your children choose a delicious cake. Don’t forget to pick one for yourself too!

The following week, visit Chinatown! When the weather is warmer, take the kids to Ping Tom Park. The possibilities to travel the world within Chicago are endless.

Resort Activities: How about taking your kids Zumba together? This works best for children over the age of 7. I took my son to a Zumba class with the teacher’s permission. Model for your children that movement is wonderful.

How about a family karaoke? A great place to karaoke with the family over dinner is Hiromi’s, located at 3609 W. Lawrence. It is a quaint family owned Filipino/Japanese karaoke restaurant. No stage needed. You can sit at the table and sing your heart out with the children.

Tour boats in Chicago can be expensive. Have you ever thought about the Chicago Water Taxi? An all day pass is $10.00 for the weekend. You can hop on and off at various points in downtown Chicago, as well as Ping Tom Park in Chinatown.

They would hand me over if I didn’t mention the wonderful museums. A favorite museum with tourists and Chicagoans alike is the Museum of Science and Industry. A highly interactive museum that will keep children busy for hours.

You can create memories that will last a lifetime without an expensive vacation. Enjoy the city and most importantly, the time you spend with your family.