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The Crystal Coast of North Carolina is a winner of FTF's Top 10 (Cheap) Getaways For Family Travelers 2008 award.

According to a national study, more than 200,000 family reunions are organized every year in the United States.  Planning a gathering while minding your wallet may not seem possible as thoughts of transportation, multiple hotel rooms, expensive dinners and large scale activities float through your head.  But, with FTF’s two very different picks for the Top (Cheap) Reunion Getaway, all can enjoy a multigenerational family beach vacation either East, on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina, or on the West coast at Asilomar in Monterrey, California -- and without going broke. Here's a look at what Crystal Coast offers for a cheap family vacation.

The Crystal Coast, North Carolina

Imagine a four-story sprawling oceanfront house, with multiple bedrooms, a huge kitchen, plenty of space for relaxing and, in more cases than not, a private pool and maybe even a hot tub.  Sounds extravagant, but also sounds perfect for a multigenerational trip with the entire family in tow.  And in North Carolina’s dreamy southern Outer Banks it is possible, because renting a Crystal Coast reunion beach house sleeping 15 costs 50% less than a comparable rental in the northern Outer Banks.

Aside from the price and convenience of accommodations, Emerald Isle, Atlantic Beach, Morehead City, Beaufort and Cape Lookout (the towns that comprise the Crystal Coast) are not big tourist destinations.  The 85 miles of shore span six undeveloped beaches, and crowds are not common. 

Now don’t let the figure of $7,000 per week scare you away; instead, keep in mind that this number breaks down to $1,000 per night for the entire family and if you are sharing an oceanfront home with lots of relatives, it becomes even less than that!  On my recent trip to the Crystal Coast, I stayed in the six-bedroom, 4,000-square-foot “A Life of Rilee” house, which could sleep up to 15 people.  That works out to be only $66 per person per person.   

Not only does a family vacationing south get double the savings along the Crystal Coast but, in general, renting a house is the economical choice.  Christine Karpinski, author of "How to Rent Vacation Properties by Owner," believes that renting a home is not only the best value, but you get more for your money.  “It offers so much more, especially when you have children,” she says. 

A home rental not only gives a reunion group more personal space, but also a communal gathering place.  The homes are usually equipped with games, books and DVD players, and some even have pool tables that families can enjoy at nighttime.  In addition, with a full kitchen there are tons of money-savings opportunities as each family involved in the reunion can take turns cooking meals.  And sampling local fare is still a possibility even though families might avoid restaurants to save; go to the fish market and get the catch of the day or head to local grocery store.