• Weekend getaways are fun and budget-friendly in Michigan.couple image by Kanisdha Buasri from Fotolia.com
  
  Southern Michigan is a region in the United States that has clear lakes, an array of attractions and a variety of entertainment options. Weekend getaways in Southern Michigan offer fun for those traveling on a budget. The unique cities offer museums, amusements parks and zoos that are all budget-friendly, entertainment and fun for the entire family.
  
  

Kalamazoo

• Kalamazoo is a city located in the southwestern corner of Michigan. The city is home to the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, which offers free admission. The Kalamazoo Nature Center is another attraction that just charges a small fee for admission. The nature center is 1,100 acres, and has indoor/outdoor activities and a variety of exhibits. The Echo Valley Winter Sports Park is a lot of fun during winter months. The park offers ice skating, tubing and tobogganing for a small fee. Budget-friendly hotels and motels in Kalamazoo include Motel 6, Quality Inn, Knights Inn and Super 8.
  
  

Battle Creek

• Battle Creek is Michigan's third-largest city, and is located between Detroit and Chicago. The city is also nicknamed the breakfast cereal capital because both Kellogg's and Post Cereal's headquarters are located here. The Kimball House Museum is located here and offers free admission. The museum contains rare material relating to ex-slave days. The Fort Custer Recreational Area and Kimball Pines County Park both offer bird-watching, biking, hiking and a variety of water sports for little or no fees. Budget-friendly accommodations in Battle Creek include Econo Lodge, the Days Inn, Super 8 and the Best Western.
  
  

Jackson

• Jackson, Michigan is another city in Southern Michigan to take cheap weekend getaway too. The city is home to the Ella Sharp Museum of Art and History. The museum has a gift shop and restaurant, and only charges a small fee for admission. Vandercook Lake is also available to the public for swimming, boating, picnicking and playing sports. The AllSkate Fun Center is located in Jackson and offers roller skating for all ages for a small admission fee. Hotels that are budget-friendly in Jackson include Travelodge, America's Best Value Inn and Motel 6.
  
  

Saginaw

• Another southern city in Michigan that offers cheap fun is Saginaw. The city is home to the Saginaw Art Museum, Castle Museum and the Kokomo's Fun Center. The Saginaw Art Museum features exhibits and collections of art, and the admission is only a small fee. The Castle Museum has many exhibits and just charges a very small fee to enter. The Kokomo's Fun Center has go-karts, bumper boats, miniature golf, laser tag and batting cages. The park offers packages for the attractions. Budget-friendly hotels in Saginaw include Motel 6, Super 8 and America's Best Value Inn.