Why not combine the two?
If you can find some time (and your search isn't dire), there are ways that even a budget-conscious job seeker can pick up some skills, make new contacts or glean new knowledge. Consider it a crash course in your job or industry of choice.
Make your job search your summer vacation.
Take a Tour
Trying to break into a particular industry? Go on a fact-finding mission: Opportunities abound to tour manufacturing facilities, corporate offices and industry centers.
Many large manufacturers offer public tours. Find a facility in the industry you're interested in at Factory Tours USA (http://www.factorytoursusa.com).
Tours are daily business at many breweries, wineries and food manufacturing plants. For example, if you're thirsting for a look at how the King of Beers is brewed, you can tour the Anheuser-Busch facility (http://www.budweisertours.com/docs/stltour.htm).
Looking for work in television or film production? Tour CNN Studios (http://www.cnn.com/StudioTour/) or Warner Bros. Studios (http://wbsf.warnerbros.com/home.html).
If you've got a nose for news, you can see newspapers roll off the presses at "The Seattle Times" (http://www.seattletimescompany.com/operations/tours.htm).
Many tours are free -- but not all. Always call ahead to find out how much a tour costs, if reservations are required and, when traveling with the tykes in tow, if children are allowed.
Visit the Capital
Plan a trip to the capital of the industry in which you're looking for work.
If you're interested in government work, you may want to start in Washington, D.C. But you can also visit your state capital, which may be easier and more cost-effective.
Into advertising? Blow into the Windy City (Chicago). Is big-time finance your bag? Take a bite out of the Big Apple. Into entertainment? Head for Hollywood! Or do you like to play games? Swing by Sin City; Vegas is the gaming industry capital of the world.
Set up some informational interviews in advance. Industry publications and company directories can help you determine who holds jobs in which you're interested. Next, contact people to explain that you're visiting and are interested in an informational interview.
You'll gain lots of insider information, have a familiarity with the "heart" of your chosen industry and perhaps make a lasting connection with someone who's well connected. And summer is a slow time in many industries, meaning people are more likely to have a few minutes to spare.
Try to arrange to take tours or attend a relevant conference too.
Volunteer Vacation
There's a do-good getaway for almost any budget.
Volunteer vacations can be related to a career you're pursuing or a way to network with people from different walks of life. You can participate in vital humanitarian and preservation projects across the country, around the world or even in your own backyard.
In you want to stay close to home, Habitat for Humanity builds simple, affordable houses in partnership with those who lack adequate shelter. You may even find yourself hammering side by side with a CEO (very useful!) or a celebrity. Find your local chapter here http://www.habitat.org to get started.
Are exotic locales beckoning you? Help build communities, conserve landscapes or provide care while gaining skills. Most programs will match your interests, background and skills with your assignment and allow you to stretch some new muscles in your field. Visit the Care Corps (http://www.careusa.org/getinvolved/volunteer/) for more information.
And if money is no object, you can head as far as a Costa Rican cloud forest to build skills and gain global experience. Visit GlobalVolunteers (http://www.globalvolunteers.org/) for more information.
Vocation Vacations
"Vocation vacations" are the gold standard for gleaning new skills on holiday.
They're ideal if you've had a hankering for a completely different career and can't make a dramatic switch or commitment right now. Vocation vacations allow you to see a job for what it really is. You'll get to do the fun stuff as well as the dirty work.
The company Vocation Vacations (http://www.vocationvacations.com) arranges for people to pursue their dream jobs while under the attentive eye of a mentor. Vocation vacationers can be anything from cheese makers, hunting guides and vintners to pastry chefs and raceway managers.
If you're intrigued by a vocation vacation but find it financially implausible, crate your own. Ask someone who has your dream job if you can work with him for free -- even for a day. An understaffed innkeeper, for instance, might be open to the idea of having an extra pair of hands to make beds linens in exchange for letting you see how a bed-and-breakfast is run.
After all, there's no reason why you can't vacation AND look for a job at the same time.
