10 Cheap Vacation Spots In The US to Enjoy & Cut Costs
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Introduction
We all want the opportunity to pamper ourselves once in a while after grueling hours of office or remote work, but we also don’t want to splurge on excesses. Vacations are like breathing spaces for active workers, so I’ve compiled a list of cheap vacation spots in the US that you can go to without being scared of running into debt.
This way, you can enjoy your vacation with no worries of overspending.
I think the narrative about a cheap vacation spot is usually misinterpreted because a cheap vacation spot does not equate to bad service, few viewing spots, or trashy hotels. There are exciting and cheap vacation spots in the US that boast good viewing spots, friendly lodging options, and affordable restaurants.
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- Why you need a cheap vacation idea
- Save cost
Cheap vacation spots are usually cheap because of the area’s low living costs, affordable lodging options, affordable foods, and free tourist spots. It means you spend less on having fun than other places, saving you tons of money, and you get to enjoy yourself while paying less.
- Privacy
Most people prefer going to famous places, which makes it packed. You can hardly go to the beach or a park without seeing many people, especially during the holidays.
Going to a less famous but exciting place gives you a bit of privacy, and even if there are many people, you cannot compare it to a more popular location.
- Fun
Cheap vacation spots are fun because you get a more original experience, and you also get to try new things and see new places.
- No regrets
The worst feeling would be to come back from a vacation and regret it because you spent more than your budget or have to limit your outings because you didn’t want to exceed a budget. Opting for a cheap vacation spot will help you eliminate regrets, and you can have as much fun as you want while still staying within your budget.
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- Cheap vacation spots in the US
While you may find ways to have a vacation at the hot, famous places and still keep to your budget, it doesn’t make that place a cheap or affordable place. Some places are naturally and ordinarily affordable.
Trust me; there are vacation spots all over the US, aside from New York and Los Angeles.
Here is my list of top cheap vacation spots in the US:
- San Antonio, Texas
With a mix of American history and Mexican culture, San Antonio boasts fun and exciting places with the opportunity to enjoy luxury at affordable prices. It is one of the best and cheapest places to visit in the US.
Fun places to visit:
You can visit the Alamo for free. The Alamo is a living history museum and carries the records of the 18th-century mission.
Take a stroll along the Riverwalk or go to the Japanese Tea Garden for a romantic walk.
The VIA Metropolitan Transit is the cheapest way to get around the city.
Photo by Gower Brown on Unsplash
Estimated costs:
Depending on how many days you will stay, your travel budget can start from as low as $300, including your flight tickets, lodging, transport, and feeding.
Check out The 10 best cheap hotels in San Antonio, USA | Booking.com
- Daytona, Florida
Daytona is full of sandy beaches and is one of the best vacation spots for beach lovers. It is also family-friendly, and you can enjoy a full day of fun at the beach with the kids.
Fun places to visit:
The Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory is fun and exciting even for non-chocolate lovers. You can take a guided tour around the factory for free.
If you go to Daytona during the summer, you can enjoy an unrestricted variety of music on the beach during the Bandshell Concert.
The Southeast Museum is also a fun place to visit, and it is named Florida’s official Museum of Photography.
Estimated costs:
Your travel budget can start from as low as $350, including travel, lodging, feeding, and transport.
- Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is one of the best places to visit in Arizona, although it is pretty hot! It is full of culture and boasts of a lot of free attractions.
It is best to visit when it isn’t so hot, like early or late summer or other seasons, because the city is usually hottest in mid-summer.
Fun places to visit:
If you are a flower enthusiast, you should visit the Desert Botanical Garden, one of the world’s largest desert floral collections.
You can go on a hike on Camelback Mountain, which is the most popular hiking trail in Phoenix.
The Phoenix Art Museum is also an exciting and fun place to visit, and you can explore art from different cultures and times.
Photo by Nicole Geri on Unsplash
Estimated costs:
A travel budget can start from $450, including feeding, transport, accommodation, and flight costs.
- Charleston, South Carolina
This place is best for a romantic getaway or vacation with your significant other. It is cheap and affordable with a scenic atmosphere and has many barrier islands, piers, parks, and museums. The city uses a CARTA bus system, which makes transportation very cheap.
Fun places to visit:
Get a view of the Atlantic Ocean by visiting Folly Beach.
Visit Charleston Tea Plantation, which is the city’s only tea plantation.
The Charleston City Market is one of the United State’s oldest markets, so get a souvenir for your friends.
Estimated costs:
A travel budget can be as low as $200 depending on where you are traveling, including feeding, lodging, and transportation.
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is a beautiful city with many exciting things to do for free or cheaply. It boasts of friendly locals and cheap lodging options and is named one of the best solo travel destinations in the United States.
Philadelphia has a lot of delicious cuisines, breweries, and historical sites. You can also get a One-Day Independence Pass for your family, which lets you use any transport option, and it is $11 for one person.
Fun places to visit:
You can visit the Independence Hall, which is free and comes with a guided tour.
The Rocky Steps and Statue to the Philadelphia Museum of Art are free.
You can also visit the United States Mint, where you will learn how they make coins.
Photo by Miguel Ángel Sanz on Unsplash
Estimated costs:
Your travel budget can start from $280, including accommodation, transport, feeding, and travel.
- Memphis, Tennessee
If you are looking for cheap vacation spots in the US during Halloween, you should visit one of the best Halloween cities.
Memphis also boasts of rich music culture, specifically Rock-‘n’-roll.
Fun places to visit:
If you are in Memphis, you must visit Graceland—the home of Rock-‘n’-roll, to explore the 120 acres dedicated to Elvis Presley, who is considered the king of Rock-‘n’-roll.
Visit Beale Street to explore the Handy Park, Withers Collection Museum & Gallery.
Estimated costs:
Your travel budget can be a minimum of $300.
- Salt Lake City, Utah
Visiting Salt Lake City during the fall is best to enjoy the scenery much more. It has many historic sites and tourist attractions for a free or low cost.
Fun places to visit:
Temple Square is the most famous tourist attraction in the city.
The Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST) has a lot of flowers along the way when it’s spring.
You can explore the Utah State Capitol with a guided tour.
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Estimated costs:
Your budget can start from as low as $400, including your lodging, transport, food, and flight.
- New Orleans, Louisiana
One of the most fun cities to visit in the US is New Orleans because there are many things you can explore. The streets are always vibrant, with it being home to one of the most famous street parties in the United States—Mardi Gras.
Fun places to visit:
Take a stroll along the Mississippi Riverside with your spouse or have a family picnic.
The affordable restaurants and antique stores are located in the French Quarter and Garden District, making it a great place to visit.
You should also visit the New Orleans Museum of Arts, which boasts art pieces from several eras.
Estimated costs:
A travel budget starts from $200, including flight, food, transport, and lodging.
- Moab, Utah
Moab is an excellent place for visitors, especially if you are a fan of nature. There are great places to visit for dining, adventure, and beer.
There are also a lot of beautiful landscapes to explore that will fill your camera with beautiful pictures.
Fun places to visit:
Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park are great places to visit for the Red-rock formation and the Desert Landscape.
Photo by Ken Cheung on Unsplash
Estimated costs:
A travel budget should be around $400, including accommodation, feeding, transport, and flight.
- Glacier National Park, Montana
The Glacier National Park, located in Montana, favors hikers and those in love with nature. It has a serene, scenic atmosphere with breathtaking views.
On some national days, you get free fee passes but have to pay on other days.
Fun places to visit:
Take a drive along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, or you can do some stargazing at Logan Pass.
Estimated costs:
Costs can be as low as $350, including transport, lodging, feeding, and fees.
N.B: Estimated costs only include a day’s expense and your flight cost, and the costs might vary depending on how many days you spend and how much you spend on flights.
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Conclusion
As much as I would love to select a favorite, each vacation destination has its unique charm. You might want to plan for the next few years and have all the options right in front of you.
Don’t forget to check the weather conditions before you pack, though.
Which cheap vacation spots in the US are you likely to try out next?
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