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We all know what it’s like to attempt to pull off a great vacation. After budgeting, traveling, keeping track of luggage and children, and dealing with disputes and untimely bathroom needs, if you return with everyone still on speaking terms, you’re likely to consider it a success. However, you may feel like you need another vacation to recover from it.
Family dynamics aside, finding a destination that offers an appealing balance for both kids/grandkids and parents can be challenging without busting your budget. And some of the “best” US cities for families to make their vacation can be costly to stay in. Our country is home to a wide range of vacation spots that offer great activities at reasonable prices.
Whether you’re seeking a fun national park adventure, a beach escape, or a small-town getaway, you’ll discover plenty of budget-friendly vacation options on this list. So, pack your bags, because we’ve found 12 fantastic AND affordable spots in the US.
… Don’t forget to tell us where YOU’VE been in the comments!
Named after the remains of its glaciers from the ice age, this National Park is located on the Canada/Montana border. With its dizzying display of natural beauty, The Crown of the Continent is a favorite spot with hikers, featuring a variety of trails for all skill levels that range from the easy Trail of the Cedars to the challenging Grinnell Glacier.
Adding to that, the park claims more than 700 lakes, many waterfalls, and two mountain ranges expanding across more than 1 million acres that house a variety of wildlife. Aside from its breathtaking geological features, it’s also home to a fair amount of history. The Going-to-the-Sun Road, a scenic, 50-mile drive through the park, is a National Historic Landmark and an engineering marvel that offers magnificent views.
Plus, many of the park’s lodges, chalets, and hotels were built by the Great Northern Railway at the beginning of the 20th century and appear on the National Register of Historic Places. So be sure to include THEM in your budget when planning your next trip!
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Wherever you go in St. Augustine, there’s a pretty good chance that you’ll come face to face with some American history. This town was founded by the Spaniards in 1565 in the northern part of Florida and is the oldest occupied European settlement in the states. Beside the narrow cobblestone streets and colonial architecture, you’ll also find Romanesque Revival-style buildings.
Even though the main draw here is the abundance of landmarks dating back to the Spanish occupation, the city also offers various budget-friendly boutiques, eateries, live music venues, and art galleries. Travelers with children should check out the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum and the St. Augustine Wild Reserve. Art enthusiasts will appreciate the Lightner Museum’s eclectic collection, while shopaholics CANNOT miss the chance to scan the boutiques on St. George Street.
And once you’re ready to relax, grab your gear and head to the beach. As with many coastal Florida towns, St. Augustine offers prime access to the Atlantic Ocean and sunshine all year round.
….History Fanatic? Add these to your travel bucketlist!
“Grand” doesn’t begin to do this location justice. Measuring around 277 river miles in length, about 18 miles in width, and one mile deep, this massive hole in Arizona’s northern part is a truly natural wonder. The Grand Canyon has developed through the help of the mighty Colorado River for 6 million years.
For ages, people from all around the world have traveled to gaze out over its red and orange splendor. The canyon leaves its approximately 6 million visitors per year awestruck. But if you’re seeking a secluded escape into nature, you’ve come to the wrong place. It can get very crowded.
The South Rim, home to the Grand Canyon Village and the well-worn Bright Angel Trail, is trendy for sightseers and hikers. So, for a break from the crowds, go to the North Rim. This is where you want to be for backwoods camping and hardcore hiking.
This Tennesse town has three access points to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park placed in the heart of its downtown. It’s such a hit that Gatlinburg’s population sky-rockets during the tourist season from less than 4,000 residents to over 40,000.
With its miles of trails for biking, hiking, and horseback riding, as well as historical exhibits and cabins, and watching the wildlife in their natural habitat, it’s easy to see why the park is such a hot commodity. When you’re not in the park, you can spend your time admiring it from Gatlinburg’s top attractions, among them, the Gatlinburg Space Needle and the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway.
To get a feel of local culture, skip the kitschy souvenir shops and visit one of several local galleries, including the Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Community, to view local artists at work and craftsmen creating everything from paintings to handmade brooms and jewelry.
Spending time in the sun is the main reason you’ll want to make the trip to Nags Head, which is part of the Outer Banks region of North Carolina. The beach town’s towering sand dunes in Jockey’s Ridge State Park and great fishing spots in the surrounding Gulf Stream waters attract travelers with diverse interests.
When visitors are not lounging on the sand, they can explore Nags Head lighthouses or look for birds, sea turtles, and other wildlife at the nearby Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. Autumn and spring are the best times to visit, thanks to fewer crowds and lower prices for the budget conscious.
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For such a historical town, Williamsburg is relatively new. It wasn’t until the 20th century that the city of Virginia restored this downtown area. Now you can walk the exact steps that our Founding Fathers once took. In fact, in Williamsburg, you might just even find yourself traveling alongside some of those men, or at least, alongside some talented, costumed actors performing their parts.
Don’t think of this area as a novelty, though. Instead, Williamsburg and nearby locales like Jamestown and Yorktown are breathing memorials to some of the best-known figures of our colonial America’s history. Patrick Henry, George Washington, John Smith, Pocahontas, and more are among them, and they all receive their due.
From its manicured green areas to its deliciously assorted food scene, Portland has become a must-see destination of the Pacific Northwest. The city of many nicknames has risen as an urbanite’s dream, with some of the most pedestrian-friendly streets in the country. Many of them are lined with food carts that give Portland some of the best, most affordable, and diverse street food anywhere.
It’s also full of plenty of trails for hiking and biking and access to water sports along the Willamette and Columbia Rivers that border the city. But the most-loved attractions are low-key and elusive: a sip of locally roasted coffee, or maybe a late afternoon spent at a brewery or even a stroll through open art galleries. Your budget opportunities are endless here! Portland is one of the most thriving cities on the West Coast.
Davy Crockett may have fallen at the Alamo, but San Antonio clings to Texan pride shown by the King of the Wild Frontier and his compatriots in 1836. This modern city’s history shows itself throughout downtown. Besides the Alamo, you’ll find several other famous missions, all of which are now a part of the San Antonio Mission National Historical Park. But, you don’t need a desire for history to be charmed by this city.
Families will especially enjoy the Texas city’s theme parks, top-notch museums, and the famous River Walk. It’s also a culinary destination, with an extensive selection of its signature Tex-Mex style and an assortment of new barbecue places and diverse, upscale eateries. If you’re short on time, consider signing up for a tour to sample many of the city’s history, culture, and food.
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Whether you want to enjoy a weekend away with your significant other or an educational trip with the kids, Gettysburg’s got you covered. This charming little town in southern Pennsylvania is packed with mom-and-pop shops, cozy inns, and restaurants that serve farm-to-table meals and locally crafted drinks. Known for its Civil War ties, Gettysburg is home to all kinds of historically significant sites, including Gettysburg National Military Park, where the war’s bloodiest battle happened.
Though you could easily spend the bulk of your trip exploring the park, be sure to save time for the Jennie Wade House and the Shriver House Museum. And when you want to take a break from Gettysburg’s dark history, wander around the Eisenhower National Historic Site or enjoy a photo-op at Sachs Covered Bridge. Regardless of how you spend your time, you’re bound to leave this place feeling relaxed and more informed than you did before your arrival.
Exploring Albuquerque’s history, you’ll find it resembles a tree trunk: The city has expanded outward throughout time. At the heart is Old Town, where the original village was founded in 1706. Cobblestone streets are what give this neighborhood character where Native American and Spanish cultures still blend.
You’ll also find a small level of kitsch kept from the youth of Route 66 that runs through the center of town. Head further out, and you’ll find expansive homes and lush vineyards in the North Valley and Corrales. Despite the ongoing urban sprawl, Albuquerque stays true to its roots.
You can find many Hispanic flavors in the city’s restaurants. Native American arts and crafts hang on many gallery windows. But despite its 300-year-old age, Albuquerque is nothing short of cosmopolitan, with its funky boutiques, performance venues, and fun nightlife.
As Maine’s capital, Augusta has all of the charms you’d expect from a historic New England town. You can take a stroll through downtown and admire its Victorian architecture before you swing by Waterfront Park to walk along the Kennebec River Rail Trail.
Many other budget-friendly outdoor pursuits worth checking out include Viles Arboretum and Calumet Playground. This one is ideal for families. If you’d rather spend your time indoors, stop by the Maine State House for a free tour. Time your visit for summer or early fall to also tour the Fort Western Living History Museum for a modest fee.
If you’re looking for some laid-back Southern charm, search no further than beautiful Beaufort, South Carolina. Once there, not only will you find a quaint downtown filled with many budget-friendly shops and eateries, but you’ll also discover hundreds of sea islands surrounding it, many of which have their own unique things to do.
Stop by Hunting Island State Park, where you’ll have access to miles of beaches, hiking trails, and a lighthouse. If you have the energy, climb the lighthouse’s 167 steps to enjoy panoramic views of the area. Here no matter where you’re staying, you’ll find plenty of tours, activities, and unique attractions near you. And chances are, it will be within walking distance of their scenic waterways, too!
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