The Best Places to Travel in the USA on a Budget

On most occasions, cheap and travel are two words that don’t go hand in hand. However, we managed to create a list of budget friendly cities you should definitely visit this year. So, if you’re in the mood for traveling, but the zeros from your bank account don’t agree, you should read on to discover some inexpensive U.S. cities.

From the City of San Antonio, one of the oldest Spanish colonization of the European settlements in Texas to the Valley of the Sun, check out our list of U.S. destinations that offer a lot of fun things to do and visit on a shoestring budget.

1. San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio is one of the fastest growing cities in our country, welcoming more than 26 million tourists each year. It is really popular for its Tex-Mex cuisine, fiestas, and marketplaces. This vibrant city hosts lots of attractions. From San Antonio River Walk, known also as Paseo del Río to the Alamo Roman Catholic Mission, there are plenty of things to visit here.

If you seek an awesome adventure, you should definitely take an underground tour at Natural Bridge Caverns, which are actually the largest known commercial caverns in the U.S. state of Texas. Also, if you’re interested in cowboy culture, just an hour away from San Antonio you will find a place that truly embraces country music, rodeos and ranches, named Bandera.

2. San Diego, California

This Pacific Oceanfront city has a lot to offer to its visitors. From a 1,200-acre urban park named Balboa Park to the Maritime Museum of San Diego, which has 11 heritage boats and submarines, you will definitely fall in love with this city. There’s something for everyone in San Diego. The best part when it comes to this city? You can visit it anytime you want due to the nice weather.

San Diego is actually the perfect city for outdoor adventures. Whether you’re in the mood for strolling the streets of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park or hiking along the sandstone cliffs of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, this popular destination offers a wide range of attractions for sun-seekers. What more could you possibly want?

3. Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City has numerous attractions that will really keep you hooked such as the National World War I Museum, the American Jazz Museum, the Kauffman Stadium, or the Schlitterbahn Waterpark (we’ve only named a few… because there’s more to Kansas City than meets the eye).

However, just make sure you’re not traveling in mid-summer—it gets really hot and extremely crowded. Also, don’t forget about the barbecue experience. One of the best spots is Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que. Plus, Kansas City is great for large families and really affordable. So, it’s definitely time to think about Missouri’s largest city as your next vacation spot.

4. Atlanta, Georgia

In recent years, Atlanta has become one of the most important commercial towns in the U.S. due to its busy international airport, and some popular businesses (Coca-Cola and CNN) that have their headquarters here. As soon as you enter the city, you will notice its charming streets and scenic parks such as Piedmont Park which has picnic areas and 22 grills.

There are many fun things to do while staying in this gorgeous city. The best part? Some museums and attractions are actually free or cost less than $10 per person for admission: the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Site, Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, the Center for Puppetry Arts, and the Fernbank Science Center.

5. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia is the largest city in the US state of Pennsylvania and the sixth-most populous U.S. city. It is also one of the oldest municipalities in our country. Just like Atlanta, Philadelphia also offers visitors free admission to some of its most iconic spots. For example, did you know you can snap a photo of yourself next to the Liberty Bell at virtually no cost?

As a matter of fact, you can also walk the rooms of Independence Hall as Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson once did, all for free. The City of Brotherly Love (Philadelphia comes from two Greek words: phileo which means love and adelphos, brother) is also known for its iconic cheesesteak, so you must enjoy at least one when you’ll visit this city.

6. New Orleans, Louisiana

Being one of the most unique cities in our country, New Orleans is famous for its French Quarter, its unique cuisine and the Mardi Gras festival. However, even if New Orleans is associated with 300-year-old buildings that reveal its French influences, there are a lot of other places that are worth visiting here, especially from February to May when the weather is comfortably cool.

Some of them include Garden District, the National WWII Museum, New Orleans Museum of Art, City Park, Audubon Nature Institute, New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, or Studio Be. For souvenir shopping, you should check out the unique antiques stores along Magazine Street in the Garden District. This street is also famous for hosting some pretty good restaurants.

7. Denver, Colorado

Looking for breathtaking views while hiking or simply enjoying a glass of red wine? Denver, the capital of Colorado is your answer to all your prayers. Sitting at an altitude of 5,280 feet, Denver is the perfect choice for those who love mountains. We actually suggest you to spend a day driving along the Mount Evans Scenic Byway—you will be fascinated.

While you’re here, remember that one of the most well-known attractions in Denver are the breweries. Tours of the Coors Brewery are free, but you’ll have to drive to Golden, Colorado, which is approximately 20 to 30 minutes outside of Denver. After a cold beer (or two), you should visit one of the many free or inexpensive museums and tours such as United States Mint Tour, Denver Story Trek, Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave, and the Colorado State Capitol.

8. Phoenix, Arizona

The capital of the southwestern U.S. state of Arizona, Phoenix has a lot of things to offer. From its official pride festival which has been held for 40 years, the 825-metre Camelback Mountain to Papago Park, which is basically 1,500 acres of desert landscape across Phoenix and Tempe containing golf courses, trails, seven acres of stocked fishing lagoons, picnic areas, sports facilities, rugged hills, and sandstone formations.

Pro tip: You should see the beauty of Phoenix from your RV. You can stay at the award-winning Desert’s Edge RV Village, which actually offers a pool, a game room, and a fitness center. The whole point of visiting Phoenix is to spend more time in nature, so make sure you’ll check Tempe Town Lake and Piestewa Peak.