Albuquerque, New Mexico

Average hotel price per night: $49
The average cost of meals per day: $196
Local transport (2 one-way tickets): $8

New Mexico’s largest city is chock full of fascinating history, culture, and kid-friendly sites, making it a fantastic low-cost summer destination for those traveling with their families.

Its historic neighborhood, which dates back to 1709, boasts adobe structures in Pueblo-Spanish style and a wide variety of boutiques, restaurants, art galleries, and museums. If you’ve got the kiddos with you, be sure to take them to Explora.

It’s a science center for kids of all ages, and it offers 20,000ft of over 250 interactive exhibits. Another great option is the Albuquerque Biological Park, which has a zoo, an aquarium, a botanic garden, and a beach.

And to top off your trip, how about an eagle-eye view of the city? Hot-air balloon rides are available all year round in this low-cost summer destination, weather permitting, of course.