The best budget vacation destinations in the US. Grab a small backpack and head out on your free trip

By Anna Veselova-SolovoniukDec 26, 2023 12:58 PMBudget trips
Share:
The best budget vacation destinations in the US. Grab a small backpack and head out on your free trip
Your affordable travel in the USA. Source: Photographer Alex Azabache/Pexels

Traveling light is not for everyone, but those who once tried a vacation with a small budget will never stop in their achievements, conquering city after city while others save up for a comfortable trip.

After all it's the excitement of snatching a cheap ticket, finding a casual place to sleep and seeing the cool sights of the cities, because many of them are completely free. If you thought that this list of the best budget vacation cities in the US is only for hitchhikers and hippies, you're missing your chance to put together a cool family vacation without spending a lot of money. Your budget vacation in the US will fold cities in which affordable prices for housing, a lot of free or cheap entertainment and there is something to do and something to try. Let's go.

The best budget vacation destinations in the US. Grab a small backpack and head out on your free trip
The city of Tulsa USA, as seen from a bird's eye view. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/

1. Tulsa, Oklahoma

Moving through Oklahoma you can find more than one nice place for an inexpensive vacation in the US. Tulsa, on the other hand, has a special charm and atmosphere that will make your trip very remarkable. If your route is along Route 66, it's your responsibility to spot the Catoosa Blue Whale in time. It is equated to a roadside wonder, so here's your first impression.

On a separate note, visit the museum in Tulsa dedicated to the history of racial massacres. Admission is completely free, and there is a lot of interesting information and stirring stories. If you're interested in art go to the Fillsbrook Art Museum, and a long walk or bike ride will help you get acquainted with the picturesque architecture of the city. Explore the landscaped banks of the Arkansas River.

The average daily rate at Tulsa hotels is $93.75.

The best budget vacation destinations in the US. Grab a small backpack and head out on your free trip
Family-friendly affordable vacations in the U.S. with affordable fun activities. Source: https://ru.wikipedia.org/

2. El Paso, Texas

A worthwhile location with an average hotel rate of $90.95. Sports are as popular here as Mexican restaurants. So feel free to grab your bike for transportation and sightseeing.

El Paso is definitely worth a visit to the Zoo and Western Playland amusement park if you're a family and the Art Museum with Franklin Mountains State Park if you're with a companion or on a solo "voyage".

Don't stop there and go to see the McGuffin House Historic Site spend only $7 for admission and see a National Register of Historic Places listing.

Stay in El Paso a little longer to do a gastronomic tour of Mexican and Texas cuisine.

The best budget vacation destinations in the US. Grab a small backpack and head out on your free trip
The architectural beauty of a city high in the mountains of the United States. Source: https://ru.wikipedia.org/

3. Albuquerque, New Mexico

Climbing high into the mountains isn't such a bad idea, you'll be treated to the kind of 360 degree view that takes your breath away. Albuquerque has quite a developed infrastructure. You can enjoy the architecture of the old city and grab modern entertainment in the newer neighborhoods. If you have the option of only one entertainment in Albuquerque, don't hesitate, opt for a hot air balloon flight. This is an experience worth saving for lunch or dinner at this point in the world.

Route 66 is quite a popular attraction here for a colorful car ride. Put together a separate itinerary of Albuquerque's museums, as they will tell you a huge chunk of the history of Native American times and introduce you to the depth of culture of a lot of "great" grandfathers.

You can stay for an average price of $98.54, and you should devote your snacks to New Mexican cuisine, the flavor of which will whet your appetite.

The best budget vacation destinations in the US. Grab a small backpack and head out on your free trip
Your adventures are somewhere out there in Oklahoma City. Source: https://ru.wikipedia.org/

4. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Those who love the variety of adventures in big cities Oklahoma's capital will be able to present an exciting inexpensive vacation in the US. Here, your accommodation will cost an average of $89.47, and your choice of cultural experiences will exceed all expectations.

Take a piece of paper and make a note, you should definitely visit: the Oklahoma Center for Contemporary Art, the National Cowboy Museum, Scissortail Park where you'll walk among 70 acres of beautiful nature, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, the Western Heritage Museum and much more. Make your way to ride the streetcar lines and admire the architecture of the streets and canals.

A separate inexpensive attraction might be horse shows, a pretty spectacular and frequent event in Oklahoma that you won't pay a dime for.

If you want to break into the center of the city's party scene, the Bricktown neighborhood awaits. The bright lights of cafes and restaurants are reflected in the canal.

The best budget vacation destinations in the US. Grab a small backpack and head out on your free trip
Arkansas's best hikes in Little Rock. Source: https://ru.wikipedia.org/

5. Little Rock, Arkansas

Another capital city that offers plenty of landscape discoveries and scenic walks. The Arkansas River is definitely a highlight of the city and is worth a stop for at least an hour.

You can have a good laugh at the Big Dam Bridge, where no iconic joke has been written. A historical trek will include the Presidential Library and the William J. Clinton Museum. And entertainment for adults and children will be the Discovery Museum and Pinnacle Mountain State Park.

Art connoisseurs will include the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts and a monument dedicated to the history of desegregation on the itinerary.

The moderate lodging rate of $95, $93 will open you up to souvenir shopping or a great lunch with a landscape view out the window. Little Rock can be your first city on an inexpensive trip across the US.

The best budget vacation destinations in the US. Grab a small backpack and head out on your free trip
Oak Groves and Historic Architecture in the US. Source: https://ru.wikipedia.org/

6. Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina

Two locations for a quiet budget vacation in the US with informative walks and great barbecue picnics. In Raleigh, stroll through oak woodlands and visit the Botanical Museum. University grounds are interesting with their libraries and green lawns. Take a bicycle to cover more.

Start your food tour in Raleigh at the Morgan Street Food Hall or FoodHall.

If you find yourself in Durham with kids head straight to the Children's Museum of Life and Science. There, your tomboys can have a lot of fun. The landscape architecture will make you take a long walk and enjoy. At Duke University, you'll find a chapel whose peaks soar to the heavens. If you have a small entertainment budget, supplement your evening promenade with the Performing Arts Center, where you can catch an interesting play or a trendy performance.

The average room rate per night will be $100.18, but don't limit your vacation to one day, there really is a lot to see here.

The best budget vacation destinations in the US. Grab a small backpack and head out on your free trip
Grab a memory for your camera in Greenville. Source: https://ru.wikipedia.org/

7. Greenville, South Carolina

Spending a weekend in Greenville will be your best idea if you love landscape vacations. You will be able to save money on transportation by traveling from one observation deck to another with the help of free trolley buses.

Urban installations will catch your eye as you make your way to the coastal gardens, where Greenville's genuine beauty lives on. You'll find yourself on a 35-acre property, with interesting landscape designs and unusual pretty mstics. Have a small picnic at the waterfall to linger a bit longer in this spectacular place.

Lodging will be available for an average of $100, which can't be beat.

The best budget vacation destinations in the US. Grab a small backpack and head out on your free trip
Big city big attractions in the United States. Source: https://ru.wikipedia.org/

8. Columbia, South Carolina

One of the very inexpensive vacation capitals in the US , where it is nice to spend time falling into any budget range. Attractions here are quite extensive, such as: Riverbanks Zoo & Botanical Gardens, the gardens at the Robert Mills House and the centuries-old art exhibit at the Art Museum.

Spending time here is also completely free, taking a landscape walk along the shores of Lake Murray or visiting Riverfront Park.

Family vacations in Columbia will definitely be a success thanks to Congaree National Park, where you can also visit the AdVenture Children's Museum.

With an average accommodation price of $102, you can have a great budget vacation in the United States and make a lot of happy memories.

The best budget vacation destinations in the US. Grab a small backpack and head out on your free trip
Tasting Town in the US. Source: https://ru.wikipedia.org/

9. Somerset, New Jersey

New Yorkers love this paradisiacal place with an average home price of just 100 bucks. For park walkers, it's a real treat, as your vacation can take you a whole week to get around all the landscaped green spaces in and around Somerset. Also, many people visit Somerset to restock their fridge on organic produce. Proof of this is the popular Snyder's Farm, where fresh seasonal vegetables, fruits and berries are in high demand.

For a more flavorful experience, the craft brewery Jersey Cyclone Brewing awaits.

The average room rate will be $103, which is a pittance after the giant of New York City.

The best budget vacation destinations in the US. Grab a small backpack and head out on your free trip
Baltimore's seaport for landscape walks and exploring the cultural part of the US. Source: https://ru.wikipedia.org/

10. Baltimore, Maryland

The appeal of the big city is that among the skyscrapers, glass and asphalt, there are oases that make a vacation in the United States inspired and filled with a sense of joy of finding something extraordinary, among the grayness and stone jungle.

Surprisingly Baltimore can offer you an average price per night of $103, allowing you to spend more on entertainment.

Baltimore's seaport will be one of your top destinations in the city. Discover the meaning of Inner Harbor and visit the National Aquarium. Compare the past with the prospect of the future by first traveling to the Baltimore Museum of Art and then moving on to the Walters Art Museum. In this way, the rapid development of civilization will flash before your eyes at the speed of light. Take plenty of walking tours - it will help to make unexpected discoveries around the corner and excite your interest in learning as you travel.

Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
TransPennine Express train at a platform

Late-night trains added after Sam Fender gigs in Newcastle

Jun 14, 2025 22:36 PM
Crowded transit hub with travellers and departure boards

Traffic Warning for Edinburgh Flyers During Highland Show

Jun 14, 2025 20:49 PM

Cathay Group Expands to 100 Destinations, Opening New Travel Opportunities for Passengers

Jun 14, 2025 18:33 PM

Summer Rail Suspension in Sardinia to Affect Travel Between Key Towns

Jun 14, 2025 16:54 PM
Renovated hotel room with king-size bed and modern lighting

San Juan’s La Concha Returns with Major Changes After Long Closure

Jun 14, 2025 14:47 PM
SAS aircraft preparing to land under cloudy sky

Scandinavian and Vietnam Airlines to Link Northern Europe with Southeast Asia via New Codeshare

Jun 14, 2025 12:31 PM
Commercial airplane in flight against a clear sky

SAS Expands Aalborg-Winter Routes, Opening Easier Access to Nordic Ski Destinations

Jun 13, 2025 23:23 PM
Railway signal showing red light on quiet train tracks near Verona

Verona Train Routes Suspended 15 June Amid WWII Bomb Removal

Jun 13, 2025 21:49 PM
Construction workers repairing railway tracks on a city street

Norfolk Rail Disruption: Buses Replace Trains Between Norwich and Ely This July

Jun 13, 2025 19:37 PM

New direct route from Amsterdam brings Cairo closer for travellers

Jun 13, 2025 17:51 PM

Krabi’s Natural Sites Gain Quiet Spotlight After Jurassic World Filming

Jun 13, 2025 15:44 PM
Air India aircraft parked on the ground with boarding platform nearby

Air India Crash Near Ahmedabad Leaves Over 200 Dead Shortly After Takeoff

Jun 13, 2025 13:39 PM
Modern hotel room interior with wooden accents and cozy bed

New Resort in Crete Blends Comfort with Nature and Local Traditions

Jun 12, 2025 23:28 PM
View of an SAS aircraft wing during flight above the clouds

SAS and WestJet to Launch Easier Canada–Scandinavia Connections from Summer 2025

Jun 12, 2025 21:42 PM
Rail workers using heavy machinery to install large pipe sections on train tracks

Train Disruptions Near Naples Affect Summer Travel Plans

Jun 12, 2025 19:34 PM

Virgin Australia Opens New Travel Opportunities to Europe and Africa via Doha

Jun 12, 2025 17:29 PM

One-Month Train Halt in Northern Italy Alters Summer Travel Routes

Jun 12, 2025 12:43 PM
Lufthansa plane taking off from runway

New Flight Links via Rome Simplify Travel Between Europe and Distant Cities

Jun 12, 2025 02:35 AM
Train showing "Caerdydd C" arrives at quiet station

Concert Crowds Prompt Rail Changes Across Cardiff This Summer

Jun 11, 2025 23:24 PM
Emirates aircraft approaching landing with cityscape below

Emirates and Bahamasair Partnership Opens New Travel Routes to The Bahamas Through Florida

Jun 11, 2025 21:49 PM
Finnair aircraft taxiing on a runway surrounded by trees

Finnair Resumes Direct Flights from Helsinki to Toronto Starting in 2026 Expanding Travel Options

Jun 11, 2025 19:32 PM
Construction worker in safety gear at a railway maintenance site

Summer Train Closures in Northern Italy to Disrupt Access to Regional Destinations

Jun 11, 2025 17:26 PM

Air New Zealand Starts Domestic WiFi Trial on Selected Flights

Jun 11, 2025 16:48 PM

InterContinental Hotel to Open in Manchester Bringing New Options for Travellers

Jun 11, 2025 07:31 AM
Modern hotel room with large bed and warm lighting

Familiar Hotels in Unfamiliar Places: voco Reaches 100 Locations Worldwide

Jun 10, 2025 23:22 PM
Emirates Airbus A380 taking off into cloudy sky

Free Emirates Coach Now Available Between Manila and Clark

Jun 10, 2025 21:44 PM