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
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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 city of Tulsa USA, as seen from a bird's eye view. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/
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.

Family-friendly affordable vacations in the U.S. with affordable fun activities. Source: https://ru.wikipedia.org/
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 architectural beauty of a city high in the mountains of the United States. Source: https://ru.wikipedia.org/
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.

Your adventures are somewhere out there in Oklahoma City. Source: https://ru.wikipedia.org/
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.

Arkansas's best hikes in Little Rock. Source: https://ru.wikipedia.org/
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.

Oak Groves and Historic Architecture in the US. Source: https://ru.wikipedia.org/
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.

Grab a memory for your camera in Greenville. Source: https://ru.wikipedia.org/
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.

Big city big attractions in the United States. Source: https://ru.wikipedia.org/
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.

Tasting Town in the US. Source: https://ru.wikipedia.org/
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.

Baltimore's seaport for landscape walks and exploring the cultural part of the US. Source: https://ru.wikipedia.org/
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.

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