Itching to Travel This Summer? Check Out These Budget-Friendly Locations
Summertime puts the hope of a summer trip at the top of mind. Thankfully, there are plenty of affordable domestic travel destinations offering charm, adventure and value. Whether you’re looking for a beach escape, a mountain getaway or a cultural city break, we’ve rounded up eight spots where you can enjoy an unforgettable vacation for potentially less than you’d spend on a weekend at home.
We’ve also included smart tips to stretch your dollar even further. Utilizing things such as budget airlines and travel credit cards can make a big difference. Let’s start trip planning.
Eight Affordable Domestic Travel Destinations
Where you travel makes a huge difference in how much you spend. Here are eight places that could help you have a (relatively) budget-friendly adventure.
Chicago, Illinois
Summer is peak Chicago fun time, with festivals, summer markets and concerts galore. We’ve been living in Chicago for more than 20 years. We’d only recommend visiting this time of year, unless you are brave enough to battle the windchill in other months. Save money by staying in Chicago suburbs like Rosemont and O’Hare, which are close to the airport and a 30-45-minute drive into the city. Hotels in that area (great budget options are La Quinta or Comfort Inn) are as low as $40-$50 per night, including free WiFi and breakfast.
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Boise, Idaho
This is a surprisingly fantastic spot to visit if you want to surround yourself with nature. The city is surrounded by low-cost (or free) activities ranging from hiking in the Boise Foothills to tubing the Boise River (look at companies like Boise River Raft & Tube or Epley’s Boise River Rentals). The Boise River Greenbelt is a 25-mile scenic walking and biking path along the river that’s totally free. And, you can tube or raft down the Boise River for $20-$30 per person including rental and shuttle service. Boise has a booming food truck scene, where you can score everything from burgers to tacos for a few bucks.
Washington, D.C.
We love Washington, D.C. because nearly all the attractions are free. This includes the National Gallery of Art, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Lincoln Memorial and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Public transportation is inexpensive and excellent, and the city is easy to navigate. Stay in less expensive neighborhoods like Arlington.
The Black Hills, South Dakota
BYO vehicle to make this a bargain spot. Nearly all the main attractions, such as Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park and Custer State Park, are free or have a minimal cost (usually a few dollars for parking). Bring a bathing suit, as there are plenty of spots, especially at Custer State Park, where you can hop in a lake. Because most people visiting love the outdoors, there are plenty of inexpensive campgrounds and cabins that are less than $100 per night. For example, you can camp at Custer State Park for about $25 per night. If you’re visiting more than two parks in this trip (or even this year), it’s worth it to purchase a National Parks Annual Pass for $80.
White Salmon, Washington
Go glamping at Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge, a brand new Pacific Northwest retreat spanning 120 acres in the White Salmon Valley. It’s an hour from Portland, and it’s close to fantastic hiking trails, wineries, the Columbia River (great for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding). The glamping spot offers complimentary coffee, tea, s’mores, yoga and games, and rates start at $252 per night — or 20,000 World of Hyatt points. Stay in late summer to snag the best deals.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
It’s got the same white-sand beaches as Florida, but this hidden gem is much less expensive. Snag a beachfront condo or vacation rental for shockingly low prices, and spend your day hiking, taking a nature walk, fishing or sitting on a beach. There are plenty of affordable seafood shacks, breakfast spots and BBQ joints, so you can get away with spending about $150 per day, including your lodging. Up the ante by picking up fresh shrimp or crab legs from Lartigue’s Seafood Market (a local institution), and cook them at your rental. If you’re on a super tight budget, stay at Gulf State Park, which has cabins and campgrounds starting at less than $50 per night.
South Padre Island, Texas
This spring break hot spot becomes much less crowded and expensive over the summer, when it’s considered to be the shoulder season. The 30-miles of beach are the main draw, and it’s free. Hop on a boat tour to do some dolphin watching for less than $20 per person. Or, hike the Laguna Madre Nature Trail to spot some exotic birds. The city also does free fireworks every Thursday and Friday night.
Traverse City, Michigan
This is the equivalent of Chicago’s Hamptons — at a fraction of the cost. The beaches in Traverse City are stunning. Despite being a beloved vacation spot for Midwesterners, it’s still very inexpensive. In addition to the beach, vacationers can hike, swim, cycle and kayak at Sleeping Bear Dunes and inland lakes. Traverse City is the Cherry Capital of the World, and you’ll be able to do a cherry u-pick, along with free cherry tastings at local farms. And while the Airbnbs do fill up early in the season, you can still snag campgrounds and some motels (though the sooner you book, the better). Most of the restaurants and beaches are within walking distance, and you can snag less expensive food via food trucks and small cafes.
Tips to Save on Affordable Domestic Travel Destinations
Make your affordable domestic travel destinations even less expensive by:
- Using a travel credit card. These cards are great for earning points and miles which can be redeemed for flights, hotels and rental cars. We made a list of the best travel credit cards out there.
- Comparing airports. Use Google Flights or Skyscanner to compare the costs of nearby airports. You could save hundreds by flying into a different airport.
- Travel with budget airlines. As long as you don’t get swept away by the fees, budget airlines are a great way to save.
- Cutting rental car costs. Comparison sites like AutoSlash and Kayak will help you find less expensive car rentals. Reduce the cost even more by avoiding airport pickup locations and skipping “perks” like GPS, roadside assistance and insurance (most credit cards will cover your insurance without an extra fee).
- Getting a National Parks Pass. For just $80 per year, you can get into hundreds of national parks, monuments and historic sites with an America the Beautiful Pass. The $80 fee covers park entry for a full year. Park fees usually run from about $10-$35 per entry.
The Penny Hoarder contributor Danielle Braff is a Chicago writer who specializes in consumer goods and shopping on a budget. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Real Simple and more.
