10 Best Cheap Places to Travel in the US
What Can I Do in the US on a Small Budget?
Embarking on a memorable journey doesn’t have to mean emptying your wallet. From awe-inspiring natural wonders to culture-rich cities and charming small towns, there’s plenty to see and experience that doesn’t cost a dime. We’ve put together this list of destinations because they offer something special that’s worth more than money.
Go thrifting in Chicago, swimming in the ocean, or camping in national and state parks across the country. Learn the fascinating history of jazz or see stunning artworks at world-class museums. Whatever your vacation dreams, the US has a lot to offer to budget travelers.
1. Grand Canyon National Park
Priceless views of a national treasure
Categorías: Parejas, Familias, Asequible, Aventuras
There’s arguably no better value for money than the Grand Canyon. One of the world’s most iconic natural wonders, the canyon covers nearly 300 miles and reaches depths of over a mile. Appreciate the grandeur of the canyon from spots like the Cape Royal viewpoint or the Bright Angel hiking trail.
Visit on one of the park’s free-entry days or pay the reasonable per-vehicle price to come when you choose. Camping in the popular South Rim is open all year, and Mather Campground offers more than 300 well-equipped campsites. For some insight into the park’s natural and cultural heritage, join a free ranger-led program or guided walk.
Grand Canyon National Park
2. Gatlinburg
A mountain town with activities galore
Categorías: Aventuras, Asequible, Familias
Charming Gatlinburg is an eastern Tennessee town nestled in the Smoky Mountains. Skip the resorts at this popular vacation spot and pitch a tent in the half a million acres of wilderness that make up the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. America’s most visited national park is free to enter and promises endless hiking, biking, fishing, and birdwatching.
As you explore downtown Gatlinburg, pick up a coupon book that offers discounts on the city’s attractions. Two of the best deals are for Rocky Top, an alpine roller coaster with incredible views, and dessert-themed mini golf at Crave Golf Club. For quality, handmade goods by local artisans, wander the 8-mile Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Loop, home to over 100 stores.
Gatlinburg
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3. Chicago
Free walking tours and affordable attractions
Categorías: Parejas, Comida, Ir de compras
With a little planning, a Chicago getaway can be completely affordable. The city’s public transportation is faster and cheaper than driving, and lodging outside the city center brings costs way down. Sign up in advance for a free walking tour with the Chicago Greeter program and see the city’s highlights and hidden gems through the eyes of a local.
Skip the Millennium Mile in favor of thrifting in artsy Wicker Park. See 5 of the city’s renowned museums at half price with the Chicago CityPASS. Relax in the gardens of the by-donation Garfield Park Conservatory, then indulge in a deep-dish pizza. After dinner, catch a comedy show at the infamous Second City.
Chicago
4. Santa Fe
Abundant arts and crafts in the southwest
Categorías: Asequible, Parejas, Historia, Ir de compras
Santa Fe has more than 300 art galleries, distinctive adobe architecture, and a passion for margaritas. Wander through the Plaza, the city’s central hub, to admire the Pueblo-style architecture as you begin your exploration of the city’s art and culture. Head to Canyon Road to browse Native American crafts and contemporary artwork by locals.
New Mexico’s capital is home to some excellent museums with reasonable admission prices. Look up their designated free admission days, you’ll find them at institutions like the New Mexico Museum of Art and the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture. Once you’ve had your fill of local culture, venture just outside the city to hike in the rugged Sangre de Cristo mountains.
Santa Fe
5. Oklahoma City
Cowboy culture and stunning public art
Categorías: Asequible, Familias, Poco común
With plenty of cheap hotels and low-cost entertainment options, Oklahoma City makes for a great budget vacation. Known for its cowboy culture, the city hosts major equestrian events and competitions that spectators can attend for a nominal fee. Check out the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art on their free admission days.
Explore the vibrant Bricktown district for restaurants and live music venues in refurbished warehouses. The neighborhood is also home to some of the best public art in the country, from abstract sculpture to intricate murals. The Myriad Botanical Gardens offer a lush greenhouse respite from the city, and the surrounding park has a lovely children’s garden and dog park.
Oklahoma City
6. Greenville, S.C.
Your home base for outdoor exploration
Categorías: Aventuras, Asequible, Parejas, Fotos
Greenville is a sunny little town surrounded by endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the town is a short drive from hikes with spectacular mountain views like those at Caesars Head State Park. Nearby Paris Mountain State Park boasts top-notch camping facilities, and thrill-seekers can enjoy white-water rafting on the Chattooga River.
Exploring the town, you’ll discover a diverse array of locally owned restaurants with international flavors and more than 70 pieces of public sculpture for you to find. Located in the middle of downtown, Falls Park on the Reedy offers river and waterfall views from an unusual, curved suspension bridge.
Greenville, S.C.
7. Atlanta, Ga.
The hometown of Martin Luther King Jr
Categorías: Asequible, Parejas, Historia
As a cultural hub of the Southeastern US, Atlanta offers plenty of historic sites, unique museums, and a dynamic food scene. One must-see in the city is always free to visit: the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, which includes King’s birth home and Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Explore the city with a walking tour through the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum, which gives insight into the unique natural characteristics of each neighborhood and the city’s history. The High Museum of Art has a vast collection including African sculpture and ceramics, contemporary art, and photography. There are several days each month when it’s free to enter, including the second Sunday and third Wednesday of the month, so check online for details.
Atlanta, Ga.
8. Cannon Beach, Ore.
A peaceful spot on the Pacific Coast
Categorías: Aventuras, Asequible, Parejas, Poco común
About 90 minutes’ drive from Portland, you’ll find the tiny coastal town of Cannon Beach. Its claim to fame is Haystack Rock, an enormous, highly photogenic basalt sea stack jutting out of the ocean. In low tide you can walk right up to it and explore the tidepools that teem with crabs and other marine life. The town itself is small but mighty, with several family-owned stores and local breweries.
Go beach-hopping in search of the best surf or your ideal secluded spot. Explore sandstone caves and admire the waterfall and unique rock formations at Hug Point. The Oregon coast is a great spot for whale watching, and you’ll find a few excellent vantage points in nearby Ecola State Park.
Cannon Beach, Ore.
9. Kansas City, Mo.
The past and present of jazz
Categorías: Familias, Historia, Asequible
Kansas City is best known for barbeque and jazz. The city had a flourishing jazz scene in the 1920s and 30s and is home to the American Jazz Museum. Jazz is alive and well today in the historic 18th & Vine district, where you can see free performances any night of the week. For slow-smoked barbeque and mouth-watering burnt ends, head to the celebrated Arthur Bryant’s restaurant.
The world-class Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art boasts diverse collections and free admission. History buffs won’t want to miss the National WWI Museum and Memorial, where you can view a vast collection of artifacts and ride to the top of a towering monument that offers great city views.
Kansas City, Mo.
10. Destin, Fla.
Sunsets and snorkeling in the Florida Panhandle
Categorías: Parejas, Asequible, Aventuras
Destin may have a glamorous reputation, but it doesn’t cost a dime to relax on the beach. Located in the Florida Panhandle, the city has miles of inviting coastline. Sink into powdery sand, swim in turquoise waters, and enjoy gorgeous sunsets from the west-facing beaches. Cyclists can enjoy plenty of paved routes along the seafront, with Scenic Highway 98 offering expansive views.
Skip the downtown hotels in favor of camping in nearby Henderson Beach State Park. Walk straight from your campsite to the beach via the boardwalk and enjoy wandering the dunes and snorkeling in the warm gulf waters.
Destin, Fla.
En este artículo se incluyen las opiniones del equipo editorial de Go Guides. Los autores de este tipo de artículos reciben una compensación por parte de Hoteles.com, que puede abarcar desde viajes hasta cualquier otro tipo de costes.