Top 13 Best Cheap Vacations in the U.S.
There are many different vacation destinations in the United States that provide a wealth of activities at affordable pricing. Whether you're looking for a ... read more...beach getaway, a fun national park excursion, or a small-town break, you'll find a ton of affordable vacation possibilities on our list. A list of the best cheap vacation in the U.S. has been produced by Toplist. Use this list to choose your next reasonably priced domestic vacation spot, and don't forget to vote for your preferred getaway below to influence the list for the following year.
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A large portion of the enormous Grand Canyon is located in Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park, whose stratified bands of red rock show millions of years of geological history. The Yavapai Observation Station, Mary Colter's Lookout Studio, and her Desert View Watchtower are a few viewpoints. With its expansive views of the canyon and Colorado River, Lipan Point is well-liked, particularly at sunrise and sunset. Grand Canyon can be your best cheap vacations in the U.S.
Grand is an inadequate description of this canyon. This enormous gap in northern Arizona, which is up to 18 miles wide and a mile deep, is definitely a natural wonder. It is around 277 river miles long. The Grand Canyon has grown with the assistance of the powerful Colorado River for 6 million years, and for ages, visitors from all over the world have come to take in its magnificent red and orange splendor. The Grand Canyon, which is under the management of the National Park Service and is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site, astounds its roughly 6 million annual tourists.
However, if you're looking for a remote getaway in Mother Nature, you should be ready: There can be a ton of people at the Grand Canyon. Visitors and hikers favor the South Rim, which is home to Grand Canyon Village and the well-traveled Bright Angel Trail. The majority of the amenities are on this side. Go to the North Rim to escape the crowds. Hardcore hiking and backcountry camping are available here. Take a helicopter tour for a once-in-a-lifetime look at the canyon.
Address: Arizona, United States
Phone: +1 928-638-7888
Established: February 26, 1919
Opening hours: open 24 hours
Price: $2,169 for a solo traveler, $3,896 for a couple, and $7,303 for a family of 4 for 7-day trip
Rating: 4.8/5.0, 53,614 Google reviews
Website: https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm
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Glacier National Park is situated on the border of Canada and Montana and is named for the ice age glaciers that still remain there. Because of the breathtaking variety of its natural beauty, it is frequently referred to as the "Crown of the Continent." In Montana's Rocky Mountains, Glacier National Park is a 1,583 square mile wilderness region with glacier-carved peaks and valleys that extend to the Canadian border. The park, a popular destination for hikers, offers a range of paths for walkers of various experience levels, from the straightforward Trail of the Cedars—home to majestic and towering cedar trees—to the strenuous Grinnell Glacier. Additionally, the park's more than 1 million acres, more than 700 lakes, several waterfalls, and two mountain ranges provide as a haven for a diversity of wildlife.
In addition to its stunning geological characteristics, it has a significant quantity of history. A National Historic Landmark and technical marvel, the Going-to-the-Sun Road provides access to well-known hiking routes as well as breathtaking views. In addition, the Great Northern Railway built several of the lodges, chalets, and hotels in the park in the early 20th century, and they are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Would you like to see a UNESCO World Heritage Site? The Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is also located nearby.
Glacier National Park introduced a ticketed admission system through September 6, 2021 for several site entrances to reduce the number of visitors to the park. For more information, go to the website of the National Park Service.
Address: Montana, United States
Phone: +1 406-888-7800
Established: May 11, 1910
Opening hours: 8AM - 5:30PMPrice: $711 for one person per week
Rating: 4.8/5.0, 14,539 Google reviews
Website: https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm -
This place can be seen as one of the cheap vacations in the U.S. Grand Teton National Park is home to Wyoming's spectacular Teton Mountains, which rise sharply above Jackson Hole Valley with snow-capped peaks. The photo opportunities are abundant, from the dazzling Jenny and Jackson lakes to the 13,770-foot Grand Teton, which reflects the mountains in its depths. But only mountaineers and photographers should visit the park. In the height of summer, the region's trails beckon hikers of all levels and provide treasures like undiscovered waterfalls and spectacular Tetons views. The Snake River, meanwhile, draws kayakers, rafters, and people who just like to float. History buffs who are interested in this section of the Western Frontier's past in the 19th century are drawn to historic areas like Menors Ferry and Mormon Row.
In addition to a variety of species, the almost 500 square mile park is home to black bears, grizzlies, moose, antelope, and bison. Visitors may also see the park turn golden in the autumn. Travelers can drive the few miles north to Yellowstone, which is close to Grand Teton, if they want to visit another national park on the same trip.
The Grand Teton National Park is a well-liked location for outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and mountaineering. Access to wilderness camping places is made possible by more than 1,000 drive-in campsites and more than 200 miles (320 km) of hiking paths. The park is one of the few locations to catch Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat trout and is recognized for its world-class trout fishing. Grand Teton is home to a number of tourist facilities administered by the National Park Service as well as privately owned concessions for hotels, lodges, gas stations, and marinas.
Address: Wyoming, United States
Phone: +1 307-739-3300
Founded: February 26, 1929
Opening hours: 8AM - 5PMPrice: $909 for one person per week
Rating: 4.9/5.0, 17,779 Google reviews
Website: https://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm -
The Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina are home to the city of Asheville. It is renowned for having a thriving artists community and iconic buildings like the Basilica of Saint Lawrence with its domo. The enormous Biltmore estate from the 19th century houses works by masters including Renoir. Galleries and museums abound in the Downtown Art District, and the neighboring River Arts District is home to artist studios in repurposed factory buildings.
Mountain town with charm. hipster paradise USA Beer City university town Bluegrass residence a destination for food. No matter how hard you try, Asheville defies categorization. The city is an unanticipated jewel, situated in western North Carolina off the Blue Ridge Parkway, where a thriving arts culture mingles with Southern traditions and breathtaking surroundings. It is safe to assume that Asheville has plenty to offer you regardless of your interests.
Epicureans can sample from a gourmet smorgasbord and test their taste buds at one of the city's many breweries while history buffs can get lost on the Biltmore Estate's grounds. While thrill-seekers go full-throttle hiking, biking, zip-lining, or whitewater rafting in one of the many parks and woods, culture vultures can explore the River Arts District. Asheville combines these qualities to create something that is distinctly its own, with an identity that changes constantly but manages to cling to its origins.Location: North Carolina, the U.S.
Price: $744 for one person per week
Best time to visit: March to May and September to early November
Website: www.ashevillenc.gov
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East of Visalia, California, in the southern Sierra Nevada, Sequoia National Park is a national park in the United States. On September 25, 1890, the park was created to save 404,064 acres of steep forested land. The Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are jointly managed by the National Park Service and are south of and next to Kings Canyon National Park. In 1976, Sequoia-Kings Canyon Biosphere Reserve was established by UNESCO.
Sequoia National Park, which is home to some of the largest trees in the world, is a sobering site to visit. You may feel little in compared to the beautiful trees that soar hundreds of feet above you at the park. The park, the country's second national park, located about 80 miles east of Fresno, California, in the southern Sierra Nevada mountain range. It was created in 1890 as a precaution against the logging of the enormous trees. In 1940, the adjacent Kings Canyon National Park was established, and eventually, the two parks were connected.Of course, the park's trees are its best feature. The General Sherman Tree, which has deservedly acquired the title of largest tree in the world, is maybe the most notable (it stands 275 feet tall and its base measures more than 36 feet in diameter). However, there is much more to see and do in the park than simply enjoy its plant life, including exploring caverns, hiking, and snowshoeing. The park is additionally open every day of the year, and every season has its unique attractions.
Address: California, United States
Phone: +1 559-565-3341
Established: September 25, 1890
Opening hours: open 24 hoursPrice: $727 for one person per week
Rating: 4.8/5.0, 12,181 Google reviews
Website: https://www.nps.gov/seki/index.htm -
Olympic National Park is located in the Pacific Northwest on Washington's Olympic Peninsula. The Olympic Mountains' majestic peaks and old-growth forests are only two of the park's many distinct ecosystems. Climbers love to ascend the glacier-covered Mt. Olympus, and paths for trekking and backpacking run through the park's rainforests and along its Pacific coast.
On the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, the Olympic National Park caters to all types of nature lovers, including hikers, stargazers, boaters, and photographers. Visitors can explore the almost 1 million acres' glacier-capped mountains, old-growth temperate rainforests, and more than 70 miles of untamed shoreline.
The Olympic Forest Reserve was established by President Grover Cleveland in 1897 in response to growing worries about the region's disappearing forests. As a result of a diminishing Roosevelt Elk population, President Theodore Roosevelt implemented additional safeguards in 1909 by designating a portion of the reserve as the Mount Olympus National Monument. It wasn't given the official designation of national park until 1938, largely because of President Franklin Roosevelt. The Olympic National Park is now both an International Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site.
Address: 3002 Mt Angeles Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98362, United States
Phone: +1 360-565-3130
Established: June 29, 1938
Opening hours: open 24 hours
Price: $696 for one person per week
Rating: 4.8/5.0, 8,909 Google reviews
Website: https://www.nps.gov/olym/index.htm
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The city of Destin is located in the Panhandle region of northwest Florida. This city can provide one of the best cheap vacations in the U.S. It is renowned for its numerous golf courses, beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, and Destin Harbor Boardwalk. In Henderson Beach State Park in the south, where the coastline is lined with pine and oak trees sheltering wildlife, nature trails wind across the dunes. The tall slides, waterfalls, and pools of Big Kahuna's water park are to the west.
Destin, often known as the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village," has developed into one of the most well-liked tourist destinations on the Florida Panhandle. Prior to a bridge connecting the narrow peninsula with Florida's mainland, Destin, which was founded in the 1850s, was a peaceful fishing village. This community maintains a small-town feel despite its baseline population of 13,000 (which rises to 25,000+ during the summer).
Every year, families from the Midwest and the South travel to Destin's beaches to enjoy the region's famed bright white shoreline, which are constructed entirely of Appalachian quartz. In addition to keeping cool in the summer heat, this special sand gives the water an emerald hue by reflecting sunlight. Golfers navigate bunkers along the coast as children play around at water parks. More daring tourists can go snorkeling and scuba diving near the coast or rent a boat to go deep sea fishing. After all, casting a line is an essential component of this paradise on the peninsula.Location: the United States
Price: two people for one week costs on average $2,147
Best time to visit: April and May
Website: www.cityofdestin.com
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Florida's northeastern shore is home to the city of St. Augustine. It claims to be the oldest city in the United States and is well-known for both its Spanish colonial architecture and its calm Crescent Beach and sandy St. Augustine Beach on the Atlantic Ocean. An established wildlife sanctuary is Anastasia State Park. With views of the St. Augustine Inlet, the Castillo de San Marcos is a Spanish stone stronghold from the seventeenth century.
In St. Augustine, everywhere you go, there's a good chance you'll encounter American history. The oldest continuously inhabited European community in the United States is this village in northeastern Florida, which was founded by the Spaniards in 1565. Many of the Romanesque Revival-style buildings in St. Augustine were created by railroad and oil tycoon Henry Flagler, who was instrumental in the development of the city and the rest of Florida's east coast. These structures can be found alongside the colonial architecture and narrow cobblestone streets. With so much history, it should not be surprising that St. Augustine also has a propensity for the supernatural: several of the town's biggest attractions, which are thought to be haunted by Spanish settlers and indigenous residents, advertise midnight ghost tours.
The plethora of Spanish-era landmarks is the Ancient City's main lure, but it also has a variety of shops, restaurants, live music venues, and art galleries. Visitors with kids should visit the St. Augustine Wild Reserve and the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum. Shopaholics can't resist the opportunity to browse the boutiques on St. George Street, while art fans will enjoy the unique collection of art at the Lightner Museum. And when you're prepared to unwind, get your belongings and head to the beach. St. Augustine provides easy access to the Atlantic Ocean and year-round sunshine, like many coastal Florida towns do.
Location: Florida, the United States
Price: $892 for one person per week
Best time to visit: March to May
Website: https://www.citystaug.com/
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Eastern Tennessee's mountain hamlet of Gatlinburg is renowned as the entryway to the approximately 520,000-acre Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The 407-foot Space Needle observation tower and the Sky Lift, a 2.1-mile aerial cable car that connects Downtown with the well-known amusement park and ski resort Ober Gatlinburg, are two of its main attractions that provide panoramic views of the adjacent park.
It is not surprising that visiting the park is the most well-liked activity in this eastern Tennessee town as there are three gates to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park situated right in the middle of downtown Gatlinburg. In reality, Gatlinburg's population soars from less than 4,000 residents to more than 40,000 during the busiest travel times. It's understandable why the park is so popular with the miles of hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding trails, historical exhibits, and cabins, as well as the chance to observe black bears, elk, deer, and other species in their natural setting. You'll probably spend time admiring it from a number of Gatlinburg's major attractions, such as the Gatlinburg Space Needle and the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway, when you're not in the park taking in its natural wonders.
Gatlinburg, however, serves as much than just a starting point for trips to the Smoky Mountains. Due to family-friendly attractions like Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies and the Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre, this tiny mountain hamlet has become a destination in and of itself. Avoid the tacky gift shops and instead visit one of the many local galleries, such as the Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Community, to see how local artisans make anything from paintings and pottery to handmade brooms and jewelry.
Location: eastern Tennessee, The United States
Price: $1,641 for a solo traveler, $2,947 for a couple, and $5,525 for a family of 4 for 7 days trip
Best time to visit: between September and October
Website: https://www.gatlinburgtn.gov/
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This is one of the best cheap vacations in the U.S. Colorado Springs is a city in Colorado at the eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains, situated at an elevation of 6,035 feet. It is close to Pikes Peak, a landmark in the Pike National Forest with hiking paths and a cog railway ascending to its 14,114-foot peak, which was carved out by glaciers. Famous red sandstone formations and mountain views may be found in the city's Garden of the Gods park.
It's clear what motivated Katharine Lee Bates to pen the words to Colorado Springs' well-known national anthem "America the Beautiful." The gorgeous Colorado Rockies can be seen if you turn your gaze in that direction. If you look in the opposite direction, you will see the Great Plains, which are described as "amber waves of grain." Visit this quaint village for more than just the stunning views. Institutions like the Air Force Academy and the Olympic & Paralympic Training Center are also located in Colorado Springs. And through time, a variety of personalities have emerged. Take to the streets and share the sidewalks with aspiring politicians, young families, art enthusiasts, and more. Everyone stakes a claim on this area of America the Beautiful.
The second-largest city in Colorado has built a strong reputation and has consistently made the list of Best Places to Live by U.S. News. It's also well-known for being a major center for politics and religion, but in recent years Colorado Springs has toned down its religious rhetoric and even adopted a little of the relaxed atmosphere that tourists typically associate with Boulder or Telluride in Colorado (to experience this side of the Colorado Springs area, head to nearby Manitou Springs). The majority of visitors, however, come for the expansive vistas offered by Pikes Peak, the towering cliffs that make up the Garden of the Gods, and the blushing rocks of Red Rock Canyon, not to partake in the political and social dialogue.Location: the United States
Price: $865 for one person per week
Best time to visit: March to May and September to October
Website: https://coloradosprings.gov/
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A significant city in south-central Texas with a strong colonial history is San Antonio. The Alamo, a Spanish mission from the 18th century that has been conserved as a museum, commemorates a memorable battle for Texas independence from Mexico in 1836. The miles-long River Walk, which follows the San Antonio River, is a famous pedestrian promenade lined with cafes and stores. The 750-foot Tower of the Americas at HemisFair Park offers city views.
Even though Davy Crockett lost his life at the Alamo, San Antonio still holds onto the Texan pride that the "King of the Wild Frontier" and his fellow citizens displayed in 1836. The history of this contemporary city is notably evident in the downtown area. Along with the Alamo, there are a number of other well-known missions that are now all a part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. The austere San Fernando Cathedral still survives as a reminder of the city's former religious significance among the gleaming skyscrapers.
But don't let that deceive you; this city may charm you without having a thirst for the past. Theme parks, renowned museums, major sports teams, and the city's River Walk will all be favorites with families. In addition, San Antonio is a developing culinary hotspot with a variety of restaurants serving its distinctive Tex-Mex cuisine as well as new barbecue joints and unique luxury diners. You might be too busy to "Remember the Alamo" with the variety of things you can do during the day. If you don't have much time, think about joining one of the top San Antonio tours to experience the city's history, culture, and cuisine.Location: the United States
Price: $740 for one person per week
Best time to visit: between November and April
Website: https://www.sanantonio.gov/ -
Pennsylvania, where Gettysburg is located, is a state in the United States. It is famous for the Gettysburg National Battlefield, which is now a component of the Gettysburg National Military Park and was the scene of a crucial moment in the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln's 1863 Gettysburg Address is commemorated by a memorial at Gettysburg National Cemetery, which is also part of the park. The museum and visitor center at Gettysburg also houses memorabilia from the Civil War.
Gettysburg provides everything you need for a fun-filled family trip or a romantic weekend getaway with your significant other. This quaint tiny town in southern Pennsylvania is teeming with mom-and-pop stores, inviting inns, and eateries serving American cuisine prepared using local ingredients. However, it's likely that you are traveling to this East Coast location to view its wealth of historic sights. Gettysburg, known for its connections to the Civil War, is the location of numerous historically significant locations, including Gettysburg National Military Park, the site of the bloodiest battle of the war. Consider taking a Gettysburg guided tour if you want to thoroughly understand the history of the park.
Even while you could easily spend the most of your day visiting the park, be sure to leave some time for additional Civil War sites like the Jennie Wade House and the Shriver House Museum. Additionally, you can explore the Eisenhower National Historic Site or stop for a picture at Sachs Covered Bridge to escape from Gettysburg's gloomy past. No of how you choose to spend your holiday, you'll undoubtedly feel more at ease and knowledgeable when you depart the city.
Location: the United States
Price: $1,913 for a solo traveler, $3,436 for a couple, and $6,441 for a family of 4 for 7 days trip
Best time to visit: September or October, or between March-May
Website: https://www.gettysburgpa.gov/
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The main city in Oregon, Portland, is situated between the Columbia and Willamette rivers, beneath the snow-capped Mount Hood. It's well renowned for its parks, bridges, and bike lanes as well as for being environmentally friendly, and for having microbreweries and coffee shops. From the traditional Japanese Garden to the Oregon Zoo and its railroad, iconic Washington Park is home to a variety of attractions. The city is home to flourishing theater, music, and art communities.
Portland has established itself as a must-visit location in the Pacific Northwest because to its meticulously maintained open areas and fabulously diverse cuisine scene. Whether it's the book shelves at Powell's City of Books or one of the more than 100 small breweries in the Portland metro region, the city is bursting with cultural activities. With some of the most pedestrian-friendly streets in the nation and many of them lined with food carts, the city known by many nicknames (Stumptown, the City of Roses, Bridge City, P-town, PDX) has emerged as an urbanite's dream. Portland has some of the best, most diverse, and reasonably priced street food anywhere.
With miles of hiking and bike trails in Forest Park, access to water sports on the Willamette and Columbia Rivers that cut through and border the city, not to mention the active Mount Hood, it's also packed with adrenaline. The most popular attractions, though, are unassuming and intangible: a cup of coffee from a nearby roastery, a discussion in the late afternoon at a brewery, or a stroll around free art galleries on the first Thursday of each month. One of the West Coast's most prosperous cities, Portland is hip, alternative, and unrelentingly progressive.
Location: the United States
Price: $997 for one person per weekBest time to visit: June to August
Website: https://www.portland.gov/