One of the recurring topics of this blog and a complete book I published previously is that the most effective way to make your travel budget stretch is to be a contrarian traveler. When all the tourists flock to one location, take the alternative route to a less crowded area. While you might spend a fortune in certain American cities, there are hundreds of budget-friendly vacation destinations in the US that offer a lot to enjoy.
You can find information about NYC, D.C., and San Francisco in countless sources, so I don’t usually elaborate on them. When I discuss USA travel here or at the Perceptive Travel Blog, I generally concentrate on the destinations that don’t receive as much attention. Because they are not highlight destinations, prices are often considerably more affordable in these lesser-known locations. They’re also areas where overtourism isn’t a topic of discussion, especially this year as Canadians and Europeans are staying away from the entire country.
Nowadays, there are very few locations where you can’t find a plethora of activities, with more choices than you can possibly experience. Every U.S. state has intensified its tourist initiatives over the last few decades, recognizing this as a beneficial method to generate income and jobs without needing to attract numerous large corporations. The same applies to towns and cities.
I have previously expressed admiration for various locations throughout the USA that may not be high on your priority list but offer ample experiences. This is particularly true for families, as almost every city of a certain size provides a wide range of activities for them. Unlike the heavily crowded national parks that are widely known and cities like Orlando that nearly every international traveler desires to visit, these aren’t hotspots with extensive queues and packed parking lots. The significant allure of these places, as it pertains to this blog, is… they’re quite economical.
Affordable doesn’t imply dull, however. Here are some suggestions on how to plan a journey to a more budget-friendly secondary destination while still ensuring a memorable US vacation.
Select a Destination Based on Your Interests
Even if you set a guideline like, “Locations I can reach within four hours,” you’ll still have a long list of choices. However, if you allow your interests to guide you, it’ll be much simpler to narrow the options. Is there a favorite band performing nearby? Search for ticket availability for festivals, shows, and other events for artists that excite you, and perhaps you’ll see them in a place you’ve never explored before. If you use Spotify, you’re likely receiving alerts for concert dates from bands you frequently listen to. Look for an alternative city where accommodations are reasonable and plan your journey around the event.
If you love sports, consider visiting where you can attend a minor league baseball match with affordable concession pricing, or a college basketball game for a team that rarely makes it to the Final Four. Or perhaps you need to travel far for your child’s swim meet or little league game? Rather than driving home, why not stay a couple of nights and discover what’s worth seeing in the vicinity?
It’s easy to envision how this could apply if you’re passionate about theater, architecture, amusement parks, or hiking. On my Perceptive Travel site, we feature an article from a New York City writer who visited Morehead, Kentucky to explore folk art. I spent time in Billings, Cody, and Flagstaff immersing myself in the local craft beer culture.
Choose a location based on your interests and design your trip around that theme.
Allow Local Deals to Direct You
I’m heading to Palm Springs, California soon, which is certainly not a budget destination. One day, we plan to venture to Temecula wine country for tastings with a picnic. We won’t just show up and pay full price, though. We’re going to find a deal on Groupon that makes it quite affordable.
You’ve likely checked Groupon for your own area, but you can search for activities wherever you’re headed and discover excellent deals. Family activities, romantic outings, and adventure experiences are plentiful.
Don’t overlook the best price of all: free. Almost everywhere you go, there are free activities and attractions available if you do a bit of research. The less popular the destination, the more of these opportunities there are likely to be. The North Dakota Tourism site showcases 35 free activities, Omaha Tourism lists 20, Rochester NY Tourism provides 20, and it continues on.
Rates First, Location Second
One method to narrow your list and identify a US vacation destination that won’t strain your finances is to crunch the numbers. If you’re flying somewhere, utilize Google Flights and leave the destination blank. Observe what fantastic deals arise. (Just remember to check Allegiant