One of the focal points of this blog and an entire book I once published is that being a contrarian traveler is the best strategy to maximize the value of your travel dollars. When the crowd is flocking to a popular destination, choose a different route to an alternative location with fewer tourists. While it’s easy to spend a lot in certain American cities, there are countless budget-friendly vacation destinations in the US that offer plenty to explore.
You can find information about NYC, D.C., and San Francisco in numerous places, so I don’t usually cover them extensively. When discussing USA travel here or at the Perceptive Travel Blog, I prefer to highlight locations that don’t receive much media attention. Because they aren’t high-profile spots, prices in these lesser-known areas are often significantly more affordable. These are also places where overtourism isn’t a hot topic, particularly this year as Canadian and European visitors steer clear of the entire country.
Nowadays, very few destinations lack ample activities, with more choices than you’ll have time to enjoy. Over the last few decades, every U.S. state has increased its focus on tourism, recognizing it as an effective means to generate revenue and jobs without needing to attract large corporations. The same goes for towns and cities.
I’ve previously extolled the virtues of various spots across the USA that may not be at the top of your travel list but offer a wealth of experiences. This is particularly true for families, as almost every medium to large city has a variety of options for them. Unlike the heavily trafficked national parks everyone knows about and cities like Orlando that nearly every foreign traveler wants to experience, these destinations don’t usually feature long wait times and crowded parking areas. The significant draw of these locations, especially in relation to this blog, is…they’re quite affordable.
Affordable doesn’t have to equate to dull, though. Here are some suggestions on how to organize a trip to a more economical secondary destination while still creating an unforgettable US vacation.
Choose a Destination Based on Your Interests
Even if you establish a criterion such as, “Locations I can reach within four hours by car,” that will still provide a lengthy list of choices. However, if you allow your interests to guide you, it’ll be much simpler to narrow it down. Is there a band you adore that will be performing nearby? Check for event tickets for festivals, shows, and more featuring acts that excite you, and you might catch them in an unfamiliar city. If you use Spotify, you’re likely receiving alerts about concert dates for bands you frequently listen to. Look for a secondary city with reasonable lodging and shape your trip around the event.
If you’re passionate about sports, consider visiting a location where you can catch a family-friendly minor league baseball game or a college basketball match for a team that seldom competes in the Final Four. Or do you need to travel hours away for your child’s swim meet or little league contest? Instead of heading home afterwards, why not stay for a couple of nights and explore the local attractions?
It’s easy to envision how this might unfold if you enjoy theater, architecture, amusement parks, or hiking. On my Perceptive Travel site, we feature a piece from a writer in New York City who visited Morehead, Kentucky to appreciate folk art. I spent a considerable amount of time in Billings, Cody, and Flagstaff discovering the local craft beer scene.
Select a destination based on your passions and design your trip around that.
Let Local Discounts Guide You
I’ll be in Palm Springs, California shortly, which isn’t exactly inexpensive. One day we plan to venture over to Temecula wine country for tastings and a picnic. However, we won’t just arrive and pay the listed prices. We’ll be utilizing a Groupon deal to make it quite affordable.
You’ve probably perused Groupon in your respective city, but you can also search for activities in any area you’re visiting to discover great deals. Family-friendly activities, romantic outings, and thrilling adventures are plentiful on there.
Don’t overlook the best price of all: free. Nearly everywhere you go, there will be free activities and attractions if you look around a bit. The North Dakota Tourism site features 35 free things to do, Omaha Tourism lists 20, Rochester NY Tourism highlights 20, and the list continues.
Rates First, Location Second
One effective approach to narrow your options and find a US vacation destination that won’t strain your budget is to crunch the numbers. If you plan to fly to a location, use Google Flights and leave the destination field empty. Check what comes up as an excellent deal. (Just remember to consider Allegiant.)