10 Best Cheap Places to Travel in the US

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. 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 programme or guided walk.

Charming Gatlinburg is an eastern Tennessee town nestled in the Smoky Mountains. Skip the resorts at this popular holiday spot and pitch a tent in the half-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 opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, and birdwatching.

As you explore city centre, pick up one of the coupon books that offer 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 shops.

With a little planning, a Chicago getaway can be perfectly affordable. The city’s public transport is faster and cheaper than driving and lodging outside the city centre brings costs way down. Sign up in advance for a free walking tour with the Chicago Greeter programme and see the city’s highlights and hidden gems through the eyes of a local.

Skip the Millennium Mile in favour 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.

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 a few excellent museums with reasonable admission prices or designated free admission days, including the New Mexico Museum of Art and the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture. Once you’ve had your fill of the arts, venture just outside the city to hike in the rugged Sangre de Cristo mountains.

With plenty of cheap hotels and low-cost entertainment options, Oklahoma City makes for a great budget holiday. 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 area is also home to some of the best public art in the country, from abstract sculpture to intricate murals. The Myrica Botanical Gardens offer a lush respite from the city and a beautiful tropical greenhouse filled with orchids and palms.

Charming Greenville is a sunny small 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 flavours and more than 70 pieces of public sculpture. Located in the middle of city centre, Falls Park on the Reedy offers river and waterfall views from an unusual, curved suspension bridge.

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 from a distinct perspective with a walking tour through the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum, which gives insight into the unique natural characteristics of each area and the city’s history. The High Museum of Art, free on the second Sunday of the month, has a vast collection including African sculpture and ceramics as well as works by contemporary superstars like Yayoi Kusama.

Cannon Beach is a tiny coastal town about 90 minutes from Portland. Its claim to fame is Haystack Rock, an enormous basalt sea stack jutting out of the ocean. In low tide, you can walk right up to it and tiptoe around the tidepools that teem with crabs and other marine inhabitants. The town itself is small but mighty, with several family-owned shops 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.

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 artefacts and ride to the top of a towering monument that offers great city views.

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 coastline on the Gulf of Mexico. 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 coastline, with Scenic Highway 98 offering expansive views.

Skip the city centre hotels in favour 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 snorkelling in the warm gulf waters.