Have you considered these low-cost vacation alternatives?
Vacationing is all about escaping boring routines and immersing yourself in a new experience. And even though there are several factors to consider when picking a spot, including attractions, weather, and food, there’s one thing we all fear when it comes to our itinerary: THE BUDGET!
Now, we get that money’s tight all around, but many destinations across our beautiful country offer fantastic opportunities that won’t break the bank. So, it’s time to tick off that ever-growing bucket list.
Behind some of the most well-traveled hotspots are smaller, lesser-known attractions USA Wanderers thinks you’ll love. That’s not to say you shouldn’t visit these popular locales; they’re some of our favorites, too.
But we’ve also found some intriguing low-cost vacation alternatives to try on for size. So what are we waiting for? Check out the 7 best vacation spots in the US when planning a budget-friendly getaway.
If you dream of a warm-weather vacation with moderate temps, visit San Diego, not Phoenix
If you live somewhere cold and want a break from the winter chill but don’t want scorching heat either, consider planning a trip to San Diego, where the temperatures… and the prices are more favorable than Phoenix.
We recommend springing for a getaway in January at The Dana on Mission Bay. And if you want a little more pampering, consider slipping away to Hotel Palomar San Diego, which also has better rates in January.
Apart from affordable room rates, this low-cost vacation alternative offers many free historical attractions and museums.
Breaks from surfing and sunbathing at La Jolla or Mission Beach can include trips to Balboa Park, wandering through the cool art galleries and shops dotting the Gaslamp Quarter.
And you’ll also have a great time venturing to the La Jolla section of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego while on this low-cost vacation alternative, which offers free entry from 5-7 pm on the third Thursday of every month.
Also, with the added threat of the weather deterring visitors from flocking to SoCal , top resorts across California slash prices by up to 50%, making it easy to pull off an affordable extended trip to top destinations like Los Angeles and Palm Springs.
If you like rolling the dice, visit Reno, not Vegas
You might not find all the glitz, glamour, or even the flashing neon lights of Sin City here. But if you’re based on the West Coast, you’ll find a more affordable and easily accessible option in this low-cost vacation alternative.
The city has an abundance of cost-effective lodging choices, with four-star hotels starting at $64 a night in winter.
But beyond budget-friendly accommodations and many ways of testing Lady Luck at places like Eldorado and Harrah’s, Reno offers many free attractions for outdoorsy types and art lovers.
You should also consider taking a stroll along the Truckee River Walk to stop by art galleries and admire public art murals and installations.
And if you’re yearning for more activities on this low-cost vacation alternative, venture out to the glistening slopes in nearby Lake Tahoe, which sits about 40 miles away from the city along the Nevada-California border.
If you dream of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, visit Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, rather than Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Well-known to many as the home of land speed racing, the Bonneville Salt Flats are a fascinating natural wonder, not to mention a fantastic place to capture a unique profile picture!
This low-cost vacation alternative is a massive 30,000-acre vast open space on the rim of Utah’s Great Salt Lake basin and is primarily made up of the same salt you put on your meals at dinner time.
And while we’ll admit that Bonneville is dwarfed by the enormous Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia in size, it’s equal in beauty. As an added bonus? You can time your trip to coincide with the racing and head to the Bonneville Speedway on your getaway.
For winter activities, visit Whistler instead of Aspen
If you love skiing but are trying to stretch your dollars a bit further, Whistler in British Columbia is a perfect choice. This low-cost vacation alternative has a range of great budget-friendly hotels at the three-star-and-up level.
For instance, a four-star Hilton property starts at $250 a night, and the Fairmont Chateau Whistler is less than $300 a night in January. Meanwhile, in Aspen, luxury hotels begin at $300 a night for the same period.
Another benefit of visiting Canada is the advantageous exchange rate against the Canadian dollar.
Due to the strength of the US dollar, ski bunnies can find bargains in mountain beauties like Mt. Tremblant, Whistler Blackcomb, and Banff as low-cost vacation alternatives to US hot spots like Park City and Aspen.
And while we’ll admit that Whistler gets an inpouring of visitors during the peak holiday travel season in December, you’ll see a dip in room rates on weekends in January and February.
Also, you’ll find affordable flights to Vancouver International Airport, Whistler’s launching pad, about 80 miles away from this mountain town.
If you dream of laid-back Caribbean vibes without hefty price tags, visit Bermuda, not the Bahamas
It may not seem as far-flung as famous Caribbean isles like Jamaica, the Bahamas, or the US Virgin Islands. But this low-cost vacation alternative raises the convenience factor, due to its practical location, merely 1,000 miles away from Puerto Rico.
And even though Bermuda lacks the warm, balmy weather of the Caribbean all year round, with daytime temps hovering in the 60s and 70s, the tropical flare and pink-sand beaches.
Combined with aggressive deals even over the holidays, it can make Bermuda an appealing low-cost vacation alternative.
And another thing you should keep in mind is that budget-friendly carriers like JetBlue offer inexpensive nonstop flights to Bermuda from significant airports along the East Coast, including Boston’s Logan International Airport and JFK International Airport, making getting there a breeze.
As a matter of fact, you can even snap up bargain rates at high-end hotels in the area. We highly recommend checking out Rosewood Tucker’s Point, a high-end oceanfront property overlooking private coral-hued sands.
Is wine country on your travel bucket list? Visit Oliver in British Columbia instead of Napa Valley
With 25 vineyards on their doorstep, the 4,000 inhabitants of Oliver in British Columbia, Canada, should be a pretty happy bunch. Situated in the only desert area of Canada, 16 miles away from the US border, Oliver is at the soul of BC’s South Okanagan wine region.
The Golden Mile, more like 12 miles, is perfectly suited for producing Chardonnay, Merlot, Gewürztraminer, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Notable vineyards in the area include Gehringer Brothers, Burrowing Owl Winery, Blasted Church, and Nk’Mip Cellars.
Fun Fact: Nk’Mip Cellars is North America’s first Aboriginal-owned and -operated winery!
Aside from the beautiful vineyards, though, this low-cost vacation alternative’s mild climate makes it ideal for outdoor activities and growing crops of cherries, apple trees, tomatoes, peaches, pumpkins, and peppers.
If you want to experience southern charm, try Memphis, Tennessee, not Charleston, South Carolina
With its historic homes, moss-laden trees, and antebellum appeal, Charleston has long been a Must-See destination for every traveler around the world. But if you visit on weekends, four-star hotels range anywhere from $250 to $500 a night.
So, if you want to stretch your dollars further, consider Memphis instead. An outside-the-box Southern getaway, this low-cost vacation alternative offers a laid-back vibe, eclectic bars, and a rich musical heritage.
While here, remember to check out the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum and the Memphis Music and Heritage Festival downtown. And don’t forget to pack your camera to snap some memorable shots!
What do you think of these low-cost vacation alternatives? Be sure to let us know in the comments. And if you liked this article, USA Wanderers highly recommends you also read: 7 Hidden Beaches Around the US to Escape the Crowds
