Cheap Beach Vacations: Newport
The city of Newport in Oregon has lots to offer at a reasonable price. The rugged seacoast provides the perfect place for exploring tide pools, hunting for fossils, or spotting a grey whale. Guests can drop by the citys two lighthouses, one of which is the largest in the state. The Oregon Coast Aquarium houses all sorts of sea creatures, from sharks to sea otters. The museums Secrets of Shipwrecks exhibit dives into the mysteries of the deep with lots of activities for children. The nearby Hatfield Marine Science Center continues the educational afternoon, letting visitors examine local marine life in touch tanks or gaze at a giant Pacific octopus.
Faq: Budget Winter Vacation Tips
Where is the warmest place in the US in winter?
1. Miami, Florida
5. Fly mid-week.
Is a road trip cheaper than flying?
Generally speaking, if youre traveling a short distance, then driving will be less expensive. If you are traveling across the country, flying will be cheaper. Compare the miles driven and the price of gas to the cost of flights and renting a car.
Plan Your Winter Trip
Flights:Scotts Cheap Flights is the first place we check when searching for cheap flights. If you sign up for their email alerts, youll receive flight deals at up to 90% off. I have traveled all over the world using their flight deals.
Accommodation:Booking.com offers savings on hotels, apartments, and villas in 80,000 destinations worldwide. You can browse hotel reviews and find the guaranteed best price on hotels for all budgets.
Travel Insurance: We never travel without a travel insurance policy because its not worth the risk! We use and trust Visitors Coverage, which weve used for the past 8 years.
About Christy Woodrow
Christy Woodrow is a travel photographer and professional blogger based in South Lake Tahoe, California. She started this adventure travel blog in 2010 to provide trip ideas and helpful travel tips for people with limited vacation time. Follow her adventures by signing up for weekly emails or read more about her on our about page.
Ocean City Maryland : $100/day
If you are looking for a charming East Coast beach destination full of adventure, Ocean City deserves a spot on your list. Although most people decide to visit during the summer months, when the Atlantic is warm enough to swim in, this charming city is worth a visit any time of year.
Ocean Citys three-mile boardwalk is sprinkled with sweet cafés, old-school snack stalls, and so much more. With ten miles of beachfront, youre sure to find just the right spot to hang out at, take in the salty breeze, and watch surfers catch a wave. The best part is that Ocean City is totally accessible on a budget with a little bit of planning. Head to Assateague Island to see wild horses for just $10, or simply take in all the sights and smells along the boardwalk.
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Glacier National Park Montana: $30/day
If you are looking for a remote camping trip where you can truly disconnect and be in nature, head to Glacier National Park in Montana. This spectacular place is one of the best places to go backpacking, whether youre with someone else or camping solo. Its a fantastic choice for budget travelers, because camping in the park is affordable and accessible, with 13 campgrounds available.
There are many incredible hikes in Glacier National Park. From daring climbs to spectacular viewpoints or simple loops, theres a great variety to keep you moving through the park. Find out what else you can do in Glacier National Park here.
- Accommodation: Campsites throughout Glacier National Park cost $10-20 a night and are either first-come-first-served or .
- Meals: Budget around $10-20/day for meals, whether you bring your own groceries and gear or stop at nearby restaurants for a bite.
- Local transportation: If youre backpacking through the park or relying on the Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle service, your transportation cost is $0.
- Cheapest time to visit: The best time to camp in Glacier National Park is summer, which is high season. Its just as cheap to visit in the summer if you plan ahead of time, which means making reservations for your campsites as soon as possible.
Beach Vacations: Pismo Beach
From white sandy shorelines to first-class wineries, Pismo Beach has lots to offer vacationers. This classic beach town in Californias central coast sits right along the Pacific Highway, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Pismo Beach has no shortage of outdoor activities as visitors have their pick of golfing, horseback riding, surfing, body boarding, and fishing. Suntanned shoppers can grab great deals at Pismo Beach Premium Outlets. Meanwhile, the award-winning boardwalk gives guests a chance to soak in the sun while satisfying their stomachs at the many restaurants and food stands.
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Bonus Cheap Family Vacation In Los Angeles Ca
Here is Los Angeles, California’s travel regulations for tourism.
When you think of Los Angeles affordability is not one of the first things to come to mind. There are several inexpensive and free family activities in and around Los Angeles. You can entertain your little ones for hours at these family-friendly attractions.
What are your favorite budget-friendly family vacation spots?
Fort Bragg California : $219/day
If youre thinking of heading to California, dont miss out on hanging out for a while in Fort Bragg. This charming seaside town is famous for its sea glass-covered beach, appropriately named Glass Beach. Its also a cheaper alternative to other, more pricey destinations nearby, like Mendocino.
Fort Bragg is the perfect launching point not only for the quaint beaches but also some stellar hiking areas. Jug Handle State Natural Reserve is free to visit and has tide pools, bluffs, and a magical pygmy forest . Mackerricher State Park is also free, and has overnight camping options. There youll find seals hanging out on the rocks and miles of virtually untouched shoreline to explore.
Find out what else there is to do in Fort Bragg here!
- Meals: $30-40/day, as entreés at restaurants are around $15-20. Stay somewhere with breakfast included, or do a light grocery run for breakfast foods to save money.
- Accommodation: $45-143/night, with camping at MacKerricher State Park starting at $45/night. There is also this tiny-house Airbnb for around $60/night Beach House Inn has rooms starting at $143/night.
- Transportation: $90/day, because youll likely have to rent a car to get to and around Fort Bragg.
- Cheapest time to visit: Peak tourism in Fort Bragg is from June to August, so opt to visit from September to November to save money.
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Cheap Things To Do In Albuquerque:
- Exploring the amazing museums can be the best free thing to do in Albuquerque. The Harvey House Museum is popular to learn about the history of the old railroad. Whereas The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology will help you to know how the desert landscape has changed the way people do things in the area.
- Visit the historic Old Town of Albuquerque, founded in 1706. It is a perfect place to know this affordable city in the USA more closely. You will find lots of shops, restaurants and museums lined up here.
- Open Space is another popular place for adventure enthusiasts where you can do biking or hiking and enjoy Albuquerques fantastic trails.
- Travelers can visit the Petroglyph National Monument which offers a great view of some of the most beautiful scenery in all of New Mexico.
Open Space of Albuquerque
- Airbnb in Albuquerque
- Meals at an inexpensive restaurant per day: $15-20
- Local transport: $30
Cheapest Places To Travel In Us
Looking for a fun and affordable getaway? I’ll show you below some of the cheapest places to travel in the USA, whether you are traveling for tourism or work exchange.
Doing a work exchange with Worldpackers will further cut down your living costs, and youll get to live among locals and other travelers, since you’d be trading a skill for accommodation in a local business, organization, or family.
Throughout the text, Ill include Worldpackers positions that anyone can apply for. Enjoy it!
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Glacier National Park Montana
Another one of the best vacations to go on in the USA is Glacier National Park. Located in the Rocky Mountains of northern Montana, this massive expanse of wilderness is heaven to travelers seeking some real quality time with nature.
The rangers here often lead free activities such as hiking and stargazing, and there is plenty of exploring you can do on your own. The entry fee is $25 per vehicle, which isnt too expensive for an incredible national park in the USA.
San Juan Puerto Rico: $77/day
If visiting a tropical island has a high spot on your bucket list, San Juan might be the place for you. Not only is it stunningly beautiful, its also one of the cheapest beach destinations in the US. If you avoid the big seaside resorts and hotels, you can find affordable accommodation here, and thats just the beginning of all the ways you can save money.
To cut costs on food, stick to the chinchorros , which youll find on busy streets and in the markets. Meals here only cost $4-8! Most of the beaches in and around San Juan are free to visit, but you can also venture to other places inexpensively, like the El Yunque National Forest you can book an excursion to El Yunque for as little as $55, which includes transportation to and from the city.
- Meals: $20-30/day, if staying somewhere with free breakfast and going out for lunch and dinner.
- Accommodation: $18-30/night, with the most affordable hostels offering dorm beds for around $18/night and some Airbnbs as low as $30/night for a studio.
- Transportation: $15-40/day, if you use public transportation to get around or go to other cities. Renting a car in Puerto Rico may be as low as $40/day.
- Cheapest time to visit: Peak season in San Juan is wintertime, so consider visiting between April and June, after the crowds have subsided and before the summer heat wave has kicked in. This is also the time when hotels are the least expensive and you can find more affordable flights.
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San Juan Puerto Rico : $77/day
Puerto Rico is a paradise that wont break the bank. Its a breeze finding ways to save money in the capital city of San Juan, including avoiding big seaside hotels.
Locals in Puerto Rico are extremely hospitable and generous. You wont have to pay big bucks for a filling lunch, and chances are youll even have leftovers. For an affordable meal, check out one of the many chinchorros in San Juan. You can find these on busy streets and markets meals there typically cost $4-8.
If you want to check out other places on the island, like El Yunque National Forest, or tiny islands like Isla Culebra, you can easily catch a bus or ferry for cheap from San Juan. You can book an excursion to El Yunque for as little as $55, which includes transportation to and from the city.
- Meals: $20-30/day, if staying somewhere with free breakfast and going out for lunch and dinner.
- Accommodation: $18-30/night, with the cheapest hostels offering dorm beds for around $18 per night and some Airbnbs as low as $30/night for a studio.
- Transportation: $15-40/day, if you use public transportation to get around San Juan or go to other cities. Renting a car in Puerto Rico may be as cheap as $40/day.
- Cheapest time to visit: Peak season in San Juan is wintertime, so consider visiting between April and June, after the crowds have subsided and the summer heat wave hasnt totally kicked in yet. This is also the time when hotels are the cheapest and you can find more affordable flights.
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Santa Maria Valley California
Located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Santa Maria Valley is an ideal home base for exploring Californias Central Coast. Nature-loving families will love exploring the great outdoors on the 13 beaches and 24 hikes within a 30-minute drive.
Families can also ride dune buggies, take bike rides, and explore the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes, before sipping a glass of local wine at one of the 34 nearby tasting rooms.
Plus, from October through February, thousands of Monarch butterflies flock to the nearby eucalyptus groves! In the slower winter season, families can find hotel rooms for just over $100 per night, making Santa Maria Valley a great budget destination.
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Salt Lake City Utah $100
Salt Lake City is a hub for nature lovers and makes a great launching point for some of Utahs best national and state parks. Theres plenty to do in Utah, with some of the states best attractions right in the heart of Salt Lake City itself. With its wide range of accommodations, youre sure to find something that fits your budget and liking. This is one of many destinations on this list that is practically made for budget travelers.
Heres a price breakdown of how much it costs to visit Salt Lake City:
- Accommodation: Airbnbs start around $50/night options like this adorable historic home are around $70/night. A great budget glamping option is this airstream on Glamping Hub for just $44/night.
- Meals: Travelers report spending around $40/day on meals in Salt Lake City.
- Local transportation: If you plan to use public transportation in Salt Lake City exclusively, you could spend as little as $5/day. If not, expect to spend around $35/day if youll rely on taxis or rideshares.
- Miscellaneous expenses: If you are visiting Salt Lake City mostly to check out the national and state parks nearby, you should plan on spending around $20 for a seven-day individual pass, per park.
Top 20 Cheap Travel Destinations In The Us For 2021
Looking for Cheap Travel Destinations in the US? Whether you’re looking for a quick road trip close to home or are visiting from abroad there are plenty of inexpensive places to visit right here in the United States America.
While it is easy to blow your budget in places like New York City, Miami, and San Francisco you will be delighted to find out that there are plenty of places to visit that are just as fun and a lot kinder to your wallet.
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Travel Around Albuquerque New Mexico
Also one of the cheapest places to live in the USA, Albuquerque is a fun place to explore while traveling on a budget.
The city is known for its multitude of interesting museums, many of which are free. The National Hispanic Cultural Center hosts lots of free events and there are often free festivals in the summer.
The historic Old Town of Albuquerque is a must-see as well. Here you can find lots of cheap food with Mexican influences, and you can admire the rustic old buildings.
Another free highlight of the city is the Petroglyph National Monument. This open-air museum has thousands of ancient art on display. For those who love natural history, Latin American culture, and food, and traveling on a budget, Albuquerque is pretty much the perfect destination.
Cheap Beach Vacations: Wells
The fishing town of Wells, Maine, is made up of harbors, beaches, and nature reserves. From modest fishing boats to luxurious yachts, boat owners can dock at Wells Harbor. The coastline provides almost 4 miles of beaches. The longest stretch, Wells Beach, is almost a mile long, and here guests can enjoy the view from the sandy dunes and grassy knolls. In the summertime, music concerts in the gazebos are common and always free. The town is also home to an annual chili festival, where chili makers can compete in the World Chili Championship Cook-Offs.
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The 12 Cheapest Places To Travel In The Usa Right Now
If you’re looking to travel through North America on a budget, here are some of the cheapest places to travel in the USA and get the best of this thrilling country!
The USA is not known for being a cheap country. Compared to places in Central America, Eastern Europe, or Southeast Asia, the USA is pricey for locals and for tourists.
However, there are still ways to enjoy the USA on a budget! This list includes some cheap places to travel and see the best of its culture, history and entertainment.
You might also want to read: Cheapest places to fly from USA in 2022 and The cheapest and safest places to live in the USA.
Cheap Things To Do In Daytona:
- Take a free guided tour around Angell & Phelps Chocolate factory.
- If you visit Daytona beach in summer, dont miss the free bandshell concert. From jazz to Latin music you can enjoy any type of musical style from May to September each Friday and Saturday evening.
- Honeymooners can go for a long stroll along the miles of sandy beach or lookout for sea turtles.
- Photography enthusiasts must visit the Southeast Museum of Photography which is Floridas official museum of photography.
Daytona Beach, Florida
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South Padre Island Texas : $123/day
This sunny island is one of the countrys best hidden gems because of its delightful sandy shores and chill atmosphere. The waves here are a favorite among beginner surfers, because there are plenty of calmer areas to learn on your own or with an instructor. You can rent a board for the whole day for just $30 from South Padre Surf Co., which is a pretty good deal.
South Padre Island is warm year-round, meaning you can get a taste of the tropics any time of year without leaving the US. Its a popular spring-break destination for college students, so I recommend avoiding visiting during this rowdy time.
Besides surfing, there are plenty of cheap and free things to do, like exploring Laguna Madre Nature Trail or Boca Chica State Park. You can also simply hang out on the beach, jumping into a volleyball match or relaxing on a chair and enjoying the scenery.