25 Affordable US Travel Destinations

Traveling is a costly thing but there are plenty of ways to save and still enjoy your time away. We've put together a list of affordable destinations, some of which you may be familiar with and others you'll want to quickly add to your bucket list. The one thing they all have in common? Budget-friendly prices and activities for every type of traveler.

Save big bucks on a Wisconsin vacation when you visit Fox Cities. You'll easily find a hotel for less than $100/night, and some that only cost $60/night. Affordable activities are endless like hiking in High Cliff State Park and seasonal experiences at Bubolz Nature Preserve, like tapping trees for maple syrup or renting snowshoes for a short hike. The History Museum at the Castle is a blast for the kids, while couples may want to splurge on one experience: dinner in the clear igloo-like River Domes at Fratello's Waterfront Restaurant.

Carlsbad has seven miles of uncrowded beaches and peaceful lagoons for a budget-friendly and socially-distanced vacation. Nestled between Los Angeles and San Diego, you'll discover hotels that price between $70-$100 and outdoor dining experiences at places like the Windmill Food Hall. Save money and enjoy sunny weather at Agua Hedionda Lagoon, Lake Calavera, and Hosp Grove Park.

You won't regret a visit to the capital of Oklahoma. Explore Bricktown, an entertainment district with a river walk and outdoor dining experiences. The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum is a must, as is the Myriad Botanical Gardens. If you're in town the first Friday of the month, don't miss the Paseo Arts District's art walk.

Add Charlottesville to your budget-friendly travel itinerary. Not only is the city the gateway to the Shenandoah National Park (camping and hiking, anyone?), but its surrounded by a great selection of vineyards. In the city, you'll want to visit the new Dairy Market to try a delicious culinary treat. Window shop along the Downtown Mall which is full of boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants with outdoor seating.

North Carolina is full of wonderful places to visit, but we want to turn your attention to Greensboro. Have fun in nature at Bog Garden and the Greensboro Arboretum, before diving into treasures of the past at the Antique Market Place. Learn about the Civil Rights Movement at the interactive International Civil Rights Center and Museum.

Chattanooga sits along the Tennessee River and it's quickly becoming a destination to rival Memphis and Nashville. Start your trip in Downtown Chattanooga exploring murals, restaurants, and boutiques. Then head to M.L. King District to visit the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, grab a beer at OddStory Brewery, and see the largest mural in the southeastern U.S. Most of your time, however, should be spent exploring the city's surrounding nature sites like Rock City Gardens and Ruby Falls.

History and the great outdoors are two things you'll find in Rapid City, South Dakota. You'll need a car to visit Mt. Rushmore, which is just a 30-minute drive away. Custer State Park and Badlands National Park are nearby too and well worth day trips. As for Rapid City itself, add the Museum of Geology, the Journey Museum and Learning Center, and Art Alley to your itinerary.

If you're looking for a charming vacation, you won't be disappointed by New Hope, Pennsylvania. This small town on the Delaware River is full of cute B&Bs and inns and great shops and boutiques along Main Street. Take a ride on the New Hope Railroad or walk along the Delaware Canal State Park. If you're looking for some fun thrills, sign up for the Ghost Tours of New Hope.

This West Texas city is one of the most affordable places to visit in Texas. Downtown San Angelo is full of shops and restaurants, as well as Paintbrush Alley and the Pop Art Museum where visitors take photos with stunning murals. For more art experiences, make your way to the Chicken Art Farm Center and the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts. Outdoor sculptures and murals are found along the Concho River Walk, as are fishing enthusiasts who fish directly from the river that runs through the city.

Skip the pricey metro of Chicago and visit Springfield instead, the state capital of Illinois. Learn more about Abraham Lincoln's life at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, the Lincoln Home, and his tomb. You'll want to stop at one of the spots on the Legends of Route 66 like the Route 66 Twin Drive-In. No matter if you love beer or wine, Springfield has you covered with plenty of breweries and wineries to explore.

If a desert getaway is calling your name, book a trip to Tucson, Arizona. You'll be able to find a good hotel that costs $100 per night, as well as plenty of cheap eats at taquerias and diners. A trip to Tucson wouldn't be complete without visiting Saguaro National Park, San Xavier del Bac Mission, and the Sabino Canyon Recreation Center.

Known as the Sunset Capital of Alabama, Dauphin Island is a gem that's largely unknown by most travelers. It costs nothing to spend your days at the beach, in the ocean, or at the Audubon Bird Sanctuary. And it doesn't cost much to visit the Public Aquarium. As for hotels and restaurants? You can expect great prices too, making this a phenomenal beach getaway on the cheap.

Granby, Colorado, should be your next camping destination. Hook up your RV at the River Run RV Resort, before setting off for unique experiences like soaking in the Hot Sulphur Springs and hiking in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Skiing isn't a particularly cheap activity, but it's available at the nearby Winter Park Ski Resort.

With a location on a bay, Traverse is a good destination for those who love shoreline activities. You could spend the day at the beach, explore the dunes at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, or mountain bike in Glacial Hills. Don't overlook wine tasting opportunities and lighthouse visits, of which the Michigan shoreline is littered with.

Omaha may be the largest city in Nebraska, but it's not too expensive to visit. The Henry Doorly Zoo is a popular attraction, as is the Zipline Omaha, and the Mt. Crescent Ski Area. Have unique experiences picking berries at Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch or tasting wines at Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard. Between public art and the Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha serves up some lovely cultural experiences.

Bowling Green, Kentucky, is a laidback destination that's perfect for a short getaway. A boat tour of the Lost River Cave will leave you in awe of the natural wonder. Spend time browsing the shops, bakeries, and boutiques in the downtown area of Bowling Green before taking a short drive to Jackson's Orchard to buy some apple and peach goodies. Don't miss a visit to the city's centerpiece: Fountain Square Park.

Outdoor enthusiasts will be glad they visited Kanab, Utah. From here, travelers have easy access to Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Cotton Wood Canyon, and Buckskin Gulch. If you get tired of hiking, go on a kayak adventure at Lake Powell. Day trips to Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon are possible. Book a stay at a hotel or Dark Sky RV Park & Campground, most of which are less than $80/night.

California isn't a particularly cheap place to visit, but there are some more affordable cities to explore, like Ventura. It doesn't cost a dime to spend your days at the beach, walking along Ventura Pier, or window shopping on the Main Street of downtown. Budget your money toward a hotel and restaurants, and treat yourself to a trip to Channel Islands National Park.

If you're craving Louisiana cuisine but can't afford the cost of New Orleans, look no further than Shreveport. This city in northwest Louisiana won't disappoint with casinos, a Sci-Port Discovery Center, and outdoor fun at Caddo Lake or Cypress Black Bayou. Shreveport also has a great selection of art galleries and outdoor murals to explore.

Fishing enthusiasts love Punta Gorda, Florida, but you don't have to love fishing to visit. Don't miss attractions like the Muscle Car City Museum and Alligator Creek Preserve. Walk along the Charlotte Harbor Harborwalk and explore the restaurants and shops at Fisherman's Village. If you love architecture, you'll enjoy a stroll through the historic neighborhoods of Punta Gorda, home to Queen Anne style wood frame homes dating from the mid 1880s to late 1910s.

Kansas City has the trifecta of a great vacation -- good food, music, and fun. You can't visit the city without checking out the American Jazz Museum and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. A day or two sampling barbecue joints is a quintessential Kansas City experience. Even though it's a big city, you can save money by taking the free KC streetcar or visiting free attractions like The Crossroads Arts District's first Friday event, the Ernie Miller Park and Nature Center, and the Kemper Museum.

Biloxi is a budget-friendly beach getaway that you'll definitely want to experience. Spend the day suntanning at on Ship Island or Biloxi Beach. When you're not exploring attractions like the Mardi Gras Museum or Biloxi Lighthouse, eat your way through the barbecue, Cajun, and seafood joints of the city. And if you're feeling lucky, perhaps you could cover the cost of your trip with a little gambling among the Biloxi casinos.

The capital of Iowa is calling all budget travelers to visit. You'll be amazed by the range of cultural and outdoor attractions like the John & Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Walnut Woods State Park, and the Des Moines Art Center. Hotels aren't very expensive and free activities are plentiful from the Carnegie Library Museum to the State Historical Museum of Iowa.

If you're looking for an outdoor destination, look no further than Lincoln City, Oregon. This coastal city has gorgeous beaches that can be explored on foot or by fat tire bike, and great hiking trails at Devil's Lake State Recreation Area. Road Ends State Recreation Site delights visitors for its tide pools and hidden cove. While hotels will cost about $100/night, you could always opt to camp at Devils Lake State Recreation Park.

Have a Gulf Coast vacation in Galveston, Texas. Work on your tan at the beach before exploring the restaurants and shops in Downtown Galveston. The city is home to significant African American historical sites like the spot where the first Juneteenth celebration occurred. This seaside city is also known for its beautiful Victorian-era architecture such as Bishop's Palace, and haunted places that can be explored on ghost tours.