25 Amazing (and Cheap) US Destinations Perfect for Families

If you're aching for a vacation this summer but worried about the cost of airfare, don't forget that you can stay stateside. These affordable and interesting U.S. destinations make it easy to pack up the kids and score the frugal family trip your wallet can handle.

Alexandria, Virginia boasts beautiful greenery and proximity to historical monuments like the White House and the Lincoln Memorial. Its historic waterfront offers an easy spot to relax the day away while the city's hotels offer charm and the comforts of home without Washington D.C. prices.

Gulf Shores, Alabama is the perfect place to take the family for a week of frugal beach fun. The quaint waterfront town boasts myriad affordable condos and hotels, beautiful white sand beaches perfect for kids, and its own zoo complete with lions, tigers, and bears.

Pigeon Forge is set among the Great Smoky Mountains and thus ideal for hiking and exploring nature. The downtown area boasts numerous eateries and activities for kids, including Dollywood-a frugal, family-oriented theme park that features rides, shows and festivals galore.

A trip to Williamsburg, Virginia is a trip back in time, with Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Jamestowne and numerous museums and historic parks nearby. Fortunately, there are an endless number of affordable hotels for families-some with huge pools and waterparks-that can add a splash of fun to this educational trip.

San Antonio boasts more to do and see than its famous Alamo. Here you'll find a famous Riverwalk, SeaWorld and cutting-edge museums like the Witte Museum and the Institute of Texan Cultures. A plethora of affordable hotels makes this city ideal for family travel.

With an elevation of 6,035 ft., Colorado Springs is a paradise for those who love hiking and other outdoor sports. Families flock here to get close to nature and for the affordable hotels and resorts, many of which offer activities just for kids.

Salt Lake City, Utah is another U.S. destination that's ideal for families who love hiking and the outdoors. Surrounded by mountains, adjacent to the Great Salt Lake, and bursting with free outdoor activities everyone will love, this city brings in families in droves.

Santa Claus, Indiana is home to the famous Holiday World & Splashin' Safari-an affordable theme park that features free soft drinks and sunscreen and an award-winning waterpark. Families head here to enjoy the park and the camping at Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort.

The Wisconsin Dells are a treasure trove for families seeking affordable things to do. This area of Wisconsin features dozens of hotels with water parks, theme parks, and fun activities for kids-many that are extremely affordable or even "cheap."

Hocking Hills is a rural area of Ohio known for its beautiful scenery and outdoor adventure options. You can hike one of the many state parks, take an off-road Segway tour, or zip through the trees with Hocking Hills Canopy Tours-all for less than you might expect.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has long been known as a family-friendly beach destination that's also affordable. Here you'll find amazing sunrises, family-friendly hotels complete with waterfront pools and a charming downtown with its own Riverwalk.

Devils Lake sits in the northeastern corner of North Dakota, with a dynamic waterfront, shopping, dining and more. Families flock here for affordable camping and hotel options as well as outdoor water activities like boating, fishing and birdwatching.

Sun Valley, Idaho is a modern ski destination with plenty to do in every season plus affordable hotels ideal for families with children in tow. Ski during winter but come back during summer for the art galleries, hiking and gorgeous views.

Niagara Falls offers plenty to keep your family busy, including the gorgeous waterfalls themselves. Take your family on the Maid of the Mist to get up close and personal with the water or take the Journey Behind the Falls for close-up views from subterranean caverns.

Atlanta, Georgia offers an array of things for children to see and do. Popular haunts include the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and the Center for Civil and Human Rights. The sheer size of Atlanta means there are numerous affordable places to stay, from inexpensive hotels to cheap Airbnbs.

Albuquerque offers a modern downtown plus a historic city center, both of which burst with family-friendly activities. You can explore the science center and children's museum, take the Sandia Peak Tramway for amazing mountain views, or visit the Elena Gallegos Park to get back to nature.

Reno, Nevada is an affordable place to stay whether you're aching to gamble or taking a family trip. This modern town features numerous museums, skiing and snowboarding, and a gorgeous Riverwalk. Nearby Lake Tahoe also provides a wealth of activities from swimming to boating or fishing.

Just below the famous St. Louis Arch sits a treasure trove of activities for families with kids. You can stay in a cheap, family-friendly hotel then visit the famous St. Louis Zoo, the local botanical gardens, and the numerous museums that call the city of St. Louis home.

Portland, Maine boasts beautiful bays, boat tours and its own port. You can visit old mansions, tour a brewery, or take part in water sports like kayaking and canoeing. Camping spots also abound in Portland, making this a perfect spot for an outdoorsy trip.

Families visiting Minneapolis, Minnesota may be pleasantly surprised by all there is to do. You can take in a Twins game, visit the Mall of America, or book a city-view waterpark hotel. Since this state is the land of 10,000 lakes, you're also close to watersports and camping spots.

Austin, Texas is popular with groups of all age groups-and for good reason. This dazzling town offers amazing food, live music nearly 24/7, museums, botanical gardens, its own zoo and state parks. Affordable lodging is also plentiful, making Austin perfect for a family trip.

Key West may be famous for its bar scene, and rightly so, but there's still plenty for families to do. Kayaking and other watersports are popular, as are shopping and people watching. You can visit the southernmost point of the United States, a butterfly conservatory and the Ernest Hemingway House.

Philadelphia is a city where you'll want to spend a week-especially when the kids are along. This city boasts the perfect cheesesteak sandwich, the historic Liberty Bell, Independence Hall (the birthplace of the United States), farmers markets and dozens of hotels with amenities for kids.

You can have fun in New Orleans without visiting boozy Bourbon Street. Take the kids on a historical tour of this famous city starting with Jackson Square, Frenchman Street and the French Quarter. You can even take a swamp tour or see some live jazz.

Visit historic Cheyenne, Wyoming for access to state parks, the Wyoming State Museum, the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, and the local botanic gardens. Stay for the rustic dining, the affordable hotels set among nature, and the beautiful mountain scenery.