25 Cheap Weekend Getaways in the US

Summer is almost over, but that's not to say that you can't enjoy one more quick weekend getaway. We've compiled a list of places around the U.S. that you may have never thought to visit, but are so worth your time. Not only do they provide unique and memorable experiences, but they're affordable too!

Skip the Colorado crowds and head 90 minutes from Denver, stopping just outside of the Rocky Mountains National Park in Estes Park, home of the famously haunted Stanely Hotel. Enjoy lots of amenities and affordable prices at the YMCA of the Rockies, which will soon open the even more affordable Hostel at Ranch House. At the end of September, see and celebrate elk at the Elk Fest, or take drives on the Trail Ridge Road to enjoy sights of the leaves changing color.

Dallas is a sprawling metropolis with affordable flights from all over the U.S. and a wide range of hotels at varying prices. Kayak on White Rock Lake or the Trinity River, window shop in districts like Uptown, Deep Ellum, or Bishop Arts, learn about the JFK shooting in downtown, and visit museums like the Dallas Museum of Art in the largest arts district in the U.S. If you visit in September or October, spend $17 to visit the State Fair of Texas, well-known for its food, concerts, and games.

Oklahoma City has slowly come into its own over the last few years with development all over the city. Restaurants and hotels are affordable, even in the popular Bricktown neighborhood which is full of nightlife, dining, sports arenas, and a river. Be sure to visit the Myriad Botanical Gardens, Frontier City Theme Park, and the Oklahoma City National Memorial, as well as the Wheeler Ferris Wheel on the Oklahoma River, home to river sports in the Boathouse District.

With flights that cost around $200 and hotels that range between $60-$100, Salt Lake City is a fantastic budget-friendly getaway. Beyond a vibrant food scene, Salt Lake City is full of family-friendly activities like the Natural History Museum of Utah and Clark Planetarium, as well as hiking at the nearby Millcreek Canyon and Ensign Peak. Not to mention, the city is surrounded by national parks that are four to six hours away by car.

Every U.S. state has a state park, and many have 10 or more. These state-protected areas of nature offer beautiful scenery, outdoor adventure, and very low fees for camping in tents, cabins, or RVs. Plus, they're generally pretty easy to get to by car and if the state isn't too big, you could even visit a few state parks over a weekend.

Whether you're interested in music, food, or fun, there's something for everyone in Memphis. Bar hop along Beale Street, and see where rock and soul came alive at Sun Studios, Stax Museum, and Graceland. Remember the Civil Rights movement leaders at the National Civil Rights Museum. You can even get some shopping in at a pyramid-shaped shopping center.

Savannah will draw you in with its beautiful architecture and landscape with places like Forsythe Park, Savannah Historic District, and Wormsloe Historic Site. You can spend the day shopping among charming small stores, swimming on Tybee Island, or kayaking on the river, all without spending too much money. Plus, with hotel rates at less than $100 a night, you could even extend your weekend getaway an extra day without breaking the bank.

If art and mountains sound like a good time to you, then you'll want to make your cheap getaway destination Taos. This northern New Mexican city is full of art museums and galleries and offers a wealth of activities that revolve around the Taos Pueblo. Hiking, hot air balloons, and skiing can all be enjoyed in this historic town.

Kansas City may be known for its barbecue and jazz, but it offers so much more over a weekend. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum will enrich your love for America's favorite pastime, while the 18th & Vine District and the American Jazz Museum will get you in the groove for a night of jazz tunes. Enjoy free admission at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and spend the day exploring the Crown Center to round out the weekend.

Boise is the perfect underrated destination for a weekend vacation. Hotels can be found for less than $100 and restaurants are pretty inexpensive. The famous Oregon Trail is set right outside of the city for visitors to explore, as is Bogus Basin, a fantastic spot to ski. In addition to a zoo, botanical gardens, and Freak Alley, a cool outdoor mural gallery, Boise is home to plenty of outdoor destinations like Lucy Peak State Park and Kathryn Albertson Park.

Little Rock, Arkansas, is full of delightful attractions that may surprise you like the Big Dam Bridge, the longest bicycle and pedestrian bridge in the country at 20 miles long. Make your trip memorable by visiting the Rock Town Distillery and learn how bourbon, vodka, and gin are made, and see a replica of the Oval Office at the Clinton Presidential Center and Park. Be sure to put some time aside to visit the River Market District day or night and soak in natural hot springs in Hot Springs, Arkansas, which is an hour's drive away.

Alabama may not be at the top of your list for a beach getaway, but that's perhaps because you haven't heard of Gulf Shores. Set on the gulf coast of Alabama, Gulf Shores is home to beaches, casinos, a zoo, and a state park. Hotels located on the beach can cost as low as $100 per night which makes it a pretty cheap beach destination in the U.S.

As fall approaches and you prepare for leaf-peeping adventures, you'll want to consider the Berkshires. It's a rural area in Massachusetts that covers a wide range of towns full of artistic events, galleries, and outdoor adventures such as hiking, biking, golfing, and winter sports. Antique-lovers or those who prefer the charm of small shops will love The Berkshires.

Chow down on seafood and southern cooking in Biloxi, Mississippi when you're not winning on the slots at the casino or at the beach. Biloxi is a Mississippi treasure that's far more affordable than other southern gems like New Orleans and Charleston. You may be surprised to discover that Biloxi has plenty of arts and historical attractions like Ship Island and the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art.

If hotels that cost less than $100 and flights less than $250 don't convince you to visit Louisville, perhaps amazing bourbon, horseracing, and the Cardinals baseball team will. Learn more about baseball at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory or catch a free concert at Waterfront Park. If you're a big Mohammed Ali fan, don't miss a chance to see his grave at Cave Hill Cemetary.

Skip the high prices of New York City and instead visit the northwest region of the state, the Finger Lakes. There are 11 lakes and many towns and cities that encompass the Finger Lakes. This area is full of wineries and distilleries, charming bed and breakfast properties, and activities to do on and around the lakes. Don't miss a chance to see some of the most important places in U.S. history such as the Harriett Tubman Home and the National Women's Hall of Fame in the Finger Lakes region.

If you love antebellum architecture, you're going to love a weekend in Athens, Georgia. This Southern city has great food, affordable hotels, and some fun and quirky things to do. Admire art at the Georgia Museum of Art, hike at Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail, have a beer tasting at Terrapin Beer Co., and take a picture of an oak tree that has owned itself and the land around it since the 1800s.

With camping rates that range from $5 to $40, you should really consider a weekend getaway to a U.S. national park. Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon are some of the most popular national parks, but the U.S. is home to a diverse array of national parks like Bryce Canyon, Arches National Park, and Olympic National Park. They're cheap, beautiful, and accessible, so what more could you want in a cheap weekend getaway?

If Harpers Ferry sounds familiar, it's probably because you learned about it in a U.S. history course. This charming town in West Virginia was home to the John Brown's Raid in 1859, but today it's a quaint town with historic architecture, museums, and a picturesque setting on a river. The town is surrounded by preserves and national parks making it a great place to hike. While you couldn't complete it in one weekend, Harpers Ferry is the starting point to the 14-state 2,180-foot Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

If you want a northeast weekend experience, consider Burlington, Vermont. Set on Lake Champlain, it's popular for lake activities and shopping, dining, and events along Church Street. Revolutionary War hero Ethan Allen also has his own museum in Burlington, and it's just as interesting as the Shelburne Museum, an open-air museum full of historic Vermont buildings from different eras.

Mexican and Tejano culture is alive and well in San Antonio, one of the best affordable destinations in Texas. Spend a day or evening shopping or dining along the River Walk, explore Mexican wares at the Mercado, and learn about the Spanish missions at the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. Be sure to visit the Pearl, a popular district with shopping, a food hall, and a beautiful setting along the river.

Knoxville is even cheaper to visit than Memphis, making it a great weekend destination. This Tennessee city has a charming Market Square district with shopping and dining in 19th-century buildings, as well as a great observation deck on the Sunsphere tower. Kids will have a blast at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, which has a full-size basketball court inside, as well as at the Zoo Knoxville, and the interactive science museum, The Muse Knoxville.

New Orleans may be a popular city but it's still a fairly affordable one to visit on the weekends. Book a stay outside of the French Quarter, either in the CBD, Treme, or Bywater/Marigny for an affordable hotel and make your way into the Frech Quarter on foot or by streetcar. Creole and Cajun food are quite affordable, especially if you go to local joints. Plus you can enjoy free activities like walking through the Quarter, free walking tours, admiring the architecture of the Garden District, or window shopping along Magazine Street.

Keep cool and rock out in Cleveland, Ohio, home to iconic places like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Dive into the Cleveland sports fandom throughout the year by catching a Cleveland Indians, Browns, or Cavaliers game. Stay in a hotel for less than $75 per night and save your money to do fun stuff like visit the Cleveland Museum of Art, West Side Market, Playhouse Square, and the home from the film, "A Christmas Story."

As one of the United States' most iconic cities, Cincinnati should definitely be on your cheap weekend getaway list. Families will have a blast at amusement parks like Kings Island, while art-loving individuals will find the American Sign Museum fun and quirky. Couples will enjoy themselves at Findlay Market and at a concert at the Cincinnati Music Hall. The Queen City has something for everyone.