To get away from your daily life every once in a while, but you might not have weeks (or money) to spend away from home. For those looking for a quick and cheap trip, we’ve put together a list of 10 cheap weekend getaways across the U.S., broken down by area so you can find something close by (or farther away if you’re up for the adventure).
Here are the Top 10 cheap weekend Getaways in the U.S.
1. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
The Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center are part of the Gettysburg National Military Park, which is free to visit. You can also walk around the Civil War battlefields with a national park guard for free. Gettysburg ghost tours, which are a must for anyone interested in the area’s haunted past, are also pretty cheap. There are hotels in the area that cost less than $200 or $100 per night.
2. The Poconos, Pennsylvania
You can choose how much time you want to spend in the Pocono Mountains. The land in this northeastern Pennsylvania area lets you do many free or inexpensive things in a beautiful setting, such as climbing, biking, fishing, and boating. For those on a budget, Lake Wallenpaupack, Hickory Run State Park, and Lehigh Gorge State Park are some of the best places to camp. If you’d rather stay somewhere else, you can also find cheap holiday rentals in the area.
3. Atlantic City, New Jersey
If you stay away from or don’t spend too much time at the casinos, you can have a cheap weekend in Atlantic City. Instead, check out the beach and pier, which have been around since 1870. You can also visit Lucy the Elephant and the Absecon Lighthouse, which is the largest in New Jersey, and other cheap things to do in Atlantic City. When you come here for a romantic getaway, have dinner on the water with your partner.
4. Branson, Missouri
There are many free things to do in Branson, Missouri. At Table Rock Lake State Park, you can swim, canoe, kayak, fish, hike, and bike. At Branson Landing, there is a spectacular water show at night. From March to December, you can also take a free train around town. Silver Dollar City might be the most expensive thing to do in Branson, but you can often find deals on tickets, like when they’re less expensive in the evening in the fall. If you want to stay somewhere cheap in Branson, try the Thousand Hills Resort Hotel. Rates are usually around $100 per night.
5. Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. is a great place to go for a cheap weekend getaway because it has 22 free Smithsonian sites, such as the National Zoo. Even though many hotels in D.C. are pricey, renting sites like Airbnb and Vrbo still have cheap places to stay.
6. Asheville, North Carolina
The city of Asheville is in the Blue Ridge Mountains and is known for its past (Biltmore Estate), nature (the Blue Ridge Mountains), and food (craft breweries and a thriving dining scene). There are a lot of walks that tourists can do in Asheville that are both beautiful and cheap. The 1.7-mile Asheville Urban Trail tells you about the city’s unique history. You can also drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway and check out downtown, where you’re sure to see some of the city’s famous street artists. A day trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is also easy and not too expensive from Asheville.
7. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is known for having a lot of free or cheap things to do that people of all ages enjoy. It is one of the most affordable beach spots in the U.S. Check out the famous Skywheel on the mile-long Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and the entertainment center Broadway at the Beach. Both have live entertainment like music shows and fireworks displays. You can also go to Vereen Memorial Gardens for free. They are just north of the city. There are many cheap places to stay in Myrtle Beach. For example, the Crown Reef Resort has an on-site water park that is open all year and rates as low as $92 per night for a family of four.
8. New Orleans
One weekend in New Orleans would not be enough to do all the things you want to do, but you can still enjoy a short and cheap trip there. You can look at the old homes in the Garden District, take a walk down famous Magazine Street, walk through the French Quarter (where you’re sure to see street artists), or stop at a local restaurant for a famous po’boy sandwich or beignet. If you want to find cheap places to stay in New Orleans, don’t stay in the French Quarter.
9. Las Vegas
You can have a fancy vacation in Las Vegas, and it might not cost as much as you thought. Hotels in Vegas can be as cheap as $50 per night during the week (plus resort fees). You can also visit free sights like the Bellagio Fountains, the Fremont Street Experience, the Las Vegas Sign, and the Seven Magic Mountains, which are just outside of Las Vegas. There may be enough money in your budget for a trip to the casino, tickets to one of the city’s great shows, and/or a tour of the Grand Canyon.
10. San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is a cheap place to visit in Texas that is full of free activities, interesting history, and cultural style. Famous places like the Alamo and the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park are free to see, and the famous River Walk is also free to walk along (though you should eat here at least once). Narrated river trips are another popular thing to do, and they’re also cheap. Tickets from the local company GO RIO trips cost less than $15 per person.
