Travel Agents: 7 US Cities We’d Visit This Summer on a $500 Budget
Just because you’re on a budget and don’t have a ton of money doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be allowed to take a vacation. There are plenty of places nationwide where you can have a great time for just a few hundred dollars. Here are some of the spots travel agents say you can hit this year and not worry about spending too much.
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Burlington, VT
“[Burlington] is set on the shores of Lake Champlain, with a busy downtown with boutique shops and cafés,” said Alex Cornici, CEO and founder at The Traveler. Cornici also said that the beautiful waterfront makes for a great spot to have a picnic and watch the sun set. There are also lots of picturesque bike paths for the outdoorsy types. During the summer, you can find hotels for around $150 a night, which gives you a few hundred dollars to spend on food during a weekend trip.
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Savannah, GA
Cornici recommended Savannah for travelers looking for something chic. “Its historic district is full of marvelous architecture, leafy squares filled with Spanish moss and a waterfront scene that’s lively in its own right,” Cornici said. “Stroll the cobblestone streets, drop into art galleries and historic homes or take a ghost tour. The ambiance offered by Savannah is one of its kinds.”
Try going during the week, rather than on a weekend and you can likely score hotels for under $70 a night during July.
Duluth, MN
Duluth offers many things to do for visitors, including harbor cruises, air tours and the Great Lakes Aquarium. “This port city on Lake Superior reveals an example of great natural beauty with a cool vibe,” Cornici said.
“Enjoy hiking or biking along the lakefront, with a stop to see the massive aerial lift bridge and Canal Park on the waterfront, home to what may be the most diverse mix of dining options in all of Duluth.” June and July can be pretty expensive to stay in a hotel in Duluth, but during August, the prices tend to be lower, so aim to have your trip then.
Cheyenne, WY
“For a taste of the Wild West, take a trip to Cheyenne, Wyoming,” Cornici said. Cheyenne is great for those interested in Western heritage without feeling like you’re in an all-out tourist trap, he said. You can check out the Frontier Days Old West Museum and see a rodeo performance. But, that’s not the only type of entertainment Cheyenne offers.
“Hiking and park exploration in state parks can easily be accommodated,” Cornici said. If you go during August, you can easily spend under $100 a night for lodging.
New Orleans, LA
You might be thinking New Orleans is such a popular destination, there’s no way it’s affordable, but Christopher Falvey, a partner at Unique NOLA Tours, begged to differ. “New Orleans, especially during the summer, is a super inexpensive vacation,” Falvey said. “You could easily do a weekend for $500 or less. The state of Louisiana has one of the lowest costs of living in the U.S. and that includes New Orleans.”
Falvey said that you can always look for tours offering discounts on their activities. If you look for bargains, you can always find them. Plus, aiming to travel during the week rather than a weekend will guarantee you lower prices and Falvey said you won’t be missing out. “We have a ton of summer festivals and it isn’t like Bourbon Street ever slows down.”
Cleveland, OH
“Cleveland is one of our favorite places to travel on a budget,” Becky Martin, the content marketing strategist at Seven Corners Travel Insurance said. Martin recommended Cleveland for its affordability. Cleveland offers the RTA trolley, which is free for you to use on weekdays. Just another reason to consider taking a few days during the week for your next trip.
Martin said there is something for every type of traveler to love in Cleveland. “If you’re into art, the Cleveland Museum of Art offers free general admission year-round. Cleveland Cultural Gardens and Lakeview Cemetery are full of sculptures that, if the weather is nice, are worth exploring. For nature lovers, the Rockefeller Park Greenhouse, full of unexpected gardens and exhibits, has free admission and parking. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is also close to downtown Cleveland and is one of our country’s few free national parks.”
It’s easy to find rooms for under $100 to $150 a night when you check out dates in June, so you can start making your plans now.
Denver, CO
Never been to Colorado? Maybe this is the summer to scope it out. Martin recommended Denver for outdoorsy types. “Red Rocks Amphitheatre is free to visit for hiking, biking and tours as long as there isn’t a concert scheduled.”
Martin also said that getting around Denver is pretty easy and buying a CityPASS gets you some great perks. “The Colorado capitol building and U.S. Mint both offer free tours and if you buy a CityPASS, you’ll find good deals on other major attractions like the Children’s Museum, Downtown Aquarium and Museum of Nature and Science.”
Hotels in Denver can be pricey, but even just seven miles outside of Denver, you can start to find hotels for under $200 a night.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Travel Agents: 7 US Cities We’d Visit This Summer on a $500 Budget