These days, everything seems to be more expensive than ever, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take an affordable vacation in the USA.
There are several cheap cities to visit in the U.S., and with our tips on how to travel on a budget, you can have fun without breaking the bank. Of course, I always recommend taking advantage of travel discounts when you can! We have awesome guides on how to find cheap flights and rental cars, so give them a read before booking your trip. We also have an article on how to find cheap hotels, although if you don’t mind staying in more natural areas, you’ll save even more on accommodation by camping in the USA.
Fortunately, you can find affordable places to travel in the U.S., no matter your preferences. Whether you want a chill weekend trip or a week-long adventure, I’ve got you covered, so keep reading to see the top 10 cheap USA travel destinations.
1. Albuquerque, New Mexico, an affordable place to travel in the U.S. for families
First, Albuquerque is a unique vacation destination you can visit as a family. Located in the high desert, Albuquerque offers a historic downtown district and beautiful natural areas, making it one of the best cheap cities in the U.S. to visit.
It’s easy to get lost among Downtown Albuquerque’s adobe buildings and historical architecture, but you can sign up for this self-guided walking tour to make sure you don’t miss anything. Some of the highlights include the San Felipe de Neri Church, the Albuquerque Museum, and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.
1. Albuquerque, New Mexico, an affordable place to travel in the U.S. for families
Less than 20 minutes from Downtown Albuquerque, the Petroglyph National Monument boasts volcanic rocks with 700-year-old petroglyphs. A bit further away, the Sandia Mountains are a popular destination with a ski area, the Sandia Peak Tramway, and scenic hiking trails.
The most famous attraction in Albuquerque is Balloon Fiesta Park, which hosts the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta every October. Hot-air balloon rides aren’t cheap, but watching the colorful balloons take flight is free. If you want to treat yourself to a ride, you can get your tickets in advance here.
- Cheap attractions: Petroglyph National Monument, Old Town Plaza, downtown museums
- Hotel prices from: $75/night
- Recommended accommodations:
2. Phoenix, Arizona, a cheap place to travel in the U.S. desert
Phoenix is another beautiful, cheap place to visit in the American Southwest. It’s known for its stunning desert vistas, red sandstone formations, and glowing sunsets.
You can see the fiery red rocks just 15 minutes from downtown at Camelback Mountain. It’s an amazing place to hike, with the Echo Canyon Trail and the Cholla Trail being the most popular routes. You can also visit South Mountain Park and Preserve, which is just south of Phoenix. I like this guided hike since you can take it at sunrise or sunset.
2. Phoenix, Arizona, a cheap place to travel in the U.S. desert
Back in Downtown Phoenix, there are attractions for all types of travelers and preferences. Kids will love the Enchanted Island Amusement Park, while the more culturally inclined can enjoy the Arizona Capitol Museum and Phoenix Art Museum. This street art tour is super interesting, but if you want to see a bit of everything, I recommend this downtown walking tour.
It’s also worth visiting the Japanese Friendship Garden and Papago Park, where you can take a stroll through the Desert Botanical Garden and marvel at the giant saguaro cacti. If you’re traveling as a couple or with friends, you must check out Roosevelt Row‘s galleries, live music, and trendy restaurants.
- Cheap attractions: Arizona Falls, botanical gardens, museums
- Hotel prices from: $75/night
- Recommended accommodations:
3. Salt Lake City, Utah, an interesting and cheap place to visit in the USA
Salt Lake City (SLC) is one of the best places to visit in Utah and an affordable vacation spot in the USA. Its namesake attraction, Great Salt Lake, is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. Antelope Island State Park is a spot in the lake where you can swim (and float), go bird-watching, and look for wildlife.
Downtown, you’ll find Temple Square, one of the most famous attractions in SLC. This is an important site for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons), but even if you aren’t religious, you’ll appreciate the stunning architecture and gardens. This walking tour introduces you to Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake Tabernacle, and other downtown attractions.
3. Salt Lake City, Utah, an interesting and cheap place to visit in the USA
Next to Temple Square, the Utah State Capitol offers free tours. Alternatively, the Natural History Museum of Utah has fascinating exhibits on local geology, anthropology, paleontology, and mineralogy, and it’s next door to the gorgeous Red Butte Garden. Outside the city, the Homestead Crater is a geothermal spring inside a limestone cave where you can swim or dive.
Although SLC is an inexpensive place to travel to in the U.S., you can cut costs with the Salt Lake City Connect Pass, which includes 18 attractions.
- Cheap attractions: Temple Square, Utah State Capitol, Great Salt Lake
- Hotel prices from: $80/night
- Recommended accommodations:
4. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a cheap travel destination in the USA with lots of history
Philadelphia was our home for 6 years, and it makes for one of the best budget vacations in the U.S. Among the many cool things to do in Philadelphia, the museums are a no-brainer. Some of the best are the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Franklin Institute, the Mütter Museum, the Museum of the American Revolution, and Drexel University’s Academy of Natural Sciences.
For first-time visitors, the Independence National Historic Park is a must-see. Same-day tours of the complex are free; advance tickets are just $1. There is also this historic walking tour, which takes you to Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House, and other landmarks. The Sightseeing Flex Pass and the hop-on hop-off bus include these attractions and many more.
4. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a cheap travel destination in the USA with lots of history
Other cool places to check out include Fairmount Park, Penn’s Landing, and the Independence Seaport Museum. Philadelphia is also one of the best food cities in the USA, so don’t miss your chance to savor cheesesteaks, soft pretzels, and water ice at Reading Terminal Market.
Less than 2 hours from the city, you can visit Lancaster’s Amish Country, another interesting place in Pennsylvania. Our Philadelphia tourist maps will give you a better idea of the different Philly neighborhoods and surrounding areas.
- Cheap attractions: Independence National Historic Park, Reading Terminal Market, Penn’s Landing
- Hotel prices from: $75/night
- Recommended accommodations:
5. San Antonio, Texas, another one of the best cheap cities to travel to in the U.S.
Back in the South, San Antonio is another cheap travel location in the USA. First, walk along the San Antonio Riverwalk or take this riverwalk cruise, which includes admission to The Alamo, an 18th-century fortress and battle site.
Some other points of interest include the San Antonio Museum of Art, Brackenridge Park, and the Japanese Tea Garden. The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can see the Spanish mission churches of La Concepción, San José, San Juan Capistrano, and San Francisco de la Espada, which were used to spread Christianity from the 17th to 19th centuries.
5. San Antonio, Texas, another one of the best cheap cities to travel to in the U.S.
If you’re not sure what to see and do, this hop-on hop-off bus tour goes to over 100 points of interest. Also, less than an hour away, you can take a guided tour of the Natural Bridge Caverns, underground limestone caves millions of years in the making.
Finally, it wouldn’t be a trip to Texas without trying some delicious Tex-Mex cuisine. Two of the best restaurants in San Antonio are Rosario’s and Mi Tierra, but there is also this food tour through downtown and the Riverwalk.
- Cheap attractions: San Antonio Missions National Historic Park, The Alamo, Brackenridge Park
- Hotel prices from: $75/night
- Recommended accommodations:
6. Memphis, Tennessee, an affordable place to travel in the U.S. for music lovers
Memphis is another inexpensive place to travel in the U.S. and a cheaper alternative to Nashville. If you love music, you’ll love it here. First, you must visit the Memphis Music Hall of Fame and the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum (save money with this combo ticket).
There is also the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and this music history bus tour, which goes to several studios and the homes of several musicians. One of those homes is Graceland, the former residence of Elvis Presley. You can tour the mansion museum and see the graves of Presley and several of his family members.
6. Memphis, Tennessee, an affordable place to travel in the U.S. for music lovers
Memphis has other interesting museums like the Edge Motor Museum, the National Civil Rights Museum, the Dixon Gallery and Gardens, the Memphis Museum of Science & History and the Pink Palace Museum and Planetarium.
There is also the Mississippi River Park, where you can walk over to Mud Island to see the Memphis Sign and a small-scale, topographical replica of the Lower Mississippi River. Memphis is another great food city, particularly for barbecue, so check out a rooftop bar for slow-cooked meats and live music.
If you want to do it all, consider this historic walking tour or this city bus tour, which has the option to add a Mississippi River cruise.
- Cheap attractions: Museums, Graceland
- Hotel prices from: $95/night
- Recommended accommodations:
7. New Orleans, Louisiana, the cheapest city to visit in the USA for nightlife
New Orleans is another one of the most affordable places to vacation in the USA. “The Big Easy” is the ultimate destination to kick back and have fun, especially if you go during Mardi Gras.
Of course, the city is a blast year-round. New Orleans’ oldest neighborhood, the French Quarter, has beautiful wrought-iron architecture and attractions like the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum, New Orleans Jazz Museum, and the Museum of Death. Don’t forget to go bar-hopping on Bourbon Street and try the famous beignets at Café du Monde.
Then, visit Magazine Street along the Mississippi River and the buskers at Jackson Square. NOLA is considered the birthplace of jazz, so if you want to listen to live music, this evening jazz cruise is perfect.
7. New Orleans, Louisiana, the cheapest city to visit in the USA for nightlife
The city’s gastronomy is also unique, featuring Cajun and Creole cuisine such as gumbo, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. You can savor these flavors on this food tour.
In addition to being one of the cheapest cities in the USA to visit, NOLA is also one of the most haunted. Learn about the local ghost stories on this walking tour, or enjoy a haunted pub crawl. For something less spooky, take this French Quarter tour or this swamp cruise.
Finally, the Go City Pass and the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus will help you see it all at a great price.
- Cheap attractions: French Quarter, Arts District, live music
- Hotel prices from: $95/night
- Recommended accommodations:
8. Washington, D.C., a cheap place to visit in the USA with iconic attractions
Washington, D.C. is one of the cheapest cities to visit in the U.S., thanks to its free museums and monuments. As you can see in our Washington D.C. tourist maps, most of the attractions are on the National Mall.
Some of the country’s most prestigious buildings are here, including the White House and the U.S. Capitol, the latter of which you can tour for free. This guided tour of Capitol Hill takes you to the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and more.
Museum-hopping is one of the best things to do in Washington, D.C., and the Smithsonian institutions are world-renowned. I recommend the Air and Space Museum, the National Gallery, and the Museum of Natural History. There is also the U.S. Botanic Garden, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the International Spy Museum.
8. Washington, D.C., a cheap place to visit in the USA with iconic attractions
Most of the monuments are also free to visit, including the World War II, Vietnam, and Korean War Memorials, and the Lincoln Memorial. You can visit the Washington Memorial in front the reflecting pool, but if you want to go inside, you must buy the $1 ticket in advance.
Over by the Tidal Basin, you’ll find the Jefferson, FDR, and MLK Jr. Memorials. You can also cross the Potomac River to see Arlington National Cemetery. Finally, head to the historic Georgetown neighborhood for great food.
There’s a lot to see here, so I recommend taking this sightseeing bus tour.
- Cheap attractions: National Mall, Smithsonian Museums, memorials
- Hotel prices from: $70/night
- Recommended accommodations:
9. Kansas City, Missouri, an underrated, affordable place to travel in the U.S.
Kansas City isn’t on most people’s radar, but it makes for one of the best cheap trips in the U.S., especially if you want a laid-back weekend. That said, there is a lot to do, so consider taking this guided trolley tour to see the top attractions.
Start your visit at Kansas City Union Station, a transportation center with beautiful architecture. Along with some shops and cafes, it’s home to the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium, Science City, the City Stage Live Theatre, and touring exhibitions.
Then, get some culture at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art or the American Jazz Museum. Meanwhile, sports lovers should check out Arrowhead Stadium, home to the Kansas City Chiefs. During baseball season, go next door to watch a Royals game at Kauffman Stadium.
9. Kansas City, Missouri, an underrated, affordable place to travel in the U.S.
To recharge your energy, head to City Market or enjoy some smokey, slow-cooked meats at Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque or Joe’s Kansas City BBQ. If that’s not your thing, Country Club Plaza has a variety of options.
Later, stroll through Penn Valley Park or Loose Park, which has a beautiful Japanese garden, lake, and fountains. If you’re up for it, the Rock Island Trail goes through Rock Island Trail State Park and connects to Katy Trail State Park.
Finally, end the day at Boulevard Brewing Company for drinks or a guided tasting tour.
- Cheap attractions: Parks, City Market, museums
- Hotel prices from: $95/night
- Recommended accommodations:
10. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, one of the cheapest cities to visit in the U.S.
Finally, Oklahoma City is another underrated, but affordable, place to travel in the U.S. Known as “The Big Friendly,” it has a distinct culture with welcoming locals and family-friendly attractions.
Some of OKC’s most notable points of interest include the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, the Science Museum Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.
There is also a river walk where you can stroll along the Oklahoma River or sign up for a rowing, kayaking, or river rafting adventure. Along the river, Scissortail Park has a relaxing environment, while Wheeler Park has a playground, a Ferris wheel, and restaurants.
10. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, one of the cheapest cities to visit in the U.S.
I also recommend walking through the Paseo Arts District. This trendy area has cute boutiques, cafes, and galleries and hosts an annual festival in late spring. Moreover, the Myriad Botanical Gardens are lovely, and the exterior grounds are free to visit. Its Conservatory, the Crystal Bridge, costs just $10.50 for adults ($5.50 for kids 5-17).
If you have time and want some fresh air, check out the Martin Park Nature Center. It has 2.5 miles of woodland trails as well as a playground for the kids. Afterward, refuel at Cheever’s Café, The Mule, or Tucker’s Onion Burgers for chicken-fried steak and barbecue.
- Cheap attractions: Myriad Botanical Gardens, museums, parks
- Hotel prices from: $70
- Recommended accommodations:
Tips for traveling to the USA from abroad on a budget
Finally, if you want to visit from another country, here are some tips to help you plan the best budget vacation in the US:
- Buy travel insurance. Healthcare in the USA is super expensive, so even basic care can cost hundreds of dollars. If you’re on a budget, I recommend getting one of the best cheap travel insurance policies.
- Change currencies before your trip to get the best exchange rate. It’s also worth getting a travel credit card and using it for everyday purchases so you can earn points/miles for your trip.
- Tipping is common in the U.S., so factor that into your travel budget. Waiters, drivers, and other service workers often expect a tip.
- The U.S. is huge, so pick a region to visit (the East Coast, the Midwest, the South, etc.) and focus on that. Hint! Most of the cheapest places are in the South!
- If you’re visiting a metropolitan area like Philadelphia or Washington, D.C., taking public transportation is more cost-effective and usually pretty quick. However, in suburban or rural areas, it may be better to rent a car. We use DiscoverCars to find the best deals.
- Once you decide where you want to go, check out our guides on how to find cheap hotels and how to get cheap flights to save more money.
- Having travel Internet is crucial so you can access convenient apps like Google Maps. While hotels and restaurants have free Wi-Fi, it’s better to get a SIM card for the USA. We love the Holafly eSIMs, and you can use our Holafly discount code to save on your purchase.
That’s it for the best cheap places to visit in the USA. Have you been to any of these cities? Let me know in the comments, and feel free to leave any questions you may still have. I’d be happy to help you out!
Enjoy your trip to the United States!
