Unveiling the 15 Most Affordable U.S. Destinations This August
Our selection prioritizes affordability without sacrificing quality. We considered factors such as average accommodation costs, dining options, free activities, and transportation expenses. Get ready to pack your bags and explore these hidden gems and popular locales on a budget!
Here's a breakdown of our top 15 affordable destinations, followed by more in-depth information about each:
Rank Destination Why It's Affordable August Highlights 1 San Antonio, Texas Affordable accommodations, free attractions like the River Walk, budget-friendly Tex-Mex cuisine. River Walk boat tours, Fiesta celebrations, historic missions. 2 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Low cost of living, budget-friendly hotels and Airbnb options, free museums. Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, Bricktown Canal, Myriad Botanical Gardens. 3 Memphis, Tennessee Reasonably priced hotels, free Beale Street entertainment, affordable BBQ joints. Graceland, National Civil Rights Museum, Beale Street music scene. 4 Asheville, North Carolina Free hiking trails, affordable breweries, lively arts scene with free events. Blue Ridge Parkway, Biltmore Estate (consider off-season days/times), craft breweries. 5 Savannah, Georgia Free walking tours, affordable Southern cuisine, charming squares and parks. Historic squares, Forsyth Park, River Street, Bonaventure Cemetery. 6 Louisville, Kentucky Budget-friendly bourbon distilleries, free parks and gardens, affordable dining. Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Churchill Downs (consider non-race days), bourbon trail. 7 Richmond, Virginia Free historical sites, affordable restaurant scene, beautiful James River parks. American Civil War Museum, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (free admission), James River. 8 Phoenix, Arizona Affordable accommodations in the summer (due to the heat), free hiking trails, desert botanical garden. Desert Botanical Garden, South Mountain Park, Musical Instrument Museum (MIM). 9 Albuquerque, New Mexico Affordable lodging and dining, free outdoor activities, historic Old Town. Old Town Albuquerque, Sandia Peak Tramway, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. 10 Salt Lake City, Utah Relatively affordable compared to other mountain destinations, free Temple Square tours, nearby hiking. Temple Square, Great Salt Lake, hiking in the Wasatch Mountains. 11 St. Louis, Missouri Free attractions like the St. Louis Zoo, affordable dining, historic neighborhoods. Gateway Arch National Park, St. Louis Zoo, City Museum. 12 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Affordable accommodation, free inclines with great views, numerous parks. The Inclines, Point State Park, Andy Warhol Museum. 13 Cincinnati, Ohio Affordable dining options, free park systems and riverfront access. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, Great American Ball Park. 14 Kansas City, Missouri BBQ mecca with budget-friendly eats, free art museums, jazz scene. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (free admission), BBQ restaurants, 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District. 15 Las Vegas, Nevada Surprisingly affordable during summer due to heat, cheap buffets and shows, free attractions on the Strip. The Strip, free attractions like the Bellagio fountains, pool parties.