Our team with the help of expert opinions and user votes, ranked the 15 Best Cheap Vacation Spots in the US. Use this list to help you choose your next affordable domestic destination, and don’t forget to vote for the getaway of your choice below to help shape next year’s list.

Best Cheap Vacation Spots in the US

The 15 best cheap places to visit in the United States:

15. Miami, Florida

Miami, Florida

Florida’s largest city and with a population of 433,136. A well-known tourist destination, it is the southernmost city in the ranking. Considered as the ‘Cleanest City in America’ by Forbes magazine, for its ample green spaces, the quality of its air and its various recycling programs. It is popularly known as ‘The Magic City’.   Miami enjoys a tropical climate, with hot summers and mild winters. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of musical offerings. The city’s central areas are open 24 hours a day and it is common to see the city’s best DJs, as well as its well-known Winter Music Conference and Ultra Music Festival, which make it the home of electronic music.    

14. Orlando, Florida

Orlando, Florida

Orlando is the sixth largest city in Florida and the largest non-coastal city in the state. It is a city dedicated almost entirely to tourism, due to its wide range of leisure activities. It has one of the busiest airports in the world. The city is home to major technology companies such as EA Games and IBM. Orlando is not known for its museums, but for its amusement parks. The Walt Disney World Resort is located in the city, as well as several Disney-themed amusement parks. Universal Studios has a park in the city, as well as the park dedicated to marine life, Sea World.  

More: How to go to Disney World on a Budget   

13. Dallas, Texas

Dallas, Texas

Dallas, a city located in the interior of the state of Texas, is the third largest city in the state. It is infamous for being the site of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. It is home to major corporations, making it the Silicon Valley of Texas, as it is known in the United States. Dallas’ cultural offerings include its Museum of Art or the Meadows Museum, which houses a valuable collection of Spanish art from the Middle Ages to the present. The city is known for authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex food. You won’t go hungry in Dallas, as it is a city with more restaurants per capita than New York City.    

12. Stateline, Nevada

Stateline, Nevada

Stateline, located at the southern end of Lake Tahoe, is a winter wonderland that offers a long list of activities, even in the warmer months. Here you’ll find more than a dozen ski resorts and enjoy the region’s scenic wonders at affordable prices. Hop aboard one of its most popular attractions, the Heavenly Ski Resort Gondola (from $58), to the 10,000-foot summit, where you can access more than 1,800 acres of ski trails. You can also rent a kayak for $25 to visit Fannette Island in Lake Tahoe or visit the famous 1920s Vikingsholm Mansion ($10 for adults), which features stunning Scandinavian architecture.  

More: Family Vacation to Yellowstone National Park  

11. Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

This town is an ideal destination any time of year. It’s full of nature, art and history, and it’s much more affordable than other major North Carolina cities. You can find a variety of homes for rent on Airbnb for less than $100 per night, or hotel rooms for between $50 and $70. Don’t forget to visit the historic Old Salem Museums and Gardens (admission fee between $18 and $27), which includes three different history museums: the Early Southern Decorative Arts Museum, Old Salem Gardens and Historic Salem City.    

10. Big Sur, California

Big Sur, California

Big Sur California is filled with cultural and artistic attractions, as well as breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Famous author Henry Miller lived there and was inspired for 18 years. Many hotels offer rooms for less than $100 a night. If you prefer something closer to nature, there are many campgrounds, such as Andrew Molera State Park or Treebones Resort, which is right on the water. You can also head to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, which offers hiking trails with incredible views, a historic ranch and nature center. Don’t miss the famous Bixby Bridge or the Henry Miller Library, a cultural center where you can attend live art events.    

9. Garden City, Utah

Garden City, Utah

On the shores of Bear Lake lies this destination, ideal for a romantic trip as well as for relaxing or visiting with family. Hotel rooms are your best option in Garden City (they cost around $60 per night), as most homes through Airbnb are located on the lake and are therefore more expensive. For fun, visit Bear Lake State Park (admission is about $10 per vehicle). Here you can go boating, swimming and other activities on the lake, which has a wonderful color that resembles the waters of the Caribbean.    

8. Valley City, North Dakota

Valley City, North Dakota

Valley City is one of the largest cities in North Dakota and one of the cheapest tourist places in the United States in terms of quality and price. It is also a city with few visitors, which makes it an ideal hidden destination to relax and enjoy without large crowds of tourists. Although hotel rooms often exceed $100 per night, the rooms are usually spacious and modern, so you can rest easy. Valley City’s most popular attraction is the Highline Bridge, which is part of a historic railroad.    

7. Paducah, Kentucky

Paducah, Kentucky

Paducah is located between the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers. For its beauty and cultural richness, it was designated by UNESCO as the seventh city of folk arts and crafts in the world in November 2013. In terms of lodging, you can find a hotel room or house for less than $100 a night. You can’t travel to Paducah without experiencing the National Quilt Museum, where you’ll learn about the city’s important role in connecting cultures through creativity (a guided tour costs just $15). In the evening, you can enjoy the city’s nightlife with a drink at one of its bars or restaurants with live music.    

6. Lawrenceburg, Tennessee

Lawrenceburg, Tennessee

Lawrenceburg, Tennessee is located between Memphis and Chattanooga, this city is known for its connection to the wild frontier king Davy Crockett. There is plenty of nature, music and history to explore and enjoy here. In Lawrenceburg you can find many lodging options for less than $100 a night, or camp at David Crockett State Park for around $20. If you decide to camp at David Crockett State Park, you can enjoy many activities, such as swimming or renting a boat to take a stroll and enjoy nature. History buffs can’t miss the Old Jailhouse Museum or the James D. Vaughan Museum, which celebrates the history of Southern gospel music.      

5. Alexandria, Virginia

Alexandria, Virginia

Alexandria’s cobblestone streets and historic waterfront make it a charming and affordable city for those wishing to visit Washington D.C. next, with the Lincoln Memorial and White House less than 10 miles away. Hotels in Alexandria cost about half of what you’d pay downtown, averaging $140 per night. Here you can visit the Torpedo Factory Art Center, a space with seven galleries and 82 artist studios where you can find everything from ceramics to stained glass. Other places of interest include George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate ($20 admission) and Virginia’s booming wine country, where you can tour RdV Vineyards ($65 per person), known for its excellent red wine blends.    

4. Traverse City, Michigan

Traverse City, Michigan

This town still retains its old charm, with quiet lakeside beaches, lush cherry trees and happy, relaxed travelers. Here you can also find many homes, hotels and apartments available for less than $100 a night. Visit Sleeping Bear Dunes Park, an amazing place with giant sand dunes where you can do a variety of activities, such as visiting the lighthouse, seaside villages and quaint farms where you’ll learn about the region’s agricultural, maritime and recreational history. Admission is only $20 per week. After a day of action, you can go eat fresh Lake Michigan fish at area restaurants at very affordable prices.    

3. Fairmont, West Virginia

Fairmont, West Virginia

Fairmont, known as the Friendly City, is surrounded by rivers and has distinctive downtown architecture that makes it a beautiful and pleasant place to visit. It is also one of the cheapest tourist spots in the United States. A modern double room in a historic house costs about $72 per night, while rooms in a motel or inn average $50. If you like camping, you can stay at Audra State Park or Tygart State Park for as little as $22 and $25 a night, respectively. In addition to having a scenic charm complemented by picturesque waterfalls and beautiful forests, Valley Falls State Park also has spaces for fun and outdoor activities, such as hiking.    

2. Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

This small city is known for its fresh produce, affordable prices and a wide variety of activities that can satisfy all tastes. You will also find plenty of accommodation offers in Lancaster. For example, on the Airbnb app you can find entire houses for less than $100 a night or, if you don’t mind staying on the outskirts of the city, apartments for less than $50. One of Lancaster’s main tourist attractions is the Amish community, where you can take a tour to learn about their lifestyle, farms and culture.    

1. Lewes, Delaware

Lewes, Delaware

Lewes is a pretty town with colorful architecture, a charming downtown and scenery that you can enjoy sunbathing on its beautiful beaches without the crowds and high prices you’ll find in other Delaware towns south of Lewes. However, rents in coastal towns tend to be higher, so lodging rates in Lewes are a bit higher than in the other destinations in this article, topping $100 per night. To get an affordable lodging budget, we recommend traveling in a group and in the off-season. Once on the beach, you can relax, walk, read or visit Cape Henlopen State Park, a coastal area where you can visit a lighthouse and a nature center (admission is free).

Our team with the help of expert opinions and user votes, ranked the 15 Best Cheap Vacation Spots in the US. Use this list to help you choose your next affordable domestic destination, and don’t forget to vote for the getaway of your choice below to help shape next year’s list.

Best Cheap Vacation Spots in the US

The 15 best cheap places to visit in the United States:

15. Miami, Florida

Miami, Florida

Florida’s largest city and with a population of 433,136. A well-known tourist destination, it is the southernmost city in the ranking. Considered as the ‘Cleanest City in America’ by Forbes magazine, for its ample green spaces, the quality of its air and its various recycling programs. It is popularly known as ‘The Magic City’.   Miami enjoys a tropical climate, with hot summers and mild winters. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of musical offerings. The city’s central areas are open 24 hours a day and it is common to see the city’s best DJs, as well as its well-known Winter Music Conference and Ultra Music Festival, which make it the home of electronic music.    

14. Orlando, Florida

Orlando, Florida

Orlando is the sixth largest city in Florida and the largest non-coastal city in the state. It is a city dedicated almost entirely to tourism, due to its wide range of leisure activities. It has one of the busiest airports in the world. The city is home to major technology companies such as EA Games and IBM. Orlando is not known for its museums, but for its amusement parks. The Walt Disney World Resort is located in the city, as well as several Disney-themed amusement parks. Universal Studios has a park in the city, as well as the park dedicated to marine life, Sea World.  

More: How to go to Disney World on a Budget   

13. Dallas, Texas

Dallas, Texas

Dallas, a city located in the interior of the state of Texas, is the third largest city in the state. It is infamous for being the site of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. It is home to major corporations, making it the Silicon Valley of Texas, as it is known in the United States. Dallas’ cultural offerings include its Museum of Art or the Meadows Museum, which houses a valuable collection of Spanish art from the Middle Ages to the present. The city is known for authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex food. You won’t go hungry in Dallas, as it is a city with more restaurants per capita than New York City.    

12. Stateline, Nevada

Stateline, Nevada

Stateline, located at the southern end of Lake Tahoe, is a winter wonderland that offers a long list of activities, even in the warmer months. Here you’ll find more than a dozen ski resorts and enjoy the region’s scenic wonders at affordable prices. Hop aboard one of its most popular attractions, the Heavenly Ski Resort Gondola (from $58), to the 10,000-foot summit, where you can access more than 1,800 acres of ski trails. You can also rent a kayak for $25 to visit Fannette Island in Lake Tahoe or visit the famous 1920s Vikingsholm Mansion ($10 for adults), which features stunning Scandinavian architecture.  

More: Family Vacation to Yellowstone National Park  

11. Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

This town is an ideal destination any time of year. It’s full of nature, art and history, and it’s much more affordable than other major North Carolina cities. You can find a variety of homes for rent on Airbnb for less than $100 per night, or hotel rooms for between $50 and $70. Don’t forget to visit the historic Old Salem Museums and Gardens (admission fee between $18 and $27), which includes three different history museums: the Early Southern Decorative Arts Museum, Old Salem Gardens and Historic Salem City.    

10. Big Sur, California

Big Sur, California

Big Sur California is filled with cultural and artistic attractions, as well as breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Famous author Henry Miller lived there and was inspired for 18 years. Many hotels offer rooms for less than $100 a night. If you prefer something closer to nature, there are many campgrounds, such as Andrew Molera State Park or Treebones Resort, which is right on the water. You can also head to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, which offers hiking trails with incredible views, a historic ranch and nature center. Don’t miss the famous Bixby Bridge or the Henry Miller Library, a cultural center where you can attend live art events.    

9. Garden City, Utah

Garden City, Utah

On the shores of Bear Lake lies this destination, ideal for a romantic trip as well as for relaxing or visiting with family. Hotel rooms are your best option in Garden City (they cost around $60 per night), as most homes through Airbnb are located on the lake and are therefore more expensive. For fun, visit Bear Lake State Park (admission is about $10 per vehicle). Here you can go boating, swimming and other activities on the lake, which has a wonderful color that resembles the waters of the Caribbean.    

8. Valley City, North Dakota

Valley City, North Dakota

Valley City is one of the largest cities in North Dakota and one of the cheapest tourist places in the United States in terms of quality and price. It is also a city with few visitors, which makes it an ideal hidden destination to relax and enjoy without large crowds of tourists. Although hotel rooms often exceed $100 per night, the rooms are usually spacious and modern, so you can rest easy. Valley City’s most popular attraction is the Highline Bridge, which is part of a historic railroad.    

7. Paducah, Kentucky

Paducah, Kentucky

Paducah is located between the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers. For its beauty and cultural richness, it was designated by UNESCO as the seventh city of folk arts and crafts in the world in November 2013. In terms of lodging, you can find a hotel room or house for less than $100 a night. You can’t travel to Paducah without experiencing the National Quilt Museum, where you’ll learn about the city’s important role in connecting cultures through creativity (a guided tour costs just $15). In the evening, you can enjoy the city’s nightlife with a drink at one of its bars or restaurants with live music.    

6. Lawrenceburg, Tennessee

Lawrenceburg, Tennessee

Lawrenceburg, Tennessee is located between Memphis and Chattanooga, this city is known for its connection to the wild frontier king Davy Crockett. There is plenty of nature, music and history to explore and enjoy here. In Lawrenceburg you can find many lodging options for less than $100 a night, or camp at David Crockett State Park for around $20. If you decide to camp at David Crockett State Park, you can enjoy many activities, such as swimming or renting a boat to take a stroll and enjoy nature. History buffs can’t miss the Old Jailhouse Museum or the James D. Vaughan Museum, which celebrates the history of Southern gospel music.      

5. Alexandria, Virginia

Alexandria, Virginia

Alexandria’s cobblestone streets and historic waterfront make it a charming and affordable city for those wishing to visit Washington D.C. next, with the Lincoln Memorial and White House less than 10 miles away. Hotels in Alexandria cost about half of what you’d pay downtown, averaging $140 per night. Here you can visit the Torpedo Factory Art Center, a space with seven galleries and 82 artist studios where you can find everything from ceramics to stained glass. Other places of interest include George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate ($20 admission) and Virginia’s booming wine country, where you can tour RdV Vineyards ($65 per person), known for its excellent red wine blends.    

4. Traverse City, Michigan

Traverse City, Michigan

This town still retains its old charm, with quiet lakeside beaches, lush cherry trees and happy, relaxed travelers. Here you can also find many homes, hotels and apartments available for less than $100 a night. Visit Sleeping Bear Dunes Park, an amazing place with giant sand dunes where you can do a variety of activities, such as visiting the lighthouse, seaside villages and quaint farms where you’ll learn about the region’s agricultural, maritime and recreational history. Admission is only $20 per week. After a day of action, you can go eat fresh Lake Michigan fish at area restaurants at very affordable prices.    

3. Fairmont, West Virginia

Fairmont, West Virginia

Fairmont, known as the Friendly City, is surrounded by rivers and has distinctive downtown architecture that makes it a beautiful and pleasant place to visit. It is also one of the cheapest tourist spots in the United States. A modern double room in a historic house costs about $72 per night, while rooms in a motel or inn average $50. If you like camping, you can stay at Audra State Park or Tygart State Park for as little as $22 and $25 a night, respectively. In addition to having a scenic charm complemented by picturesque waterfalls and beautiful forests, Valley Falls State Park also has spaces for fun and outdoor activities, such as hiking.    

2. Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

This small city is known for its fresh produce, affordable prices and a wide variety of activities that can satisfy all tastes. You will also find plenty of accommodation offers in Lancaster. For example, on the Airbnb app you can find entire houses for less than $100 a night or, if you don’t mind staying on the outskirts of the city, apartments for less than $50. One of Lancaster’s main tourist attractions is the Amish community, where you can take a tour to learn about their lifestyle, farms and culture.    

1. Lewes, Delaware

Lewes, Delaware

Lewes is a pretty town with colorful architecture, a charming downtown and scenery that you can enjoy sunbathing on its beautiful beaches without the crowds and high prices you’ll find in other Delaware towns south of Lewes. However, rents in coastal towns tend to be higher, so lodging rates in Lewes are a bit higher than in the other destinations in this article, topping $100 per night. To get an affordable lodging budget, we recommend traveling in a group and in the off-season. Once on the beach, you can relax, walk, read or visit Cape Henlopen State Park, a coastal area where you can visit a lighthouse and a nature center (admission is free).