Winter if finally coming to a close and spring weather is just around the corner, meaning wedding season, holidays, and lots of vacation travel! If you’re looking for a quick, cheap getaway, here are some U.S cities you may want to consider traveling to:
TUCSON, ARIZONA
For warm weather and plenty of desert charm, plan a weekend getaway to Tucson. This is an excellent place to visit if you love the outdoors because Saguaro National Park will introduce you to some incredible cactus-lined trails. Stop here to take all your “instaworthy” photos! Take some time to walk around the Barrio Histórico and browse the artsy adobe shops. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is west of downtown and a great outdoor place to see native animals and plants in a stunning landscape. To get a break from the heat, take a drive along Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway and check out a show at the Gaslight Theater.
ATLANTA , GA
Finding a cheap flight here is easy because Atlanta is Delta’s largest hub. The city is known for it’s booming nightlife and is home to the Falcons football team. Their new Mercedes- Benz stadium is quite impressive and features the cheapest concessions in the NFL. There are many attractions in the city center. You can check out the whale sharks at the Aquarium, visit the Coca-cola center, or ride the Ferris Wheel at sunset. Also, because of it’s sprawling boundaries, you can head slightly north of the city for some scenic hiking in the Appalachians, or to the east to visit Stone Mountain Park.
If the Atlanta nightlife is your main interest, stay in the Buckhead district, and consider staying at the Buckhead Hostel, they offer beds at $65 a night and private rooms for $95 a night. I also highly recommend considering Airbnbs! We had the best stay at this cute little Airbnb with hosts Jackie and Armando!
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
Nashville is best known for its country music scene, but there’s plenty of other things to do besides listen and dance to honkey-tonk. This affordable and accessible destination has some great microbreweries, burger joints, and live music venues. Music fans will enjoy visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and museum, RCA Studio B, the Johnny Cash Museum, and the Ryman Auditorium.
ASHEVILLE, NC
Asheville is a small city in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s known for a vibrant arts scene and historic architecture, breweries, and hiking spots along the mountains. I’ve visited many times and always find something new to discover. You can refer to my Asheville Travel Guide to find the must see destinations and where to eat and drink around town. If you’re traveling on a budget there are plenty of FREE things to do. Take a stroll in the Downtown Art District which is filled with galleries and museums, hike the blue ridge mountains, or check out this list for festivals and events.
DENVER, COLORADO
Denver, Colorado, is a popular destination thanks to its remarkable scenery, trendy social scene and entertainment amenities guaranteed to please the toughest theater buff and foodie. If you’re eager to spend time in The Mile High City but cash is short, there are plenty of ways to climb the mountain – literally. Cheapest times to travel to Denver is during the spring or fall, when airfares are lower. You can find some of the best flight deals on Spirit.com or through Frontier. On these sites be sure to double check the available airports and whether carry on baggage is an extra cost. If you can travel light – this will save you money. You can also discover America’s rail system or bus lines if you’ve never ridden them!
PORTLAND, MAINE
Portland on the West Coast often steals the spotlight, but Portland, Maine is a unique Northeastern city that makes a wonderful weekend getaway destination too. Head to Congress Street to check out the shops and art galleries, or bring your bike to explore the city on two wheels. Eating lobster, oysters, and other seafood specialties is a must here, and Portland has some really affordable food trucks. Food tours and craft breweries, including the Shipyard Brewing Company and Allagash Brewing, are plentiful here. Bring your kayak or paddleboard to get on the water, or you can rent one from a local shop.
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
Music lovers looking for a cheap vacation should head to Memphis. You can visit the Beale Street blues clubs and Graceland, the home of the late, great Elvis Presley.
Tours inside Graceland can get pricey, but a little-known tip is that if you show up between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m., entry to the outdoor meditation garden is absolutely free. You can see the exterior of the house and pose for pictures.
Memphis has tons of free things to do, like musical performances at Overton Park, the Art Museum of the University of Memphis, and the Pink Palace Museum, which doesn’t charge admission Tuesday afternoons.
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