Related: The Best Beaches on the East Coast. Later, catch a nightly double feature at Beaufort's Highway 21 Drive-In theater, only $7 for adults and $3 for kids. Attend a festival, such as Germanfest, Greekfest, Riverpalooza, or the Hobnobben film festival. For more great travel guides and vacation tips, please sign up for our free newsletters. Savvy opera lovers flock to Cooperstown each summer for its Glimmerglass Festival. With more than 100 miles of whitewater, and more than 100 rapids, the river beckons anyone who appreciates the great outdoors, hot springs, beautiful scenery, and abundant wildlife, including bighorn sheep, mountain goats, river otters, elk, and black bears, not to mention osprey, owls, eagles, and an abundance of other birds. There's more to Miami Beach than sun-kissed beaches, stunning views, and hot nightlife. Kisatchie National Forestnear Alexandra encompasses 604,000 acres of bald cypress groves, old growth pine, and recreational activities such as bird watching, photography, backpacking, canoeing, all-terrain vehicle trails, boating, camping, cycling, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, mountain biking, picnicking, and swimming. For a different kind of Palm Desert experience, window shop the more than 300 stores and galleries of the mile-long El Paseo shopping district, and check out these free and cheap things to do in Palm Springs, while you're in the area. At the International Tennis Hall of Fame Museum ($18 for adults, free for kids 16 and younger) there are more than 1,900 artifacts of tennis history. Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial offers a view over the western basin of Lake Erie to Canada and the longest undefended border in the world. Travelers looking to renew mind, body, and spirit should head to Sedona, two hours' drive from Phoenix. Denali also offers free sled dog demonstrations and evening campground programs with weekly topics that range from glaciers to grizzlies. Hot Springs National Park, nicknamed The American Spa," dates back to 1832 and is one of the smallest national parks in the United States. Nestled on Lake Michigan, New Buffalo offers an attractive beach (where the biggest expense might be the $15 spent on parking for the day) and the free Galien River County Park, for hiking, fishing, and spectacular views from a 60-foot-high marsh overlook tower. The fair is the state's largest tourism event, attracting more than 1 million visitors a year over its 11-day run each August ($14 for adults and $8 for children for tickets bought in advance). Whether those passing through are true believers or looking for alien kitsch, the area is picturesque and known for its dark night skies; the Milky Way tends to be extremely showy there. 1 visitor destination. Swing by the independent Vermont Book Shop for local reads and jazz and classical recordings. Hikers and bikers can see the best vistas of Boulder's iconic flatirons from the 48 miles of multilevel trails that meander through the hilly meadows and forests of Chautauqua Park. The nation's largest no-kill companion animal sanctuary welcomes some 30,000 visitors and about 9,000 volunteers every year, and accepts monetary donations). Cody makes a good base for day trips to Yellowstone National Park, which is only a half-hour drive ($20 for adults arriving by foot or bike, $35 for cars). The first city in the United States to be designated a UNESCO Creative City, the southwestern mountain town of Santa Fe known as "The City Different" for more than a century is a mecca of spas, retreats, hiking, biking, river rafting, skiing, fishing, and enough other endeavors to fill four or five days or four or five months. The Second City is full of tasty places to eat for cheap. As the birthplace of Elvis Presley, Tupelo offers visitors a chance to explore the humble home where he was born (tours start at $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 7 to 12), the hardware store where he bought his first guitar, and other sites that molded the boy who would be king. Related: Summer Tourist Spots to Avoid and Where to Go Instead. Nearly two dozen free entertainment ideas gathered by the Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau include botanical gardens, rooftop concerts, mansion tours, museums, and family-focused shows at the Overture Center for the Arts. Adventures on the Gorge, a resort serving the New River Gorge National River, Gauley River National Recreation Area, and Bluestone National Scenic Riverin southern West Virginia, has accommodations for any budget, with prebuilt platform tent sites ranging from $39 to $69 for double occupancy. Plan a summer vacation full of hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities in Prince William and Manassas, just 30 miles from the nation's capital. Fort Wayne offers lots of affordable, family-friendly attractions. Minutes from the city, Eldorado Canyon State Park is famed for its technical rock climbing, with more than 500 routes, but also attracts painters and photographers. Check sites like Vrbofor beachside vacation rentals that offer all of the conveniences of home. Spend the day shopping along the Magnificent Mile, snap photos of your reflection in Cloud Gate, aka "The Bean," ride the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel at Pier Park or go to the beach on Lake Michigan. Accessible only by boat or plane, the quaint village of Put-in-Bay on the banks of tiny South Bass Island has become legendary among Midwesterners, winning nicknames such as "the Key West of the Midwest" and the "closer-to-home Caribbean." Later, head to Dewey Beach for nightly live entertainment at the Starboard, where there's no cover charge. Discover more budget-friendly destinationsright here. Best Things To Do in Glacier National Park. In addition to boasting thelargest wilderness area in the Lower 48, Idaho has some of the best whitewater, including the Salmon River one of America's first Wild and Scenic Riversand one of its longest free-flowing rivers. Just 20 miles from Mount Rushmore, Rapid City is a good home base for a visit and offers its own presidential tourist attractions: Every downtown block is home to life-size bronze sculptures of the nation's past presidents. While there are only a few dozen residents in Rachel, a town along the highway, they do their best to point visitors to ghost townsand other nearby attractions. Or just take in a Fort Wayne TinCaps baseball game (tickets start at just $7). Nearby West Point Lake offers swimming, hiking trails, and good fishing. From a church, courthouse, and country store to log cabins and a sod house, there are 43 historic buildings and a ton of memorabilia to explore more than 400,000 items, including airplanes, antique cars, and farm equipment. The lake features 365 islands and 1,200 miles of shoreline and hostsMinnesota's newest state park, the 4,000-acre Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, which in spring 2023 will againlet tourists explorethe last-used level of a mine dug in 1892 (before repairs began, $15 for adults, $10 for children 6 to 12). During summer months, it's not all that uncommon to spy seals, porpoises, and whales, along with sightings of many species of birds among its pocket coves. On Monday nights from June to August, picnic-packing families descend on the landmark for kiddie hikes and the Meadow Music sing-along. So what can travelers expect to see?
The iconic chain of barrier islands known as the Outer Banks is home to some of the largest tracts of undeveloped beach on the East Coast.
Summertime brings longer days and warm-weather wanderlust. There are lots of fancy resorts in the area, but a more affordable home rental would be a good base for visits to Red Rock State Park, which alone is worth a trip many say it's better than the Grand Canyon. Decades of Southern history are scattered about its surrounding sea islands and historic downtown. Note: Cheapism does not accept or publish guest blog posts. Nearby, learn how a State House bell became the Liberty Bell, a symbol of independence for the entire country. At Mount Rushmore, many visitors ogle those oversize presidential faces and hop back in the car. An hour's drive from Houston's two airports, Galveston offers a lot of bang for the travel buck. LaGrange, just an hour south of Atlanta, is filled with rich history, beautiful architecture, tree-lined streets, a bustling downtown of restaurants, antique markets and boutiques, and museums and attractions. The summer rate for a seven-day park permit is $35. Alaska is known for easy access to vast expanses of wilderness, including Denali National Park, the state's No. Related:Small Towns That Shaped the Course of American History. Louisiana boasts some of the most unique and striking landscapes in the country for action-packed vacations or a trip filled with leisurely strolls through historical state parks and creole nature trails. There's lots of down-home fun, from craft breweries and Bowling Green Hot Rods baseball to family-owned favorites such as Chaney's ice cream and movie barn. Related: The Most Beautiful River in Every State. See the ecosystems of Biscayne National Park, south of Miami, including Biscayne Bay and its offshore reefs; discover the historic Art Deco District; get active with beach volleyball, walking, and biking trails, a tennis center, and kiteboarding at Crandon Park; people-watch on Ocean Drive; and check out Miami's vibrant art scene with walks among its galleries. Nestled on the shores of Lake Otsego, it's a place where history, art, romance, culture, golf, and baseball coexist in an unspoiled natural setting. For some of Hawaii's best cheap fun, travel up in the wee hours of the morning to watch the sunrise from above the clouds, hike around the lunar-like landscape, or ride a mountain bike down some of the summit to the sea. by, A view of a part of Grand Lake near Grove, Oklahoma by, Ducks enjoy the fountain at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis by, Summer Tourist Spots to Avoid and Where to Go Instead, Best Beach Towns for an Affordable Summer Vacation, Surprising Facts About America's National Parks, Natural Hot Springs to Shake Off Winter's Chill, Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Small Towns That Shaped the Course of American History, Towns Where You Can Still Experience the Wild West, go shopping along a classic American Main Street, The Best Lakefront Vacation Rentals Across America for a Peaceful Getaway. The full Elvis experience includes the city's many live music venues and, of course, Southern cuisine.
The towns and coastal villages are well worth exploration. Related: Towns Where You Can Still Experience the Wild West. Tours are $10 for adults and $5 for kids. (Jimmy Fallon even named his daughter "Winnie" after the lake.) The four islands are home to national and state parks with stories dating back to the Wright brothers (at Kitty Hawk) and the first English colony in the New World (on Roanoke Island). History buffs get a hands-on perspective at North Dakota's 12-acre Bonanzavillein West Fargo ($12 for adults, $6 for children). Tickets start at $10 to catch a game in this handsome, modern stadium in the heart of the city. Be sure to check out Ha Ha Tonka State Park, with its remnants of a circa-1904 stone castle and soaring bluffs offering scenic vistas. It's also in Kanab, in red rock Canyon Country, less than a two-hour drive from three iconic national parks: Bryce Canyon, Zion, and the north rim of the Grand Canyon. Related:Best Beach Towns for an Affordable Summer Vacation. What it lacks in size this New England gem makes up for in natural beauty and quirky culture. After a free tour, opt to help with some of the 1,700 abused and abandoned cats, dogs, horses, potbellied pigs, rabbits, and parrots waiting to find their forever homes. Gulf State Park, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, and the 15-mile Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail bring guests up close and personal with local flora and fauna. Yoga, meditation, psychic readings, and crystal shops are abundant. Have a picnic and soak up the sun on the half-mile of sand beach at Leesylvania State Park, overlooking the Potomac River. Perhaps one of the most unique offerings in LaGrange is the Biblical History Center, a nonprofit archaeological and educational park that recreates ancient Middle Eastern history and displays more than 250 Bible-era artifacts ($22.50 to visit). It's the only place on the planet where the Corvette is made, and home to the National Corvette Museum ($18 for adults, $13 for kids 5 to 12) as well as the Beech Bend Raceway ($12). Visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum (adults $16, kids $5) or stop at Fort Clatsop, where Lewis and Clark wintered more than 200 years ago. ", Related: Eerie Shipwrecks Around the World.
Check out the University of Vermont's Morgan Horse Farm ($8 for adults.). Madison is a college town with plenty of culture and culinary chops (including a growing distillery movement and thriving craft beer scene). Need some culture with your sun? If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission to support our work. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike, drive scenic tours, take horseback rides, or barrel around on ATVs. Within walking distance is Elfreth's Alley, one of the oldest residential streets in the United States, where there are 32 buildings dating from the 1720s to the 1830s. The Cass County Historical Society has been moving buildings from around the county to the Bonanzaville land since 1967. Generations of families flock every summer for crystal clear water, a sunny, semi-desert valley climate, and horizons sprinkled with orchards and vineyards. Orange Beach also has one of the largest charter fishing fleets on the Gulf, more than 17,000 artificial reefs for diving, and Gulf State Park Pier, the second-longest fishing pier on the Gulf of Mexico. In the heart of the South Carolina Lowcountry, Beaufort offers a sweet escape for lovers of water, history, and adventure. For a restorative vacation, consider Hot Springs, named for the 47 natural thermal springs flowing from neighboring mountains.
Cheapisms independent editorial team finds the best for less. No matter where you land, expect an abundance of sunshine and scenic rolling green hills. The coastal enclave of Newport was the playground of the country's elite during the Gilded Age and remains rich in world-class events, acclaimed restaurants, cultural attractions, alluring beaches, miles of trails, and diverse hotels and bed and breakfasts. Hunting Island State Park includes an 1859 lighthouse that is undergoing repairs to once again be open to the public the only one in the state so visitors can climb its 167 steps for a glimpse of what the lighthouse keepers saw every day. Also free is the New Buffalo Railroad Museum, providing a look back at a time ruled by steam engines. Outdoorsmen especially like the Grand Lake area.