Trying to get a third job to take the kids on a weekend getaway?
Well now you don’t have to! It is possible to go on a family vacation without breaking the bank.
Uncover some of the nation’s most affordable destinations – and you won’t believe what cities made the top of the list!
The United States offers a treasure trove of interesting destinations you can visit at a reasonable cost – and there is more to see than cows and the world’s largest ball of paint (yes, that’s an attraction in Indiana)!
The leading online platform for airport parking, ParkSleepFly, has taken a lot of the guesswork out of affordable travel for us by compiling a list of the most budget-friendly destinations in America.
How did the company do this?
ParkSleepFly looked at several different metrics to average out on a scale of 1-10, such as prices of an alcoholic drink, restaurant meals, transportation and accommodations.
With these factors in mind, lets take a look at some destinations you can do on the fly, where you don’t have to sell a kidney, and you can bring back some Instagram worthy pics.
1. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s capital came in at number 1 on the ParkSleepFly list with a total score of 8.6 out of 10 points.
This is a great vacation for fans of the Old West with their cowboy culture tightly knitted throughout daily life.
Catch an authentic rodeo at one of the many Professional Bull Riders Association events and grab a $3 beer at 1492 New World Latin Cuisine, who boasts having the best Mexican food in all of Oklahoma City.
Stay the night at the Renaissance Waterford Hotel for only $127 a night or at a chic Airbnb in the city for as low as $43 a night.
ParkSleepFly CEO Martin Jones said to CNBC:
“Despite not being the top of most people’s bucket lists, Oklahoma City is a great place to visit.”
2. San Antonio, Texas
Speaking of the Old West experience, the “River City” is home to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo and the famous site for the battle at the Alamo.
San Antonio was number 5 on the affordability list, but Texas ranks high on Proud American Traveler’s conservative list – which is even more reason to vacation in The Lone Star State.
Governor Greg Abbott loves freedom and was one of the first governors in the nation to lift COVID-19 restrictions and allow businesses to operate.
Staying at the Valencia Hotel along the San Antonio River is a must and the onsite restaurant is delicious – but no comparison to the terrace views of the Riverwalk, the city’s most impressive pedestrian street filled with shops and eateries.
3. Memphis, Tennessee
There is more to see in Memphis than the home of Elvis Presley, although it is a must-see stop for all music lovers.
Scoring a 7.87 out of 10 points on the ParkSleepFly affordable city list, the Grind City offers signature cocktails, like the ones at Alchemy Memphis on Cooper Street, and all-star attractions, like Graceland and the historic walking tours of Beale Street.
Hotel Napoleon will put you right in the middle of Downtown Memphis where you can walk or take public transportation to any key point in the city.
The whole family will enjoy visiting the home of rock-and-roll, and your wallet will thank you.
4. Orlando, Florida
You may be surprised to see Orlando on our affordable vacation list, but that’s because tourists forget there is more to see and do than just the Disney franchise.
Yes, Disney World or any of the affiliated theme parks can cost a pretty penny, but being a competitive tourism market, there are great hotel prices and attractions on every corner that will surely catch your children’s eye.
Discovery Cove is a great alternative to the larger theme parks, and much more adventurous.
You can snorkel through coral reefs, swim with bottle-nosed dolphins, and explore ocean life in the palm of your hand – it is every child’s underwater dream.
Florida is also a freedom loving state – which means you won’t have to worry if you’ll be locked up just for clearing your throat in public.
As you probably could’ve guessed, traveling to one of these fun and cost-friendly cities gives you way more bang for your buck than an overpopulated tourist cesspool like New York City, where you’re forced to show all your medical information just to eat at an overpriced restaurant.
The travel industry has been through a transformation, and part of that has caused tourists to shift from some of the more popular – and liberal – states to some of the more underground gems of the nation.
And we couldn’t be more excited!
It’s easy to think trips are off the table this year with all the mandates and restrictions related to the coronavirus, but the road is still open and we are still free.
(h/t Proud American Traveler)