The United States is a big country, and there are plenty of places for you to travel. That said, you don’t have to fly halfway around the world to experience something new. There are many places right here in the U.S. that offer great food, culture, and entertainment at reasonable prices.
12 Best Cheap Places to Visit in the USA in 2023
Traveling on a budget can be tough, but it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice having an amazing vacation. The United States is full of amazing and affordable destinations that offer a wide range of experiences. From bustling cities to charming small towns, there’s something for everyone. In this guide, we’ll be showcasing the 12 best cheap places to visit in the USA in 2023. These destinations offer a great balance of affordability and fun, making them perfect for budget-conscious travelers. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or just a chance to relax, these places will not disappoint.
Asheville, North Carolina
Let’s start with what makes Asheville such a great place to visit in general.
- The unique culture. Asheville is known for its quirky lifestyle, which gives it a very distinct feel from other cities in America. It’s also home to some of the best craft breweries in the country, so you can make sure your trip isn’t just about scenery by sampling some local brews!
- The beautiful scenery. If you want to see some gorgeous nature and get away from it all, there are plenty of hiking trails that let you explore mountains and waterfalls near Asheville (like Blackberry Ridge).
- For foodies: If you’re looking for an affordable meal out where the locals hang out then check out BRAVE NEW ROOMS on Haywood Road where they have live music every night from 5-8 pm! They serve up delicious food like their chicken wings & fries ($8) or BLT sandwich ($6). Open 7 days per week until midnight except Sunday when they close at 11pm due to church services nearby – don’t worry though because they still have entertainment available during service times including karaoke upstairs!
Houston, Texas
Houston is one of the most underrated cities in America. You can find a cheap hotel, eat good food and see great attractions for less than it costs to go to Dallas or Austin.
Houston is home to some of the best museums in the country. The Menil Collection houses art from around the world and has a huge sculpture garden on its grounds. The Houston Museum of Natural Science has multiple floors with exhibits about everything from dinosaurs to natural history. If you want to explore space and other planets, visit Space Center Houston where you can go inside an actual rocket ship!
There are also plenty of parks in Houston so if you like hiking or just want somewhere peaceful to relax after a busy day exploring this city then check out Memorial Park, Hermann Park (home of FREE festivals throughout the year), Buffalo Bayou Park near downtown, George Bush Park at Texas A&M University & more!
Houston also has a thriving food scene which you can experience by visiting any one of the many famous restaurants in the city. Some highlights include: Huynh’s Gourmet Crawfish, Himalaya Restaurant (Indian), & Bolivian Llama Party (Bolivian). If you’re looking for something more casual then try out one of Houston’s many taco trucks!
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a great place to visit if you’re looking for something fun and different from the typical vacation. There are many things to do in New Orleans, including seeing amazing architecture, eating some of the best food in the world (and at some of the cheapest prices), and learning about the history of this city.
The city has over 300 hotels that range from cheap to luxury. Some of them even have casinos! You can get away with spending under $100 per night if you stay at one of these budget hotels.
There are also many fun activities that are cheap or free: walking along famous streets such as Bourbon Street; taking a carriage ride through historic French Quarter; visiting Louis Armstrong Park where there’s always live music playing; touring local museums like The Louisiana Children’s Museum or The National World War II Museum—the list goes on!
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
There’s a lot to see and do in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. If you’re interested in beer, this may be the place for you. The city has over 50 breweries to choose from—you can tour them all or just pick one that catches your eye.
The weather is also pretty nice during warmer months: it’s warm enough to enjoy outdoor activities, but not so hot that you’ll melt away into a puddle of sweat on the sidewalk. If winter is more your thing, then don’t worry; there are plenty of museums and festivals throughout the year for those who love snow sports like skiing and snowboarding.
Picturesque Lake Michigan makes for lovely views wherever you go (especially if you take advantage of its postcard-worthy beaches). There are also plenty of budget hotels where even students can find lodging without breaking their bank accounts!
If you’re looking for a place that has something for everyone, Milwaukee might be the perfect choice. From museums and art galleries to breweries and sports teams, you’ll never run out of things to do here.
San Diego, California
San Diego is a great place to visit in the summer, but it also has plenty of things to do throughout all of the seasons. The weather is pretty mild year-round with an average temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 Celsius) in January and 79 degrees Fahrenheit (26 Celsius) in July. If you’re looking for a budget hotel, there are several options available. The Days Inn San Diego Downtown Convention Center is located right in the heart of downtown and has amenities like free Wi-Fi and breakfast included with your stay.
There are many fun cheap things to do while visiting San Diego including renting a bike at Seaport Village and exploring Balboa Park by foot, taking a tour through Old Town or enjoying one of their many festivals such as Comic-Con or Oktoberfest. If you’d rather relax than explore on foot or on wheels, you can spend an afternoon lounging at Mission Beach Boardwalk which features roller coasters as well as carnival games for adults and kids alike!
Boise, Idaho
Boise is the capital of Idaho, and it’s home to more than 200,000 people. It’s a great place to visit in the spring and summer months when most of these things are open for business.
If you’re looking for outdoor activities, Boise has plenty on offer. There are hiking trails nearby that follow old railroad tracks or take you up a mountain (Hike Toe Creek Falls) or through historic neighborhoods (the Basque Steps). You can also head into the foothills where there are plenty of riverside parks with places to fish or paddleboard. And if you want something more adventurous, there are mountains within easy driving distance where can hike all day without ever seeing another person—or just take a drive through tree-covered hillsides that look like something out of Lord Of The Rings until you hit an open meadow filled with wildflowers that stretches on forever!
If museums aren’t your thing but shopping definitely is? Boise has TONS of shops from small boutiques and vintage stores run by local artists all over town! Check out Hyde Park Square which has everything from clothing stores to shoe stores; if vintage clothes aren’t your thing then check out The Hive on State St.; if handmade jewelry sounds better then try out The Treasure Chest near Downtown Core; if art supplies interest you start off at Bouchey Gallery & Studio before heading over toward downtown where there will be tons more options available!
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of Indiana, and it’s also home to a lot of great things to do and see. There’s the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which hosts the famous Indy 500 race every year. The Colts are an American Football team that plays at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis. If you love basketball, check out Pacers games at Bankers Life Fieldhouse when they’re in town (which isn’t often). Or even better: if you want to play yourself, head over to Conseco Fieldhouse—that’s how they actually spell “Conseco,” by the way!
In addition to all that sports stuff, there are plenty of museums around town worth checking out. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis has been around since 1924 and still serves as one of America’s most popular destinations for kids today (though adults love it too). The Eiteljorg Museum features Native American art from across North America; it also has three floors worth exploring with its rotating exhibitions. You can find more than 30 galleries along Mass Ave., where some artists sell their work directly from their studios—you might even be able to take advantage of special discounts if you buy direct!
Nashville, Tennessee
If you’re looking for an inexpensive place to travel in the U.S., look no further than Nashville, Tennessee. The city is home to country music, which means you can experience some of the best live music ever while also enjoying affordable prices on food and drinks. It’s also a great city for history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts because it has plenty of historic sites and hiking trails.
If you love art museums and galleries, Nashville has something for everyone: The Frist Center for Visual Arts houses 150 years’ worth of paintings by American artists; the Ryman Auditorium offers guided tours through its rich history as one of the most famous music venues in America; and The Parthenon serves as both an art museum and replica temple from ancient Greece (it’s free!).
You’ll find cheap hotels scattered throughout Nashville—there are several hostels with dorm rooms that cost about $30 per night. You can get delicious meals at affordable prices by checking out places like Pancake Pantry or City Tavern—both serve up classic Southern cuisine at affordable rates ($5-15 per meal). There’s no shortage of fun things to do here either: Sample craft beer at Yazoo Brewing Company or listen to live bluegrass music at Robert’s Western World if you want something more low-key.
Austin, Texas
Austin is a great place to visit. There are a lot of things to do, and great restaurants, bars, and music. Austin is one of the best places in America for music lovers. If you want your vacation to be budget friendly then stay at our cheap hotels near Austin’s downtown area or just outside it on IH-35.
For a laid-back, bohemian vibe, head to South Congress Avenue and visit the shops, restaurants and galleries. If you’re in town for a convention or business trip and need someplace affordable to stay near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport then look no further than our cheap hotels near ABIA.
If you want to be close to the action, then stay at one of our cheap hotels near Austin’s downtown area or just outside it on IH-35. For a laid-back, bohemian vibe, head to South Congress Avenue and visit the shops, restaurants and galleries. If you’re in town for a convention or business trip and need someplace affordable to stay near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport then look no further than our cheap hotels near ABIA.
Denver, Colorado
Although it’s a little colder than the other places on this list, Denver is still a great place to visit in the winter. It has a lot of museums and art galleries, as well as breweries and distilleries. You can also enjoy some delicious food from its many restaurants. If you want to get outdoors while you’re there (which is highly recommended), there are plenty of activities such as hiking or skiing available at reasonable prices. There are many budget-friendly hotels in different parts of town so you won’t have to spend too much money on accommodations either!
If you’re looking for a more laid-back experience, head over to Boulder or Longmont. Both of those areas have some amazing breweries, as well as great food and coffee shops.
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a great city to visit. It has a lot of great restaurants, breweries, coffee shops and parks. It also has some really good museums that you can explore while you’re in town.
If you want to get the most out of your trip to Portland without breaking the bank, we recommend staying at one of these budget hotels with great reviews: the Hotel deLuxe or Hotel Eastlund.
While in Portland make sure that you check out Multnomah Falls (a waterfall), Powell’s City of Books (the largest independent bookstore in America), Voodoo Doughnuts (the most famous doughnut shop in Oregon) and Forest Park (a beautiful park).
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia is a beautiful city with a lot of history. Although it’s a popular tourist destination, you can still find cheap places to travel in Savannah. There are many things to do in Savannah, including visiting some of the city’s most famous sites: Forsyth Park and the River Street area.
Savannah is also great during spring and fall because it doesn’t get as hot as other parts of the country during these times of year. If you’re looking for cheap places to travel in the United States, be sure to consider this southern gem!
Steven Yeager is a passionate travel blogger and content creator. When he’s not working part-time at a technology company, he can be found exploring the world and documenting his adventures on his blog, SYTraveling.com. With a love for experiencing new cultures and a talent for capturing stunning photographs, Steven shares his travel experiences with his readers in a way that is both informative and visually stunning. Follow his journey as he travels to some of the most exotic and beautiful locations around the globe, and be inspired to plan your own adventures.