Best Ways to Explore America on a Budget

Best Ways to Explore America on a Budget

America is one of the best tourist destinations globally. There are many affordable indoor and outdoor activities for tourists. Here are a few tips for exploring the United States on a budget:

Plan well in advance

One of the best ways to enjoy affordable travel is to plan your trip early, irrespective of the destination. It gives ample time to research entry fees to museums or parks, airfares, accommodation, and the cheapest excursions. You can seek discounts and get early bird booking privileges.

Choose Your Destination Wisely

As a first-time visitor, you might be tempted to visit major cities such as New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. These cities are expensive all year round and even more pricey during peak seasons.

Instead, visit lesser-known American cities such as Savannah, Portland, Charleston, Nashville, or San Antonio. They offer plenty of fun activities and attractions at lower prices.

Get around Using Public Transport

One cost that is inevitable while traveling is transportation cost. Luckily, there are many public transport options to consider, such as traveling by bus. The US has a reliable transportation network that connects different cities by rail or road. Also, bus and train tickets are affordable, so you can conveniently move between cities with ease.

Opt For a Vacation Home or Hostel

Looking for affordable accommodation can be a daunting thought. For cheap accommodation, stay outside of the main tourist hotspots.

If you are traveling with your family, a budget-friendly option will be to vacation home to allow your family to stay together while providing the privacy you need. If traveling solo or in smaller groups, you can rent out a room or a hostel for short-term stays. Take advantage of accommodation sites, where you can filter search results by price and pick an option that best suits your budget.

Find Freebies

You do not need a lot of money to have a good time in America. There are many free activities to engage in and make memories during your trip to America.

It might be visiting historical sites, camping, visiting the beach, walks and hikes, and more. Once you know what you want, you can check online options specific to your chosen city.

A few notable examples include:

  • Taking a walk down the Hollywood Walk of Fame in L.A.
  • Visiting the Millenium Park in Chicago. One of the best parks to visit with sculptures, beautiful gardens, and more.
  • Getting in touch with history and exciting displays at the Smithsonian Museum in D.C.
  • Visiting the Martin Luther King Junior Historic Site
  • In Las Vegas, you can watch the beautiful Bellagio Fountains, day or night, for free.

Affordable Meals

A travel hack is always to find out where the locals eat. Residents know the hidden gems with fantastic food at competitive prices. Street food vendors with carts and small cafes also have tasty, affordable meals, and you can find them nearly on every street in big towns. You can also look up affordable restaurants near you and order delivery or curbside pickup. This way, even if you do not know your way around, you can still enjoy meals of choice conveniently.

Preparing your own meals is also cheap if you stay in a hotel with cooking facilities. Make a trip to the grocery store to buy some vegetables and fruits. Pack your bags with fresh fruits and healthy snacks to save even more when going out.

Every state in America has amazing places to visit and affordable amenities to cater to your travel needs. Hopefully, these pointers outlined above will get you started on a fun trip.