The summer travel season has started, and you’re ready to use some of those hard-earned vacation days to travel solo, as a couple, or with a group of friends. There are a lot of places you can vacation at, but they’re not necessarily the most economical.
Enjoying a nice vacation doesn’t mean you have to empty your bank account or max out your credit cards. If you know where to go, you can have a fun, relaxing vacation without spending a ton of money. These places are affordable vacation destinations for the summer.
Bar Harbor, Maine
Adjacent to Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor has all of the New England charm and peace you can imagine. The food alone is worth a stay in this quaint town. With the freshest seafood straight from the Atlantic Ocean to your table, you can dine on lobster, shrimp, and scallops.
The lodging options in Bar Harbor include campgrounds, hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, and cottages. Once you’ve settled in, you can attend a Ghost Tour, shop in unique stores and boutiques, or get a massage at a spa.
Cannon Beach, Oregon
You may not be traveling with kids, but if you have a canine kid, you’ll find that they’re more than welcome at Cannon Beach. Well-behaved pooches can play off-leash on the beach, as long as their humans stay within a reasonable proximity.
The downtown region of Cannon Beach is also welcoming of furry kids. Several shops and galleries are dog-friendly, and there are restaurants that provide outdoor seating, which is perfect for bringing your best friend to join you for meals.
Flagstaff, Arizona
A portion of the famed Route 66 is located in Flagstaff, and it boasts no less than 66 attractions along the way. There are many other places to visit and things to do while you’re vacationing in the city. If you’re a fan of arts and culture, you’re in luck.
The Hozhoni Gallery, the Artists Gallery, and Arizona Handmade & Fire on the Mountain Galleries are just a few of the artistic excursions you can embark on. You can also take a guided or self-guided tour of Flagstaff’s diverse art scene.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Couples seeking a destination wedding site or a place to renew their vows, would find that Gatlinburg, Tennessee makes an idyllic backdrop for their nuptials. No matter the size of your wedding celebration, lifelong memories can be created there.
There are several choices of venues for wedding ceremonies, including rustic wedding chapels, outdoor, and cabin weddings. The members of the wedding party can be treated to an array of services, such as florists and styling studios.
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Any student of history knows of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, delivered during the American Civil War. The historic battlefield is an incredible sight to behold, but Gettysburg has so much more to offer vacationers.
In addition to Civil War reenactments, visitors can take a tour of the picturesque covered bridges of Adams County, Pennsylvania, or try any number of delectable desserts on the Adams County Sweet Stroll.
Glacier National Park, Montana
One of the draws of Glacier National Park is the relatively low number of active roads of the 1,600 miles that run through the park. This limited access allows the park to retain the unspoiled beauty it’s had for centuries.
Outdoorsy types will appreciate the opportunities to rock climb, paddling or sailing across Flathead Lake, and birding. Fishing enthusiasts have the chance to practice their sport in multiple waterways to catch as many trout as they can.
Moab, Utah
If you’re looking for a vacation site that has a picturesque backdrop in the day and at night, you can’t go wrong in Moab, Utah. During the day, guests to the city The unique red rock formations in the state and national parks are unlike anything you’ve seen elsewhere.
Moab is home to three Dark Sky Parks, which help designate Utah as the region with the most number of Dark Sky Parks worldwide. You may be able to see the Milky Way, and if you have binoculars, you may even see the rings of Saturn!
Nag’s Head, North Carolina
Located within the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Nag’s Head is a beach goer’s dream, with lodging that has views of the beachfront and ocean, and an ample number of sand dunes, courtesy of Jockey’s Ridge State Park.
Not far from the beaches are lighthouses that have guided seafaring travelers for generations. If you’re really feeling adventurous, you can go hang-gliding from sand dunes or take an Outer Banks Air Tour, and see the beaches from high above.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Arts and culture make up the heart of Santa Fe, New Mexico. From the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, and the interactive Meow Wolf exhibition, it’s easy to get immersed in the city’s art scene.
Guests preferring a more hands-on arts experience can join any number of classes ranging from painting and mixed media, to fiber arts, glass, jewelry, and pottery. You don’t have to be a professional to enjoy these artistic experiences.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California
It’s one thing to look at photos of sequoia trees. Seeing them in person at Sequoia National Park is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Being surrounded by the largest trees in the world gives you a true appreciation of how majestic they really are.
Kings Canyon National Park has an overlook that is made for the camera. As a visitor to the park, you’ll be treated to incredible views of mountain peaks and canyons, all untouched and remaining in their pristine natural state.
The Finger Lakes, New York
If spending part of your summer on lakeside property is something you aspire to do, you’ll have plenty of chances to do so in the Finger Lakes region of New York. The lakefront hotels provide relaxing views of the waterways, morning, noon, and night.
On the lakes you can go paddle boarding and kayaking, rent a boat and go sailing, or take a boat tour. Other nearby activities include ziplining on Bristol Mountain, hiking through various parks and trails, and biking.
The Poconos, Pennsylvania
The Pocono Mountains are a wonderful place for skiing, but don’t sleep on them in the summertime. There’s a lot more to the region than winter sports. The Poconos have what’s called a “summer adventure bucket list”.
This list includes summertime activities such as jet skiing, helicopter tours, the Delaware River Sojourn, and the Pocono Whitewater – Big Day Out excursion. These should convince you that there’s more to the Poconos than snow.