Affordable Weekend Escapes: 18 Budget-Friendly Trips Across the U.S.
Stretch your travel dollars without sacrificing fun. These 18 weekend ideas pair short travel times with free or low-cost activities, local eats, and inviting places to stay.
West
Los Angeles to Hermosa Beach, California
Swap freeways for ocean breezes a few miles south of L.A. Check in at Sea Sprite Hotel or H2O Hermosa, then fill days with beach time, bike rides on The Strand, and mural spotting. Grab a carnitas burrito from Brother’s Burritos for a pier-side picnic. If you can splurge, book jazz brunch at The Lighthouse Cafe or a show at The Comedy & Magic Club.
Seattle to San Juan Island, Washington
Drive to Anacortes and ferry to Friday Harbor for lighthouse hikes, coastal trails, and laid-back tastings at local wineries and breweries. Meet alpacas at Krystal Acres, and choose your stay at Lakedale Resort, from cabins and yurts to campsites and luxe canvas cottages.
San Francisco to Paso Robles, California
Head 200 miles south for lake time at Nacimiento and easy hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Wander downtown tasting rooms and shops, then pack an alfresco winery lunch. Reserve Denner Vineyards or Alta Colina tastings, and consider The Piccolo or a vintage trailer stay by the pond.
Portland to Sherwood, Oregon
Unwind at Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, then roll through the Willamette Valley for tastings at Hawks View Winery. Sleep tiny at My Tiny House Village or go retro at The Vintages Trailer Resort, complete with pool and lawn games.
San Diego to Solvang, California
Old-world architecture and vineyard-dotted hills set the scene for Danish bakeries, village strolls, and the horse-drawn Solvang Trolley. Save with Flying Flags RV Resort Campground, choosing tents, Airstreams, or glamping cabins with pools and hot tubs.
Las Vegas to Phoenix, Arizona
Trade neon for desert gardens. Stroll the Desert Botanical Garden, tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West, then sip creative cocktails at Bitter & Twisted. Taste Native American dishes at The Fry Bread House and sleep affordably at Rise Uptown with a pool and skyline views.
Denver to Fort Collins, Colorado
Toast the weekend at Gilded Goat Brewing Company or NOCO Distillery, then hike Horsetooth Mountain to the falls. Wander Old Town, the inspiration for Disneyland’s Main Street, and stay at the pet-friendly Armstrong Hotel.
South and Southwest
Dallas to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Paddle the Oklahoma River in the Boathouse District, cruise murals by Bricktown Water Taxi, and stroll Myriad Botanical Gardens with your pup. Add coasters at Frontier City or a visit to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum before turning in.
Houston to Fredericksburg, Texas
Gather friends for Hill Country wineries, antique browsing, and farm stands. Hike Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, watch for spring bluebonnets, and book a quirky stay in Wine Barrel Cabins to keep the theme going.
New Orleans to Paloma Lake, Louisiana
Find quiet 20 miles from the city at an A-frame glamping cabin on a private 53-acre lake. Spend time fishing, trying archery or skeet, and taking a wagon ride to crawfish ponds to catch, boil, and feast.
Atlanta to Asheville, North Carolina
Explore the River Arts District, then refuel with nitro cold brew at Ultra Coffeebar or an IPA at Wedge Brewing. Keep meals budget-friendly with 12 Bones Smokehouse, Tupelo Honey, and Vortex Doughnuts. Walk Blue Ridge Parkway trails like Craven Gap and end the day in a cabin or value hotel.
Midwest
Detroit to Frankenmuth, Michigan
“Michigan’s Little Bavaria” charms with Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland and the Bavarian Inn. Cruise the Cass River on the Bavarian Belle, sample Frankenmuth Cheese Haus specialties, and stock up on festive souvenirs.
Chicago to Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana
Less than an hour from Chicago, 15 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline offer beach days, forest hikes, and birding. Tack on Mount Baldy Beach, the Great Marsh Trail, and the Diana of the Dunes Dare before settling into a campsite or nearby inn.
East
New York City to the Catskills, New York
In under three hours, trade crowds for country roads. Hike, paddleboard, and visit farm stands, orchards, and makers. Slow down with fishing or an alpaca walk at Buck Brook Alpacas, then browse small-town main streets like Woodstock and Windham.
Philadelphia to Richmond, Virginia
Free and low-cost fun abounds. Walk the downtown Canal Walk, explore Richmond National Battlefield Park, and relax at Brambly Park with wine, fire pits, and live music. Check into Quirk Hotel and grab a plate at budget-friendly favorites such as Mama J’s.
Washington, D.C., to West Virginia
Aim for the Eastern Panhandle. Shepherdstown’s college-town charm mixes with Harpers Ferry National Historical Park’s hiking, climbing, and river views. Soak in Berkeley Springs’ historic mineral baths, then browse antiques and stop by Black Draft Distillery.
Orlando to Cocoa Beach, Florida
Reach the sand in about an hour. Surf with School of Surf, trace wave history at the Florida Surf Museum, and paddle Thousand Islands Conservation Area to spot manatees. Time it right for a rocket launch, then float the lazy river at retro-inspired Beachside Cocoa Beach and dine at The Fat Snook.
New York City to Long Island’s North and South Forks, New York
Split the weekend between Hamptons beach time at Coopers Beach and North Fork vineyards like Corey Creek and Croteaux. Catch a show at The Suffolk and cap the night at T Bar Southampton. Stay luxe at The Reform Club in Amagansett or go bayside at Bay Breeze Inn in Jamesport.
Boston to Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Drive or take the CapeFlyer to lighthouse-dotted coasts and seafood shacks. Book Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises from April to October, then choose a stay: Inn at Cape Cod in Yarmouth, Wequassett Resort & Golf Club in Harwich, or Chatham Inn. Roam Cape Cod National Seashore to Provincetown and grab a table at the Lobster Pot.
Boston to Kennebunkport, Maine
Settle in by Goose Rocks Beach or quieter Arundel Beach. Kayak from Kennebunkport Marina, rent a surf setup at Aquaholics, and boat to Goat Island Lighthouse. Refuel at Alisson’s Restaurant and sample inventive scoops at Rococo Ice Cream. Sleep at The Tides Beach Club or family-friendly Nonantum Resort.
Multiple East Coast Cities to Toronto, Canada
Reachable in under two hours by air from many East Coast hubs, Toronto pairs lakefront cycling on the Waterfront Trail with the pedestrian Distillery Historic District’s restaurants and galleries. Dine lakeside at Sunnyside Pavilion Cafe or go classic at Auberge du Pommier. Stay central at The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto or Fairmont Royal York.
Tips for Saving More
Travel short distances to cut costs, choose midweek or shoulder-season dates, and anchor each day with one free activity. Pack picnics, book tastings over pricey dinners, and opt for cabins, tiny homes, or campsites to keep budgets in check.
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