Traveling in your 20’s is something that most people dream about but it is the time in life where we have the least amount of income! So, finding affordable places to travel and ways to make the most of your money is so important. As a frequent traveler myself, I am always looking for ways to see new places without breaking the bank. In this post I am going to review some of the most affordable places to travel within the US!
The Most Affordable Places To Travel In The United States
Beaufort, SC
Beaufort, South Carolina is a quaint little southern town on the coast. It is the halfway point between Charleston and Savannah, and has lots of history! There are beautiful marshes and beaches around Beaufort which offer natural beauty and the architecture is adorable. I am listing some popular places to go in Beaufort that will be fun but won’t break the bank!
- Hunting Island Lighthouse: If you love a lighthouse landscape, this is for you. The Hunting Island Lighthouse is so beautiful and is located inside of a gorgeous state park that offers camping if that’s something you’re into!
- Bay Street: Bay Street is one of the main streets in Beaufort where you will see traditional homes and stores. You can also find some cute restaurants and river views!
- Lady’s Island Marina: Lady’s Island Marina has beautiful views as well as shops and restaurants! This would be a beautiful place to grab a bite to eat. You can even rent an apartment here if that’s something you would like to try!
- Burton Wells Dog Park: If you’re like me and want to bring your pets with you everywhere, you’ll need a good dog park! This park has a large land area as well as water for your pup to swim in. They also host big dog play dates each week.
- Lowcountry Photo Safari: I have never seen a photography safari before but this looks like SO much fun!! I’m tempted to go down to Beaufort soon to check this out! I love taking photos and if you do too, this is going to be an awesome adventure for you.
- Highway 21 Drive In Theater: If you’ve seen the movie, Grease, and you’re anything like me, then going to a drive through movie is a no brainer! I have always wanted to go to one and have passed by Highway 21 for years but never stopped for a show. I highly recommend in the summertime!
St. Augustine, FL
St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest city in the US. It is another coastal town and has tons of history and character. The architecture is very Spanish and the buildings are large and beautiful. Here are some places that I will be visiting as soon as possible!
- Sea Dragon Airboat Adventure: The animal lovers will LOVE this! You can see alligators, manatees, and birds. The driver of the boat gives a tour that you hear through the headphones while on the boat. This looks like a ton of fun for a sunny day to get on the water.
- Dolphin, Manatee, and Sea Turtle Adventure Tour: This wild life tour is guided on paddle boards! You can see all types of animals and lighthouse views. The tour isn’t physically demanding according to their website, but I’m not sure about that! Paddle boarding is a workout so I’d be interested to see how intense it is.
- St. George Street: This is a beautiful, traditional street in St. Augustine. You can spend the day walking around and looking at classic architecture and historic monuments as well as several shops and restaurants. The street is pedestrian only so it is very safe for families and couples alike.
- St. Augustine Alligator Farm: This place is a full zoo! They have so many different kinds of animals including albino alligators, lemurs, sloths, and snakes (if that’s your jam). There are attractions for kids too, such as ziplining. They also offer shows that remind me a little bit of Steve Irwin! Minus the sting ray of course!
- The Old Jail: The Old Jail was a fully functional prison until the 1950’s. The tour of the jail explains the history of the venue as well as the inmates that it housed. This was a maximum security prison and you get to see what it’s like in the cells.
Grand Canyon, AZ
The Grand Canyon is something that everyone should see. It is a beautiful staple in the West and could be included in a larger trip touring Colorado and Utah as well. This area is a national park so there are lots of different areas to see and outdoor activities. I will list my “must-do’s” here!
- Hiking at the South Rim: The south rim of the Grand Canyon is open to visitors all year. There are beautiful hikes all throughout this area that range in difficulty. The views are spectacular and this is the easiest vantage point to view the Grand Canyon.
- Hike or Kayak to Horseshoe Bend: This is one of the most picturesque areas of the Grand Canyon. Upon my first research, I thought that you could only hike to see this beautiful spot, but it turns out that you can kayak to it! If you are into outdoor activities, this is a go to for you.
- Grand Canyon Railway Train Ride: This train ride is probably the most expensive activity in this list. But, it seems so cool!! The train pics you up in Sedona and takes you through the Grand Canyon. This will be an all day event for your group!
- Desert Jeep Tour: Have you ever heard of a Pink Jeep Tour???? The name speaks for itself in my book, as a girly girl. But, it just looks so fun to ride around the desert in a pink jeep! They have several different options including sunset tours as well as a tour + hike combo.
- Rafting on the Colorado River: This looks like SO much fun! Again, if you love outdoor activities, this will be great for you. Imagine the views from the river! We always see photos of the Grand Canyon from the top, but I bet its beautiful from the bottom too.
Glacier National Park, Montana
This is an exciting part of the list for me because I am headed to Montana in a few weeks! My sister is going to be a wrangler on a ranch this summer so we are taking her out there and doing some sightseeing while there. These activities are definitely things I’d like to do while out in Montana. The pictures of each looked SO beautiful!
- Going to the Sun Road: This road goes across the majority of Glacier National Park. It shows incredible views and goes to the highest peak of the park that you can reach by vehicle. This road required tickets and is closed part of the year due to snow and ice, so definitely check before you go!
- Hiking at Hidden Lake Overlook: This is an area with several different trails that have beautiful views. The AllTrails app has plenty of different options and gives characteristics about the trail so you know before you go. I can’t wait to see this one in person. The pictures look AMAZING.
- Horseback riding at Lake McDonald Valley: Coincidentally, Swan Mountain Outfitters is where my sister will be working this summer! They are the only outfitters that are allowed to ride horses in Glacier National Park, so check them out! Ask for my sister Abbi, if you’re going in Summer 2022.
- Glacier Aviation Services Helicopter Ride: Glacier Aviation is located in Kalispell, MT. This is one of the closest cities to Glacier National Park and it is where the airport is located! You can take a helicopter through the mountains and the national park! They also have small planes that you can charter to go through the park.
This post is all about affordable places to travel throughout the United States.
