Affordable Summer Getaways

July 09, 2019

Alright, grab your new book, a blanket, sunscreen, and head out to your favorite park. Done and done, the most affordable summer getaway money cannot buy! However; if you are looking for something a tad more extravagant, we have rounded up a few options to dive into which will leave you with enough for a new bathing suit and gas to get there.

The Road/Camping Trip - Beloved my many and despised by those who do not yet know how to do it well. Pick a spot no further than five hours away and no less than two, so that you feel like you are actually on vacation but without an extra lengthy drive. National Parks are well-worn territory and for that reason an easy and visually stunning option. Research campsites, RV parking, or boutique motels nearby to cut costs and set off. Hike, bike, and relax your way around the park, making time for the sunset cheese plate and chilled wine you packed in your cooler. Do not forget the cooler! The easiest way to keep expenses down is to purchase your food and beverages prior to setting off. This way you are not stuck eating at the one higher-than-usual-priced spot closest to the park when nothing else is available. 

The Weekend Train Trip - Of course cars and planes are useful, but the ease of a train trip is what makes it so great. Another mode of transportation where packing your own snacks is key. The bar car can be very fun, but it can also burn a hole in your pocket. Take the train to a nearby locale you have been looking forward to visiting. Spend the night or come back same day to save a few more dollars. If heading out over a busy weekend, make sure to buy your train tickets ahead of time.

Vacation Packages - They sound cheesy and only parents book timeshares, right? Wrong! Booking a package through the location’s site, a travel agency, or a kayak or bookings.com site will help to provide discounts for multiple night stays, bundling ground transportation from the airport, and additional fun activities. Always buy sunscreen and outdoor outfit needs at home as they will be double in price once at the vacation locale.

A few places that would make for a fairly rad and affordable summer getaway are…

Moab, Utah - Scenic byways, swimming in Ken’s Lake, or an early morning hike through Arches National Park can help to beat the heat at Moab. As temperatures rise, crowds drop, making a trip to Moab during the summer months peaceful and serene.

Glacier National Park, Montana - The campsites at Glacier National are extremely affordable and will save you a ton overbooking a hotel. Lake McDonald and Grinell Glacier are stunning and free to admire for as long as you like, as well as meandering along the Trail of Cedars.

Savannah, Georgia - A charmer of a city is also a sanctioned bicycle-friendly city with an easy to understand public bus system, and free shuttles called DOT. In any city, a free walking tour is a great way to learn about your surroundings, get outside, and get your steps in. Savannah is known for having an abundance of these free tours. Be sure to relax over on Tybee Island as well as explore one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the US, Bonaventure.

Nashville, Tennessee - Known for the enormous amount of free music going on at all times, Nashville lives and breaths fun. In addition to delicious local food and lovely parks to walk through, a weekend here is worth your while.

Fort Meyers, Florida - With hotel prices in August as low as $110 per night, Fort Meyers has a plethora of activities to enjoy. Cayo Costa State Park, Shell Factory and Nature Park, Prairie Pines Preserve, and Powell Creek Preserve are all worth a mini adventure with friends or solo.

The easiest way to make your summer getaways affordable is to think and packs ahead of time. Unforeseen additional costs along the way can add up, but if you do your homework you will return with all of the Instagram-worth photos and none of the buyer’s remorse.

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