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Everybody enjoys a family vacation but with the cost of groceries, gas, and almost everything else constantly rising, a week or two away from a top destination just might not be in the cards.
Fortunately, there are some great budget-friendly spots all across the US. You just have to find them. We have compiled a list of affordable travel destinations you may not have thought of yet where you and your family can enjoy a fun-filled vacation at a fraction of the cost.
Check out our list and let us know of places you’ve been that we may have missed.
Brevard, North Carolina
Known as the Land of Waterfalls, Brevard, North Carolina, is ideal if you like the great outdoors. Take the plunge and slide down the 60 natural water slides at the Sliding Rock recreation area, hike through the Pisgah National Forest, or drive through the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Hershey, Pennsylvania
If you like chocolate, why not vacation in the Sweetest Place on Earth? You’ll find plenty to do in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Of course, you can’t go to Hershey without enjoying the chocolate tour. But there are plenty of other things to do as well. Hersheypark is a family water and amusement park packed with plenty of fun rides. ZooAmerica is a small zoo that’s home to animals native to North America.
Destin, Florida
Destin is a barrier island in Florida that offers white sandy beaches and beautiful emerald waters. It’s known as the World’s luckiest fishing village, so you’ll definitely want to cast a line from the pier or directly from the beach. There are also plenty of seafood restaurants, beach bars, watersports, and cruises to keep you entertained.
The Outer Banks, North Carolina
North Carolina’s outer banks offer beautiful, uncrowded beaches, making it ideal for a quiet family vacation. The scenery is gorgeous, and there are plenty of things to see and do. Take a trip down the National Scenic Byway, visit the Bodie Lighthouse, or spend a day with the Corolla wild horses.
Lexington, Kentucky
Kentucky is known for horses and bourbon, and Lexington is a horse town. You can spend your mornings at Keeneland track watching the horses workout for free and then enjoy a guided tour of the grounds. You can also enjoy a horse country tour at one of the many equine centers, farms, and racehorse retirement homes. There are other nonhorse-related things to do as well, including art studies, distilleries, breweries, and plenty of great places to eat.
Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers is a beautiful, laid-back town. You’ll find pristine white sandy beaches and plenty of opportunities for water activities like fishing, jet skiing, and kayaking. Spend a day or two at the 718-acre Bunche Beach Preserve or enjoy a stroll through the Fort Myers River District, where you’ll find plenty of boutique stores, restaurants, and bars.
Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville lives up to its name as it’s packed with parks to visit. There’s the Falls Park on the Reedy, where you’ll find stunning waterfalls in the middle of the town. Linky Park is a children’s garden with many displays with which to interact. Then, there are water parks, a mountain bike park, and a memorial plaque where Shoeless Joe Jackson is buried. Of course, there are also plenty of other things to do in Greenville, from shopping to dining, live performances, and more.
Newport, Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s most popular vacation spot, Newport, offers beautiful beaches, fantastic seafood, historic landmarks, and much more. The Cliff Walk provides fantastic views of the Newport shoreline and the chance to enjoy some of the seaside mansions along the way. Enjoy an afternoon sightseeing boat tour that takes you past Newport’s landmarks and lighthouses. Then, spend your evenings wandering around Bowen’s Wharf, where you’ll find boutiques, galleries, stores, and plenty of places to eat.
Tupelo, Mississippi
The birthplace of Elvis Presley, Tupelo has plenty of themed sites to enjoy. You can visit the house where he was born and the church where he gained his appreciation for gospel music. There’s even a Tupelo Elvis Festival. Visit Johnnie’s Drive-In and enjoy a cheeseburger and RC Cola, said to be his favorite meal. Then, visit Tupelo Hardware Company, where a salesperson will tell the story of how Elvis came in for a rifle but left with his first guitar.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is one of my favorite places to visit. It’s a beautiful city packed with Southern charm. Charleston’s historic district has over 1,400 historic buildings built in the 18th and 19th centuries. The historic City Market is packed with vendors selling just about anything you can think of, and of course, there are plenty of places to sit and enjoy some delicious seafood.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg is a great place to visit if you enjoy hiking. It’s a popular place for anyone who wants to hike the Smokies. When you’re done hiking, spend a day or two at Anakeesta, a two-tier area where you can spend a little time relaxing and shopping, and then take a gondola ride to the mountaintop where you can enjoy zip lines, canopy walks, and a mountain coaster. Of course, there are plenty of places to eat as well.
Traverse City, Michigan
This city in northern Michigan has plenty of freshwater beaches, natural attractions, and vineyards, making it an ideal vacation spot for almost anyone. Spend the day enjoying sand dunes, the bluffs, and beautiful forests at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Then, visit downtown Traverse City to enjoy one of the many delicious restaurants. You can also enjoy biking, rock climbing, kayaking, and hiking in Traverse City or simply spend a day at the beach building sand castles.
15 Activities Now Out of Reach Amid Economic Price Surge
In this era of profound social division and discord, one thing everyone can agree on is worsening conditions for healthy personal finance. Whether it’s the dream of homeownership, the goal of building a robust investment portfolio, or simply affording necessities like food, individuals across the spectrum struggle to overcome the decline in their financial well-being due to economic changes.
41 Shocking Ways You’re Throwing Money Down the Drain
There are many ways to increase the money in your bank account. Many people start by looking at ways to make more money. And, of course, that is a great solution. But it isn’t always the easiest. A better, easier way may be to examine your spending habits. By tracking your spending and seeing where every dollar goes, you’ll likely find several instances of spending money you don’t have to. It could be little things that add up or recurring monthly expenses that are an utter waste of money.
Once you eliminate your bad spending habits, that money can go toward your emergency fund, paying off debt, or other essential things. Here are the 41 biggest wastes of money to look out for:
14 Insanely Overpriced Fast Food Chains You Shouldn’t Bother With
Fast food is now a luxury. My family and I have completely limited our fast-food outings. Just ordering a basic meal can cost close to $15, and it’s easy to spend even more. Some fast food spots, though, are more expensive than others.
Being shocked by a food bill will surely leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth. So when you plan an outing, consider the cost of where you will eat rather than just your favorite meals. At these prices, a sit-down restaurant with a more comfortable ambiance where you can better enjoy visiting with friends and family might be a more affordable choice.
So, to help you have the best experience, I chose 14 ridiculously expensive fast-food chains you should be aware of. Many of the restaurants on this list come from my own experience and occasionally wrecked budget. Here are 14 insanely overpriced fast-food chains you shouldn’t bother with.
