Cheapest Cities to Visit for Your Next Weekend Getaway
When you think about the cheapest cities to visit are you also thinking about the best places to visit? Maybe you should. It's undeniable that an easy getaway can help you feel more relaxed and rejuvenated, but that feels a lot less true if you're constantly worrying about cost. After all, vacations are supposed to be all about leaving stress behind. That's why we've compiled a list of the cheapest cities to visit in the US that prove that a cheap vacation and unbelievable experiences can go hand in hand.
New Orleans
Cheap eats: Café du Monde might be New Orleans's most famous restaurant, but it's also among its cheapest: a coffee and an order of beignets will only run you about $6.
Cheap attractions: A city of music, weekend festivals are a regular occurence and most of them are free or allow you to pay what you want, which means jazz tunes and zydeco shows will cost you just a couple of bucks.
Freebies: Take a stroll through the Garden District to see some of the South's finest architecture.
Where to stay: Hotel St. Pierre is actually a row of 18th-century cottages in the Creole style, while interiors feature plush furnishings for a cozy B&B feel. Rooms start at just $67/night.
Houston
Cheap eats: Tacos, the quintessential street food, are easily found everywhere from sit-down restaurants to food trucks. If you'd prefer the former, check out Las Ventanas in Energy Corridor and save even more.
Cheap attractions: For just $5, you can get a 30-minute guided tour of one of the city's weirdest attraction: the 87,500-square-foot underground cistern. (No kids under age 9 allowed.)
Freebies: Head to Kingspoint Mullet to see some of the city's finest street art as graffiti murals cover many of the walls in the 17,000 square feet of warehouse space.
Where to stay: Save up to 61% on lodging by staying at the super hip Aloft Houston hotel, which has an indoor pool and a pet-friendly policy.
Kansas City
Cheap eats: A true foodie paradise, Kansas City's most famous food is also among the cheapest eats in town: Kansas City barbecue. Head to Danny Edwards Boulevard BBQ for a rib sandwich and (of course) a side of coleslaw or sweet potato fries.
Cheap attractions: Score some cheap baseball tickets (with some help from a deal of course) and enjoy a day at Kauffman Stadium.
Freebies: Take a ride on the 2.2-mile street car to hit up some of the city's most popular destinations, including some of the more than 200 fountains that can be found around Fountain City.
Where to stay: At the Argosy Casino Hotel and Spa you'll stay just outside the city proper while enjoying a host of 4-star amenities for 36% off the asking price.
Las Vegas
Cheap eats: There are a lot of options, but Vince Neil's Tatuado Eat Drink Party is a customer favorite: get two steaks, a bottle of wine, and a giant slice of cheesecake for two for just $39.
Cheap attractions: These one's easy, because we've already compiled a list of the best Las Vegas shows for under $50!
Freebies: If you can make sure to stick to a gambling budget, it's worth hitting up the big casinos for the free drinks. Worried about temptation? Then head outside the Bellagio and watch the spectacular fountain show instead.
Where to stay: Stay in an upscale suite just off the Strip and get $20 in eating and drinking credits for just $27/night at Tuscany Suites & Casino.
Minneapolis
Cheap eats: Grab some classic Midwestern diner fare at Al's Breakfast—a Minneapolis institution—and you likely won't spend more than $10 to eat like a king.
Cheap attractions: Rent a bike from NiceRides, the convenient ride-sharing system around the city, and head out to explore more than 200 miles of trails that are even plowed through the winter.
Freebie: Explore the Walker Art Center's sculpture garden to see modern works by artists like Sol LeWitt and Claes Oldenburg, as well as the most famous piece (and the city's unofficial landmark) Spoonbridge and Cherry.
Where to stay: Enjoy 4.5-star quality for 38% off the price at the Radisson Blu downtown, which even has the ideal photo op out front: the city's famous Mary Tyler Moore statue.