Cheap places to visit in the USA

While the USA is undeniably big in size, personality, and opportunities for once-in-a-life-time travel experiences, the good news is, you don’t need a budget the size of Alaska to enjoy an epic American trip. After spilling the beans on the best cheap places to visit in the USA, we also share tips for making any trip to the USA more affordable. From being canny about when you travel, to pre-arranging data connection, there are plenty of ways to visit the USA without needing limitless fistfuls of dollars.

This article is inspired by our Rough Guide to the USA — your ultimate guide for travelling in the States.

New Orleans, Louisiana

From the French Quarter’s soulful, jasmine-scented charm, to its infectious music and haunting Cities of the Dead cemeteries, New Orleans is quick to get under your skin.

But, first things first — if you’re looking to spend less, don’t visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras. The torrent of tourists attracted by this carousel of parties and parades sends accommodation prices skyward.

Now that’s out of the way, be assured that at other times of the year it’s perfectly possible to make your trip to the intoxicating Big Easy easier on your pocket.

While you won’t be able to stay in a fancy French Quarter boutique joint on a tight budget, it does have a few affordable hostels. Beyond the Quarter, check out accommodation in the Lower Garden District.

In more good news, New Orleans’s streets are the stage for countless free music performances, and vendors selling affordable Creole cuisine that will satisfy even the most epicurean appetite.

In addition, plenty of the city’s top museums won’t cost you a dime. For example, the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park Visitor Center is free to enter, and hosts free concerts and talks.

San Diego, California

If you’re hankering after heading to the Golden State, but have a less-than-golden credit card, consider visiting San Diego.

Free-spirited and easy-going, California’s second most populous city offers all the sun, sea and culture you’d expect from a big Pacific Coast destination, but without the big price tags of LA and San Francisco.

What’s more, many of the city’s attractions are free. For example, sitting a-top of San Diego’s must-visit list, 1200-acre Balboa Park is clean, green and free to enter. Pack a picnic to enjoy beautiful alfresco dining on a budget.

Another fabulous free attraction is Old Town San Diego State Historic Park — California’s most-visited state park. This living history museum commemorates the city’s Mexican and early American periods through heritage architecture and inexpensive local food.

As for where to stay, San Diego isn’t short of affordable hostels, some of which offer ocean views and private rooms as well as dorm options.

Finally, the city’s transport infrastructure is eminently affordable, especially its extensive bus network, with the PRONTO card and app on hand for convenience. With miles and miles of bike paths, San Diego is also ripe for cycling.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

With a splendid setting between the Rio Grande and the Sandia Mountains, Albuquerque is one of the oldest cities in the USA, and diversely rewarding.

If you’re looking to travel cheap, just avoid October’s International Balloon Fiesta, which sees prices soar. The city’s Central Avenue, once part of Route 66, is a bedazzlement of 1940s architecture and neon signs advertising economy accommodation.

A highlight here is visiting the immersive Indian Pueblo Cultural Centre. With an excellent craft market, and affordable restaurant serving authentic Pueblo cuisine, it’s well worth the $12 entry fee.

To uncover more cultural treasures, head to the Petroglyph National Monument. With 25,000+ petroglyphs carved into the volcanic rocks, this is one of North America’s largest petroglyph sites. Check for the free weekly guided hikes.

For more outdoor magic, take a trip to the Sandia Mountains via the affordable Sandia Peak Tramway. With a round-trip costing $33, the 2.7-mile ascent along North America’s longest tramway offers awe-inspiring views, with incredible hikes at the peak.

St Augustine, Florida

Think Florida might be beyond your budget? Think again! While Miami’s art deco elegance comes at a cost, and Key West requires some degree of wealth, St Augustine boasts beautiful beaches and an attractive Mediterranean vibe, while being attractively affordable.

Forty miles north of Daytona Beach, St Augustine was founded by the Spanish in 1565. This makes it the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the US, with plenty of reasonably priced historic landmarks to explore.

Take the Colonial Quarter, for example. This features nine reconstructed buildings, with workshops, demos and live actors enhancing the old-world atmosphere, and all for a modest $14.99 entry fee.

Chances are, though, if you fancy visiting Florida, you’ll have beaches on your mind. Happily, St Augustine Beach is on hand to satisfy your desire to soak up the Sunshine State’s celebrated rays.

Love nature? Visit Anastasia State Recreation Area. With a bargain $2 entry fee for pedestrians, nature trails traverse over a thousand acres of protected dunes and marshes. Camping here comes recommended as a top option for budget-conscious nature-lovers.

In short, if you don’t want to pay big bucks for Floridan sun, St. Augustine is one of the best cheap places to visit in the USA.

New York City, New York

Bear with us. While NYC is one of the world’s most expensive cities, it is possible to have a top time in the Big Apple without breaking the bank.

First up, you’ll want to do deep research into where you stay. As revealed in our guide to where to stay in New York, while there isn’t one standout cheap area, plenty of hostels pepper the city.

To get around on a budget, get an OMNY card. After pre-loading it with credit, travelling by bus or subway will cost you less. Bear in mind that walking is a good option, too.

Love your grub? From scoffing down pizzas on Staten Island, to tucking into tacos in Queens, on-the-go refuelling from street vendors allows you to eat your way around the city (and world) for less.

In addition, NYC Restaurant Week — held in January or February, and July or August — sees participating restaurants offer crazy discounts on prix-fixe menus.

As for affordable activities, summer sees several parks host free concerts and movie screenings, including Brooklyn Bridge Park, which also offers free use of kayaks.

Many museums are also free, among them the Bronx Museum of the Arts, and the American Folk Art Museum. What’s more, the amazing MoMA is free on the first Friday of every month from 4pm to 8pm — reserve online in advance.

Tips for travelling cheaper in the USA

Whichever cheap place to visit in the USA you choose, following a few simple guidelines will stand you in good stead when it comes to spending less.

Wise-up on when to go

Let’s start with that time-honoured tip for travelling on a budget — avoid high season to secure cheaper flights and accommodation, and be sure to book both well in advance.

In general, high season runs between June and August, with the Spring (March-May) and Fall (September-October) shoulder seasons seeing some reduction in flight and accommodation costs.

Check for City Pass options

Many US cities offer City Passes that give you free or discounted entry to top attractions. Some of these passes include free local transport.

Pre-arrange data connection

Chances are, while you’ll be able to access free wi-fi for parts of your trip, there’ll be times when you’ll want to get online pronto to check your money-saving walking route, and locate happy hour bargains along the way.

Being connected will also enable you to find out about free pop-up activities, and pre-book time-and-cash-saving, skip-the-line entry tickets.

Save yourself a whole lot of cash and pre-arrange how you’re going to stay connected during your trip. To do this, we recommend SIMCorner, our trusted partner that offers travellers generous contract-free data allowances via a SIM card or eSIM – not to mention fantastic customer service.

Don’t let your appetite eat into your budget

Pack picnics, eat local and, when you fancy eating out, do so at lunch time. And the reason? During the day, many restaurants offer good-value meal deals you won’t get in the evening. Also keep an eye out for happy hour offers on beer and cocktails.

This article is brought to you in partnership with SIMCorner.

Looking for more ways to explore the world on a budget? Explore our list of the cheapest destinations in the world.

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