5 of the best cheap summer vacations you should book now
Say goodbye to cold and snow and hello to summer vacations. These five cheap summer vacations are the best values for your travel dollar.
The sun is shining, the temperatures are higher and school is about to be over. Summer vacation is right around the corner. These five best cheap summer vacations are full of adventure, fun and memories, yet won’t leave your bank account empty.
Recently, U.S. News and World Report announced this year’s list of the best cheap summer vacations. The rankings are compiled by grading each destination in 10 different categories. From culture to good adventures and sights, the finalized list hopes to offer destinations that appeal to a wide variety of travelers.
According to this year’s list, the top five cheap summer vacation destinations are:
- Grand Canyon
- Williamsburg, Virginia
- Fort Meyers, Florida
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Looking at these five locations, their similarities seem to be the natural beauty of the destination. Instead of the huge theme parks or large cities, these five destinations focus on natural wonders, breathtaking landscapes and historical significance.
(Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Take the Grand Canyon for example, the UNESCO World Heritage site has been a popular destination for years. Whether it is a family vacation to see the impressive natural wonder or another checkmark on the bucket list, the location has never really fallen out of favor.
Topping this year’s list, the Grand Canyon offers a variety of cost-effective travel options. To keep costs down, travelers can opt to camp nearby. If you’re not up to roughing it, the onsite hotels can be a little pricey. Also, travelers can save money by bringing their own food. A few grocery stores are close, which can keep food costs down.
With two Florida locations on the cheap destinations lists, travelers have options when it comes to visiting the Sunshine State. While Orlando, Florida, is the theme park capital of the world, theme parks aren’t the only Florida destinations.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The two Florida beach locations show that cost-effective beach travel is possible. For example, Fort Meyers offers some of the world’s best beaches very close to the city. Also, the area boasts numerous museums, like the Ford and Edison Estate, as well as numerous nature experiences.
Fort Lauderdale, while close to Miami, offers all the beaches and fun without all the high price tag. Often referred to as the Venice of America, the city has so many waterways to explore. From beautiful scenery to fun dining, Fort Lauderdale is definitely a cost-friendly summer vacation.
The lists from U.S. News and World Report offer great travel inspiration. While advertisements and celebrity endorsements are enticing, many of the best travel destinations can go overlooked. Sure, that over-the-water bungalow or epic safari will be a trip of a lifetime, but the cost associated with that trip could also take a lifetime to pay off.
Travel can and does produce amazing memories. The cost of the vacation doesn’t necessarily mean that a trip will be more epic or the memories will be better. Sometimes the best vacations don’t have to break the bank.
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Are you ready to plan your summer vacation? Consider these cheap summer vacations and maybe you can splurge on some new outfits for the trip.