Are you looking for an affordable weekend getaway in the US? Look no further! From Denver to St. Augustine, Portland to Asheville, and everywhere in between, there are plenty of great options for a budget-friendly vacation. Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway, a family-friendly beach spot, or just a chance to explore the great outdoors, there's something for everyone.
MallRide offers free shuttle bus service along the 16th Street Mall, a shopping and entertainment district that stretches between Union Station and Civic Center Station. In the heart of this district is Larmier Square, a historic and lively place, where you can find restaurants and a variety of local shops. Denver is also home to several parks, each of which has a variety of attractions. City Park is located east of downtown and is home to the Denver Zoo, one of the best activities to do with children in Denver; the park also hosts free jazzy concerts in summer.
Washington Park is located south of the city center and covers more than 150 acres, including two small lakes and many walking trails and picnic spots. For those just looking for a couple of days in the Florida sun, St. Augustine is home to 42 miles of beaches, all of which are free. Visitors will find a good variety to choose from, from tranquil wildlife reserves to beaches full of amenities and families.
If you want to get out on the water, St. Augustine offers good fishing opportunities. Tourists can also enjoy the stunning natural scenery of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, located just outside the city. Visitors can explore the area through a 13-mile scenic drive and learn more at the Visitor Center, where there are exhibits and information on hiking and cycling trails. Guided tours are available from several local operators.
The city of Asheville also has a lot to offer, including the free Urban Trail. This 1.7-mile route includes more than 30 educational stations highlighting important sites and historical events throughout the city. In the center, tourists can find many excellent local restaurants and shops and enjoy street shows in good weather.
A vintage car connects the main areas of the park and, for a small fee, visitors can enjoy exceptional views from the observation tower. The visitor center also has several free exhibitions, as well as special programs including a 4-D movie that makes you feel (literally) that you are being tarnished by the waterfalls themselves. Visitors will also find a great selection of recreational facilities, including a swimming pool and splash area, tennis and volleyball courts, and more. Kayak, bicycle, and paddle board rentals are also available for an additional fee, and the park's 25 paved miles of trails are open to pedestrians and people-powered wheels.
Visitors can also enjoy the park's championship golf course for an additional fee. Portland, on the West Coast, is often noticed, but Portland, Maine, is a unique northeastern city that is also a wonderful destination for weekend getaways. Head to Congress Street to visit the shops and art galleries, or bring your bike to explore the city on two wheels. Eating lobster, oysters and other seafood specialties is a must here, and Portland has some really affordable food trucks.
Food tours and craft breweries, including Shipyard Brewing Company and Allagash Brewing, abound here. Bring your kayak or paddle board to dive into the water, or you can rent one from a local store.
A great cheap weekend getaway for couples is Chincoteague Island in Virginia. Located about two hours north of Virginia Beach, Chincoteague is an affordable (and less crowded) option for travelers.
East Coast travelers have plenty of exciting options when planning a last-minute weekend getaway. If you live in New York City or Washington DC area there are plenty of cheap last-minute weekend getaways for couples as well as family road trips that include Charlottesville, Chesapeake Bay, Shenandoah National Park Blue Ridge Parkway and many important historic sites.
Other fun last-minute travel weekend destinations on the East Coast include Rhode Island Connecticut Vermont Maine Massachusetts Boston Philadelphia Florida North Carolina South Carolina.
On the West Coast there are plenty of last-minute travel deals and budget romantic getaways including Monterey Cambria Carmel Napa Valley Oregon Washington State California islands wineries pristine nature.
In Southern US you can find warm hospitality history great food variety of things to do Mississippi South Carolina West Virginia Tennessee Louisiana Virginia Texas Alabama Nashville New Orleans Kentucky.
Explore our internal connections to know where to go what to do By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy Terms Use Access expert tips hotel recommendations from our travel trendsetters Brooklyn-based writer editor Chelsea's work has been featured Matador Network Huffington Post TripAdvisor blog more When you're not planning her next trip usually find her drinking too much iced coffee always iced it's from New England binging Netflix original series View recent publications Chelsea Stuart All products are independently selected by our writers editors If you buy something through our links Jetsetter can earn affiliate commission The 11 Best East Coast Getaways Take Now.