10 Surprisingly Affordable Summer Vacations Across the US

The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando is a family-friendly paradise in Winter Garden, Florida that offers superb value for money. It benefits from huge, stylish suites with kitchens, laundry facilities, and balconies, plus a host of convenient amenities, including a spa, swimming pools, and multiple restaurants. The resort sits on the edge of Lake Austin, where you can go on a fishing trip or try different watersports.

Kids (and parents) can make a beeline for the Surfari Waterpark, where they can practice surfing on the FlowRider Surf Simulator, zoom down the water slides, or float along the lazy river.  There’s also plenty of fun to be had at the kids’ activity center and arcade. If your crew is clamoring to see Mickey and Minnie, hop on a shuttle that will take you straight to Walt Disney World (and the other theme parks).

For couples wanting an affordable summer getaway, head to Asheville, North Carolina‘s hippest city. Pearson Place Montford Upscale Private Apartment is a renovated one-bedroom apartment in the historic Montford neighborhood that combines modern comforts with vintage chic décor. It’s only a short stroll to downtown Asheville, where you can dine at farm-to-table restaurants or sample beers at a craft breweries.

Book a walking tour for the opportunity to learn about Asheville’s African-American history or get a glimpse into the local food scene. Make sure you visit the quirky Asheville Pinball Museum and the iconic Biltmore Estate, where you can take a romantic walk around the gardens.

If you love the outdoors, a mushroom hunting trip will be a unique and fun excursion. You can also go rock climbing or on a yoga hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Canopy B by Hilton Portland Pearl District in Portland, Oregon, is the perfect place for an affordable summer vacation for solo travelers or groups of friends. Furry companions are welcome too! You’ll have easy access to everything the city’s fashionable Pearl District has to offer, from top-notch restaurants and craft breweries to contemporary art galleries. Relax in the hotel’s stylish surroundings or enjoy a workout at the 24-hour rooftop fitness center.

Hopping on a complimentary canopy bike is a great way to see the city. Stop off for an espresso at an artisan coffee shop, get lost in literature at Powell’s City of Books, or enjoy contemporary art at the Augen Gallery. You can also head to the Japanese Gardens, ride the Aerial Tram, or wander around the Saturday Market.

When you’re looking for an affordable summer vacation, it’s worth considering Village by The Sea – an 11-acre, all-suite resort in Wells, Maine. Each of the one- and two-bedroom condos come with plenty of space for families or couples to spread out, plus a balcony or patio where you can enjoy an evening cocktail as you take in the views across the wetlands. Spend lazy days relaxing by the pool, hit the gym, or venture out and explore the area.

The hotel is close to Wells Beach and a short drive from the quintessential New England coastal towns of Kennebunkport and Ogunquit. As well as miles of sandy beaches at your disposal, you can enjoy a host of adventures on land and sea. One day you could be on a whale watching trip, the next on a lobster boat tour. You can also learn about the fascinating history of Kennebunkport on a scenic trolley tour or tour the home of a 20th-century sea captain or shipbuilder.

This enchanting seven-bedroom B&B on Tybee Island in Georgia, located steps from the beach and two blocks from the Tybee Island Lighthouse, is perfect for an affordable summer vacation. While it’s ideal for couples, some rooms at Tybee Island Inn are big enough for families, and some even come with hot tubs and private terraces. You’ll find multiple spaces in the beautiful gardens where you can relax with a book under the shade of a weeping willow.

Enjoy a home-cooked breakfast when you wake; then the island is yours to explore. Rent a bike and head to the fishing pier or book a kayaking or dolphin-watching trip. The enchanting city of Savannah is only 20 minutes away.

For families looking for an affordable summer vacation where you can get away from it all, this pet-friendly bungalow retreat on the edge of the Creek in the heart of Moab, Utah checks all the boxes. Comfortable and rustic, Creekside at Moab 61 East comes with two bedrooms, a kitchen, living room, and patio. Plus, it is only a block from the restaurants and bars on Main Street.

Arches National Park is just six miles away and there are plenty of outdoor adventures from jeep safaris to horseback riding. As night falls, take the whole family to Panorama Viewpoint and gaze up to the blanket of stars above.

Bring friends or grandparents along for an affordable summer vacation when you stay at this three-bedroom Ridgecrest Condo that sleeps up to eight in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. There’s a kitchen, a fireplace for cool nights, and plenty of space to relax. It also comes with a balcony where you can enjoy remarkable views of the mountains. Guests have access to communal amenities, including an outdoor hot tub, grill, and games room.

The condo is conveniently located above Time Square and Gondola Square, where you can ride the gondola up the mountain. There are endless activities on offer for all ages and fitness levels, from hiking to river tubing. Book a hot air balloon ride that takes you high above the mountains for an experience you’ll never forget, or go for a dip at Strawberry Park Hot Springs in the Yampa Valley.

Fox Crossing is a beautiful three-bedroom log cabin in Big Bear Lake, California, with all the creature comforts you could wish for. All that’s missing is Yogi Bear. Stunning inside and out, this luxurious woodland escape features a full kitchen, a deckside grill for dining in, and an outdoor hot tub where you can kick back and enjoy the surrounding woodlands.

The cabin is situated close to the mountains and the lake, the ideal spot to cool off from the summer heat. It is also minutes from downtown Big Bear, where you’ll find The Village – the main shopping, dining, and entertainment hub. Guests have easy access to a multitude of exciting activities for the whole family, from Alpine bobsledding to a scenic helicopter ride. Younger ones will love a visit to Big Bear Alpine Zoo.

For couples looking for an affordable summer vacation in one of the coolest cities in the US, Swan Place in the heart of Downtown Memphis, Tennessee, is unbeatable. The chic one-bedroom apartment has plenty of space, and there’s a fitness center and an outdoor pool for those lazy afternoons in the sun.

It’s a short stroll from the legendary blues and soul clubs of Beale Street. Delve into history at the National Civil Rights Museum or find out about the birth of rock and soul music at the Rock N Soul Museum. It’s fun to rent bikes to explore the city or do a walking history tour.

Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort in Ponce, Puerto Rico, is the perfect affordable summer vacation for families wanting to escape from the everyday. This luxury beachfront resort offers rooms and suites with balconies or patios. There are a wealth of amenities for all ages, whether you wish to play golf or tennis, hit the gym, be pampered at the spa, or splash in the pool. There’s also a nightclub and a casino when you feel like a flutter.

When you wish to venture off property, La Guancha Boardwalk is minutes away. Here you can try local specialties such as cuchifritos (fritters) and bacalaitos (fried codfish). In nearby Ponce, you’ll find Museo de Arte de Ponce and Seralles Castle. For a unique adventure, book a private catamaran tour to Caja de Muertos island.