Forbes Contributor Laura Begley Bloom asked us for our recommendations on affordable places to visit in the U.S.A. this summer. Find out our three destinations shared in this article…read on!
Cheap Summer Travel: 23 Places To Go In 2018
You know how the song goes — “Summertime, and the livin’ is easy.” Unfortunately, when it comes to summer travel, it’s also expensive. Kids are out of school on vacation, everyone wants to get away and prices aren’t cheap — especially this year. According to a recent report from Hipmunk.com, the cost of domestic flights is up 4% since 2017 and flights from the U.S. to Europe are up 2%. Gas prices are also predicted to run 14% higher this summer than last.
But don’t give up: According to travel experts, there are plenty of cheap places to travel this summer in the United States. I tapped into a handful of experts to get their top tips for the best places to go from coast to coast.
Where: Monterey, California
Chosen By: Patricia Stone, founder of Global Adventuress, has traveled to 162 countries and seeks out unique, off-the-beaten path destinations for solo, girlfriends, couples and family travel. Her site has been featured in the L.A. Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Toronto Star and nominated by USA Today as a Top 20 Travel Destination site.
Why: Monterey is one of the best places to visit along California’s central coast for abundant natural beauty, vibrant marine life and spectacular beaches — and it’s possible to do it affordably. Rent a bike for only $10 per hour and cycle part of the 29-mile Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail, or kayak along the coast with Adventures by the Sea and watch the sea otters frolic. A highlight is a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium to observe a diversity of marine life up close; the jellyfish exhibition is mesmerizing. Window shop along fabled Cannery Row. Go whale watching year-round and spot humpbacks, blue whales or gray whales. Don’t miss the 17-Mile Drive between Monterey and Pebble Beach, one of the most memorable road trips in the country. The entrance fee is only $10.25 to see the views along this scenic coast. Stop at points of interests along the way, bring a picnic and take a stroll on the beach, especially at sunrise or sunset. Hungry? Order a bowl of clam chowder for under $10 at Fisherman’s Wharf. Savor fresh California/Spanish cuisine at Estéban. Or munch on tapas and flatbread pizza at the waterfront Taste of Monterey. The iconic Sardine Factory is known for its low prices during happy hour. There are several boutique hotels and quaint B&Bs in this town. Reserve a room at the hacienda-style hotel Casa Munras for as low as $129 per night, or find more inns with boutique charm at Inns of Monterey. If you are looking for a bit more of a splurge, the Spindrift Inn has oceanfront views, complimentary breakfast in bed (delivered on a silver tray) and free afternoon wine and cheese, all for rates starting at $199 per night.
Where: Kauai, Hawaii
Chosen By: Patricia Stone, founder of Global Adventuress, has traveled to 162 countries and seeks out unique, off-the-beaten path destinations for solo, girlfriends, couples and family travel. Her site has been featured in the L.A. Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Toronto Star and nominated by USA Today as a Top 20 Travel Destination site.
Why: Kauai is Hawaii’s Garden Island, and it offers a range of sights and attractions, from its rugged coastline, botanical gardens and waterfalls to its historic small towns and colorful culture. The Hawaiian islands can be expensive, but Kauai is surprisingly affordable if you know where to stay and dine — and when to go. Nature lovers fall hard for the variety of outdoor adventures. Kayak the Wailua River. Sign up for a surfing class at Kauai Surf School. Or venture to 10-mile-long Waimea Canyon State Park and the Nounou Trails for great hikes. Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park — one of the most beautiful hikes in the country, thanks to its dramatic sea cliffs and narrow valleys — has been closed due to recent heavy rains, but it will hopefully open soon; check this site for updates. At Na ʻĀina Kai Botanical Gardens, you can gaze at the lush green beauty of the tropical rainforests and Wailua and Opaekaa Falls. Relax at Poipu Beach. Discover the timeless towns of Koloa, Hanalei and Hanapepe, where you’ll find art galleries and cafes. Stop by Kukui’ula Village for the farmer’s market (held Wednesdays from 3:30 to 6 p.m.). You can hear live island music and buy fresh produce, pies, jams and more. Indulge at the Anara Spa at the Grand Hyatt Kauai for a relaxing spa treatment. Don’t miss the colorful sunsets at Polihale beach. A favorite place for fresh seafood is in Koloa Town at the Koloa Fish Market – where you can find a bowl of fresh poke at a good price. Look for Kauai’s food trucks, where you’ll get delicious meals at bargain prices. Get an Island Pupu Special for as low as $10 at Brennecke’s. Order a drink for under $10 at The Beach House where you’ll find amazing sunset views. If you want to splurge one night, dine at Tidepools, a romantic outdoor thatched roof bungalow on the beach surrounded by a koi-filled lagoon. Where to Stay? You can reserve a room near Lihue at Kauai Palms Hotel for $88 per night, or stay closer to the beach at Kauai Shores Hotel, starting at $139, or Poipu Beach at Kiahuna Plantation Resort for as low as $209. If you travel during the low season (mid-April to mid-June; September to mid-December), you’ll find fewer crowds and often more affordable rates at luxury hotels like the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort.
Where: Boston, Massachusetts
Chosen By: Patricia Stone, founder of Global Adventuress, has traveled to 162 countries and seeks out unique, off-the-beaten path destinations for solo, girlfriends, couples and family travel. Her site has been featured in the L.A. Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Toronto Star and nominated by USA Today as a Top 20 Travel Destination site.
Why: Boston is home to Fenway Park, the Freedom Trail, the Boston Marathon, clam chowder and some of the world’s best-known universities. There’s a lot to see in one of the country’s oldest cities — and there’s a way to do it affordably. Start by exploring the city on a self-guided tour along the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail (we love Free Tours by Foot) and see 16 historic sites, including Bunker Hill, the Boston Tea Party Ship, the Old North Church and Paul Revere’s House. The Boston Harbor Walk offers scenic views of Boston’s skyline and restaurants along the way. Hop on and off the Old Town Trolley that makes its way through the city: The 100-minute narrated tour covers 100 interesting sites. Visit a museum — the ICA Boston has free admission on Thursdays from 5-9 p.m. Take a stroll in the oldest public park in the U.S. at Boston Common and Public Gardens; the Swan Boat is only $4 for a serene ride. Walk the historic neighborhood of Beacon Hill and admire the well-preserved brick townhouses, gas-lit streets and charming Louisburg Square. There’s free window shopping on Newbury and Boylston Streets. Visit King Chapel’s Cemetery to visit the headstone of 13-year old Mary Chilton, the first girl to step off the Mayflower onto Plymouth Rock (my ancestor). Durgin Park is one of the oldest restaurants in the country, serving Yankee recipes since pre-revolutionary days. In 1742, Peter Faneuil, one of the top merchants in town, opened this restaurant to feed hungry sailors from Boston Harbor. Order the Yankee Pot Roast ($16.95). The best lobster roll is at Neptune’s Oyster and worth every penny. Lots of hotel deals can be found in Boston — such as the Oasis Guest House ($95), The Copley House ($105) or the luxurious Omni Parker House ($116).
