...
Travel

Top 10 Budget-Friendly Weekend Getaways That Don’t Skimp on Fun

For budget-friendly tourists who always looking for cheap vacation places that offer more fun activities and cost less than they think? The world is full of such places with family-friendly activities without breaking the bank.

So, if you want a break from work burden or just want to make fun with friends or family on the weekend, you will have an enjoyable experience exploring the beautiful places on a budget. 

In this guide, I have shared the budget friendly weekend getaways where you can enjoy your weekend activities on a low budget.

10 Budget-Friendly Weekend Getaways

Here are the budget-friendly weekend getaways, but sometimes expenses depend on your travel destination, activities, and accommodations. 

List of Budget-Friendly Weekend Getaways


1. Cancun, Mexico: Famous for its beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife.
2. Nashville, Tennessee: Explore live music venues and cultural attractions like the Country Music Hall of Fame.
3. Portland, Oregon: Enjoy its eclectic food scene, craft breweries, and outdoor activities like hiking in Forest Park.
4. Charleston, South Carolina: Experience historic charm, Southern cuisine, and scenic waterfront views.
5. New Orleans, Louisiana: Dive into jazz music, Creole cuisine, and the vibrant French Quarter.
6. Gulf Shores, Alabama: Relax on white sandy beaches and explore nature reserves.
7. San Antonio, Texas: Visit the historic Alamo and stroll along the River Walk.
8. Savannah, Georgia: Wander through its charming historic district and enjoy Southern hospitality.
9. Napa Valley, California: Explore wineries and scenic vineyard landscapes.
10. Joshua Tree National Park, California: Experience unique desert landscapes and outdoor adventures like hiking and stargazing.

1 – Cancun, Mexico

Cancun is a beautiful place for budget-friendly travelers to enjoy weekend getaways in relaxing beaches and vibrant nightlife. You can explore the white sand beaches along the Caribbean Sea and enjoy different free and low-cost activities.

These activities include water sports like snorkeling and diving in the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest coral reef system globally.

Not only relaxing beaches, but you can also enjoy the nightlife in the hotel zone. Go to clubs, bars for fun and enjoy the taste of cuisine according to your taste.

Cancun, Mexico

2 – Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville is another perfect weekend getaway for budget-friendly tourist to enjoy their weekends with rock nights. It is an ideal choice for people who love music or want something crazy on the weekend.


You can enjoy the colorful nights with music and explore its iconic venues like the Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame. One of the best things about these activities is that they do not cost much money, making it an affordable city for tourists.

Nashville, Tennessee

3 – Portland, Oregon

You are going to love Portland to spend your weekend here if you are a natural beauty lover and an eco-friendly person. Portland is such a beautiful city in Oregon (US state) to do various budget-friendly activities and enjoy a vacation

It is a peaceful place to relax in a warm environment and enjoy activities like hiking in the forest park and the Columbia River gorge. Also, the city embraces a sustainable lifestyle with extensive bike lanes and public transit options.

Portland, Oregon

4 – Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is a great choice for budget-friendly weekend getaways to explore historic places with a low budget. If you are a history buff or love to explore old streets, then you must add Charleston to your bucket list to explore once in a lifetime.

The charm of cabbleston streets and antebellum homes attracts tourists to immersive themselves in old streets. Also, you will love to visit the Battery promenade for scenic views of Charleston Harbor.

Charleston, South Carolina

5 – New Orleans, Louisiana

What if I tell you a place with various colorful activities to explore on the weekend with a low budget? Yes, New Orleans is the best choice for weekend getaways for budget travelers to enjoy the jazz music scene and colorful buildings with old structures.

You will have a unique experience spending your weekend in the lively city. Its historic French Quarter and Creole cuisine are the other attractions for tourists to explore the history and taste of the country. 

New Orleans, Louisiana

6 – Gulf Shores, Alabama

Gulf Shores is a relaxing place to consider for budget-friendly weekend getaways, especially if you are planning to go with family and kids due to its kid-friendly activities. You can enjoy the different low-cost activities, relax on the beaches, and enjoy swimming and sunbathing. 

Freely enjoy hiking, water sports, fishing, and dolphin cruises that add charm to your tour. You can also enjoy inexpensive cuisine, seafood, and beachfront eateries.

Gulf Shores, Alabama

7 – San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio is indeed one of the best weekend getaways to explore rich culture, history, and entertainment. It is perfect for different types of travelers to spend the weekend on a budget. 

You can explore its historic buildings like The Alamo, which is the best attraction of the city. Also, the San Antonio River Walk picturesque waterway, is a popular spot for leisurely strolls, boat rides, and dining. Beyond these, you can explore Theme parks, museums, and other attractions, making it a great destination for families

San Antonio, Texas

8 – Savannah, Georgia

Savannah also fulfills your needs in terms of budget-friendly weekend getaways with lovely charming places. You can enjoy the ghost walking tours in the city. One of the best things you can find shared haunted spots like cemeteries and colonial homes that offer ghostly encounters under $30.

However, its natural beauty and greenery are also best for relaxing on the weekend. Although Savannah is an affordable destination, but prices can vary depending on the time of year and type of accommodations.

Savannah, Georgia

9 – Napa Valley, California

Napa Valley is an excellent destination for a weekend trip which offers various activities and joyful experiences. The valley’s rolling hills, vineyards, and stunning landscapes provide a picturesque backdrop for a weekend getaway. 

Besides wine tasting and dining, you can enjoy activities like hot air balloon rides, spa treatments, hiking, or exploring the Napa Valley Wine Train

Napa Valley, California

10 – Joshua Tree National Park, California

Do you want to spend weekends in adventurous places? Joshua Tree National Park is an ideal choice for tourists who want to explore something more than a movie night on the weekend.


It is a famous place for unique desert landscapes and iconic Joshua trees that are less founded in other sites. You can explore fascinating rock formations shaped by erosion, such as Hidden Valley and Skull Rock. These free cast activities make it budget budget-friendly getaway for weekend travelers to enjoy time.

Joshua Tree National Park, California

Sum Up

Where do you want to spend your weekend? Lively city night, relaxing beaches, ghost places, natural beauty, historic charm, or something unique to explore. No matter where do you want to spend your weekend on a budget, you can find various budget-friendly weekend getaways. 

All these places are perfect for enjoying more activities, even with families and kids, with low-cost activities. 

Hammad Ali

Hammad Ali has expertise in calculating and writing about celebrities' net worth, and he has a keen interest in showing his experience and perspective in his content. He has always been a nomad, exploring the most soulful places on the planet and sharing experiences with others. Besides, Hammad loves to share lifestyle tips.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button
×