Spring break is upon us. Chances are somebody you know is headed to Maui, Hawaii, or Cancun, Mexico. While these cities seem fabulous, the travel costs can leave quite a dent in your bank account. But don’t start your pity parade just yet. There are plenty of spring break destinations around the U.S. that are budget friendly. Here are the top 5 spring break destinations for budget travelers.
Moab, Utah
Tucked away in eastern Utah between the breathtaking Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Moab is known for an array of outdoor activities. Mountain biking is huge here, but other activities include whitewater rafting, canoeing, 4-wheeling, and golfing, although the cheapest activity is hiking! Both parks have an entrance fee of $10, which is good for 7 days. My family traveled a lot when I was young and our trips to these parks still remain as my favorite vacation memories. Temperatures are mild this time of year and at night temperatures typically linger in the 40’s, which means camping is an option. Sites range in price from $10-20. Your only other costs are food and beverages, so this is definitely a budget-friendly, gorgeous destination.
Sedona, AZ
One of my favorite cities in the world, the red rocks of Sedona are truly something to see. Located about an hour and a half drive from Phoenix, Sedona is known for its natural beauty and charming, artsy town. Again, since the temperatures are mild, camping is your cheapest option, but there are plenty of hotels and motels to choose from as well to fit many budgets. One unique activity people enjoy here are the Pink Jeep Tours, which range in price from $55-75. Most parks in Sedona require a Red Rocks Pass. Purchase one at the Sedona Visitor Center on your way into town for $5 per day or $15 for the week. And don’t forget to visit Slide Rock State Park to waterslide down natural rock formations!
Seattle, WA
Not as sunny as the two previous destinations, but chances are airfare into Seattle will be cheaper. In a town this size, you have your choice of lodging. Go the hostel route if you’re young and want to save more. Public transportation like the monorail can economically ($2.25 for adults) transport you to famous destinations like the Space Needle. A hilarious tour to check out is called The Seattle Underground Tour. The price is right at $16 for adults and it is so worth it. There’s also a great local music scene here and the city is easy to navigate on foot.
Austin, TX
Somehow I lucked out when traveling here one year in March, because the University of Texas campus had its spring break that week. The town was empty, and airfare was dirt cheap on Southwest. Taxis were fairly priced, as were the hotels at that time. I also did a lot of walking during the day to save some money and managed to get around most of the city this way. With free music up and down 6th street (this is the “live music capital of the world”), you can find an entertaining night out that’ll only cost you as much as you choose to eat and drink. Be sure to avoid the SXSW festival in March – airfare will be high at this time and there’s no way you are going to find a reasonably priced hotel.
Denver, CO
If you’re not a snowboarder or skier, you might not consider Denver, but there’s more to Denver than lovely, majestic mountains. When I lived here, nearly all my visitors came in March, and coming from the Midwest, usually paid around $200 for a roundtrip ticket. Not bad. Finding lodging shouldn’t be an issue, but if you are headed up to the mountains, definitely check out vacation rentals, especially if you have a group of people and can split the cost. I’ve nearly always found cheap places to stay in mountain towns, granted I wasn’t going to Vail, but if you visit a smaller ski town, like Winter Park, then lodging cost will be more reasonable. If you’re not renting a car, use the light rail to get around. LoDo is the popular nightlife area. Check out Impulse Theater in the basement of Wynkoop Brewery for a fun night out. At $18, the price to laugh quotient is worth it. If you do have a car, then explore local parks like Red Rocks (one of the best parks!), or Green Mountain. A wonderful free activity is the Coors Brewery Tour in the quaint town called Golden, which is just 15 minutes outside of Denver.
