Cheap Weekend Getaways for Couples

The best way to ensure a cheap weekend getaway is by keeping costs down. One great way to do this is to find a cheap or free activity to center your weekend around, and to spend the majority of your trip budget on accommodations and gas. One great way to do this is to choose activities that don’t charge admission to attend. I will give you plenty of examples based around the area where I live, the state of Indiana. But you can take the same basic principles and apply them to wherever you live.

Art Galleries and Museums – Commercial art galleries can offer you an almost museum-like experience. For example, we have several communities within the larger city of Indianapolis that have several galleries and very bohemian style settings. These places can make a really fun date for no cost whatsoever. There are also plenty of museums to choose from, many of which either don’t charge at all or charge very small admission fees. Book a stay at a hotel or bed and breakfast close by, and spend a weekend taking in all kinds of art. This is a very relaxing experience and a chance to really get away from reality. Of course, it’s also a great value. If you’re in Indiana, I recommend Zionsville.

Tourist Towns – Many towns have simply grown into tourist spots. In Indiana, we have Nashville, Metamora, and more. These can make for fabulous getaways if you simply want to escape. Tourist towns often have a rustic enclosed feel that you won’t find anywhere else, and there’s nothing to do all day but take in local sights, go window-shopping, or lounge in your hotel. They’re tourist spots for a reason after all, and because there’s no main attraction the way there would be at a theme park, your only real cost is food and a place to lay your head. The common misperception about tourist towns (or “traps” as they’re often known) is that they have to cost you a lot. But that’s simply not always the case.

Festivals – Festivals are happening everywhere all the time, and they are almost always open to the public. You can find quirky festivals based on almost anything. Or you can find more run-of-the-mill but still enjoyable festivities such as the Covered Bridge festival in Indiana. If you’re looking for a really cheap getaway, these are almost always fertile ground. Just make sure to book your hotel in advance.

State Parks – Admission to state parks is typically 4 dollars per car, barring larger parks such as Grand Canyon National Park. Consider basing your getaway on an activity centered around the idea of sight-seeing, and you’ve got an instant getaway for a very small budget. All you’re worrying about is travel and accommodations. Also, typically country-based getaways are far cheaper than those planned in cities as there are fewer impulse buys available. If you want to do something adventurous together, consider adding caving and/or spelunking to your trip list. This is also a low-cost activity that can offer some amazing natural sights. Kayaking can also be a cheap and fun activity.

Off-Season Activities – There are plenty of places in America that have seasons. There’s skiing season, autumn foliage season, summer vacation season. Many vacation destinations are based around the time of year. One amazing way to save money in these places is to go off season. For example, we often book a weekend stay at Hotel Nashville in Nashville, Indiana during the winter months. This cuts the price of our stay in half, and creates an extra romantic environment as we almost always have the place completely to ourselves, including the pool and spa area! It’s a truly unique experience and an incredible value.

Last but not least, one great tactic to remember is to think of a theme. Coming up with a theme for a getaway helps you keep the cost down instead of feeling the need to do too much in one weekend. For example, if you’re going to the city, choose one attraction, say, the local aquarium or zoo. Plan to spend the entire day there and skip theater tickets or other tempting extras. This always keeps cost down and helps set a more relaxed pace for your cheap getaway. Resist the urge to over plan, and avoid spending more money and creating unnecessary stress. After all, the goal is to get away and get some face time with your better half. So remember, the goal of the trip is not necessarily to do a lot, it’s just to spend some quality time together.