6 Affordable U.S. Summer Destinations

If you also want to get away this summer, head to one of these destinations that can be perfect for families, as well as singles, couples, and friends who are looking to save money. 

Bar Harbor, Maine

For the outdoorsy among you, Bar Harbor is full of things to do, many of which can be free or almost free, like exploring downtown, hiking Bar Island, learning about the local wildlife at the George B Dorr Museum of Natural History, or going on your own walking tour following "The Museum In the Streets" signs. You can even visit Acadia National Park for free if, instead of driving, you take the free Island Explorer shuttle. 

Winter Park, Colorado

Looking for a place to go that isn't oppressively hot? Skip Denver and head to Winter Park. Most known as a winter activities destination, it can be a great summer destination, because they have great hiking, ropes courses, climbing walls, and gondola rides. Hideaway Park has a ton of things to keep your kids busy for free. Every Tuesday in the summer you can enjoy Fraser Picnic in the Park live show, free concerts in Old Schoolhouse Park from 6-8pm that also brings in food trucks. Berthoud Pass is a great place to go stargazing, especially since Winter Park is far enough away from the big city light pollution.

Mackinac Island, Michigan

Leave your car behind and bike around Mackinac Island, because it's car-free! That means you won't spend any time stuck in traffic and can relax, while also getting fresh air and exercise. Aside from hiking and just generally recharging, you can visit America's oldest family-owned grocery store (Doud's Market), enjoy a picnic at Marquette Park, stroll through one (or all) of the cemeteries, take amazing pictures from Arch Rock, Sugar Loaf, and Crack-in-the-island, and then spend a bit of money visiting Fort Mackinac and the few museums on the island. 

San Diego, California

I love San Diego. You can spend days exploring Balboa Park's museums, you can also do all of the city's awesome things for less with GoCity San Diego. If you want to save a lot of cash, there are a ton of free things to do, too: Head to the Embarcadero to view a bunch of sculptures, admire Victorian architecture in the Gaslamp Quarter, spend the day at one of the many beaches, or go to Old Town where you can wander through some historic buildings, including the old jail/sheriff's museum.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

You might think all the great stuff is in Philly, which there is a lot of, but Pittsburgh is awesome in its own right and less popular, making it more affordable. The home of Fred Rogers has tons of hiking and biking along the Great Allegheny Passage, but city explorers can do a ton of free things, too. The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, the Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Garden, the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, the Andy Warhol Museum, and even the Carnegie Museum of Natural History all have free admission.

St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis is more than just the Arch, and can be great for those with kids or even on their own. Spend your money on amazing food and save by doing the many, many free things there: Citygarden Sculpture Park, Saint Louis Science Center, Museum a the Gateway Arch, Missouri History Museum, Saint Louis Art Museum, the historic Grant's Farm, Missouri Botanical Garden, and City Museum are just some of them.

There are so many ways to make an affordable trip cheaper, which means you can definitely stay within your budget, especially if you find a great deal on a flight or you are near enough to do a road trip. When we visit Vegas in the summer, the flights are fairly cheap, because no one likes 118-degree weather, and we offset expensive food with free and cheap activities, like the Flamingo Habitat and the Bellagio Conservatory.