5 Inexpensive Cities in the USA for Kids

Family Vacation Ideas: 5 Adventurous and Inexpensive Cities in the USA

Family Vacations are amazing times to grow, learn, and build family bonds. These family vacation ideas keep your family busy and keep your budget small. Check out these five inexpensive cities in the USA to visit.

So you want to take your family on vacation, but money is tight. Don’t worry! There are many budget-friendly places in the US that will delight your family and your pocketbook. Everyone will find something that they love in these five budget-friendly cities.

Inexpensive Family Vacation Ideas – City #1: Washington D.C.

Our nation’s capital is one city that everyone should visit in their lifetime. Its historical significance alone earns it a spot on this list. It is budget friendly because almost all of the major landmarks are free. While you are in the city you will want to wear good walking shoes.

After checking out the National Mall and the Lincoln Memorial take a stroll through one of the 17 free Smithsonian Museums. Check the events calendar before you go because Washington D.C. also hosts several free festivals and events throughout the year.

*Family Friendly Tip: Use the Metro system to get around, especially if you have over 4 people in your party. Purchase a card for each family member. We did cards with $20 on them for each person for a week. We ended up a few dollars short, and had to reload. The minimum for reloading is $10, so we spent a few dollars more than we needed. However, we will be going back, so I’ll hang on to the cards for the next trip.

Inexpensive Family Vacation Ideas – City #2: Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville is a great place to visit if you want to be near the ocean. Most beaches are free to visit and if you pack a picnic lunch the entire trip will cost you very little.

There are plenty of things to do around the city as well. Make sure you check out Friendship Fountain downtown, the Jackson Landing, and the Sally Corporation while you are in town.

If you’re looking for a little history, check out St. Augustine. It’s only a few miles south of Jacksonville, and boasts some of the oldest structures in the USA.

*Family Friendly Tip: Many nights the dolphins come up the river to feed in the evenings. The wall at the edges of the Castillo San Marcos are a perfect place to see them!

Inexpensive Family Vacation Ideas – City #3: New Orleans, Louisiana

Just walking down the street in New Orleans is a party. You’ll find musicians on every street corner and corner markets and cafes with very affordable po-boy sandwiches, gumbo, and beignets.

The city hosts several free festivals so plan to go during one of them to get even more bang for your buck. Make sure to tour Saint Louis Cathedral and the Cities of the Dead while you are there.

Inexpensive Family Vacation Ideas – City #4: Houston, Texas

Houston has a little bit of something for everyone. Several close and beautiful beaches offer plenty of chances to swim, build sandcastles, hike, and view lighthouses. Discovery Green, located downtown, provides exciting events for people of all ages.

If you’d rather be indoors and out of the heat there are several free and nearly free museums and theatres in Houston. Some are only free on certain days to make sure to check their website before you go.

Inexpensive Family Vacation Ideas – City #5: St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis is located in the center of the country which means that most of the continental US can get there without traveling too far. St. Louis is especially suitable for children as you can visit the St. Louis Zoo for free.

The city also offers several free museums such as the St. Louis Museum of Art. After a long day of visiting the zoo(One of our top 11 in the USA!) and museums take a stroll through Forest Park.

Amazing vacations don’t have to cost a fortune. Gather up your family and head out to one of these budget-friendly cities and take advantage of all the deals that they have to offer.