Looking For a Cheap Getaway? Head to One of These Five U.S Cities

Dying for a weekend getaway but low on funds? When planning your budget escape check out alternative hotels such as youth hostels to stretch your vacation dollar even further and look for cities with great public transportation to save on rental car fees. Urban environments are also great for saving money on food and entertainment thanks to food trucks, street vendors and live music in bars. Plan on eating and drinking where the locals go and steer clear of designated ‘tourist’ areas, which generally charge a lot more for food, drink and entertainment.

Check out these five U.S cities for the perfect budget vacation.

Famous for Tex-Mex cuisine, the Alamo and the new RiverWalk, San Antonio has an extensive bus system meaning you won’t have to pay to rent a car when you’re there. The RiverWalk district has several great options for budget hotels. Participate in the city’s B-Cycle bike rental program and rent a bike for just $10 per day for a unique and healthy way to explore this great Texan town.

Barbecue aficionados will love this MidWest city voted number one in affordability by Travel and Leisure magazine. Kansas City contains a slew of free attractions, including the free Harley Davidson tour, Boulevard Brewing Company tour and the Crossroads Art District, featuring over 70 art galleries. Plus there is a plethora of great budget friendly eateries featuring the barbeque this MidWest city is known for.

The City of Brotherly Love will also show some love to your vacation wallet, especially if you travel to the city via Amtrak, thus saving on airfare. No need to rent a car in this pedestrian friendly city, where for $11 a day you can purchase a SEPTA one-day independence pass, allowing you to travel on any SEPTA bus, subway, train or tram.

Hostels are also a plenty in this historic city and many of the attractions in the city are either free, or cost very little. Bypass the restaurants and head to Reading Terminal Market for some tasty classic Philly treats on a budget.

With many of the local bars offering free entertainment, Nashville is a great city for a weekend of bar hopping and eating. With budget friendly microbrews, world-famous burgers and a hip country music vibe, Nashville offers plenty of hotel options within walking distance of all the popular music joints. So forego the rental car, enjoy a few beers and listen to some great music by up and coming artists.

Being one of the main airport hubs in the United States gives Atlanta the advantage of being able to pick up some pretty cheap airline tickets to this southern city. With traffic being congested most of the time, forego the rental car and stick to the city’s MARTA rail system, which operates in the city limits. The city limits are packed with attractions, most of them are available for either free, or a low price. Nightlife dominates the Buckhead District, whereas museum buffs will want to find a hotel in the Downtown Atlanta area. Food buffs will love the budget friendly barbecue and soul food Atlanta is famous for.