When you read the word \u201cvacation,\u201d what comes to mind? Do you drift away to a white, sandy beach somewhere as the palms dance in the ocean breeze? Do you picture yourself walking down tree-lined streets in a European city somewhere? Maybe you\u2019re standing on a mountaintop after a vigorous climb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No matter what kind of summer getaway you dream of, chances are you\u2019re going to have to spend a few pennies to make it happen. However, going on a vacation doesn\u2019t need to be synonymous with breaking the bank! If you want to travel this season, here are our top summer vacation ideas for travelers on a budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
See how Quicken helps you plan and manage your budget. We all have different budgets, different incomes, and different ideas of how we\u2019d like to spend our vacation. For this article, we considered each of the following factors to select the best summer vacation spots on a budget:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most of all, we wanted to present our readership with alternatives to the traditional \u201chot-spot\u201d summer vacation destinations for ideal vacation getaways you might not have considered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So without further ado, here they are \u2014 the best summer vacation spots on a budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first stop on our list is Bar Harbor, ME, a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, lobster roll aficionados, and people who love the smell of the North Atlantic \u2014 without the Cape Cod price tag. If a New England getaway is on your summer bucket list, look no further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nestled along Maine\u2019s rugged coastline on Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor was traditionally a vacation destination for the east coast elite. Today, it serves as a bustling summer spot for travelers who know its well-kept secrets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider visiting Acadia National Park, where you can hike to see unbelievable vistas of Maine\u2019s coast on the summit of Cadillac Mountain. You can take in some history of the local culture and see relics of the Wabanaki people at the Abbe Museum. Afterward, be sure to sample some of the local seafood or grab a coffee in a local caf\u00e9!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Affordable accommodations can be found at local bed and breakfasts, or on Vrbo or Airbnb \u2014 just be sure to book in advance for the best rates. The closest major airport is Portland International Jetport, which is a three hour drive from Bar Harbor \u2014 perfect for a New England summer road trip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re looking for a prime tropical vacation with culture bursting at the seams, look no further than Puerto Rico. (For US citizens, you won\u2019t even need a passport.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you step outside at Luis Mu\u00f1oz Mar\u00edn International Airport in San Juan, you\u2019ll feel the relaxation almost immediately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n San Juan is the capital and cultural hub on the Island of Enchantment, as Puerto Rico is known. With some of the best beaches in the world, an unbelievable gastronomy scene, great nightlife, and a classic Caribbean identity, San Juan is an unbeatable getaway for year-round travelers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be sure to walk along the cobblestone streets and pastel buildings in Old San Juan. If you\u2019re a foodie, try mofongo and pastelles. Soak up the sun at El Escambr\u00f3n beach. You can even make day trips to hike in El Yunque, or snorkel or scuba dive in the bioluminescent bays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the city does offer accommodations at resorts, there are great, affordable options at hostels throughout the city, as well as Airbnb. The Old Town is walkable, but public transit from Condado or Santurce is reliable, and you can find an Uber with ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the best-kept secrets of the Canadian summer, Wasaga Beach is the place to be in the peak season. Situated on the Georgian Bay of Lake Huron, Wasaga Beach boasts the longest freshwater beach in the world \u2014 enjoy 14km of sand and sun and cool off with a refreshing dip in the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For sportspeople and anglers, the South Georgian Bay is well-known for outstanding fishing year-round, with rainbow trout season lasting through summer and the Chinook salmon beginning to run in late August \u2014 you can try your luck in nearby Collingwood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hotel prices vary in Wasaga Beach \u2014 you can find anything from budget motels to sprawling lakeside estates with private beach access. For budget travelers wanting the best of both worlds, you can find cottages with beachfront access<\/a> for a little over $100\/night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting to Wasaga Beach is easy \u2014 you can fly into Toronto Pearson International Airport, rent a car, and find yourself reaching the sandy shores in about two hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps one of the most picturesque destinations on the list, Cannon Beach on Oregon\u2019s northern coast is beautiful and serene. Catching a sunset at Cannon Beach beside a beach bonfire next to the iconic Haystack Rock is one of the high points of the summertime in the Pacific Northwest. To get there, all you\u2019ll need to do is fly into Portland International Airport and make an hour and a half drive west.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you get to Cannon Beach, don\u2019t expect to enjoy a swim \u2014 the average high for the month of July is only 66 degrees, with this time of year being the hottest! However, Cannon Beach is a hub for plenty of other outdoor activities. You can spend your time hiking, visiting the Tillamook lighthouse, or enjoying a meal at any of the wonderful restaurants in town. Oregon is also well known for its wineries, which you can sample while you\u2019re there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We continue our tour of the Pacific Northwest to Mount Rainier National Park \u2014 an easy trip from SeaTac International Airport. Tucked southeast of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier National Park is renowned for its rugged, untouched beauty \u2014 the crown jewel is its namesake stratovolcano. The iconic, snow-capped peak stands at a lofty 14,111 feet! If it\u2019s outdoor adventure you\u2019re after, Rainier is the ideal summer vacation destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re not much for mountaineering, you can still drive to the Sunrise Point Overlook \u2014 the 6,400-foot elevation offers robust views of the natural beauty. The park has wonderful hiking trails, subalpine lakes, waterfalls, wildflowers, plenty of campsites, and more. And the best part? Admission is $30 for a 7-day, private vehicle pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rainier\u2019s proximity to the Seattle-Tacoma metro area is also worth noting. While Seattle can be quite expensive, there are ways to enjoy the city without breaking the bank. Consider taking the ferry to Bainbridge Island, walking around City Center, or admiring the view from the Waterfront. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If this word only conjures up ideas of a particular type of outdoor furniture, it\u2019s time you became familiar with the official seat of summertime\u2019s namesake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Far beyond the brownstones of the Upper West Side (like, way beyond), the Adirondack Park is one of the best-kept secrets of New York. Spanning close to 5,000 square miles, the Adirondacks are home to mountains, lakes, pine trees, and a wonderful summertime climate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For adventurers, consider climbing the high peaks, like Mount Marcy or Algonquin Peak. If you\u2019re after rest and relaxation, park it in an Adirondack chair on the shores of Fourth Lake in Inlet, NY. Have kids looking for thrills? Enchanted Forest Water Safari is a popular destination for summer fun. Kayaking, hiking, biking, and swimming are all very popular activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting there is fairly open-ended \u2014 it\u2019s especially dependent on where you\u2019re coming from. The park is accessible from Hancock Int\u2019l in Syracuse, Leahy Int\u2019l in Burlington, and Trudeau Int\u2019l in Montreal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to hit a beach on the Gulf of Mexico this summer but you\u2019d rather bypass the crowds on the Florida panhandle, consider making your way to Gulf Shores, AL. Known to the live music crowd for hosting the Hangout Music Festival every May, Gulf Shores is home to a beautiful beach and hot summer weather that\u2019s perfect for swimming. The greenish tides and white sandy beaches make this destination ideal for those who love a beautiful ocean view!<\/p>\n\n\n\n The town is also home to several golf courses, a shopping mall, and an amusement park called Waterville, USA, making it a perfect family-friendly destination. While Gulf Shores is served by a municipal airport, you might have better luck flying into Mobile Regional Airport \u2014 the drive from Mobile to Gulf Shores should take a little over an hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Accommodations vary in Gulf Shores \u2014 there are plenty of resorts and beachfront hotels, but you\u2019ll be able to find better bargains for places to stay if you check local listings on Airbnb or Vrbo.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n See how Quicken helps you plan and track your vacation budget. While the locations above are in no way an exhaustive list of budget vacation destinations, they do offer some of the best bangs for your buck. Still, here are a few more destinations to consider. They didn\u2019t make our top seven due to location, seasonality, or other cost-affecting factors, but they\u2019re certainly not expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember, vacations are like any other expense \u2014 you can set a budget and stick to it just about anywhere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A former mining town deep in the heart of the west Texas desert, Terlingua is currently a ghost town with a tourism industry \u2014 it\u2019s renowned for its rugged landscape, proximity to Big Bend National Park, and incredible stargazing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Terlingua is very<\/em> remote \u2014 it\u2019s a pretty serious drive from any major airport. You can consider flying into El Paso if you\u2019re coming from the west coast or Austin if coming from the east. Both are notably scenic drives but they\u2019re also long \u2014 300 miles from El Paso and 500 from Austin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The unbelievable desert beauty of Terlingua is truly remarkable, but consider visiting either one early in the season or on the cusp of fall \u2014 it gets very hot!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another incredible locale to check out, especially if you\u2019re in the Western half of North America, is Vancouver Island. Located on Canada\u2019s extreme southwest corner, the island is best reached through Vancouver International Airport. No matter if you\u2019re coming from Regina, Calgary, Seattle, or San Francisco, you can be there in less than 2.5 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From there, you can either take a ferry or drive to Vancouver Island. With a length of 456 km (that\u2019s 283 miles!), the island is known for its stunning, rugged beauty and its pleasant, Mediterranean climate \u2014 they even grow olives and have many vineyards! <\/p>\n\n\n\n In terms of where to stay, you can consider Tofino with its ancient rainforests and sprawling coastlines (it\u2019s an awesome surf destination), Ucluelet with its fantastic aquarium, or hopping from town to town. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Accommodations can vary greatly, so it’s best to take a look on sites like Expedia or Kayak, or rent privately from Airbnb or Vrbo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re interested in the Wild West, look no further than a trip to Cody, Wyoming \u2014 known for its history with the legendary Buffalo Bill Cody, for whom the town was named. A beacon of Western culture, Cody is the rodeo capital of the world, so get your cowboy boots ready! You can go square dancing, horseback riding, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also use Cody as a stepping stone to Yellowstone National Park, where you can hike, go white-water rafting, and camp out beneath the stars. There\u2019s also a bustling arts community in Cody, where you can listen to music or check out local art galleries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As with Terlingua, Cody is fairly remote, and it can still be fairly chilly even in the summer months, so be sure to pack appropriately. But if you\u2019re trying to escape the brutal summer heat, Cody just might be your new go-to summer destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If it\u2019s a chill coastal vibe you\u2019re after, look no further. Located off State Route 1 just north of Morro Bay State Park, you can rest and relax on the Pacific in Cayucos. Known for its designation by Arthur Frommer as one of the Coolest <\/em>Small Towns<\/em> in <\/em>America<\/em>, this beach town is one of the best. You can relax at the beach or surf at the pier \u2014 just be sure to bring a wetsuit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cayucos is also home to one of the best 4th of July parades in California, where you can watch a surf rock band play on a float! The town is also adorned with murals, which you can admire as you pop into local saloons, surf shops, antique stores, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Want to feel like you\u2019ve left North America for a spell \u2014 without the European price tag? Immerse yourself in the 400 year history of Qu\u00e9bec City \u2014 known by the local Francophone population as La Ville de Qu\u00e9bec<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The only fortified city north of Mexico in North America, Qu\u00e9bec City flanks the St. Lawrence River. Northeast of Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s other metropolis, Montreal, Qu\u00e9bec City is a primarily French-speaking city, known for its UNESCO Heritage designated Old Town, complete with narrow streets, Gothic architecture (including the incredible Fairmount Le Chateau Frontenac Hotel), and the stunning Montmorecy Falls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For music buffs, the city boasts a fantastic musical festival, known as Festival d\u2019\u00e9te Qu\u00e9bec (FEQ) \u2014 that\u2019s Quebec Summer Festival for English speakers \u2014 which has hosted artists like Green Day, Lana Del Ray, Kendrick Lamar, and Foo Fighters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can fly directly into QC \u2014 it\u2019s an hour and a half flight from JFK in New York or YYZ in Toronto \u2014 or you can opt for a beautiful, 2.5 hour summer drive after flying into Trudeau Int\u2019l in Montreal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Wherever you go this summer, remember to plan your best trip by creating a budget and sticking to it. You can use Quicken Simplifi<\/a> to set up savings goals, stash away extra cash, create a budget, and pay for that perfect bed and breakfast in Bar Harbor or that gorgeous beachfront rental in San Juan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n Continue \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nHow we chose the best summer vacation spots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Our top 9+ summer vacation spots on a budget \u2708\ufe0f<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Bar Harbor, Maine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. San Juan, Puerto Rico<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Wasaga Beach, Ontario <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Cannon Beach, Oregon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. The Adirondacks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. Gulf Shores, Alabama<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n Continue \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nHonorable mentions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
8. Terlingua, Texas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
9. Vancouver Island, British Columbia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
10. Cody, Wyoming<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
11. Cayucos, California<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
12. Qu\u00e9bec City, Quebec<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Travel on a budget<\/h2>\n\n\n\n