15 Budget Friendly Spring Vacation Destinations
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
11. Mt. Tremper, New York (Catskills region)
Mt. Tremper is a small community in the beautiful Catskills region of New York. This beautiful area of the state is a welcome nature oasis that is world’s apart from the hustle and bustle of New York City. The region has become a popular relaxing escape destination for those who live in hectic cities. Although many of the resorts in the area are uber expensive, there are some great deals if you plan your vacation in a less trendy area like Mt. Tremper.
We booked a recent birthday vacation at a beautiful budget friendly resort called the Emerson Resort and Spa. Cheap rates and special packages are offered throughout the year. The quiet setting on Esopus Creek combined with great amenities (mountain cabin style rentals, private decks facing the creek, a full spa, on site shops and restaurants), make this the perfect choice for a rejuvenating spring or fall getaway. Off season rates typically start in the low 100’s.
Mt. Tremper is located just a short ways away from many wonderful (and free!) natural attractions such as Kaaterskill Falls, the beautiful Ashokan Reservoir, the Catskill Mountain Railroad, and many state parks and hiking trails.
*Hiking to Kaaterskill Falls – This scenic hike to the 260 foot tall 2 tier waterfall is one of the most popular hikes in the area and for good reason. The views are absolutely incredible. The hike through the forest will lead you to a wonderful waterfall, which happens to be one of the tallest in New York. The hike is located near Tannersville New York, just a 35-40 minute (very scenic drive!) from the Mt. Tremper area.
*Enjoying the tremendous views from the Walkway Over the Hudson –The Walkway Over the Hudson is located in Poughkeepsie, about an hour or so from Mt. Tremper. A bit of a drive, but well worth it for the incredible mountain and water views you will take in as you make your way across the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world (the bridge is 1.28 miles long and 212 feet tall).
Weather permitting the bridge is open year round, enabling you to take in new views with each passing season. You can walk, ride your bike, and even skate across while enjoying the beautiful landscapes.
*Seeing a show in the world’s largest kaleidoscope – The Emerson Resort is home to the world’s largest kaleidoscope. It’s an interesting sight to see if you are staying at the resort, and also free ($5 for non hotel guests)! A strange, but visually appealing show that has earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World records. After the show, you can browse through the gift shop’s wide assortment of kaleiodoscopes for sale.
12. Los Angeles, California
Although it may come as a surprise to many, a vacation to the Southern California area can easily be modified to fit anyone’s budget. Although airfare can be pricey based on your location, the endless availability of free recreational activities more than makes up for any increase in travel and lodging costs.
Almost anything you do in the Southern California area is free including gorgeous beaches, hiking and biking trails, museums, art galleries, outdoor sports, and TV show tapings.
Hotel rates will vary depending on which beach city or non coastal town you decide on. Certain areas like Long Beach, Santa Ana, and cities in the Inland Empire offer cheaper rates than surrounding towns. Long Beach is a fantastic coastal option that is quite affordable. I lived in this area and basically never ran out of free things to do. My favorite thing to do is taking a 6 mile bike ride along the Pedestrian bike path which runs alongside the beach and touristy Shoreline Village. Additionally, the city is located within driving distance to both L.A.’s and Orange County’s fabulous beach towns.
Budget friendly fun in the area
*Hiking the trails at the Griffith Observatory – L.A.’s iconic star gazing hot spot is the must-see for any new visitor to the area. Aside from beautiful starry views of Los Angeles by night, great exhibits and shows, and public telescope viewing events, the Griffith offers some of the best hiking in the area. A few miles of trails allow you to get one of a kind views of the Hollywood sign, the city, and the surrounding mountains.
*Soaking up the sun at Orange County beaches – The OC is home to some of the prettiest beaches in the country – Newport, Laguna, and Huntington are all must sees during your LA vacation. Head to Laguna for gorgeous cliff and cove scenery, Newport for a relaxed setting, clean beaches, and views of gorgeous waterfront homes, and Huntington for the lively sports atmosphere.
My favorite freebie is a ride along the Huntington Beach Bike Path for 7+ miles of beautiful coastal views and fun people watching opportunities!
*Enjoying a lazy day of fun in the sun at the South Bay beaches – L.A. is home to a diverse range of beaches, each offering a unique vibe. Hermosa and Redondo are great for volleyball. Torrance offers a beautiful setting with beautiful views of the Palos Verdes cliffs in the background. Manhattan Beach is laid-back and beautiful with the historic pier. Venice is unique as ever with the lively boardwalk filled with crazy street performers.
Santa Monica is home to the famous Pier, featuring a waterfront theme park and the iconic End of Route 66 sign. Also be sure to check out Will Rogers, a beach well known for the filming of several TV shows including Baywatch. What’s even better is that each of these beach towns are connected via a 22 mile bike path known as The Strand.
*Exploring L.A.s beach towns via the Marvin Braude Bike Path – Get ready for a fun filled ride along the best waterfront path in the country. Pass beautiful beaches and unique sights like the Venice Beach boardwalk as you leisurely absorb all the different scenery, people, and landmarks found throughout L.A.’s diverse beach towns. L.A. really is a unique place and The Strand is the best way to take in all that which makes L.A. so much fun.
The Marvin Braude Trail, frequently referred to as The South Bay Bike Path is the top thing to do in L.A. It’s fun. It’s scenic. It’s the best way to explore L.A.’s beach towns. You do not have to put up with traffic getting to and from different beach areas. And best of all, it’s completely free!
*Attending a live TV show taping – Sure it screams tourist, but how could you visit the entertainment capital of the world without taking time to sit in the studio audience for one of your favorite shows? Whether it is an iconic game show like The Price is Right, your favorite long running daytime talk show, or your favorite new sitcom, here’s your chance to observe the behind the scenes action of a Hollywood production. So far, I have seen tapings of The Price is Right, Melissa & Joey, Big Brother, and Jay Leno.
*Window shopping Rodeo Drive & checking out the iconic Beverly Hills sign
13. St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Florida
Spring is a great time to visit Florida’s Gulf Coast beaches. The weather is a little bit cooler than the extreme hot, humid summer season, with average temps in the 80’s with much lower humidity than the summer season. It may be crowded, but nowhere near so as much as the busy summer season.
During this period, you can usually find non beachfront hotels in the lower $100 range. Not as quiet as areas mentioned above like Amelia Island, however, there are plenty of beautiful beaches and parks to explore. The moderate temperatures allow you to take advantage of all the great free outdoor activities found throughout the region.
Budget friendly fun in the area
*Visiting the gorgeous Gulf Coast Beaches – Most of the beaches in the area do not charge admission other than small fees associated with parking, and oftentimes you can find free street parking. Clearwater Beach is well known for its’ smooth, powdery soft sand. In addition to daytime beach relaxation and swimming in the warm waters of the Gulf, every night a free Sunsets at the Pier festival is held. Here you will find live music, live entertainment, and movies on the beach.
If you are looking for less tourists, I recommend heading over to Sand Key. Sand Key, Clearwater’s neighbor, does not have the same fine sand, however, it is a great place to relax and collect seashells. Pass a Grille Beach in St. Petersburg is a laid-back alternative to St. Pete Beach for those looking less crowds. Fort DeSoto charges a small admission fee, however, the beaches here are quiet and the extra amenities (picnicking areas, hiking trails, kayaking rentals, and a beautiful bike trail) make it more than worthwhile.
Indian Rocks Beach, located in between Clearwater and St. Pete in beautiful Indian Rocks, is another scenic local option without the hefty tourists. This is my personal favorite for the lack of commercialization, awesome shelling, and wildlife sightings (I saw a manatee and seahorse while swimming!).
*Enjoying a local hiking trail – There are plenty of amazing trails in the area, many with great water views and ample wildlife. Weedon Island Preserve is a gorgeous natural area with stunning views of the bay. It never gets too crowded on the trails so there are lots of opportunities for seeing all different types of birds and small wildlife species. We see lots of armadillos and all types of exotic birds here.
Boyd Hill Nature Area in St. Pete allows you to take a leisurely walk amongst several different Florida ecosystems (you can also pay a small fee to take a guided tram tour). We saw baby gators and many gopher tortoises here.
*Biking one of the various paved trails found in the region – Tampa is home to a number of great paved recreational trails including the Pinellas Trail, one of the top rated urban rail trails in the country. The course travels from Tarpon Springs 30+ miles up to St. Petersburg. The Upper Tampa Bay Trail is another great choice with a partly tree lined course and pretty views of the Hillsborough River.
*Enjoying a leisurely, tropical themed stroll through Sunken Garden – This quiet escape in St. Petersburg allows you to explore many of the tropical plants found in this region of Florida. The beautiful gardens happen to be one of the oldest tourist attractions in Florida (over 100 years old). I love seeing all the exotic birds and free roaming flamingos.
