Mack Prioleau: Top Affordable Places to Visit in the US
Everyone needs a vacation at some point. After all, we are not robots; we have to take time away from work and/or school to relax our bodies and our minds. The challenge many families may face in today’s economy, however, is finding a vacation spot that is exciting and attractive all while staying within a tiny budget. This is true for both large and small families alike. Below are some of the most popular yet affordable vacation destinations in the United States, according to travel aficionado Mack Prioleau.
Yellowstone/Yosemite
Yosemite National Park and Yellowstone National Park are high on the list of affordable vacation spots in the United States partly because of their several complementary outdoor activities along with their inexpensive lodging. In addition, National Park Service in 2016 has tried to offer fee-free days, on which entrance fees to any national parks are waived. More than four million visitors visit both Yellowstone National Park and Yosemite National Park every year. At Yellowstone National Park, the multicolored pools swirling around hot springs are indeed major attractions. Likewise, at Yosemite National Park, the entire family can enjoy picnicking, rafting, biking, and hiking and seeing beautiful sights, such as Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Glacier Point.
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. is another attractive vacation spot since most of the museums there are free. Popular monuments such as the National World War II Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial are also free to visit. That is why Washington D.C. has been dubbed “the capital of free.” Outdoors, you can enjoy some lunch and downtime at Yards Park as well as view the United States National Arboretum’s Bonsai & Penjing Museum, a tree garden with ancient bonsais that has mostly flewn under the radar. If you love art, you can also take advantage of The Phillips Collection located in Dupont Circle, which is the nation’s first modern-art museum. Access to this museum is free on Tuesday through Friday. In addition, visit the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum, or take a leisurely walk along Tidal Basin — a pond that stretches two miles and is the backdrop to many of the city’s most popular sites. You can even use a paddle boat to test the waters and get some exercise in the process.
New Orleans
New Orleans is also a top destination since you can enjoy delectable Creole cuisine and European-style architecture without having to empty your coffers. One of the most mystical parts of strolling through the Big Easy is that you can hear Zydeco, blues, Jazz, and rock ‘n’ roll tunes in nearly every part of the city. Even if you do not visit the city during Mardi Gras, you can still enjoy a party there year-round, complete with music, masks, and a level of excitement that cannot be found in other United States cities. Even though New Orleans has experienced some tough environmental disasters, ranging from Hurricane Isaac to Hurricane Katrina and the BP Oil Spill, the Crescent City is still thriving and continues to possess an irresistible cultural and aesthetic appeal.