Seattle
With pleasant temperatures hovering in the 70s, summer is an ideal time to explore the Emerald City’s versatile outdoor attractions, including the iconic Pike Place Market, Discovery Park and Olympic Sculpture Park. And with low-cost accommodations and reasonably priced flights, Seattle is an easy escape for cost-conscious travelers based on the West Coast, Bason says. At goSeek, you can still find inexpensive hotels over Memorial Day weekend, including the four-star Motif Hotel for $180 a night. And Tripping.com shows vacation rentals for under $50 a night for the holiday weekend. Best of all, Google Flights shows round-trip jaunts from Los Angeles International Airport starting at $342 over Memorial Day weekend, and flights from San Diego for $327 for the same period. To slash costs even further, once you arrive, rent a car from Costco, which will only set you back around $80, Bason says.
(Dan Callister/Getty Images)
Dan Callister/Getty Images
Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
Aside from the chance to soak up the great outdoors and celebrate the National Park Service’s centennial with free admission to South Dakota’s Badlands National Park from August 25 to 28, there are plenty more selling points to plan a summer trip, says Gabe Saglie, senior editor at Travelzoo. With many family-friendly hotels in the area offering discounted room rates and attraction passes, summer is a smart time to go, he says. Saglie points to the Lodge at Mount Rushmore in Keystone, South Dakota, as a great option for frugal visitors, with Travelzoo currently offering a promotion of $169 for a two-night stay (about 50 percent off regular pricing) for select dates, which includes complimentary breakfast and a parking pass to Mount Rushmore.
(AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File)
AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File
Iceland
If you’re toying with the idea of planning a trip to Iceland, there are deals to be had. Google Flights lists round-trip flights from New York City airports to Reykjavik, Iceland, for instance, starting at $747 in June. What’s more, goSeek shows nightly hotel rates for three-star properties starting at less than $100 in June.
(AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)
AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File
Ocean City, Maryland
With laid-back vibes, kid-friendly beaches and affordable lodging options, Ocean City, Maryland, makes an idyllic summer beach choice for frugal travelers. Whether you want to sunbathe, catch the surf and people-watch along the beach, enjoy rounds of mini golf with your travel companions or plan a daytrip to Assateague Island National Park, there are plenty of worthwhile outdoor pursuits to cater to your interests. At goSeek, you can currently get nightly rates at the Princess Royale Hotel for $215 over Memorial Day weekend. What’s more, Google Flights shows round-trip journeys from Chicago airports to Baltimore-Washington Airport for as low as $234 over the holiday weekend.
(WTOP/Colleen Kelleher)
WTOP/Colleen Kelleher
Palm Springs, California
For an easy getaway from San Francisco, head to Palm Springs. Beyond desert scenery and pristine pools, you’ll have easy access to hiking in Joshua Tree National Park and the fascinating cacti and wildlife at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. Plus, you can optimize savings by staying in a vacation rental. Tripping.com lists villas for less than $100 per night over Memorial Day weekend. Even better, Google Flights shows that round-trip flights to Palm Springs for the holiday weekend from San Francisco International Airport start at $438, and round-trip flights from Chicago start at $456.
(Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Up and down the East Coast, you’ll find a variety of budget-friendly beach retreats this summer — even over the long holiday weekend. If you’re based in New York City, Bason suggests heading to Myrtle Beach, where goSeek lists the nightly rate for a condo at the three-and-a-half-star Barefoot Resort and Yacht Club starting at $180. There are also many diverse and affordable attractions and entertainment options, including white-sand beaches, the Carolina Opry and family-friendly amusement parks, which will keep you and your travel companions busy. And with Google Flights showing round-trip journeys from New York City airports starting at $419 over Memorial Day, and round-trip flights starting at $137 in June, it’s easy to slash transportation costs this summer.
(AP Photo/Bruce Smith, File)
Plan a budget-friendly getaway in these vibrant locales.
If you haven’t locked in your summer travel plans, it’s not too late to snap up a bargain. Whether you’re yearning to flee to a sunny locale for a short beach trip over Memorial Day weekend or you want to embark on an extended off-the-beaten-path trip to Europe, there are diverse places in all corners of the globe catering to travelers of all tastes, interests and price points. And while you may be hard-pressed to find low-cost flights around the quickly approaching holiday weekend, there are ways to cut costs, such as combining short flights with a quick drive, says Clem Bason, CEO of goSeek. With that in mind, we got the scoop from travel insiders to bring you six budget-friendly vacation ideas under $1,000.
