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Here we go! Finally an insightful list without the same repeated destinations.
We get it…travelers go to New York and Los Angeles, but that comes with a huge price tag that not everyone wants to spend.
As iconic as these destinations may be, forcing yourself to eat street hot dogs when you could be enjoying filet mignon at a cheaper destination is an easy sell.
That’s where WalletHub comes in to help. According to their most recent study By analyzing the 100 most populated metropolitan areas, these are the top 5 US cities to visit this summer that won’t break the bank:
5) Tampa, Florida
With sunny top spots Miami and Orlando stealing the spotlight, Tampa is often overlooked as a top destination in Florida.
In reality, that couldn’t be further from the truth, with incredible beaches nearby and a nice town in itself to enjoy the sunny summer weather.
Tampa scored highest in WalletHub’s survey for savings and reduced travel frustration, due to the region’s ample flights and easy access.
Be sure to visit some of America’s top-rated beaches, Clearwater and Siesta Key, both of which are nearby.
If the crowds aren’t your problem, I can confirm that Florida’s best-kept secret, an hour south of Tampa, is definitely worth a visit.
4) Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaii used to be seen as an expensive vacation destination, but now is the time for travelers to take advantage.
Since the fires in Maui, there have been many discussions about how Hawaii should handle tourism.
Seems like a holiday here should boost the local economy, right? All the more reason to book a trip to America’s most remote paradise.
Honolulu scored number one overall in the country for weather… duh! What may come as a bit of a surprise is that the beautiful city came in second place in the ‘Travel expenses and hassle’ category.
Despite having to fly across the ocean, there are many flights to choose from and plenty of flight sales to boot.
3) Orlando, FL
You knew it was coming. Just there had to be an iconic destination thrown into the mix. That said, Orlando is no joke and deserves attention as one of its main draws is its value to travelers.
So much to do, so much to see and sunny weather all year round make Orlando not only a top destination in its own country, but also known worldwide.
Of course, a lot of this has to do with adults dressing as mice, ducks, and princesses in this little-known place called Disney World. You’ve probably never heard of it…
As popular as the theme park mecca may be, Orlando is a fun city with delicious food, lots of shopping and a vibrant nightlife.
One of America’s most visited cities naturally scored the highest in terms of sights and ended up in the top 25 under ‘Travel costs & hassle’.
2) Washington DC
One of America’s most recognizable cities, it’s also one of the most affordable this summer.
Sometimes overshadowed by New York City as the top destination on the East Coast, museums and cultural attractions go hand in hand with the Big Apple.
Summer is a great time to visit not only DC itself, but also the surrounding area, such as the underrated neighboring city of Arlington, VA.
Not only is DC a place of historical importance, it’s a modern, vibrant city that’s easy to navigate and quite underrated for its continually thriving food scene.
DC came 15th in both ‘Travel Costs & Hassles’ and ‘Attractions’.
1) Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta doesn’t get enough credit. Even smaller cities in Georgia can overshadow this trendy southern city.
There are many cultural cities in the south that have become more popular with travelers. Heck, even San Antonio and El Paso have broken all tourist records.
Yet somehow the ATL flies under the radar. Maybe this summer it’s time to change that, as Atlanta has now been crowned the best summer destination.
Enjoy phenomenal food, a thriving underground music scene and direct access to beautiful nature destinations.
Even though it’s tucked away to the east, Atlanta is super easy to get to and anchored by one of America’s favorite airlines, Delta. That’s why the city finished 7th in ‘Travel Costs & Hassles’.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
