North Carolina Is Home To America’s Most Affordable Vacation Destination For 2024
Every spring, as the school year winds down, families all across America make their summer travel plans. Of course, cost is a big consideration, especially these days when just about everything comes with a higher price. That’s why a list of affordable vacation destinations couldn’t come at a better time.
In an effort to help budget-conscious vacationers, Optimos Travel crunched the numbers on over 100 well-known spots in the USA. The travel site analyzed each one to find the daily meal expenses, cost of public transportation, accommodations, and attractions fees to come up with lists of the most and least expensive vacation destinations.
And The Most Affordable Vacation Destination Is…
Based on the data, Optimos Travel found that you can get the most bang for your buck right here in North Carolina. The beautiful beaches and family-friendly attractions of the Outer Banks come in at number 1 on the list of least expensive vacation destinations. The cost of a 7-day vacation is about $1,237 per person, but that’s based on some pretty cheap accommodations. You can easily spend a lot more if you rent one of the many large oceanfront house.
My family and I have been vacationing in the Outer Banks town of Avon for years. It’s one of the quieter spots along the narrow stretch of barrier islands. However, it’s a short drive to the iconic Cape Hatteras lighthouse. You can also take a short ferry ride to historic Ocracoke. Otherwise, people go there simply to enjoy the natural beauty of the beaches and sound, as well as the recreational opportunities (swimming, surfing, kayaking, fishing) they offer.
For families looking for more variety in their beach vacation, I recommend staying further north around Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills. There, you’ll find more dining, shopping, and entertainment options. No matter where you choose to stay along the Outer Banks, it’s almost your duty as an American to visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Further up the coast, you can even see wild horses in Corolla.
The South boasts a few other affordable vacation destinations for 2024 so you don’t have to travel too far to find fun and value for your family. You can see the rest of the top 10 below.
America’s Most Affordable Vacation Destinations (Optimos Travel)
- Outer Banks, North Carolina
- Charleston, West Virginia
- Helen, Georgia
- Tybee Island, Georgia
- Gatlinburg, Tennessee
- Sedona, Arizona
- Cape Cod, Massachusetts
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Bend, Oregon
- Monument Valley, Utah
Tips to Maximize Your Vacation
1. Save Money
One great way to maximize your vacation is simply to save money. You’ll feel so much better on vacation knowing that you’re saving cash by doing things the right way. One major way to save money is to travel during an off season. Every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, look at the cheapest time to visit your destination, and go then. Find more tips on saving money on vacation, too.
Getty Images / NosUA
2. Don't Plan Every Minute of Your Vacation
Sure, you want to do some planning so that you don’t miss the big tourist stops in your destination. But, don’t book every blasted minute. Maximize your vacay by saving some time to be spontaneous. Take a day to just figure out what to do when you’re there. Maybe some locals will recommend a secret spot for you to visit during your “day off.”
Getty Images / Fly_dragonfly
3. Do Plan Ahead, Though
While you don’t want to overbook your trip so that you’re always running from spot to spot, you do want to plan a bit. It’s not a good idea to do zero planning and just feel things out when you get there. Plan some big activities ahead of time so that you aren’t scrambling last-minute.
Getty Images / Tatomm
4. Plan Regular Mini-Vacations
If you only have one big vacation every year, you might feel under a lot of pressure to make it the most amazing experience ever. So, take away that stress. Plan mini-vacations throughout the year, so you aren’t under as much pressure to make your big trip the best thing that’s ever happened to you and your family. For example, in the fall, if you live in an area with beautiful colors, make an annual fall color tour trip and just drive around the state.
Getty Images / Iryna-Imago
5. Stay an Extra Day
If time and money allows, adding just one day to your vacation can open up a world of possibilities. Many people plan too short a trip, not realizing just how much they’ll want to do in their destination. So, add an extra day. You’ll be glad you did at the end of your stay.
Getty Images / pcess609
6. Take Time to Sleep
Sure, you’re on vacation. You want to soak up every minute of your trip. But, if you’re up late every night partying in the clubs and then up early to enjoy the sunrise, pretty soon, you’ll be too tired to enjoy your vacation. So, take time to get some sleep and feel rested.
Getty Images / stockstudio
7. Let the Small Stuff Go
They say, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” That’s certainly true on vacation. Nothing is going to go totally as planned. So, expect the unexpected, and roll with it.
Getty Images / PeopleImages
8. Plan Some Recoup Time
When you get back from your vacation, don’t plan to start work the very next day. Take an extra day or two off after your vacation to recuperate, so that you hit the ground running when you’re back at work. The extra time at home will also give you a chance to savor your vacation.
Getty Images / Giulio-Fornasar
9. Pick an Experience
People often find experiencing more rewarding that physical things. So, make sure to plan an experience with your trip. Maybe there’s a huge concert you want to see on vacation. Perhaps it’s a sporting event. Whatever it is, plan an awesome experience.
Getty Images / Astarot
10. Learn for Next Time
Finally, when you’re home from your trip, decompress and look back on your vacation. What went wrong? What went right? Take notes and learn from your vacation, so you’ll know what to do better next time.
Getty Images / djiledesign
