Portland (Maine), Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), St. Louis (Missouri). Albuquerque (New Mexico) and Salt Lake City (Utah) are the most U.S. affordable’ cities in which to enjoy a three-day break, according to research that measured the comparative costs of a getaway this July 4.
The research, commissioned by crypto currency company by JB.com, looked at 30 U.S. destinations and for each calculated a total trip cost that included three nights of accommodation, six restaurant meals, drinks, and local transport fees.
Cities were then ranked from lowest to highest total cost. The number of free activities at each destination was also included to show how much travellers get for their money.
The research showed that that a full three-day trip to Portland, which included three nights, six restaurant meals and getting around the city, was available for around $510 – less than the cost of a single night at hotel in many other cities.
Portland’s affordability is boosted by its 130 free attractions, from lighthouse trails to no-fee museum days.
For families trying to keep the holiday budget tight, St. Louis has around 100 landmarks that don’t cost a thing to visit, including the Gateway Arch National Park, which can fill a full day for free. With eating out also affordable, a three-day trip comes to just over $550.
And with nearly 150 free historic sites, parks, and museums, a long weekend in Philadelphia can be done for under $570. The free exhibits and landmarks include Independence Hall and a stretch of no-fee museums along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Hotel rooms here average $127 a night, and a sit-down meal average around $22, which is among the most affordable of any major East Coast city.
Albuquerque ranks fourth at $569 for a three-day stay. One thing that sets it apart is local transport: public transit there is free, so getting around the city adds nothing to the bill. Food and accommodation are also among the cheapest: meals in local restaurants average $17 and hotel rates sit at $144 a night.
And rounding out the top five was Salt Lake City, where a three-day trip is achievable for $570. Hotel rooms can be booked for under $136, and eating out isn’t expensive either, with local restaurants charging about $19 for a one-course meal. The city also has nearly 60 free attractions, including parks and hiking trails.
Other destinations in the top 10 included Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania), Asheville (North Carolina), Milwaukee (Wisconsin), Memphis (Tennessee) and Spokane (Washington State), with average trip costs ranging from $576 to $618.
Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson for JB.com said travellers could make significant savings by considering destinations beyond the best-known US holiday hotspots, particularly where there is a good choice of free attractions and events.
