As prices skyrocket in America’s biggest beach towns, finding an inexpensive destination to celebrate the Fourth of July can start feeling impossible. But, if you’re willing to skip hotspots like Martha’s Vineyard and Miami, you’ll find that there are plenty of incredible escapes to relax and unwind over the holiday.
These Fourth of July destinations won’t break the bank:
1. San Juan, Puerto Rico
Average flight price: $285.15
Many American tourists end up in San Juan to embark on a Caribbean cruise, but the zesty city has way more to offer than being a port of call. Strolling through the city’s colorful colonial Old Town is totally free, as is soaking up the sun on the beach (as long as you’re okay with a towel in the sand).
All flight prices in this article use data from the US Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
2. Asheville, North Carolina
Average flight price: $323.19
Asheville, North Carolina frequently tops lists as one of the most underrated cities in the US. The scenic mountain town is creative and artsy, with tons of free art galleries to peruse and hikes to embark on. Each year, the city hosts the Ingles Independence Day Celebration in Pack Square Park, complete with local food trucks and craft brews, which has free admission.
3. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Average flight price: $264.14
When Miami starts to sell out, a beach escape in Florida awaits just 40 minutes north. Fort Lauderdale is generally much more affordable than its neighbor to the south, with plenty of beachfront hotels under $200 a night. To save even more, stay inland, where hotels can easily be found in the $100 to $150 a night range.
4. Nashville, Tennessee
Average flight price: $349.01
Nashville truly embraces its “Music City” nickname with its “Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th” party. The city’s flagship Independence Day event is completely free and has worked with local hotels to offer special rates, complete with access to exclusive fireworks viewing areas.
This year, singer Chris Young headlines, supported by YOLA, Girl Named Tom, Blessed Offor, and others. The GRAMMY-winning Nashville Symphony will accompany the fireworks show, which is one of the largest in the country.
5. St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Average flight price: $401.77
Unlike most of the Caribbean, you don’t need a passport to get to St. Thomas. Though it’s slightly more expensive to get to than Puerto Rico, the US’ other territory in the region, you’ll rewarded with stunning blue water and soft, white sand.
Resorts and hotels in St. Thomas can get pricey, but vacation rentals on platforms like Airbnb can be found for under $150 a night for a whole condo or apartment. Plus, the beautiful ferry ride to St. John, home to the famous Trunk Bay at Virgin Islands National Park, is only $8.15 per person.
6. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Average flight price: $402.51
The Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia back in 1776, making it arguably one of the most patriotic cities in the country, yet it doesn’t get quite as pricey as other East Coast Fourth of July hotspots.
For several days leading up to the festival, the Wawa Welcome America Festival hosts a slew of free events, culminating in a concert packed with recognizable names in music and fireworks. This year, expect to see Ne-Yo, Kesha, Leann Rimes, and many more.
7. Portland, Oregon
Average flight price: $408.95
Outdoor enthusiasts will love spending the holiday in Portland, which has a variety of free, adventurous activities like hiking. On the Fourth of July, head up Mount Tabor to view the city’s waterside fireworks.
Stay through the weekend to enjoy the Portland Saturday Market, a mix of local food vendors and handmade goods supported by live music and performances. Currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, the market is recognized as the oldest continually running open-air craft market in the country.
8. Atlanta, Georgia
Average flight price: $400.40
A hub for Delta Airlines, finding inexpensive airfare to Atlanta is typically easy, even last-minute. Summers in Atlanta are hot and humid, but that doesn’t seem to matter over the holiday when the city and its suburbs light up with an energetic events schedule.
Arrive a few days early for the Look Up Atlanta fireworks show on July 1st, the largest in the Southeast. Then, from July 1st to July 5th, head to Stone Mountain Park for the Fantastic Fourth Celebration, which features a light show, live entertainment, and more fireworks.
9. Boise, Idaho
Average flight price: $408.05
Idaho probably isn’t top of mind for most domestic tourists seeking out Independence Day vacations, but it has a lot to offer those who want an adventurous getaway. Soak in natural hot springs, float the Boise River, embark on a nearby hike, or take a day trip to Twin Falls.
Like its activities, hotels in Boise won’t break the bank. Many hotels in downtown Boise can currently be found for less than $150 a night over July 4th.
10. Finger Lakes, New York
Average flight price: $381.59 (Rochester, NY)
For those trying to escape city life in the Northeast, coastal areas like the Hamptons, Nantucket, and Cape Cod are usually top of mind. Save on your escape to small-town life by opting for the Finger Lakes instead.
A series of 11 lakes, the Finger Lakes boasts wineries and waterfalls. Skip a hotel in favor of staying at a lakefront cabin, which can be a quiet retreat for two or a cost-effective option for groups of friends and families.
11. San Antonio, Texas
Average flight price: $383.89
Year-round, San Antonio is one of the best inexpensive weekend trips in the US mostly for its free RiverWalk, packed with shops and restaurants, and The Alamo. At Woodlawn Lake Park, the city’s free H-E-B 4th of July Celebration hosts a costume contest, performances, and fireworks.
12. San Diego, California
Average flight price: $385.11
San Diego’s coastal position lends itself to a spectacular July 4th celebration. Start in Coronado, where the Navy shows off in aerial displays, a parade takes to the streets, and live music fills the air during the day—for free.
As evening sets in, visitors and locals flock to San Diego Bay to see fireworks set off from four barges, the largest display in California. Free shuttles make getting in and out of popular viewing spots easier, as parking fills up fast.
13. Albuquerque, New Mexico
Average flight price: $407.58
Rich in Native American and Hispanic heritage, Albuquerque is the perfect blend of jaw-dropping landscapes and unique culture. During Freedom 4th, the City of Albuquerque brings the community together for a free celebration packed with local bands, cumulating in a national headliner and fireworks show.
Gates for the festival open at 3 pm, which gives you plenty of time to wake up early and take the tram up to Sandia Peak to catch a view of the city from above.
14. New Orleans, Louisiana
Average flight price: $325.26
Centered around Bourbon Street, New Orlean’s French Quarter is basically a year-round celebration, thanks to its laid-back open container laws. Fireworks in the city take place on July 3rd, so you can spend Independence Day itself partying on NOLA’s legendary street.
Several hotels over the holiday weekend are under $135. Book now before they inevitably go up.
15. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Average flight price: $407.84
Contrary to its reputation, Minnesota isn’t frosty year-round. During the summer, temperatures heat up, reaching an average of 84 degrees on July 4th—an ideal temperature for getting out on the lake like a local.
Lake life is a big deal in Minneapolis. Bda Maka Ska and Lake Harriet are favorites for those in the Twin Cities over the summer for kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, swimming, biking, and simply just laying out in a hammock. Plus, the Twin Cities has a huge local craft beer and food scene that comes alive at Red, White, and Boom! the city’s free Independence Day celebration on the Mississippi River.
16. Kansas City, Missouri
Average flight price: $398.44
What’s more American than a good old-fashioned barbecue? Kansas City-style barbecue, known for its slowly smoked meats, is regarded as one of the best in the country by Food & Wine. It isn’t pricey for its generous portions at most joints, either.
Over the holiday, Kansas City and its surrounding suburbs host several fireworks displays and festive events ranging from bar crawls with live DJs to family-friendly picnics.
Inexpensive beach vacations don’t require a passport
The United States is full of stunning shorelines waiting to be discovered, with prices that make it easy to do so.
11 Stunning US Beach Vacations So Cheap You’ll Want to Visit Them All
The world’s most luxurious destinations have much more affordable lookalikes
Think you can’t afford a luxury getaway? Think again. These affordable destinations look exactly like their more expensive counterparts, with the amenities to match.
13 Cheap Lookalikes for Popular Luxury Travel Destinations You Have to See to Believe
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
