Fountain in a park at Savannah, GA
Trip Ideas

The 10 Most Affordable Cities to Visit in Spring

Too-distant summer memories can wreak havoc on the psyche, but few things are more therapeutic than the promise of a spring getaway after a long winter. If vacation is all you ever wanted but a serious lack of funds is making it hard to get away, don’t fret. There are plenty of affordable cities that can help you shake up your routine while satisfying your wanderlust. Here, we rounded up ten destinations that offer a distinct sense of place, each guaranteed to banish cold-weather blues without emptying your wallet.

Jen has been a staff editor at Architectural Digest, Travel + Leisure, and Martha Stewart Weddings, and her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Afar, and Elle Decor. When she's not snowmobiling in the French Alps or tasting scotch straight from the barrel in Scotland, she's at home in Brooklyn with her husband and daughter.

See recent posts by Jennifer Fernandez

Exterior view of Saguaro Palm Springs
Cacti in the desert of Palm Springs
Aerial view of the pool at Saguaro Palm Springs in Palm Springs
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Palm Springs, CA

Design connoisseurs have long made the two-hour trek from Los Angeles to this midcentury oasis in California’s Sonoran Desert, but JetBlue’s affordable direct flights and more relaxed lodging options like the Saguaro Palm Springs and Ace Hotel have made this Rat Pack–era escape accessible to those seeking sun and palms from farther afield. Stay within budget—and break up your pool time—with a hike in nearby Joshua Tree National Park. You can also marvel at the Modernist homes of Hollywood legends on a $20 walking tour with the Palm Springs Historical Society.

See flight deals to Palm Springs (PSP) via Airfarewatchdog >

Houses in the French Quarter in New Orleans
Big band playing in New Orleans Louisiana
Oysters at New Orleans Louisiana
Historic house in New Orleans Louisiana
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New Orleans, LA

It isn’t hard to see why the Big Easy remains a perennial favorite among spring travelers. After the Mardi Gras madness but before the bayou swelters, NOLA has something for everyone, from French-colonial architecture and toe-tapping jazz venues (Preservation Hall is a must-see) to a vibrant, multicultural culinary landscape that ranges from beignets to banh mi. Rent a bike and wind your way through lanes lined with Greek Revival and Italianate mansions in the Garden District, then take in the voodoo mystery of the crypts at Lafayette Cemetery before ending in the French Quarter’s lively Jackson Square.

See flight deals to New Orleans (MSY) via Airfarewatchdog >

RELATED: 9 Cool Things to Do in New Orleans Now

View of a pool in Washington, D.C.
Cocktails at a bar in Washington, D.C.
Trip Ideas sky outdoor City Architecture urban area estate reflection house reflecting pool walkway waterway swimming pool stone concrete cement
Washington monument in Washington, D.C.
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Washington, D.C.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that cherry blossom season is reason enough to visit the nation’s capital in the spring, when the monuments are at their most photogenic and the government is in full swing. But there’s more to Washington, D.C. than political intrigue. The resurgent restaurant scene has been hailed as the country’s most exciting, and designer hotels and buzzy cocktail bars are following suit. To make the most of the city without breaking the bank, beeline for the free entry at the Smithsonian museums or embark on a historic walking tour of Capitol Hill, the Tidal Basin, and Bishop’s Garden.

See flight deals to Washington D.C. (IAD) via Airfarewatchdog > 

People on a busy shopping street in Montreal, Canada
Historic buildings in Montreal, Canada
Buildings in historic Montreal, Canada
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Montreal, Canada

If Europe feels like a splurge, consider Montreal. The Québécois city has all the history—the 1829 Notre-Dame Basilica, centuries-old cobblestone streets—with none of the sticker shock thanks to affordable flights from most major domestic hubs. It doesn’t hurt that the native language is French. While much has been made of the multicultural food renaissance that’s transforming neighborhoods like Mile End, simple pleasures abound. Explore the Art Deco Atwater food market, climb to the top of Mont Royal for a hilltop vista of the city, or while away the hours on a stroll through Montreal’s Old Town.

See flight deals to Montreal (YUL) via Airfarewatchdog > 

Corner restaurant and vintage car in Savannah, GA
Leopold's Ice Cream in Savannah, GA
Bikes on the beach in Savannah, GA
Fountain in a park at Savannah, GA
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Savannah, GA

With its moss-covered oaks, antebellum mansions, and horse-drawn carriages, Savannah is steeped in historical charm. But this romantic Southern belle is also the site of the region’s most energetic creative movement. The Savannah College of Art & Design has pumped new life into the 284-year-old city, inspiring adaptive reuse projects across town. Starting there, peruse the local galleries on a low-key contemporary art tour. Looking for something even more laid-back? Neighboring Tybee Island is known for its pristine beaches, funky shops, and picturesque lighthouse. Afterwards, check into the stylish Perry Lane Hotel, which features a ground-floor wine market and buzzy rooftop bar.

See flight deals to Savannah (SAV) via Airfarewatchdog > 

Beer garden in Denver, CO
Building with graffiti in Denver, CO
Skyline of Denver, CO
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Denver, CO

Adrenaline junkies and adventure-sports lovers will find plenty to love in the Mile High City. In the spring, skiers and snowboarders give way to hikers, rafters, and mountain bikers in the 42 state parks that surround Denver. Prefer a little less action? Admire the pieces at the Museum of Contemporary Art, or explore the works of local artists at galleries in the up-and-coming River North Art District (RiNo for short). Here, you’ll also find specialty stores, a 10,000-square-foot urban beach club, and highlights of the craft-beer scene at such breweries as Great Divide and Ratio Beerworks.

See flight deals to Denver (DEN) via Airfarewatchdog > 

Large wave in Honolulu, Hawaii
Sno cones from a shop in Honolulu, Hawaii
Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii
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Honolulu, Hawaii

It’s been more than a half-century since Elvis crooned on the shores of Waikiki in Blue Hawaii, but Honolulu remains a beloved vacation locale for both families and honeymooners thanks to its jaw-dropping natural beauty. Surfers flock to Oahu’s North Shore for world-class waves and powdery beaches, and history buffs congregate to pay their respects at the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor. When it comes to experiencing the authentic spirit of the city, though, you’d do best to do as the locals do and queue up for dessert at the family-owned stalwart Matsumoto Shave Ice.

See flight deals to Honolulu (HNL) via Airfarewatchdog > 

RELATED: Honolulu's Best Hotels for 2020

Mountains outside of Seattle, WA
Busy street in Seattle, WA
Mountains at sunset in Seattle, WA
Pike Place market in Seattle, WA
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Seattle, WA

In the last decade, the angsty birthplace of 1990s grunge has transformed itself into a bona fide cultural destination. Its location in the heart of the Pacific Northwest makes hiking, biking, and kayaking a must, but its tech-capital status has brought an influx of hip restaurants, art galleries, and, of course, coffee shops. If more leisurely pursuits are on your agenda, don’t miss Pike Place Market, one of the country’s best places to stock up on local fish and produce; an afternoon spent picnicking in Fremont’s revitalized Gas Works Park reveals why Seattle is often called the Emerald City—free of charge.

See flight deals to Seattle (SEA) via Airfarewatchdog > 

RELATED: 7 Seattle Hotels We'd Love to Check Into

Boot shop in Austin, TX
Trip Ideas sky outdoor grass crowd people group tree field season evening flower sports autumn festival park day several
People jumping into a springs in Austin, TX
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Austin, TX

Austin is more than just cowboy hats and barbecue pits, though there are plenty of those to go around—just ask anyone who’s ever been to smoked-meat mecca the Salt Lick. The Lone Star State’s liberal capital is also a beacon for cultural hijinks: Music lovers get their two-step in at honky tonks and indie rock venues across the city (or festivals like South by Southwest and Austin City Limits), and food lovers have their pick of everything from the brisket tacos at Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ to the fried-chicken doughnuts at Gourdough’s. If you’re looking to get weird and embrace this famously eclectic city’s motto, the groovy shops on South Congress should do the trick.

See flight deals to Austin (AUS) via Airfarewatchdog > 

San Juan, Puerto Rico at night
rainforest in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Narrow street in San Juan, Puerto Rico
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San Juan, Puerto Rico

For a taste of the exotic without leaving your backyard, look no farther than Puerto Rico. Two hours from mainland U.S.A., the island’s allure lies in its Caribbean beaches, waterfall-dotted El Yunque rainforest (home of the melodious coquí frog), and lively blend of Spanish, African, and indigenous cultures. With colorful colonial architecture and cobblestoned streets, the capital makes an ideal launch pad for exploring it all. Thanks to the city’s free trolley service, you don’t need a fortune to tour the 16th-century fortress El Morro, take in a salsa show at Old San Juan’s Nuyorican Café, or taste your way through the city’s many restaurants.

See flight deals to San Juan (SJU) via Airfarewatchdog > 

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