If you want to hit the slopes or the beach without breaking the bank, you’re in luck. The folks at OptimosTravels crunched the numbers and came up with the 10 Most (and Least) Budget-Friendly Vacation Spots in the U.S. for 2024.

🌊 Chillin’ on a Budget? Head to the Outer Banks, North Carolina

Topping the list of budget-friendly bliss is the Outer Banks. It’s not just the spot for the hit Netflix teen show but a place where the Atlantic’s charm meets affordability. The chain of barrier islands offers one of the largest tracts of undeveloped beaches on the East Coast. The OBX brims with charming seaside villages, history (the legendary Blackbeard hid out in the southern part of the Outer Banks), local cuisine and coastal activities.

💼 Charleston, West Virginia

This antebellum town in the American south is a modern playground for foodies, festival goers, art lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts.

🍻 Bavarian Vibes in Helen, Georgia

In third place, we’ve got Helen, Georgia, channeling those Bavarian vibes. Situated along the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Chattahoochee River this European-style village is tiny and picturesque and filled with biergartens.

🏖️ Kick Back on Tybee Island, Georgia

Fourth on the list is Tybee Island, Georgia, with its serene beaches, seaside charm, and laid-back vibe. Tybee Island offers something for everyone; whether water sports, historical tours, vibrant local culture, and delectable seafood cuisine.

🌲 Get Lost in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Gatlinburg, Tennessee offers access to the Great Smoky Mountains, cabins and family adventures. The historic city is for outdoor adventure, quaint shopping and loads of family-friendly attractions.

🏜️ Marvel at Sedona, Arizona

Ranked sixth is Sedona, Arizona, and its striking red rock formations, is the backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking trails, art galleries, and healing vortexes and spiritual awakenings abound.

🏖️ Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Cape Cod beckons with its idyllic coastal charm, picturesque beaches, charming seaside villages, and fresh seafood delights. It’s the quintessential New England experience. It can be expensive in the summer so if you are on a budget, try for the fall or winter.

🌆 Embrace Urban Energy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

You learned to spell Oklahoma while watching the musical (if your parents made you) but we bet you haven’t been there. Oklahoma is a hidden gem filled with the breathtaking natural beauty of the Great Plains, six stunning national parks, warm hospitality, delicious cuisine, and lively festivals.

🌲 Bend, Oregon: Where Adventure Awaits

Bend is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Nowhere else in Oregon can you hike to alpine lakes, ride bikes through the sprawling high desert, paddle or tube down the middle of the town’s state park, rock climb in world-class Smith Rock State Park, ski year-round, and, at the end of it all, there’s delicious craft beer waiting for you.

🏜️ Experience Monument Valley, Utah

Completing the list, Monument Valley lets families soak in stunning landscapes of the American west. It’s a tribal park owned by the Navajo Nation that straddles the Utah and Arizona border.

Top Ten Least Budget-Friendly Vacation Spots

While spots like Aspen, Park City, and Maui top the charts for luxury, it’s clear that more travelers don’t want to go and do what everyone else is experiencing. They want unique and exclusive experiences over traditional tourist destinations.

Ok, so what are those hot spots to steer clear of if you don’t want to follow the pack?

1. Aspen, Colorado

2. Park City, Utah

3. Maui, Hawaii

4. Montauk, New York

5. Santa Monica, California

6. Key West, Florida 

7. Charleston, South Carolina

8. New York City, New York 

9. Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

10. Jackson Hole, Wyoming