One of the great pleasures of retired life is that there’s no real vacation season — except for when you want to go on vacation. Ah, but even as time works in your favor, there’s still the matter of money. While you’re by no means broke, a summer sojourn to Italy or a fall excursion to the Alps isn’t in order. To save a few bucks, you’ll have to stay closer to home.
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Which isn’t to say you can’t have a lot of fun. There are plenty of hot spots with some cool prices — and the best part is, not a lot of people know about them. Avoiding the crowds while relaxing and saving money? Sign us up! GOBankingRates found a few underrated vacation destinations that could be your next regular trip.
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Residents of Hot Springs, Arkansas, know that their cost of living is relatively low compared to the rest of the state, particularly when it comes to the cost of housing. Heck, many online publishers know it too, dubbing the town the most affordable small town in Arkansas. But you don’t have to live there to benefit from that affordability — it transfers over to vacationers as well.
Known for its natural and architectural beauty, as well as its great food, hiking trails and even bath houses, Hot Springs is an especially great vacation for outdoorsy people. If you go to Hot Springs National Park, you could even get an elite spa service after spending the day in nature. There’s also the option to spend the day at Lake Ouachita, with its more than 700 miles of shoreline and 40,000 acres offering ample relaxation and adventure, including spear fishing and scuba diving.
That’s a lot of experiences for a relatively reasonable price. Budget Your Trip reports that past travelers have spent on average for one day about $90 on meals, $47 on local transportation and $199 on hotels.
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St. Augustine, Florida
This gorgeous city in the Sunshine State has a lot to offer retirees looking to soak up sun and culture without breaking the bank. This walkable historic district comes with a variety of fun, budget-friendly activities like gazing at the Spanish-style architecture and window shopping at the boutiques and galleries on St. George Street or visiting the beaches at Anatasia State Park, which come with free admission.
Are you a big golf lover? Then you must visit The World Golf Hall of Fame. There’s so much you can pack into one vacation at St. Augustine — and you don’t have to spend a lot to do it. Expedia also has a plethora of travel packages to St. Augustine, some starting as low as $284 per person (depending on the date).
Door County, Wisconsin
If the great outdoors are your idea of a good time, you’d do well to visit Door County, Wisconsin, where you can find budget-conscious activities all year ’round. Summertime is the right time to explore the Great Lakes, enjoying prime camping and hiking. Fall abounds with festivals. And you don’t have to hibernate in the winter when there’s snowshoeing in a state park, as well as opportunities to go ice fishing. Springtime will let you shake off the winter cobwebs and go birdwatching before visiting the lighthouses or wandering on the beach.
Focusing on outdoor activities and opting for smaller motels or even roughin’ it at local campgrounds could help you save even more money. Staying in smaller towns like Ephraim or Fish Creek could also cut costs. If you browse for prices after Labor Day using Trivago, you can find hotel stays starting at $177 a night.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 3 Underrated American Vacation Spots for Retirees
