Holiday Travel

Budget-Friendly 4th of July Getaways


Carol McPherson
Carol McPherson
Adobe Stock | Sunshower Shots

As the weather warms, it's time to start planning summer travel. This year, the 4th of July falls on a Friday, making it a proper long weekend—no PTO required. Take advantage of the holiday weekend with a trip that won’t break the bank. These destinations won't max out your holiday budget, with gorgeous public spaces, affordable activities, and free 4th of July events to pack the itinerary.

  • Orlando, Florida

  • Orlando, the theme park capital of the world, is a popular and affordable family stop any time of year. Booking.com shows a year-over-year uptick of 34% in searches for Orlando family getaways this holiday weekend. Round-trip flights for the weekend of the Fourth are holding steady at $180 according to NerdWallet, on par with average fares throughout the rest of the year. Fireworks shows are abundant in the city and its many theme parks, including Fireworks at the Fountain in downtown Orlando (free admission) and the iconic Disney Fireworks, free for ticketholders. This year, the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art offers free admission as part of the city's 4th of July celebrations. Nearby beaches like Cocoa Beach and Daytona Beach are free to visit and spend the day, just pay for parking.

    Where to Stay: Marriott’s Harbour Lake

  • Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

  • Adobe Stock | ehrlif

    Interest in Pigeon Forge has been piqued this year, up 33% from last 4th of July, and for good reason. The town is packed with fun, low-cost activities perfect for a friend's trip or family vacation. Exploring the nearby Smoky Mountain National Park is free, as is a stroll down the city’s beautiful riverwalk. Pigeon Forge also has dozens of unique attractions for a modest admission cost, including the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, a Hollywood Wax Museum, a Titanic Museum, and a themed year-round Christmas market and village. Tickets to the city's most famous attraction, Dollywood, are available for just $92—not a small fee, but more affordable than other popular parks like Disney—and toddlers enter free. On the Fourth, travelers can enjoy free fireworks at Patriot Park or drive just fifteen minutes to Gatlinburg for shopping, restaurants, and free fireworks downtown.

    Where to Stay: The Inn on the River

  • Buffalo, New York

  • Buffalo is dotted with fireworks eventson the 4th of July weekend, including a waterfront show on Lake Erie with food trucks and live music. Just twenty minutes outside the city, travelers can enjoy the stunning US side of Niagara Falls,where nightlyfree fireworks displays run all summer long. The fireworks are extended on the4thof July and can be seen for free from Niagara Falls State Park. Aside from holiday weekend events, several year-round budget activities make Buffalo worth a visit, including Explore Buffalo Walking Tours—just $19 per ticket or $65 for an Explorer Pass that grants holders unlimited walking tours and reduced admission to boat cruises and bus tours—and the free Buffalo AKG Art Museum. The city also hosts Allentown First Fridays, monthly art walks with free gallery admission and other festivities on the first Friday of every month.

    Where to Stay: Hotel at the Lafayette, a Trademark Collection Hotel

  • San Antonio, Texas

  • The well-known San Antonio Riverwalk is ideal for an evening dining out on a string-lit patio, admiring public art installations, or just enjoying the weather along the water. The city offers several free parks with stunning features, including the stone bridges of the Japanese Tea Garden, the hiking trails at Brackenridge Park, and the pools at San Pedro Springs Park. Visiting the Alamo is free, as is admission to Artpace, a nonprofit contemporary art museum. The 4th of July this year also coincides with July’s First Friday Art Walk, an art crawl with live music, free gallery entry, and street vendors.

    Where to Stay: Hotel Gibbs Downtown San Antonio Riverwalk

  • Denver, Colorado

  • Adobe Stock | Kim

    Denver, one of the most affordable spots for US travelers to fly year-round, is seeing high booking volume for the 4th of July weekend, according to IHG Hotels & Resorts. Global and local artists come together for the annual free Cherry Creek Arts Festival, running this year from July 4th through the 6th. Enjoy a day of food, fun, and rock music on July 3rd for just $25 at the Red, White, and Rock! Festival or a full day at the Denver Zoo for the same price (free for children under 2 years old). There are also plenty of free activities, like a self-guided brewery hop along Denver’s beer trail, a free guided tour of the city’s national mint, or a visit to any of the nearby state or national parks for a day of hiking and taking in the magnificent sites.

    Where to Stay: Staybridge Suites Denver Downtown