Priceless yet affordable

10 cheapest places to visit in the U.S. (that feel like a million bucks)

You don't need a fat wallet to see something beautiful in this country. With a little planning and a moderate budget, you can put together a trip that you'll be talking about for years. Take Asheville, North Carolina, where mountain views and famous mansion gardens cost next to nothing, or New Orleans, where the music spills out onto the street for free. These ten towns prove that "affordable" and "unforgettable" can absolutely be the same vacation.

Asheville sits right in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and a lot of the best stuff here costs nothing at all. Stroll the Biltmore Village shops, hike a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway, or wander through art galleries and watch street musicians downtown.

If you want the famous Biltmore Estate experience, tickets start around $80 per person, which sounds steep but covers the mansion, gardens, and winery for the whole day. Pair that one splurge with free mountain views, and you've got a trip that feels fancy without draining your savings.

Walking through the French Quarter is basically a free concert. Jazz drifts out of doorways, street performers juggle and dance, and just people-watching on Jackson Square is entertainment enough. Add in beignets from a corner shop for a sweet breakfast, and you've had a great morning for under ten bucks.

For something deeper, the National WWII Museum tickets start at $26, and it’s genuinely worth the afternoon. Or skip paid attractions entirely and ride the historic streetcar for a few dollars, soaking in the colorful houses and Spanish moss the whole way.

The San Antonio River Walk is free to wander day or night, lined with palm trees, restaurants, and twinkling lights. The Alamo itself, right downtown, charges no admission to walk the grounds and see where Texas history was made.

For a quieter day, the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is also completely free, since it's run by the National Park Service.

Pittsburgh's three rivers and dramatic hills make for some of the best skyline views in America, and Mount Washington's overlook is free to reach by car or on foot. The city's many bridges and riverside trails are perfect for an easy, no-cost stroll.

For a small thrill, ride the Duquesne Incline, a 19th-century cable car up the hillside, for around $5 round trip: at the top, the entire city spreads out below you.

Beale Street is loud, colorful, and free to walk, with blues music tumbling out of nearly every doorway. Even if you never step inside a club, the atmosphere alone makes for a memorable evening out.

If you want a more structured visit, Sun Studio, where Elvis and Johnny Cash got their starts, offers tours for about $18. Combine that with a free walk along the Mississippi riverfront at sunset, and you've packed a lot of soul into one cheap day.

Tucson is surrounded by desert beauty, and Saguaro National Park lets you drive or hike among giant cacti for a modest $25 per vehicle, good for a full week. The desert sunsets here are something else entirely, and they don't cost a cent to watch.

Downtown, the historic Barrio neighborhoods and colorful murals are free to explore on foot. Stop at a local taco stand for lunch, like El Tacoson on 6^th Avenue, and you'll understand why so many retirees fall in love with this town.

Louisville's downtown waterfront park is free and lovely, with walking paths along the Ohio River and great people-watching on a sunny afternoon. The historic neighborhoods nearby are equally pleasant just to wander.

History buffs should budget about $16-$24 for the Louisville Slugger Museum, where you can watch real baseball bats being made. Bourbon drinkers can also explore the Urban Bourbon Trail, where many stops offer free or cheap tastings.

Branson is famous for its music shows, and yes, those tickets cost money, often $30 to $50 each. But the surrounding Ozark Mountains offer plenty of free hiking, lake views, and scenic drives.

Table Rock Lake State Park has free access for swimming, picnicking, and watching boats glide by.

Savannah's historic squares, shaded by ancient oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, are completely free to wander and arguably the prettiest part of the whole city. Just walking from square to square feels like stepping into another century.

If you prefer a guided approach, several historic home tours run around $15 to $20, including the famous Mercer-Williams House. Otherwise, a self-guided walk with a coffee in hand costs you nothing but time.

Duluth sits on the shore of Lake Superior, and the Lakewalk, a scenic path along the water, is free and gorgeous in any season. Watching the massive cargo ships glide beneath the Aerial Lift Bridge is a local pastime.

For a peek into Gilded Age wealth, the Glensheen Mansion offers tours for about $20. Pair that with a free walk along the rocky shoreline, and you'll leave Duluth wondering why more people overlook this lakeside gem.

Covering all your bases

Buying a plane ticket? Better double-check these items before

You chose a destination, mapped out an itinerary, drafted a budget, and submitted a time-off request. Hotels? Scouted. Must-see spots and some hotel options? Noted. The next and most important thing to do is to purchase the plane ticket and enjoy your vacation.

But some things can still go wrong in the few minutes it takes to select your desired flight and complete the final payment. Here’s what you should double-check to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

You’d be surprised to learn how common this mistake is. An incorrect number and you’re booking a flight a month earlier than intended, or choosing a ticket with an arrival time during the worst time possible. Can these mistakes be corrected post-purchase? Usually, yes, but it is always better to double (or even triple) check, and to save yourself a future headache.

Double-checking the airport code might seem a non-issue if your departure and arrival locations only have one airport, but if you are traveling to a major city, choosing the incorrect airport might result in longer commutes or missed connecting flights. And even if there’s only one airport, going to the wrong terminal might cause problems. So make sure to not only check the city name, but also the airport code and terminal number.

Online prices are deceptive by nature, and plane tickets are no exception. Chances are, once you select the ticket, there will be added fees for baggage, seat selection, preferential boarding, taxes, and more. While unexpected fees are par for the course, always check the itemized charges before purchasing to ensure everything is in order.

Baggage issues might be the number one problem for travelers. Weight limits, size restrictions, and extra fees add to the stress that naturally comes with travelling. To minimize the risk of complications, it’s key to check out the ticket’s baggage allowance to either pack accordingly or consider paying for extra bags.

Gone are the days when plane tickets were simply categorized as economy, business, and first class. The proliferation of airlines has resulted in many different tiers of tickets, each with its own rules regarding refunds, changes, and seat selection. Make sure that the fare you are choosing includes all the features you think it does.

While most online websites will factor in the time needed for layovers when selling a plane ticket, there are outside factors that might affect the situation, such as weather, mechanical issues, commute times, and unexpected events. Domestic flight connections tend to be straightforward, so a one-hour layover will usually suffice. On international flights, a connection might involve a different terminal (or airport), passport control, or baggage check-in, so a longer layover —2 or 3 hours— will give you enough time.

Amid the natural chaos of planning a trip, it’s easy to overlook the importance of double-checking our personal data. All the personal information in the ticket and other related documents —such as passports, travel insurance documents, etc— must exactly match the provided ID. It is also important to check that government-issued IDs are up to date and still valid for travelling.

There’s a reason everyone says you should arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before your flight. Leaving your luggage at the check-in counter and going through security is a process that can take longer than you expect, and tardiness might result in a missed flight.

While some assume that their plane ticket includes food and refreshments, this is not always the case. Depending on the length of the flight, many domestic flights will charge extra for full meals and alcohol, while most international flights will include them. However, there are exceptions, and it’s best to check beforehand and plan accordingly.

Watching a movie or taking a comfy nap under a blanket are not a must during a plane flight, but they make the ride much more enjoyable (and make time go by quicker, too). If these amenities are a big part of your flying experience, make sure to look into what’s included in your fare before purchasing a ticket.