6 Affordable Destinations In Nebraska For Budget Travelers

Looking to travel but don’t want to break the bank? Nebraska offers plenty of affordable vacation spots that will satisfy everyone's needs! This state is known for its dramatic rock formations, vast expanses of prairie, and towns that give you a glimpse into the Wild West. With the overall cost of living being 9% lower than the national average, this state is a great choice for individuals looking to save some money. Traveling hasn't been as common for everyone in the past 5 years due to rising costs, but it's still possible to do so with how affordable these towns are. Allow yourself to be immersed in the Wild West and book your trip to Nebraska today!

Alliance

With the overall expenses being 23.2% lower than the national average, this town is a perfect pick for those trying to save some money. Alliance is known for its colorful sunrises/sunsets and for the monument Carhenge, which is a roadside car-based replica of Stonehenge (the prehistoric megalithic structure located in England), making it an excellent place to snap a photo. A popular free activity is the Knight Museum and Sandhills Center, which features five exhibits, including Life in the Sandhills, Native American Life, Life in the Country, Life in the Town, and The Railroad, which shows all the history of the town and surrounding areas.

Some other walkable free spots are Central Park Fountain, Sallows Military Museum, and Golden Hour Barbeque for a meal that's only 10-20 dollars. Stay at either the Alliance Hotel and Suites for $78, The Holiday Inn Express Alliance for $79 dollars, or Value Stay Lodge at just $48!

Hastings

Hastings is the 8th largest city in Nebraska and is also where Kool-Aid was invented. Every August, this town holds the Kool-Aid Days Festival to celebrate how Edwin Perkins invented the drink back in 1927. This festival lasts days and features a race, food, yard games, music, and challenges. To make it even better, this festival has unlimited free Kool-Aid in every flavor! To learn about cultural history, check out the Hastings Museum (it only costs 9 dollars to view all three floors), which is the largest municipal museum between Denver and Chicago. Stay at the Super 8 By Wyndham Hastings for $68 a night or the Hastings Inn for only $56 a night.

Lexington

Located in Central Nebraska and only nine miles from Johnson Lake, this city of 10,000 is ideal for individuals who want to participate in water activities! Johnson Lake is 2,068 acres and features hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, camping (for only $14 dollars a night!), and much more. Check out the Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles, which honors those who have served and is home to dozens of restored military vehicles. In addition, it’s completely free to enter, making it a great option to keep the overall cost down and to honor those who have served.

For food, head over to El Rinconcito for a meal under $10 that locals love. Lastly, stay at the Econo Lodge for only $52 a night or at Super 8 by Wyndham for only $53 a night.

Scottsbluff

Step into this friendly community for an unforgettable (and affordable) trip! This town has a population of 14,000 and is referred to as “The Sugar Valley” for its growing and processing of sugar beets. The biggest tourist attraction here is the Scotts Bluff National Monument, which is a massive rock formation that was used as a prominent landmark for the great migration towards the West. The park is 3,000 acres and features unique rock formations and remnants on the famous Oregon Trail. On the way back from the park, stop by the Legacy of the Plains Museum to learn about human and agriculture history at only $10. For animal lovers, the Riverside Discovery Center is a stunning zoo that has over 50 species of animals to view. At the end of the day, stay at the Econo Lodge for $78 or Capri Motel for $75.

North Platte

This riverfront city has an overall cost of living that is lower than the US national cost, making it a great choice for budget travelers who want a full schedule of events! Start off with the Golden Spike Tower, which overlooks the world's largest rail yard, Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard, where 20,000 railcars are sent to their destinations every 24 hours! Talk to the friendly staff and volunteers there to learn more about how this was created. Next, check out one of the city's most popular attractions, the Cody Park Railroad Museum, which includes free admission. This interactive and hands-on museum walks you through old rail cars that are filled with memorabilia from when trains were one of our main sources of transportation. For only 4 dollars, head over to Buffalo Bill State Historical Park to see where one of the most well-known figures of the American West used to live. Buffalo Bill's mansion sits on 25 acres of land and was built in 1886 for only $3,900 (if only everything was that cheap!).

Lastly, the Grain Bin Antique Town is a shopping district that overlooks the scenic canons and twenty historic grain bins that are filled with unique gifts. This is a must-see since there aren't many stores made out of grain bins. After an action-packed day, wind down at the North Platte Inn and Suite or Husker Inn at $45 a night.

Holdrege

This hidden and close-knit spot was founded in 1883 and has a population of only 5,500. The most famous attraction in this town is the Nebraska Prairie Museum, which includes 65,000 feet of interior exhibits that showcase history and culture (and is free!). This old-style city features lots of cheap places to eat, like J.B. Sports Bar and Grill and Cozy Inn Cafe, all for only 10-20 dollars per meal! Come back to one of your cozy hotels for the night and stay at either the Rodeway Inn for $70 or at Cobblestone Inn and Suites for $100.

Whether it is a small town like Holdrege or a city like North Platte, Nebraska, these destinations will be sure to provide you with an unforgettable experience! When people travel to Nebraska, they usually think of Omaha (which is a more costly trip), but there are other affordable cities to see with just as much to do. Spend your day on a lake in Lexington or travel to endless cheap museums and tourist destinations in Scottsbluff. Don’t forget to make one of these towns your next travel spot for 2025.