8 Affordable Summer Vacation Spots In Alabama
Summer vacation on a budget might sound like a hard sell, but in reality, sometimes having a strict budget can make the trip more fun. To save money on the road, travelers are often required to eat like the locals, avoid tourist traps, and experience free-to-visit-places they might not have seen otherwise. Sure, this kind of vacation requires a bit more research and preparation, but the results are often well worth the work. And when it comes to affordable summer vacations, Alabama is one of the best places to explore.
Between scenic lookouts, affordable summer vacation homes, and ample camping opportunities, these eight affordable vacation spots belong on everyone’s summer bucket list.
Mentone
Located on top of Lookout Mountain, Mentone, Alabama, is a charming small town with plenty of free and affordable things to see and do. Start summer vacation off on the right foot with a visit to DeSoto State Park, where cascading waterfalls, vibrant wildflowers, and hiking trails are just a few of the park's highlights. Admission to the DeSoto State Park Picnic Area, where DeSoto Falls is located, is only $4.00 per car, making for a pretty cheap afternoon. Next, head to Mentone Brow Park, where admission is free and the views are priceless.
The park features a scenic lookout point and is an ideal spot to enjoy a picnic lunch. Art lovers will also enjoy wandering through free local galleries/gift shops, including Coming Up Violets and the Mentone Arts Center. For affordable summer accommodations, why not try camping out at Tranquility RV & Campgrounds. Tent sites start at $28.00 per night and are situated in a beautifully wooded area with plenty of privacy between campsites.
Kickback Ranch & Event Center
Anyone looking for a simple, one-stop-shop kind of summer vacation will find all they are looking for at the Kickback Ranch in Ramer, Alabama. The ranch offers an array of sleeping accommodations, but the most affordable options are the tent and RV sites which are available for $50 per night. Once checked in, guests are free to explore several included amenities such as a swimming pool, beaches, water slides that rush into a man-made lake, hiking trails, bonfires, and volleyball nets. The ranch also features a quaint “cowboy town” complete with a general store, hitching post, and game room.
Guntersville
Guntersville, Alabama, is a small town, partially situated on a peninsula in the Tennessee River. And while the town has plenty to offer in the way of fishing on Lake Guntersville and local shopping on Main Street, the real draw is Lake Guntersville State Park. Perfect for an affordable summer vacation-the state park features various lodging and camping options as well as a slew of family-friendly activities. Rooms in the park lodge run for about $150 per night on average, but there are also campsites available, costing anywhere between $50 to $80 per night.
Once settled in, guests can start enjoying free activities such as hiking the various trails, swimming at the sandy beach, and birdwatching. There are also an array of activities to enjoy for an added fee, such as ziplining through the forest, which costs $69. Golfing, geocaching, and boat rentals are also available. The park also hosts frequent events, usually for free. These events range from immersive butterfly experiences to Mommy & Me guided hikes.
Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, is brimming with free and affordable things to do, making it an ideal summer vacation spot for anyone traveling on a budget. Plant lovers will have fun wandering through the enchanting Birmingham Botanical Gardens, which feature 67 acres of land and over 24 distinct gardens. Visitors will also find a garden library on-site with free WI-FI, various gardening books, DVDs, a plant-inspired book club, and a free seed exchange. Next, head to the Birmingham Museum of Art, where general admission is always free, and the rotating exhibits are always exciting. Outdoor enthusiasts looking to get their heart rate up can take a trip to Red Mountain Park, which was once a bustling iron ore-mine.
Today, Red Mountain Park offers hiking and biking trails, a dog park, a tree house, a hammock area, and a scenic overlook. Those hoping to spend a few nights in town will be met with several budget-friendly hotel options. But those with an adventurous spirit may want to venture slightly out of town to set up camp at Oak Mountain State Park, where campsites run for roughly $85.00 per night.
Tuscumbia
Roughly 100 miles from Birmingham, near the Tennessee River, lies the beautiful town of Tuscumbia, Alabama. Known as the birthplace of Helen Keller, Tuscumbia offers both historical interest and natural beauty for summer travelers. First up, head to Spring Park for a few hours of peace and relaxation. Here, visitors will find a small roller coaster, a tiny train ride, and a carousel. Additionally, the park features a beautiful waterfall and a fountain that shoots water 150 feet high. Best of all, admission to the park is free. Next, lace up those hiking boots and hit the trails at Cane Creek Canyon Preserve, where adventurers will find a waterfall and a scenic lookout. After all that exploration, it is time to eat.
For an affordable meal in a memorable setting, Rattlesnake Saloon is a must. The saloon, which is tucked inside a beautiful rock formation, offers tasty bites, including nachos, burgers, and wings, with prices ranging from $9 to $15 on average. Naturally, a trip here isn’t complete without a trip to Ivy Green, the birthplace and childhood home of Helen Keller. Admission to the home costs between $4 to $7 on a regular day, but certain events could alter this price.
Huntsville
Huntsville, Alabama, is another affordable summer vacation town tucked along the shores of the Tennessee River. With a solid mix of natural beauty and interesting museums, there is always something to do in this charming town. Start a trip off here with a free walk through Big Spring Park, which features a large coy pond and plenty of ducks and geese for feeding. The park also has a red bridge and cherry blossom trees, both gifts from Japan. Travelers will want to keep their eyes peeled for free events such as concerts and art festivals, which are frequently hosted at Big Spring Park.
Next, spend a day exploring the wonderful Monte Sano State Park. Admission to the park is just $5.00 for adults, $2.00 for kids ages 4 to 11, and free for kids three and under. Activities at the park include the usual hiking trails and wildlife watching, but there is more on offer here. Additional park activities such as the disc golf course, museum, Japanese garden, and the planetarium are sure to keep visitors occupied and happy. Other places like the Huntsville Botanical Garden and the North Alabama Railroad Museum are also worth a visit but will cost anywhere from $10 to $20 to enter.
Delta
Delta, Alabama, is a scenic town with a population of under 200 people. Despite its small size, there is still plenty of vacation fun to be had in the town’s natural gem, Cheaha State Park. The park, which is the oldest continuously operating state park in all of Alabama, offers everything from lodging to outdoor activities and on-site museums. Overnight visitors can choose from lodge rooms, private cabins, glamping safari tents, and regular campsites. Both regular camping and provided glamping tents can cost anywhere between $40 to $95 on average, while lodge rooms and private cabins run upwards of $100 to $400, respectively.
Once accommodations are secured, enthusiastic travelers will not want to waste any time diving into the park activities. Enjoy everything from hiking to wandering through the park's museums. Cheaha State Park also features playground equipment and various picnic areas.
Chesnut Bay Resort
Resorts are an easy vacation spot, especially for those traveling with kids. With all the amenities and activities in one area (many included in the reservation costs), places like Chesnut Bay Resort on Lake Weiss in Leesburg, Alabama, are pretty easy on the wallet. The resort offers a wide selection of vacation homes for rent, as low as $125 for a house that sleeps six people. As far as things to do go, the resort has several activities, including an outdoor amphitheater, a mushroom-themed pool, access to a private beach, a huge jumping pillow, and two miles of walking trails. The resort is also conveniently located near a handful of off-site attractions, such as the Pirates Bay Waterpark and Desoto State Park.
In Alabama, even when the budget is tight, there is still ample fun to have. Travelers will not have to look far to find free-admission museums and art galleries. There are affordable activities like zip-lining through the woods or riding a sprawling waterslide into the lake that lingers around every corner.
