Best Budget Summer 2022 Vacation Destinations

For some of us, it’s never too early to start planning the summer vacation. That’s particularly true in 2022, as the receding pandemic inspires a larger-than-usual travel demand. After two summers of restrictions great and small, Americans are ready to hit the road (or the airports) to visit attractions both famous and obscure.

They will be doing so at a time of heightened inflation and spiking fuel prices. Suffice it to say, we’re all wanting to shave a few travel dollars without sacrificing the trip’s rest and rewards. Here are some favorite destinations proven to deliver good value.

Astoria, Oregon: If it was good enough for Lewis and Clark, it’s good enough for us. Considered among the best small towns to visit by Smithsonian magazine, Astoria is must-see for its food, beer, art, scenic beauty and rich history. Drive across the Astoria Column for panoramic views of the region, visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum or stop at Fort Clatsop, where Lewis and Clark wintered more than 200 years ago.

Glacier National Park, Montana: Like the state in which it resides, Glacier has something for every nature lover. Covering more than 1,500 square-miles, the park features more than 700 miles of Rocky Mountain trail; canoeing and paddle boarding on Lake McDonald; and the scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road, where you’re likely to spy wildlife ranging from mountain goats to grizzly bears. And the summer rate for a seven-day park permit is $35.

Cheyenne, Wyoming: Cowboy culture reigns in Cheyenne but that’s just scratching the surface. It also is home to the Grand Greenhouse Conservatory, the state’s only public botanic garden; and the free Paul Smith Children’s Village, a three-quarter-acre site of gardens filled with interactive landscapes. And you won’t want to miss the Bison Train at Terry Bison Ranch, which offers daily tours to a pasture full of grazing bison. Make sure to score an ice cream cone at Little America.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee: Located at the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park,
Gatlinburg has long been a favorite destination. These days, visitors augment their park excursion by checking out the town’s top attractions, including the Gatlinburg Space Needle, Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and the Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre. Skip the tacky souvenir shops and visit the local galleries, most notably the Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Community.

Greenville, South Carolina: Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville blends Southern charm and contemporary cool. With countless free annual events and activities in its completely walkable downtown, plus some of the most accessible natural attractions in the Southeast, Greenville is an affordable summer vacation destination. Stop by Falls Park on the Reedy, an urban park in the heart of Main Street, and the Liberty Bridge, a 345-foot, curved bridge held in the air by a single suspension cable.

At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.