✈️ 8 Budget-Friendly Destinations to Visit in 2026 (AARP Article)

[SummerOnTheWay1]

FROM THE ARTICLE.

Plan your next getaway to one of these on-trend locations.

By Elaine Glusac, AARP. Published October 31, 2025.

Citing physical and mental benefits, most Americans age 50 and up remain eager to travel, according to a 2025 survey by AARP. The biggest inhibitor to travel? The cost. Fortunately, these eight destinations provide new offerings and are on trend in 2026. They also offer a wealth of affordable activities and accommodations, with rates that start at around $200 a night. Since travel prices, particularly for airfare and accommodations, rise with demand, consider vacationing in the offseason to save the most.

USE THE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE.

https://www.aarp.org/travel/vacation-ideas/affordable-us-destinations-2026/

[HaixinL535295]

Can someone tell me where would be a good place for them to go? My parents are 65 years old and don't speak much English. But they want to travel, and I don't know who to ask for advice.

[SereneSeagull]

Hi, contact your local AAA, they can be very helpful.  

[nctarheel · Accepted solution]

@SummerOnTheWay1,

This has to be the most foolish article ever published by AARP. 

It seems that the writers extracted certain individual activities in these locations that MIGHT BE budget friendly and then applied that ONE ACTIVITY'S cost to the cost of the entire destination.

To say that a trip to HAWAII, or MASSACHUSETTS, or WASHINGTON, D.C. is budget friendly is beyond the pale.

The writers of this article must be in a way higher tax bracket than myself or anyone I know.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

[10/12/25]

Yes NC @nctarheel , I know Hawaii can be expensive and also wondered why it was included. Nicole!

➡️[*** NC 

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@nctarheel wrote:

@SummerOnTheWay1,

This has to be the most foolish article ever published by AARP. 

It seems that the writers extracted certain individual activities in these locations that MIGHT BE budget friendly and then applied that ONE ACTIVITY'S cost to the cost of the entire destination.

To say that a trip to HAWAII, or MASSACHUSETTS, or WASHINGTON, D.C. is budget friendly is beyond the pale.

The writers of this article must be in a way higher tax bracket than myself or anyone I know.

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[Tempest332]

I haven't been on a vacation since 2004, and I was being set up by some locals to get rolled on that trip. Good thing I was a bit more agile on my feet at the time.  Going into unfamiliar areas, not speaking a native language is plain stupid.  Some may look at this as a challenge or adventure, to me it was stress.

 Hawaii isn't probably isn't unreasonable for someone living in California and making 6 figures, though I hear it's become disgusting with the amount of homeless living on the streets now.