This Underrated Southern City Was Just Named the Most Affordable Tourist Destination in the U.S.

"Not all vacations have to be, or should be, budget-busting, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The 10-day African safaris, the overwater bungalow honeymoons, and the multi-city European excursions are far from the only options you have when you're ready for a break from your day-to-day responsibilities. Travel can be relatively affordable, but you just have to choose your destination wisely. And GOBankingRates recently did the legwork for you."

"After looking at the numbers, the personal finance resource determined that Concord, North Carolina, is America's most budget-friendly tourist destination. Home to the Charlotte Motor Speedway, this small city is just about 20 miles from Charlotte, making it a great (and affordable) option for those travelers who plan on flying into the American Airlines hub (CLT). With its charming historic downtown area filled with restaurants, shops, event venues, and even an arcade bar, Concord is the perfect place to explore and enjoy a laid-back weekend."

Concord, North Carolina is identified as the most budget-friendly U.S. tourist destination, offering a three-night vacation for two adults estimated at $940. The city sits about 20 miles from Charlotte and hosts the Charlotte Motor Speedway, with a historic downtown offering restaurants, shops, event venues, and an arcade bar. Cost calculations started from a list of popular U.S. destinations compiled from Travel + Leisure, U.S. News & World Report, TripAdvisor, Nomadic Matt, and Holidify. Hotel rates use the average of the three cheapest hotels within five miles from Hotels.com. Meal and beverage costs were estimated with Numbeo, and airfare used the Bureau of Transportation's 2025 averages. For Concord, average airfare was $197 and average hotel cost was $215.

Read at Travel + Leisure