Cheap Getaway Weekend Trips

Key West, Florida (Southeast U.S.)

• Ideal for a lively weekend retreat, Key West in the Florida Keys offers a unique tropical and artistic culture and is particularly reasonably priced during the off-season while the weather stays temperate for beachgoers. Accommodations start around $79 during the off-season, for example at Key West Bed and Breakfast. Walk through the historic areas of Old Town, where President Harry Truman and Ernest Hemingway once resided, stroll down Duval Street while munching on a key lime on a stick, enjoy the tasty array of seafood dishes at the eateries and cafes, and choose from beach activities for about $35 per person such as snorkeling or parasailing. Or simply bask in the Floridian sun on Bahia Honda's Beach free of cost. For some culture, visit cheap local museums or the Key West Aquarium, which in 2010 charged $11 for adults and $4.50 for children. Finally, as twilight sets in, enjoy the nightlife at a pub or artsy café.

Napa Valley (Western U.S.)

• For wine connoisseurs, or travelers looking for an affordable relaxing and charming weekend retreat, head to Napa Valley and neighboring Sonoma County during the off-season, late fall through the spring, when accommodations are at their cheapest. Opt for a hotel downtown, such as the bed-and-breakfast-style Best Western Elm House Inn, where breakfast is free. Head to the visitor's centers at the various wineries, which welcome travelers and offer tours that explain the wine-making process and wine-tasting for between $5 and $15. Walk through the quaint Main Street in St. Helena, Yountville, and Calistoga along the river, or take a Wine Train or boat tour and enjoy some fabulous meals at the array of café and eateries.

Beach Haven, Long Beach Island (Northeastern U.S.)

• Beach Haven, on Long Beach Island, New Jersey, is a great surfing spot and hosts a wild crowd of partiers during the summer. But travelers looking to save money won't have to worry about running into these crowds because the best time to visit this beach town is during the off-season, when hotels such as the Coral Seas Oceanfront Motel cut their prices nearly by half, with a standard room for only $79 a night in May and October. There is a quaint downtown complete with restaurants, shopping, and various attractions, offering leisurely (and free) walking and window-shopping. Activities include miniature golfing at Mr. Tees Putt-n-Play and Fantasy Island Amusement Park, where admission is free. Weekend travelers with children can enjoy family beach activities at the toddler beach at Taylor Avenue on the bay and a recreational park and playground.

Galena, Illinois (Midwestern U.S.)

• Midwestern Americans looking for a weekend getaway can head during the off-season to the once-mining town of Galena, Illinois, founded in 1825 and still retaining its old-fashioned charm. A popular weekend spot for Chicago residents looking to get out of the city, Galena is a relaxing getaway spot with plenty to do. Stay at a bed-and-breakfast-style hotel with complementary breakfast such as the Park Avenue Guest House for $105 a night. in a historic mansion, enjoy the delicious foods at its high-quality restaurants, and sample top-notch wines at local wineries such as Massbach Ridge Winery, which charges a tasting fee of just $3.. For a dose of culture and history, visit the Galena History museum for $7 per person, where you can some preserved artifacts from the Civil War, see an old mine at the Vinegar Hill Historic Lead Mine & Museum for $5 per person, or take a $3 tour of the Ulysses S. Grant Home State Historic Site. Lovers of the outdoors can enjoy an afternoon of golfing, enjoy kayaking or boating on the Galena River, or take in the beautiful sights of the hilly landscape with a hike or by bike.