Budget Travel | Best Cities for a Staycation

These three summer vacation spots are full of free and low-cost activities for the whole family.
The Wildwoods, New Jersey
Wildwood, New Jersey by Nap Fortich – Unsplash
A vacation in the Wildwoods offers a myriad of FREE activities for visitors of all ages to experience and enjoy! The Wildwoods are known for being the best value family vacation destination at the Jersey Shore. The seaside destination is bursting with free attractions, including their white sand beaches, world-famous Boardwalk, events and festivals, outdoor concerts, Friday Night Fireworks, Movies Under the Stars, live entertainment, scenic bike paths, fishing, crabbing, nature trails, must-see landmarks, and much more – making the resort destination one of the most sought-after vacation destinations at the Jersey Shore.
The Wildwoods’ five-mile island has appealed to vacationing families for more than a century. One of the reasons families choose the Wildwoods is for the island’s expansive clean, safe beaches with plenty of room to spread out. These pristine beaches have been voted ‘Best Beaches in New Jersey’ and ‘Top 10 Beaches in the US’. The Wildwoods beaches also remain FREE for all visitors – removing the hassle of purchasing expensive beach tags each season. The Wildwoods’ FREE, white-sand beaches are an opportunity to clear the mind and enjoy the calming benefits of ‘Beach Therapy’. The award-winning, spacious stretches of sand are the perfect place to relax, recharge, and reunite with friends and family. The beach also gives visitors an opportunity to get some exercise and partake in the thrill of all the exciting watersports offered throughout locations on the island, including surfing, boogie boarding, paddle boarding, kayaking, and more!Taking place almost every week throughout the summer on the five-mile island are FREE-to-attend block parties, craft shows, family outdoor movie nights under the stars, farmer’s markets, and many food and ethnic festivals. A wide variety of FREE entertainment can also be found almost every night of the week throughout the summer, including spectacular Friday Night Fireworks and live outdoor concerts featuring national recording artists, oldies groups, dance, big band music, and more! You can view our more than 160 events and festivals at www.WildwoodsNJ.com.Another free way to experience the Wildwoods is by bicycle. Recharge, exercise, and enjoy the beautiful sea air and scenery by hopping on your bike and taking part in the Wildwoods exclusive version of ‘Bikeability’. Enjoy a scenic, leisurely, 12-mile round-trip route with plenty of fresh air and breathtaking views starting at the far southern end of the island along the Dunes Bike Path in Wildwood Crest. Travel along the path up onto the iconic Wildwoods’ 2.5-mile Boardwalk, and through North Wildwood’s Muhlbury Bike Path to the North Wildwood Sea Wall. You can also ride your bike along the Wildwoods’ streets and Downtown, with special “bikes only” lanes available around the entire island.From May through October, four-legged friends have a special, designated beach area to call their own atthe Wildwoods Dog Beach and Park at Glenwood Avenue and the Boardwalk. Just to be safe, when visiting the dog beach, all dogs must be licensed, must always be leashed, except inside the enclosed beach dog park; and owners are responsible for cleaning up after their four-legged friends. North Wildwood beaches also allow dogs during the summer season, anytime when lifeguards are off duty (lifeguard hours 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.). The Wildwoods Dog Beach has been named one of the Top 10 ‘Best Dog Friendly Beaches in the US’ in the 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest sponsored by USA TODAY. USA TODAY 10Best teamed up with BringFido.com to nominate the 20 most dog-friendly beaches in the nation. The Wildwoods Dog Beach received the second highest number of votes, ranking it #2 overall in the nation.Fishing is a great way to have fun and enjoy the island’s unique seaside environment. A fishing pier on the Intracoastal Waterway at Sweetbriar Road in Wildwood Crest – known locally as “the back bay” – is a popular fishing spot for island natives and visitors alike. The beaches along Hereford Inlet in North Wildwood are also a popular spot for surf fishing enthusiasts to enjoy. Crabbing is another beloved shore activity common in the tidal marsh areas along the west side of the island. Those looking to catch their evening crab feast are frequently spotted along the wetlands area entering the island; at street ends; or on docks along the back bay.
The Wildwoods’ FREE online hotel and attraction reservation system on the Wildwoods official tourism website, WildwoodsNJ.com, allows visitors to conveniently book accommodations at a range of Wildwoods hotels and motels via the Book Your Stay webpage. With so much to see and do for FREE, the possibilities for fun are endless – making the Wildwoods truly the ultimate and most affordable vacation experience at the Jersey Shore.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Heinz History Center – courtesy of Visit Pittsburgh
VisitPITTSBURGH today announced the official relaunch of its annual KidsBURGH® promotion—just in time for peak summer travel season. The promotion, slated to run June 2 through August 22, features a free KidsBURGH® 2025 Passport, a discount pass for Pittsburgh’s most iconic family-friendly attractions. The mobile-exclusive enhancement, powered by Bandwango, offers access to passholder-exclusive discounts redeemable at select locations. Plus, it is easily accessible and delivered via text, eliminating the need to download yet another phone app. “We’re thrilled to welcome families back to Pittsburgh this summer to discover why our city is one of the top family destinations in the country,” VisitPITTSBURGH President & CEO Jerad Bachar said. “From world-class museums and thrilling attractions to outdoor adventures and family-friendly dining, we’re grateful to partner with so many area businesses to make summer travel more accessible and memorable for visitors of all ages.” Featured 2025 KidsBURGH® partners include:
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium – 10% off at gift shopKennywood – Save up to 45% on tickets & passesSandcastle – Save up to 40% on tickets & passesIdlewild – Save up to 40% on tickets & passesCarnegie Science Center – $2 off admissionHeinz History Center – $2 off admissionLiberty Magic – 15% off ticketsChildren’s Museum of Pittsburgh – 20% off store merchandiseGateway Clipper – 10% off ticketsMoonshot Museum – $2 off admissionNational Aviary – $2 off gift shop purchase of $20 or more
Learn more about KidsBURGH® and plan your next trip to Pittsburgh at VisitPITTSBURGH.com.
Daytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Aquarium and Rainforest Adventure – courtesy of Daytona Beach Area CVB
The Daytona Beach area, known for its beautiful beaches, rich motorsports history and family-friendly attractions, will have new experiences, amenities and exhibits for visitors to enjoy this summer vacation season.
Whether it’s a first-time or returning visitor, there will be new coastal fun to discover in Daytona Beach this summer. Here’s a look at some of the new developments within the destination:
The Rainforest Set to Open at Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure: The much anticipated rainforest portion of the Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure will open this summer at the destination’s first aquarium offering. The new Rainforest will feature multiple species of mammals and exotic birds including Toucans, Sloths, Otters, Tamarins, and many more. The 55,000 square-foot facility, which opened last year, features more than 50 separate exhibits including a 110,000-gallon shark exhibit and a guest-favorite 10,000-gallon stingray touch pool. The Daytona Aquarium and Rainforest will post updates on the official opening date of The Rainforest to their website and social media platforms.New Exhibits at Museum of Arts & Sciences: The Smithsonian-affiliated Museum of Arts & Sciences (MOAS), the 100,000-square foot art, science and history museum, will have two new exhibits for visitors to enjoy. Shoosty Bugs Exhibit features the work of Stephen Shooster. Also known as Shoosty, Shooster is a fine artist and writer whose works display multiple themes and styles, concentrating on music, landscapes, and conceptual art. At the Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art, which is located on the MOAS campus, It’s a Ship Show has opened and will take guests on a visual voyage through Florida’s maritime history. Both exhibits will remain open through Jan. 4, 2026.Veterans Memorial Plaza: Located on the northwest corner of the Tom Staed Veterans Memorial Bridge in Downtown Daytona Beach, the Veterans Memorial Plaza recently opened and provides a dedicated location where residents and visitors can memorialize and honor the valiant men and women who lost their lives while defending our freedom. Features include flags representing the six branches of the U.S. Military, a World War I memorial, and a six-foot-fire monument with the names of Volusia County residents who died in the line of duty.Marine Science Center: Located in Ponce Inlet, the Marine Science Center is undergoing a $4.2 million renovation that will bring new marine exhibits and expand areas for public education, staff and volunteers. The Marine Science Center is expected to reopen on June 24.Coke Zero Sugar 400: After a one-year absence, the NASCAR regular-season finale returns to the Coke Zero Sugar 400, scheduled for Saturday night, Aug. 23. This year’s 160-lap, 400-mile race will be the final opportunity for drivers to secure their spot in the 10-race battle for the NASCAR Cup Series championship.International Speedway Blvd. ramp and World’s Most Famous Beach Sign: The International Speedway Blvd. beach approach at A1A, where the iconic “World’s Most Famous Beach” sign is located, has reopened after the completion of a ramp improvement project. The upgraded ramp features three lanes to improve traffic flow onto the beach and enhance the overall beach experience. Also reopening is Sam’s Coal Fired Pizza, a popular pizza shop located adjacent to the ramp that was closed during the improvement project.Jackie Robinson Ballpark: Fans attending Daytona Tortugas minor league baseball games this summer will notice significant improvements to Jackie Robinson Ballpark, where ground-breaking African-American baseball player Jackie Robinson played in the first integrated Major League Baseball spring training game in 1946. The facility is undergoing a multi-million, multi-year renovation project that will be completed in phases. Among the enhancements completed ahead of this season are the replacement of 1,300 seats, a new sound system, the batter’s eye located in center field and the foul poles.Ambros Daytona: Daytona Beach’s newest hotel property, Ambros Daytona, opened in the spring in Daytona Beach Shores. The 50-room independent boutique lifestyle hotel offers an elevated relaxed environment with a mix of single king rooms, double queen rooms and suites that cater to families, singles and couples. Half of the rooms feature kitchenettes.Mystic Lobster: Located within the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, a new fast-casual seafood chain, Mystic Lobster, has opened serving a variety of lobster rolls, crab cakes, lobster tacos, sandwiches, soups, salads and more.
With 23 miles of white-sand beaches, new family-friendly experiences, and world-class dining, Daytona Beach is more than just a beach—it’s a destination of discovery. Start planning your unforgettable vacation now.