Study finds these popular tourist destinations to be the least expensive in the nation
It is part of daily life existing in modern media. Each day, we are served various pitches designed to deliver clicks to the PR firm’s client.
“Top 10 towns to retire in the country”
“Top 10 towns to get pizza in the Southeast”
“Towns where you’re most likely to report being probed by space aliens”
Most of the time, it’s just white noise, in one ear and out the other. But every once in a while, we see something that stands out, something that warrants further consideration. So, when I saw a study that included Gatlinburg among the least expensive vacation destinations in the country, I channeled that famous Quentin Tarantino quote.
“Gentlemen you had my curiosity … but now you have my attention.”
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A matter of methodology
The study’s authors examined more than 100 “top” U.S. destinations using various factors, including meals, lodging, attractions and transportation during a week-long stay.
Their definition of vacation destination is a little wider than I’d like. For instance? The No. 7 location is Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. My stepdad and uncle lived in Oklahoma City, and both sing its praises. I believe it would be a pretty cool city to visit. However, I am skeptical of how many families are heading to OKC for a week-long vacation.
Another issue? The methodology and the math don’t align perfectly. Each city is ranked on the cost per person for a week’s stay. The costs for a family of four for a week are included in each ranking. However, the per-person cost and the family of four costs don’t align. The study says that shared accommodations and transportation change the math. After all, the cost of a hotel room for a single person is the same as one for four people. The same is true for transportation as long as you’re driving and not flying. It doesn’t cost my family significantly more to drive to Cape Cod than it would if I drove it alone.
But let’s look Charleston. The listed cost is $1,358 per person for a seven-day vacation including lodging, food, transportation and attractions. However, it says the total for a family of four is $3,273.49. That’s considerably less than if you multiplied the cost per person, per day by four. I’m not sure my own math can get there to agree fully with this study. But with that in mind, here are some of the least expensive places to vacation:
The least expensive tourist destinations
1. Charleston, West Virginia: $1,358
Setting aside the issue of popularity, Charleston does have a lot to offer. It is located in the Appalachian Mountains with natural beauty nearby. Per the study, lodging comes in at roughly $126 per night and meals can be had for $55.60 per person per day. Now, if I were personally doing these rankings, I might argue that the $9 you’d save by going to Charleston versus the Outer Banks is not enough to tip the scales in Charleston’s favor. Still, I acknowledge that I live in the mountains and naturally value a beach vacation as more valuable. The listed cost of a week’s vacation for a family of four? $3,272.89.
2. Outer Banks, North Carolina: $1,367
I think the seasonal variations proved difficult to account for in this ranking. For instance, despite efforts to adjust for seasonality, the listed $99.44 per night for lodging has to be affected by off-season pricing. Having vacationed frequently in the area, I’m skeptical that you’d find much in the Outer Banks under $100 a night in peak season. The average meal cost in the Outer Banks is $66.47 per person per day, and a family of four can – allegedly – enjoy a week’s vacation for $3,609 and change.
3. Helen, Georgia: $,1371
A tiny mountain town in the Northeast corner of Georgia, Helen is a charming getaway with a downtown that is reminiscent of a Bavarian Village. A buddy of mine vacationed there last year and sang its praises. For lodging, you’re looking at roughly $110 per night with food costs just under $70 per person per day. Our study says a family of four is looking at $3,458 for a week-long stay.
4. Tybee Island, Georgia: $1,421
My skepticism is engaged here. The study says Tybee Island, located on the Atlantic Southeast of Savannah, averages $123.44 per night. I’ve priced Tybee several times and haven’t gotten close to that. Now maybe, when you include the inland budget hotels, it helps. But I don’t think you’re getting Tybee Island at that rate in season. The study acknowledges limitations created by seasonal pricing, but I don’t believe Tybee Island is the fourth least expensive vacation destination in the country. Also, per the study, meals in Tybee come in at $51.48 per person per day. I’m thinking that includes multiple trips to the Waffle House. A family of four – per the study – can vacation on Tybee Island for approximately $3,594.
5. Gatlinburg, Tennessee: $1,480
The listed lodging price in the study is $121 per night. Some budget hotels probably make that number realistic. Meals? $52.97 per person per day? It’s doable. I don’t know, however, that you’re eating well. For Gatlinburg, the study includes an average daily cost for attractions of $211 per person per day. That’s a lot of mini-golf. I’m not 100% sure how the math is mathing here, but you’re looking at $3,853.44 for a family of four for a week. Keep in mind, I don’t think that can’t include the amusement cost.
Planning your next vacation
When planning your next vacation destination, should you include these possible value destinations? Yes and no. I think the Gatlinburg entry is pretty accurate and that’s certainly the one I have the most experience with. I think anything near the coast, however, is affected by seasonal fluctuations. Is this list useful for vacation planning? Probably not. But it is an interesting thought exercise.
In Gatlinburg, I think $120 per night would get you a lower-end hotel in season and I think budgeting $52 per day for meals is tight. But you can explore the park for the cost of gas, a few picnic lunches and a parking pass. You can spend a whole day at Ober Mountain doing multiple activities for the cost of a $50 wristband.
But let’s really break this down. If you remove the cost of lodging at $121 per day, that removes $847 from your weekly budget of $3,853 for a family of four, you have about $3,000 for the family for the week. That’s $107 per person per day. If it were me, I’d sacrifice days to bring up the available per diem. The same budget at 5 days raises your per diem to a more manageable $162 per person. Still, if you want to try taking your family of four on a seven-day vacation in Gatlinburg on a budget of $3,853, I’d be sure to consider taking advantage of some coupons or cheap activities.
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