Bigger isn’t always better — especially when it comes to travel. There are plenty of small towns that rival big-city tourist destinations at a lower cost. So, if you’re planning a getaway, consider visiting one of these places — you'll love the perks small towns have to offer.
Abingdon, Va.
Voted one of the “10 Coolest Small Towns in America” by Budget Travel magazine, Abingdon is an affordable destination. Hotels range in cost from $100 to $150 per night. And an average weekend getaway for two — including two nights’ lodging, bike rentals, theater tickets and meals — would average $500 to $700, said Amanda Livingston, marketing manager for Abingdon Convention & Visitors Bureau.
This town of approximately 8,000 in the Blue Ridge Mountains has a thriving arts scene. It’s home to the Barter Theatre, founded in 1933, where actors such as Gregory Peck and Kevin Spacey got their starts. There also are several small and large galleries, including the William King Museum of Art that features Appalachian art and rotating exhibits of art from around the world. Abingdon also serves as the trailhead for the Virginia Creeper Trail, which was inducted into the Rails-to-Trails Hall of Fame in 2014.
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Bardstown, Ky.
If you like bourbon, you’ll love Bardstown. Kentucky’s second-oldest city is home to seven bourbon distilleries — including Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark — as well as the beginning of the Bourbon Trail. In September, Bardstown hosts its annual, weeklong Kentucky Bourbon Festival.
Named one of “America’s Best Small Towns” by Fodor’s, Bardstown offers more than just bourbon. Other attractions include the My Old Kentucky Dinner Train and “The Stephen Foster Story,” a musical about the composer of Kentucky’s state song. Lodging options range from inexpensive rooms at the Super Inn for $55 per night to more than $200 per night at the Bourbon Manor Bed & Breakfast Inn.
Beaufort, S.C.
Also chosen as one of “America’s Best Small Towns” by Fodor’s, Beaufort offers a taste of the South at affordable prices. The average daily travel cost of visiting this town that’s 50 miles from Charleston is $105, according to BudgetYourTrip.com.
This seaside town features antebellum homes from the Civil War era surrounded by moss-draped live oak trees, fine restaurants, and sites and museums that feature the history of the Gullah, who were descendants of West African slaves. It has been the setting of several movies, including “Forrest Gump,” “The Prince of Tides” and “The Big Chill.”
Borrego Springs, Calif.
This small town is a couple hours east of San Diego, and it is surrounded by Anza-Borrego State Park, which is California’s largest state park that’s open to the public year-round for free, said Robert Arends, public relations manager for the San Diego Tourism Authority.
It’s also home to Font’s Point, nicknamed “California’s Grand Canyon,” which you can access via four-wheel drive vehicles for free, said Arends. Another free attraction is Galleta Meadows, which features 130 full-sized metal sculptures of dinosaurs, prehistoric animals and historical characters.
Lodging options range from camping at the state park for $25 per night to five-star luxury digs at La Casa del Zoro Desert Resort and Spa with rates starting at $237 per night in the summer, which is when hotel rates are the least expensive, said Arends.
Brevard, N.C.
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Brevard is surrounded by Pisgah National Forest and features more than 250 waterfalls. It’s also known for its white squirrels. In fact, the town holds an annual festival to honor them.
There’s an abundance of outdoor activities — including rock climbing, fly-fishing and 1,000-plus miles of hiking trails. Brevard also has tons of arts and culture offerings, such as galleries featuring Appalachian crafts, live music at the Brevard Music Center and performances at the Brevard Little Theatre.
Lodging options range from budget accommodations for less than $100 per night to premium resorts for more than $200 per night.
Franklin, Tenn.
Just 14 miles south of Nashville, this small town has plenty to offer, including Victorian buildings, antique shops, art galleries, live entertainment and a variety of restaurants.
Franklin also hosts several free festivals throughout the year, including its Dickens of a Festival, which recreates the time of Charles Dickens with musicians, dancers and characters in the streets of historic downtown.
You’ll also find more affordable lodging options than in Franklin’s neighbor, Nashville. For example, you can get a room at the Best Western Franklin for $75 per night on Priceline.com or a room at the Drury Plaza Hotel for $139 per night.
Frederick, Md.
Just an hour from Baltimore, this hip, small town is significantly more affordable than its well-known neighbor, said Melissa Joseph Muntz, marketing and communications coordinator for Visit Frederick Maryland. You could easily spend a weekend in Frederick for less than $500, said Muntz.
The historic downtown offers a picturesque Main Street, shops and restaurants line the waterfront in Carol Creek Park, and mountain views, wineries and orchards surround the city. “Visitors can hike on the Appalachian Trail, visit Maryland's largest brewery and tour a battlefield all in one day,” she said.
Lititz, Penn.
Named one of the “10 Coolest Small Towns in America” by Budget Travel, Lititz was founded in 1742 by a German count and was the first community in Pennsylvania to establish a historic district.
It’s home to the oldest commercial pretzel bakery in the U.S. — the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery — where guests can take a tour for $3.50 and learn how to twist a pretzel. You also can also visit the Wilbur Chocolate’s Candy Americana Museum while you’re in Lititz.
There are several bed and breakfasts in Lititz. You can get a room at the Alden House Bed & Breakfast, for example, starting at $129 per night.
Ogunquit, Maine
Named by the Abenaki tribe, Ogunquit means “beautiful place by the sea.” You can walk along the Maine coastline on the Marginal Way trail, enjoy the white sand beach or see the town by riding the trolley. The city offers boutiques, art galleries, boat tours and restaurants with fresh-caught seafood. Plus, there’s a Patriot’s Day celebration with concerts and historical reenactments.
You can find a variety of lodging options — including the affordable Ogunquit Resort Motel that has rooms starting at $69 per night.
Santa Fe, N.M.
This gorgeous mountain city is the place to be for arts, music and culture, said Justine McDonald, a travel expert with CheapTickets.com. “The city boasts 200 world-class art galleries in two square miles alone,” she said.
There are more than a dozen museums, historic sites, performing arts and restaurants featuring a wide range of cuisines. You’ll also find a blend of Hispanic and Native American cultures in Santa Fe.
Lodging options range from hotels to resorts to bed and breakfasts. For example, you can find a room at the Best Western Inn of Santa Fe for about $90 per night, or you can get a room at the luxurious Inn at Vanessie for $207 per night, said McDonald.
Sedona, Ariz.
This small desert town is a favorite of Clem Bason, CEO of the hotel-search site goSeek.com, because of its dramatic red rock formations and proximity to the Grand Canyon. He said you can find affordable accommodations for $120 per night at Los Abrigados Resort and Spa, based on rates available on goSeek.com for the first week of May 2017.
Sedona is known for its beautiful views, outdoor activities, art galleries, spas and nearby vineyards. Visitors also flock to the town for its energy centers for spiritual healing.
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Solvang, Calif.
This town on California’s Central Coast is about 130 miles from Los Angeles. “Right in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley, Solvang is an historic Danish town with a true European feel,” said McDonald of CheapTickets.com. There are many authentic Danish bakeries and an annual Danish Days festival in September. Plus, it’s a short distance from spectacular wineries and has 20 wine-tasting rooms in town, added McDonald.
You can stay at Hotel Corque for an average of $192 per night — based on Cheaptickets.com rates, said McDonald. The hotel is close to the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum, Solvang Festival Theater, Hans Christian Andersen Museum and Elverhoj Museum of History and Art.
Springdale, Utah
This town of about 500 is the gateway to Zion National Park. Although small, Springdale offers a variety of accommodations, spas, art galleries, live music and restaurants offering cuisine ranging from burgers to fusion Asian fare. And, Zion National Park features beautiful canyons, cliffs and mesas.
Bason said you can find low-cost lodging at the Hilton Garden Inn in neighboring St. George for $135 per night, based on rates available on goSeek.com for the first week of May 2017. A mid-range option in Springdale is the Pioneer Lodge, which has rooms starting at $185 per night.
Traverse City, Mich.
This small town on Lake Michigan offers a range of activities for all seasons — including its National Cherry Festival in July. With 3.8 million tart cherry trees, Michigan produces 70 to 75 percent of U.S.-grown tart cherries.
You can tour several wineries, or you can visit the beautiful Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to see massive dunes on the Lake Michigan shoreline. In the winter, there’s a Traverse City Restaurant Week, during which restaurants create three-course meals for just $25.
A budget accommodation option in Traverse City is the Travelodge, which has rooms starting at $65 per night, said Bason. For a higher-end option, the boutique Hotel Indigo has rooms starting at $160 per night, based on rates available on goSeek.com for the first week of May 2017.
Yakima, Wash.
Named one of “America’s Best Small Cities on the Rise” by SmarterTravel.com, Yakima is home to both wineries and breweries. You’ll find shops, restaurants and live music in the city’s historic downtown. With 300 days of sunshine, you can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, rafting, skiing and paddleboarding.
Lodging options range from hotels to bed and breakfasts. For example, you can get a room at the Best Western Plus for $84 per night on Priceline.com or a room at Hilton Garden Inn for $129 per night.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Cost to Visit These Amazing Small Towns