4 for the 4th: Budget-Friendly 4th of July Trips

Fun and fireworks, yay!

Summer vacations and birthday bashes are two of our favorite things. And what better way to combine them than by booking your vacation over Independence Day? Unfortunately, due to that “prime time” summer date, 4th of July trips aren’t exactly known for being budget-friendly.

But wait! Before you guys pull out your wallet and (over) pay for your vacay, check out these awesome-but-affordable places to celebrate the 4th.

• Bristol, RI

  For die-hard 4th of July enthusiasts, it’s hard to top Bristol.

  This charming town in the heart of Rhode Island is home to the oldest Independence Day celebration in the U.S. Their parade is the highlight of the festivities, with marching bands and floats making their way through historic tree-lined streets.

  Located right on picturesque Narragansett Bay, Bristol is known for its waterfront activities, including kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing, and boating. If you’d rather stay on land, there are plenty of delicious dining options with breathtaking views.

  From Bristol, you can also visit one of our other favorite cities: Newport. Hop on the ferry and spend a day exploring opulent mansions, charming boutiques, and trendy art galleries.

• Las Vegas, NV

  When you think of 4th of July trips, your mind probably goes to 13 colonies, not 13 casinos. But Sin City is an incredibly fun and unique Independence Day option.

  The casinos want you to spend your money gambling, which means that meals and entertainment are surprisingly affordable. It’s definitely pool party season, which means themed entertainment, internationally-famous DJs, live music, dancing, and plenty of drink specials…arm floaties optional.

  On the 4th, expect Vegas’s dynamic party atmosphere to get bumped up a notch—or three. Resorts and casinos go all-out with their fireworks extravaganzas, which you can view from pretty much anywhere along the Strip. We suggest snagging a spot on a rooftop bar, where you can “ooh” and “ahh” to your heart’s content.

• Milwaukee, WI

  Beer. Baseball. What could possibly be more American, amirite? But those aren’t the only (excellent) reasons that Milwaukee gets a coveted spot on our list of awesome 4th of July spots.

  For starters, Milwaukee absolutely shines during the summertime. The city hosts a number of festivals and special events, including Summerfest—one of the nation’s largest music festivals.

  Then there’s Milwaukee’s lakefront location, on the shores of Lake Michigan. Hit up Bradford Beach, the city’s “hottest” spot for water sports, beach volleyball, and oceanfront snacks.

  But mark your calendars: the lakefront is the place to be on July 3rd, not 4th—an annual tradition going back decades. Bring your beach blanket over to the lake, and you’ll get to celebrate a day early!

• St. Louis, MO

  Fireworks along the Mississippi River? With the iconic arch as a backdrop? Um, sign us up!

  The Gateway City is an excellent choice for budget travel year-round, not just for 4th of July trips. In fact, some of the top attractions in St. Louis are free all year, including the St. Louis Zoo, Gateway Arch National Park, and the world-class St. Louis Art Museum.

  On the 4th of July, the city provides an impressive number of free options. Along with the stunning fireworks displays, top-notch artists from all over the world come to town for free concerts.

  St. Louis makes it easy to enjoy all of the fun of the 4th without overspending!

Ready to celebrate America’s birthday? Go ahead and book one of these 4th of July trips for a fun, but affordable, fireworks-filled vacay!

And to keep your vacation costs low, ship your bags to your final destination with LugLess. For less than the price of an average checked bag, you can skip baggage hassles and travel hands-free. In your sparkliest red, white, and blue outfit, of course!