5 Day Trips on the East Coast that Cost Less Than $100

Travel helps inspire you, allowing you to tour meaningful historic places, take in unique works of art and culture, expand your passion for hobbies and adventure and make memories with loved ones.

While you may think you have to get a plane ticket bound for Europe, jet set for an exotic location or budget hundreds or even thousands of dollars for travel, you can gain those same experiences on day trips around the East Coast. 

You can have one-of-a-kind experiences by loading up the car and heading to some compelling locations around the East Coast. Even beyond saving on extensive travel, these hotspots can offer you powerful experiences for a pretty cool price — less than $100 for a day trip.

There simply aren’t many places like The American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM), showcasing the one-of-a-kind work created by self-trained, “outsider artists.” Creators who use a variety of materials, from matchsticks to beads, fabric to paints and brushes to speak to the human condition. CNN called AVAM, “one of the most fantastic museums in America,” and once you step foot inside, you’ll know why. 

Adult passes are only $15.95, with lower rates for Seniors (ages 60 and up) at $13.95. Active military members with their ID, as well as children aged six and older, can get in for just $9.95. Children under six years old are admitted for free.

When you’re admitted, you not only get to tour the permanent collection and special exhibits, you also get to tour a sculpture garden the likes of which you’ve likely never seen before. The AVAM gift shop is also a place with enough cool, off-the-beaten-path items to inspire you into doing your Christmas shopping in July. 

Whether you’re an animal lover in general, a particular fan of wolves, or the guardian of a little one learning to appreciate nature, you can safely experience the call of the wild at the Lakota Wolf Preserve. 

For only $15 for adults and $7 for children under the age of 11, you can tour a preserve that hosts four packs of wolves, as well as foxes, bobcats, and lynx. These popular tours book up fast, so you’ll need to book your tour about three months in advance. Given the unique nature of this experience, there are some clear guidelines and stipulations you need to review before signing up. 

People with a passion for history will love the chance to wander around some of the locations that helped shape the nation. Walking through this 2.5-mile trail, you’ll pass through 16 historic locations, starting in downtown Boston and ending up at the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown. Along the way, you’ll get to stop by the Paul Revere House and the USS Constitution frigate. 

There are also options to explore tours about the history of Boston’s LGBTQ community, learn more about the history of African-Americans in the American Revolution, and be inspired by the stories of women in the American Revolution as well. Tickets for guided tours cost $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and students, $8 for children ages 6-12.

You might think that your ticket to the bright lights and brilliant performances of the New York theater world must cost hundreds of dollars. Fortunately, you’d be wrong. The pricing options for off-Broadway seats are just as varied as the shows themselves, if you’re willing to search around for the right show for the right price. Scrolling the New York Theater Guide website, you’ll see some options for different shows and theatrical experiences priced as low as $85, $50 or even $20.

If you want to enjoy the epitome of luxury at an affordable price, you can take a trip to the 77-room mansion, Chauffeur’s Garage with vintage automobiles, and 200-acres of gorgeous, French-inspired gardens, grounds, and woodlands.  

Adults can experience the tour for a $23-day pass, while seniors, students, and active military members can get tickets for $21 with their IDs. Children ages 6-16 can be admitted for $10.