The Coolest Thing to Do in Every State for $20

Two decades ago, a crisp $20 had the same buying power as about $30. For that amount of money in 1997, you could enjoy a plethora of fun activities, such as a trip to the movies — with a tub of popcorn and fountain drink — or  a long day at a local amusement park.

These days, it might not seem like $20 can get you much of anything, but there are still plenty of fun activities to do in the U.S. for little money. Here is a look at how you can live the big life on a budget in all 50 states.

• Price: $15 per adult
• Location: Birmingham

At the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, you will gain a new appreciation for the significance of civil rights developments in Birmingham and learn about the international struggle for universal human rights. As of July 2017, you can explore special exhibitions like Remembering Four Little Girls, which is composed of 36 multi-media pieces that tell the story of the 1963 Birmingham, Ala., church bombing that took the lives of four young girls.

• Price: Free
• Location: Fairbanks offers some of the best views

The best thing about the Aurora Borealis is that you don’t have to do much to experience it. Look to the night sky around the equinoxes, ideally seven days before and after a new moon, to see this breathtaking natural phenomenon free of charge.

• Price: $20 per adult
• Location: Tucson

The Grand Canyon is great, but one of the coolest things to do in Arizona for $20 is visit Biosphere 2. Housing multiple artificial ecosystems, Biosphere 2 conducts state-of-the-art research into topics as diverse as growing food on Mars and the effects of drought on the rain forest.

• Price: $10 per adult
• Location: Little Rock

Little Rock lets visitors explore a presidential library founded by a president who was impeached. The Clinton Presidential Library also offers vast archival collections, as well as research facilities, activities for students and teachers and exhibits.

• Price: $10 or $15 for parking
• Location: Los Angeles

Along with the expansive art collection and impressive architecture, The Getty Center — named for J. Paul Getty, president of the Getty Oil Company — offers one of the best views of Los Angeles.

• Price: $15 per adult
• Location: About 17 miles southwest of Denver

There are plenty of things to do in Colorado, but many of them cost a lot more than $20. Held at the legendary Red Rocks venue, Film on the Rocks lets visitors watch classic films in a stadium-style rock amphitheater. Spend $15 and enjoy an incredible movie-going experience.

• Price: Free to enter the park grounds; $6 per adult for a castle tour
• Location: About 40 miles south of Hartford

Medieval castles are hard to come by in the U.S., which is just one reason this fairy tale-like destination is worth visiting. After taking in Gillette Castle’s breathtaking stone architecture, spend your afternoon traversing one of the surrounding hiking trails.

• Price: Free, though some attractions cost money
• Location: Rehoboth Beach, about 45 miles south of Dover

Shopping is one of the best things to do in Delaware, thanks to the state’s lack of sales tax. However, America’s First State also boasts one of the country’s top-ranked beaches. Along Rehoboth Beach, you’ll find great attractions for kids, such as Jungle Jim’s River Safari Water Park and Funland, the latter of which charges on a “pay as you go” basis.

• Price: $18 per adult
  
• Location: Miami

For $18, you can take a stroll through the mind of eccentric creator Edward Leedskalnin, who supposedly built the Coral Castle single-handedly from 1,100 tons of coral — without using construction machinery.

• Price: $19.50 per adult for a guided boat tour
• Location: Near the Florida border

At Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp, you can experience America as it must have looked to early explorers. Take a boat tour to see the wildlife as you travel down one of the waterways that Native Americans used centuries ago.

• Price: Free
• Location: Island of Oahu

If you want to experience Hawaii’s natural beauty, check out the Lanikai Pillbox Hike. Here, you can find some of the best views of Oahu’s beaches and the surrounding islands, along with relics from World War II. As an added bonus, the hike is reportedly one of the easiest on the island.

• Price: $5 per vehicle; standard campsites start at $12 per night
• Location: About 60 miles south of Boise

Idaho’s Bruneau Dunes State Park boasts one of the longest camping seasons in Idaho and features North America’s tallest sand dune, standing at more than 470 feet. You can stop by for the day or camp on the grounds for the night.

• Price: Ticket prices vary, but some are less than $20
• Location: Chicago

If you’re visiting The Windy City, one of the coolest things to do is spend a night at The Second City, a comedy club with alumni like Tina Fey, Steve Carell and the late Chris Farley, among others.

• Price: $8 per adult
• Location: South Bend

There was a time when Studebaker stood alongside Ford and Chevy as American car staples. At the Studebaker National Museum, you can see all the iconic Studebaker cars and trucks that made this country great — and even helped the U.S. win World War II.

• Price: $8 for an adult ticket purchased before Aug.10; $12 per adult ticket at the gate
• Location: Des Moines

Tickets to the Iowa State Fair are only $8, and there’s plenty of music and food to go around. Possibly the coolest thing to do on the fairgrounds is view the Butter Cow, an ornate sculpture made every year from about 600 pounds of pure-cream Iowa butter.

• Price: $19 per adult
• Location: About 50 miles northwest of Wichita

Kansas is home to the nation’s only salt mine that’s open to the public. For less than $20, you can take a remarkable guided tour deep into the Earth, complete with tons of activities.

• Price: Tours vary in price, but most are under $20
• Location: In and around Lexington and Louisville

If you’re a whiskey lover, one of the best things to do in Kentucky is visit the state’s Bourbon Trail. Kentucky is known as Bourbon Country, and visitors can sample many of the best-known brands of American whiskey, all within the Lexington and Louisville areas.

• Price: French Quarter Festivals are free; daiquiris at DBC Bar & Grill cost less than $10 each
• Location: New Orleans

It doesn’t have to be Mardi Gras for visitors to celebrate New Orleans’ vibrant culture. The French Quarter offers Louisiana’s largest free music festival, as well as drive-through daiquiris to keep guests cool on hot days.

• Price: Free
• Location: Windsor

You’ll forget all about lobster and expensive boat tours when you see Hussey’s General Store in Maine. Billed as Maine’s largest general store, Hussey’s sells everything from kitchenware and used books to guns and bridal gowns.

• Price: Free
• Location: Baltimore

Visiting the architecturally stunning George Peabody Library is one of the cooler things to do in Maryland. The library features six floors of books, marble flooring and a massive open-air atrium.

• Price: $17 for a round-trip adult ferry trip
• Location: South of Cape Cod

You’ll have $3 left to spend on Martha’s Vineyard after buying a round-trip ferry ticket. Luckily, you won’t have to pay to take in the island’s beautiful scenery, beaches and famous cottages.

• Price: $15 per vehicle
• Location: Northwest Michigan

Head to the the “little finger” of the “mitten” to take in breathtaking views of Lake Michigan. A park entrance pass costs $15 per vehicle and is good for seven days, giving you plenty of time to climb the dunes, take scenic drives and visit South Manitou Island lighthouse, which requires a ferry or private boat ride.

• Price: Free, though some attractions cost money
• Location: Bloomington

One of the best things to do in Minnesota is check out the landmark Mall of America, located about 10 miles south of Minneapolis. Besides being the largest mall in the U.S., the Mall of America houses the biggest indoor theme park and charges no sales tax on clothing or shoes.

• Price: $17 per adult
• Location: Tupelo

When you think about Elvis Presley’s origins, you probably picture his home in Graceland. Tupelo, however, is the true birthplace of the King, and it’ll cost you just $17 for a full tour of the site. Don’t forget to check out the “Elvis at 13″ statue, which shows the rock star as a boy.

• Price: Most tours are $15 or less per adult
• Location: St. Louis

St. Louis, Mo., is home to the flagship Anheuser-Busch Brewery, which features both complimentary tours and paid attractions like the Beer School, where you can try a variety of beers for just $15.

• Price: $10 per adult or $20 per vehicle (in winter)
• Location: Northern Montana

The Big Sky State is home to the massive Glacier National Park, occupying a million acres. Featuring plenty of scenic trails, exciting sites and endangered species, Glacier National Park will cost you just $10 on foot or bicycle and $20 per vehicle.

• Price: Free
• Location: About 3 miles north of Alliance

Jim Reinders designed Carhenge to look a lot like the actual Stonehenge site in England and dedicated the monument on the summer solstice in June 1987. Visit this immense car sculpture for free, and be sure to check out the on-site gift shop.

• Price: $10 for parking
• Location: About 30 miles southeast of the Las Vegas Strip

Built during the Great Depression, the Hoover Dam is a man-made wonder. The largest dam in the world at the time of its completion, the Hoover Dam today is the second-highest dam in the U.S., as well as one of the country’s most recognizable structures. The dam straddles the Nevada-Arizona border and generates hydroelectric power for 1.3 million people in those states, as well as California. When you pay $10 to park at the Hoover Dam, you are able to walk across the top of the dam from Nevada to Arizona and to read various plaques located on the dam’s exterior. For additional fees, you can go on one of two tours inside of the dam.

• Price: Tickets start as low as $10, plus fees
• Location: North of Concord

Even if you’re not a NASCAR fan, a day at the races can be a wild time. With tickets to qualifying races starting at just $10 for general admission, the New Hampshire Motor Speedway should certainly be on your bucket list of things to do in the Granite State.

• Price: Free
• Location: Atlantic City

Walking the Atlantic City Boardwalk is free to the public. However, thanks to the large number of games, places to eat and, of course, casinos, you could easily end up spending more than $20 if you’re not careful.

• Price: $16 per adult
• Location: Northern New Mexico, about 70 miles northeast of Santa Fe

In New Mexico, one of the coolest things to do is visit Taos Pueblo. One of America’s few ancient landmarks, the site features structures built from mud and straw by Tiwa-speaking Native Americans more than a 1,000 years ago.

• Price: Free
• Location: New York City

An attraction that’s both free and trendy to visit, the Brooklyn Bridge is a great walking spot for tourists and New Yorkers alike. Built in the 1880s, the Brooklyn Bridge provides a great view of New York, including the Statue of Liberty, and still carries nearly 150,000 vehicles and people every day.

• Price: $16 for a camping site
• Location: North Carolina and Virginia

Experience 469 miles of beautiful scenery, natural sites and historic landmarks along North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Parkway, America’s longest linear park. Campsites start at just $16 a day, so don’t hesitate to spend the night.

• Price: $7.50 per adult
• Location: About 40 miles north of Bismarck

Ideal for history buffs, the Lewis & Clark Fort Mandan Foundation offers affordable tours. Additionally, there are exhibits showcasing art and artifacts from the Native American tribes Lewis and Clark encountered on their famous transcontinental trek.

• Price: Free
• Location: Cleveland

The Cleveland Museum of Art features a wide array of exhibits and special events, including the Chalk Festival. Held in September, the event brings together artists from all over to beautify the museum’s walkways. The museum is free to visit, though there is a fee for parking and some special exhibitions.

• Price: $15 per adult
• Location: Oklahoma City

The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum explores the Oklahoma City Bombing, which happened April 19, 1995, at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. (The museum and memorial was built on the same site.) A highlight of the attraction is the 168 stone and glass chairs — one for each victim — that sit in rows on the lawn.

• Price: $15 per adult or $20 per vehicle
• Location: Crater Lake (south-central Oregon)

Whether you enter on foot or by vehicle, Crater Lake is one of the coolest places to visit in Oregon. Renowned for its natural beauty, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the U.S. Created by the collapse of a volcano, it offers multiple activities, including backcountry camping, bicycling, fishing and swimming.

• Price: $4 for parking
• Location: Philadelphia

If tickets to an Eagles game are outside your budget, consider taking a trip to historic Reading Terminal Market for a huge selection of food and crafts. If you just window shop, you’ll only have to pay the $4 fee for parking.

• Price: $12 per adult
• Location: Providence

RISD, or the Rhode Island School of Design, is one of the premier cutting-edge art and design schools in the U.S., so it’s no surprise that its museum is top notch. The facility features artwork that runs the gamut from ancient to contemporary and includes costumes, clothing and sculptures.

• Price: $21 per adult
• Location: Sullivan’s Island

American history buffs simply must put Fort Sumter on their list of things to do. After all, it’s the military fort on which Confederate soldiers fired in 1861, triggering the start of the Civil War. The boat tour is just more than $20, but it’s worth it, as you’ll get to enjoy a beautiful view of Charleston Harbor.

• Price: Free or $15 to buy into the poker tournament at the casino
• Location: About 40 miles northwest of Rapid City

Historic Deadwood gives visitors the opportunity to travel back in time to see what life was like during the Gold Rush. The city, which was the basis for the HBO show of the same name, offers free and cheap activities — as well as casinos for those who feel lucky — all within driving distance of Mount Rushmore.

• Price: $15 per adult
• Location: Memphis

The National Civil Rights Museum helps visitors understand how the American Civil Rights Movement shaped equality and freedom in the U.S. and globally. The museum is located at the former Lorraine Motel where civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968.

• Price: Tickets start at $10 per adult
• Location: Wichita Falls

If you’re visiting Texas, a rodeo should be on your list of things to do. The Texas Ranch Roundup hosts some of the best-known rodeo events in the state at prices that won’t break the bank.

• Price: $15 per adult, if entering on foot or by bicycle
• Location: Southern Utah

For just $15, you can explore Bryce Canyon National Park either on foot or by bicycle. A ticket covers you for seven days of admission and includes unlimited use of the park’s shuttle.

• Price: $4 per adult
• Location: Waterbury

Ben & Jerry’s Factory is a must-see attraction in Vermont. For just $4, you can learn how one of the most popular ice cream brands creates its frozen treats. The tour, of course, comes with a sample of ice cream.

• Price: $13.50 per adult
• Location: Arlington

Visit Arlington National Cemetery and you’re guaranteed to have a moving experience. Made a burial sight out of necessity during the Civil War, the legendary American landmark now holds the remains of more than 400,000 people, including former president John F. Kennedy, among others. The Tomb of the Unknown Solider and the Changing of the Guard ritual — which happens every hour on the hour from Oct. 1-March 31 and every half hour from April 1-Sept. 30 — are two popular attractions.

• Price: Free
• Location: Seattle

A visit to Seattle’s Pike Place Market can easily turn into an all-day affair. The market opens at 6 a.m. for breakfast and stays open until all the restaurants close, often as late as 1:30 a.m. Whether you’re looking for fresh produce or unique crafts, Pike Place is your go-to spot in Seattle.

• Price: $7.50-$9.50 per adult, depending on month
• Location: Northern West Virginia, near the Ohio border

West Virginia’s Palace of Gold looks like an attraction straight out of India, and with good reason. The palace was built for Srila Prabhuapada, founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Completed in 1979, the Palace of Gold is an unusual yet popular attraction, bringing in more than 50,000 visitors per year.

• Price: $17 per adult
• Location: Milwaukee

The Milwaukee Art Museum itself is a wonder to behold. The museum’s Quadracci Pavilion, designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, features a moveable sunscreen with a 217-foot wingspan that unfolds and folds twice daily. Inside the museum, visitors can see nearly 25,000 works of art, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, decorative arts, prints, video art and installations and textiles.

• Price: $15 to enter on foot, bicycle or skis
• Location: Northwest Wyoming

There are many things to do at Yellowstone National Park besides look at the geysers. Yellowstone is perfect for biking, especially during the fall on its pre-set cycling routes. Come winter, the park is ideal for cross-country skiing. Whether you’re on foot, bike or skis, you’ll only have to pay $15 to enjoy the scenery.