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24 Most Budget-Friendly Midwest Tourist Destinations

January 9, 2026

5 min Read

Written by Heather Altamirano

Edited by Amen Oyiboke

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Known for its friendly, welcoming spirit, good food and affordability, the Midwest is a great vacation spot. From year-round activities like hiking and boating to exploring historic sites and amusement parks, there’s something for everyone.

But taking time off isn’t always budget-friendly. Expenses add up quickly, so to help find your next cost-effective getaway, GOBankingRates analyzed popular tourist destinations for two adults and three nights. Trip details include airfare, hotel, three meals at mid-range restaurants, 12 meals at inexpensive restaurants, six beers, and six sodas.

Here are the 24 most affordable Midwest vacation spots.

1. Fargo, North Dakota

Airfare cost for a couple: $865
Total cost of hotel: $187
Total cost for all meals: $330
Total cost for drinks: $51
Total cost for vacation: $1,433

2. Cincinnati

Airfare cost for a couple: $754
Total cost of hotel: $272
Total cost for all meals: $360
Total cost for drinks: $49
Total cost for vacation: $1,435

3. Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Airfare cost for a couple: $807
Total cost of hotel: $292
Total cost for all meals: $324
Total cost for drinks: $49
Total cost for vacation: $1,473

4. Ankeny, Iowa

Airfare cost for a couple: $833
Total cost of hotel: $273
Total cost for all meals: $353
Total cost for drinks: $46
Total cost for vacation: $1,504

5. O’Fallon, Missouri

Airfare cost for a couple: $881
Total cost of hotel: $244
Total cost for all meals: $360
Total cost for drinks: $29
Total cost for vacation: $1,514

6. Saint Charles, Missouri

Airfare cost for a couple: $881
Total cost of hotel: $216
Total cost for all meals: $375
Total cost for drinks: $45
Total cost for vacation: $1,516

7. Columbus, Indiana

Airfare cost for a couple: $814
Total cost of hotel: $295
Total cost for all meals: $360
Total cost for drinks: $49
Total cost for vacation: $1,518

8. Olathe, Kansas

Airfare cost for a couple: $917
Total cost of hotel: $236
Total cost for all meals: $341
Total cost for drinks: $36
Total cost for vacation: $1,530

9. Lansing, Michigan

Airfare cost for a couple: $848
Total cost of hotel: $241
Total cost for all meals: $441
Total cost for drinks: $47
Total cost for vacation: $1,577

10. Greenwood, Indiana

Airfare cost for a couple: $814
Total cost of hotel: $305
Total cost for all meals: $420
Total cost for drinks: $53
Total cost for vacation: $1,591

11. Eagan, Minnesota

Airfare cost for a couple: $912
Total cost of hotel: $205
Total cost for all meals: $438
Total cost for drinks: $40
Total cost for vacation: $1,595

12. Troy, Michigan

Airfare cost for a couple: $928
Total cost of hotel: $217
Total cost for all meals: $435
Total cost for drinks: $36
Total cost for vacation: $1,617

13. Livonia, Michigan

Airfare cost for a couple: $928
Total cost of hotel: $194
Total cost for all meals: $459
Total cost for drinks: $38
Total cost for vacation: $1,619

14. Mankato, Minnesota

Airfare cost for a couple: $912
Total cost of hotel: $275
Total cost for all meals: $414
Total cost for drinks: $43
Total cost for vacation: $1,644

15. Kansas City, Kansas

Airfare cost for a couple: $917
Total cost of hotel: $230
Total cost for all meals: $417
Total cost for drinks: $57
Total cost for vacation: $1,675

16. Overland Park, Kansas

Airfare cost for a couple: $917
Total cost of hotel: $248
Total cost for all meals: $465
Total cost for drinks: $51
Total cost for vacation: $1,681

17. Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Airfare cost for a couple: $781
Total cost of hotel: $460
Total cost for all meals: $396
Total cost for drinks: $54
Total cost for vacation: $1,690

18. Saint Paul, Minnesota

Airfare cost for a couple: $912
Total cost of hotel: $323
Total cost for all meals: $417
Total cost for drinks: $52
Total cost for vacation: $1,705

19. Waukesha, Wisconsin

Airfare cost for a couple: $916
Total cost of hotel: $387
Total cost for all meals: $417
Total cost for drinks: $48
Total cost for vacation: $1,768

20. Carmel, Indiana

Airfare cost for a couple: $814
Total cost of hotel: $387
Total cost for all meals: $525
Total cost for drinks: $52
Total cost for vacation: $1,778

21. Chicago

Airfare cost for a couple: $686
Total cost of hotel: $515
Total cost for all meals: $546
Total cost for drinks: $60
Total cost for vacation: $1,807

22. Cheyenne, Wyoming

Airfare cost for a couple: $1,111
Total cost of hotel: $339
Total cost for all meals: $411
Total cost for drinks: $32
Total cost for vacation: $1,892

23. Midland, Michigan

Airfare cost for a couple: $1,123
Total cost of hotel: $419
Total cost for all meals: $390
Total cost for drinks: $36
Total cost for vacation: $1,968

24. Traverse City, Michigan

Airfare cost for a couple: $909
Total cost of hotel: $728
Total cost for all meals: $435
Total cost for drinks: $36
Total cost for vacation: $2,108

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Advertiser Disclosure

24 Most Budget-Friendly Midwest Tourist Destinations

Commitment to Our Readers

1. Fargo, North Dakota

2. Cincinnati

3. Sioux Falls, South Dakota

4. Ankeny, Iowa

5. O’Fallon, Missouri

6. Saint Charles, Missouri

7. Columbus, Indiana

8. Olathe, Kansas

9. Lansing, Michigan

10. Greenwood, Indiana

11. Eagan, Minnesota

12. Troy, Michigan

13. Livonia, Michigan

14. Mankato, Minnesota

15. Kansas City, Kansas

16. Overland Park, Kansas

17. Oshkosh, Wisconsin

18. Saint Paul, Minnesota

19. Waukesha, Wisconsin

20. Carmel, Indiana

21. Chicago

22. Cheyenne, Wyoming

23. Midland, Michigan

24. Traverse City, Michigan

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Commitment to Our Readers

1. Fargo, North Dakota

2. Cincinnati

3. Sioux Falls, South Dakota

4. Ankeny, Iowa

5. O’Fallon, Missouri

6. Saint Charles, Missouri

7. Columbus, Indiana

8. Olathe, Kansas

9. Lansing, Michigan

10. Greenwood, Indiana

11. Eagan, Minnesota

12. Troy, Michigan

13. Livonia, Michigan

14. Mankato, Minnesota

15. Kansas City, Kansas

16. Overland Park, Kansas

17. Oshkosh, Wisconsin

18. Saint Paul, Minnesota

19. Waukesha, Wisconsin

20. Carmel, Indiana

21. Chicago

22. Cheyenne, Wyoming

23. Midland, Michigan

24. Traverse City, Michigan

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