5 Fabulously Frugal Spring Vacations

Are you tired of hearing your neighbors brag about their exotic vacations? Would you love to spend a few days in London, Rome or maybe Beverly Hills, without having to take out a second mortgage to pay for it?  

See also: Take a thrifty road trip.

You can take an enjoyable, affordable getaway vacation this spring to one of these expensive-sounding destinations right here in the United States. These off-the-beaten-path locales have a lot to offer — and they come with big-name bragging rights, as far as your neighbors are concerned.

Ah, springtime in Paris. Paris, Texas, that is.
This pleasant town of roughly 25,000 sits in the heart of the Red River Valley and is named the "Best Small Town in Texas." In the spring, you'll find plenty of bluegrass jams, art events and rodeo action. There's even a 65-foot tall replica of the Eiffel Tower — this one with a giant cowboy hat on top. A dozen hotels serve the city, offering a wide range of accommodations that start at only about $50 a night. There are also plenty of RV campgrounds in the area, including one at the Pat Mayse Recreation Area and lake operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, approximately 20 miles northwest of Paris. Vive la Texas!  

You could head to a hotspot in Florida, but...
Forget about South Beach. In Miami, Ariz., roughly 80 miles east of Phoenix, you'll find even more sunshine than in Florida, and an Old West adventure around every picturesque bend. This once-thriving copper mining town is now more ghost than town, except for a lively population of quaint antique stores and the Boom Town Spree festival that takes place in April. Restored buildings in Miami and nearby Globe take you back more than 100 years. Native American culture and history are all around. Best of all, spring is wildflower season in the surrounding Pinal Mountains, so bring a camera — but not much money, since area hotels start at under $50 per night.

Affordable trips to Manhattan and Rome. >>