Hollywood Sign, Los Angeles

You’ve heard about how iconic it is, but you’ll be disappointed when you see it. It’s nothing special, and you’ll more than likely notice the intense “smog” that covers the area.

Traveling on a budget is so rewarding. Who needs 5 -star hotels, elegant restaurants and expensive extras? I’ve found that my favorite vacation spots are ones close to home, right on American soil. Since I had such positive experiences, I wanted to share a few of my favorite spots with you. Even though I didn’t have to clean out my savings account or go broke for these “on a budget” one of a kind destinations, they were well worth every penny I spent. Here are 5 of my top places to travel, whether you are on a budget or not.

1. Arizona

This American hot-spot is a fantastic place to go whenever you can get there. We all know the power of experiencing the Grand Canyon but there is so much more, Whether it’s Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter, Arizona gets an A plus from me from the awesome climate to the variety of affordable things to see and do. It can get really hot, so pack some casual clothes.

If you’re like me, the best place to be is outside. The state has done an awesome job of creating hiking trails, botanical gardens, campsites, outdoor tours and other nature-loving excursions. The state is full of big cities and tiny towns full of art, culture and history and delicious food. For example, Tucson, Arizona is full of southwestern and Mexican heritage. There is very little or no admission charge to see spots like Sabino Canyon and Saguaro National Park and then head over to Sedona, Arizona for an opportunity to see 100 plus art galleries and events that are happening all of the time. They are amazing sites to see whether you are an art enthusiast or not.