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It may seem like summer is rapidly winding down, but there is still time to get out and enjoy the sun and all that the season has to offer – for less! This time of year is not really known for affordable vacation prices, but there are several places you can visit that you still fit into your budget. You will not even have to update your passport to go somewhere new. FareCompare can help you find the best deals to get there, too.

If you enjoy beaches, golfing and possibly NASCAR, look into Daytona Beach, Florida. This family friendly destination has a little something for everyone in your family and is full of all-inclusive resorts. Fill your itinerary with visits to flea markets, a chocolate factory, speedway track tours, historical sites and even miniature golf.

Love theme parks, but find the major parks to be too crowded and expensive? Enjoy the California weather and go to the pier at Santa Monica. Not only can you spend your days riding attractions, but you can also take some time out to go shopping, relax on the beach, browse the myriad art galleries and visit famous Muscle Beach.

New England has many great vacation destinations packed into the Northeast U.S.. Travel to Kennebunkport, Maine, where you can do things like take a lobster boat tour, explore the coast in a kayak, try out their golf courses – both regular and miniature – visit one of their three amusement parks, shop unique and regional stores, and even tour some scenic lighthouses.

August is a great time to travel, and Carmel, California, can have some amazing deals during the month. You can also save a ton if you are into outdoor adventure with their hiking trails and miles of beaches. Carmel is also a terrific place to sample loads of delicious California wines and see a ton of wildlife.

Even if you have kids in tow, Las Vegas can be a destination with so many options for families that you almost forget about the gambling – almost. The majority of strip hotels offer free entertainment, from The Fall of Atlantis at Caesars Palace to higher productions like the Sirens of TI. Want to get off the strip? You can always visit the Neon Museum or try your hand at some old-school gaming at the Pinball Hall of Fame Museum.

Want to see guys throw fish like it is a sport, watch sourdough bread being made, ride a crazy tall elevator to see the whole city and surround yourself with pop culture of every kind? If you said yes, then Seattle, Washington, should be on your list. With so many awesome things crammed into one area, you can spend the morning at Pike Place Market, the afternoon at Experience Music Project and the evening atop the Space Needle. You can try delicious local food, wine and beer too.

You do not always have to go somewhere halfway around the world to get a new travel experience. There are many exotic-feeling destinations to explore right here in our own backyard. If a big vacation is not in your budget this year, then take a look at a trip closer to home. You never know what you might find.

About the Author

Shereen Rayle is author of the blog Shereen Travels Cheap and two budget travel books, including Secrets to Summer Savings. For years she has been planning her own vacations using the Internet to extend her limited budget as far as possible and shares the tips and tricks she has learned, along with useful sites like FareCompare.com, to help others get the most out of their travel dollars. And to further inspire budget travelers everywhere, she finds terrific travel bargains and posts them each day on her Facebook page.