The largest city in Missouri, Kansas City is an exciting and vibrant metropolitan area. With so much happening in and around this city, you might be surprised to learn how affordable it is to vacation in Kansas City.

Here are four tips that will stretch your budget farther than you thought possible.

Budget-Friendly Flights

With discount airlines, like Spirit, servicing the Kansas City International Airport (MCI), affordable flights to Kansas City are available from most major American cities. Book at least two weeks in advance to find flights from Chicago for less than $100 roundtrip. Flights from the East Coast, including Boston, New York City, and Washington D.C., can be found for about $200 roundtrip.

With frigid winters and sweltering summers, the best time to visit Kansas City is during the spring and fall shoulder seasons. The weather is more pleasant and travel prices are more affordable.

Affordable Hotels

If you don’t have your heart set on staying in the center of downtown Kansas City, there are plenty of budget-friendly hotels to choose from. Most rooms, outside the downtown core, are often priced for less than $100 per night.

Get as close as possible to downtown KC and keep your budget in tact at the Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown. Just south of Interstate 35/70 and within six blocks of most of the downtown attractions, this hotel offers a free breakfast each morning and a bright indoor pool area. A little farther away, you’ll find the Econo Lodge just north of the Missouri River. This hotel offers room rates as low as $60 per night.

Free Attractions and Tours

Not only is it cheap to get to and stay in Kansas City, but it’s also cheap to explore. Take advantage of the following free attractions and free tours offered throughout the city.

The family-friendly Children’s Peace Pavilion features interactive exhibits that promote world peace, while the Shoal Creek Living History Museum offers an authentic look at buildings that were erected between 1807 and 1885. Get a free behind-the-scenes look at some iconic American brands at the Hallmark Visitor’s Center and the Harley-Davidson Vehicle and Powertrain Operations Center.

Cheap Eats

Famous for its barbecue, there are plenty of places in Kansas City to fill a plate with pit-fired goodness. The “Big Three” BBQ restaurants in the city are Arthur Bryant’s, Gate’s, and Fiorella’s Jack Stack. With prices ranging from $8 to $15 per plate, you won’t have to fork over a lot of money to sample a forkful.

For a different take on Southern soul food, visit one of the two locations of Peachtree of KC. Both locations offer a buffet, and local favorites include fried chicken, crawfish, and cornbread. Whatever you order, leave room for the homemade peach cobbler.

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