19. Portland, Ore.

• Daily Cost: $123
• Airfare: $176
• Hotel: $67

One of America’s best big cities for budget travel, Portland is the shining star of the Pacific Northwest. Must-see attractions include quirky bookstores, crafts markets and the local coffee and doughnut shops, where you can get a true taste of the region.

Once you’ve filled your belly, the International Rose Test Garden and the Portland Japanese Garden are great places to work it off. Public transportation options abound, so having a car is not necessary no matter what time of year you visit.

Yahoo Finance names Portland Japanese Garden as a must-see experience in Portland, Ore.