We have free airfare but want to go somewhere we would spend little once we arrive.

That's a pretty broad question! Do you have any ideas about where you want to go and what you want to do when you get there?

You could fly somewhere and camp out in a national park? You could rent a cabin on a lake? Do you want to go to the beach? Any hints about what state? Is this only within the US? can your ticket take you to Mexico (that can be inexpensive). Are you interested in big cities (but those probably cost more)?

You could fly to San Francisco, stay at a place such as Cow Hollow Motor Inn,
and purchase a pass for public transport:

http://www.cowhollowmotorinn.com
http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mfares/passports.htm

HTTY

Cities can be expensive or not depending on the city and how you spend your time.

Last year we went to Washington, DC and while lodging was on the high side, everything else we did was inexpensive or free. We rode the Metro around - no cabs, no rental car, no shuttles (we flew into Reagan National rather than Dulles so we even took the Metro to and from the airport). So transportation was super cheap. We toured the Capitol, Library of Congress, a few Smithsonian Museums, and visited a lot of the monuments - all for free. There are plenty of choices for food, so you can go cheap or expensive and everything in between. If you want to save money on lodging and don't mind riding a ways on the Metro, you can stay at a hotel near a suburban station.

Another option - if you want a coastal small town rather than a city - choose a place like Chincoteague, VA. It isn't a "top-tier" east coast beach destination, so prices are lower. You'll need a car, but lodging and food is inexpensive. There are a lot of rental houses to choose from and budget motels. Activities are low key - going to the beach, wandering around the nature preserve, taking a boat trip out around the island, touring the lighthouse, fishing, renting bikes.

Give a little more information. What do you like to do? Do you prefer city or country, mountains, deserts, oceans?? Do you want to camp, tent, motel/hotel, rent a house or cottage??

There are plenty of inexpensive options in all areas, depending on time of year and your preferences.

I agree with november_moon, DC is an obvious choice b/c all of the major attractions are free, there is great public transportation, lots of different lodging options (including at least one hostel in the city), and, like all cities, it offers a range of dining options, to include the very inexpensive.

Depends, of course, on what your interests are! Camping in a national park is another great idea. So is renting something modest near the beach.

Go to Hawaii! That will get you the most bang for your free plane tickets. Hawaii can be extremely reasonable if you just go to the beach, eat from the grocery store, plate lunch, and food courts, stay at a modest hotel.

Las Vegas can be pretty cheap if you get a hotel deal and don't gamble. So, oddly enough, can Orlando if you avoid the theme parks, which would be a terrible tease for all but a very small child.

Is you free airfare in the US only? If I had free airfare anywhere, I'd be on a plane to Australia.
Let us know what you want to see and when you want to go.
Where you are flying from might be helpful as well.

Sorry, but Orlando without theme parks is... what, lol? I don't love theme parks personally, but they are the only unique and worthwhile thing about Orlando, for a visitor, are they not?

Thanks for the great ideas. We are not campers. but are low-key travelers. DC is a great idea. A beach is also good. Our tickets can go to Mexico. Flying out of Atlanta, GA.

How about Cancun? The Hostel at the top of the list is a Hosteling International property. HI has higher standards than most other hostels. http://www.hostels.com/cancun/mexico
You can't beat the price for a Caribbean vacation.

Definitely I vote for Mexico then!!

That will give you a great experience, and more bang for your buck with the plane tickets (rather than just going to a US city).

If you fly into Cancun, then you could go on to Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, or Akumal. That's the Caribbean side so you get the white sand, turquoise waters there.

Personally I'm a fan of the west coast and often vacation in Puerto Vallarta. It's a lively place with lots to see and do, the beaches aren't as nice as on the pacific side, but the city and friendly people more than makes up for it imo. Depending the time of year you go, you can find local-style hotels or even an apartment in the $50-75/night range.

Orlando without theme parks is a pretty low-key vacation, but think about it, cheap motels with good pools, cheap food, you wander around I-drive, Old Town Kissimee, Downtown Disney, CityWalk, all free to get into. I should point out however, that while a theme-parkless Orlando vacation regularly gets put on our table, we never actually take it.

If we had free plane tickets, we would be in Las Vegas, though.

I vote for Mexico too! Look at Cozumel: http://www.google.com/search?q=cozum...w=1012&bih=578

We are considering going to Mexico next year - looking at the Yucatan.

I just got back from 10 days in Puerto Vallarta. I had a HUGE 1 bedroom apartment with a HUGE private garden patio for $295/week, including a shared pool with an ocean view, 2 blocks from the beach. I challenge anyone to find that in the U.S.