Under $100: Arlington, Va.

Located directly across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., various aspects of Arlington´s social and restaurant scene can be considered carbon copies of the scene in D.C. However, the historical sites and independent coffee shops give Arlington a bit of its own unique character.

First and foremost, Arlington National Cemetery is the small city´s main attraction. Before strolling through the grounds, grab a coffee at Northside Social, a charming coffee and wine bar where a small coffee starts at $2, and pastries range between $2 and $3.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier © Kevin Tietz | Dreamstime

After a caffeine boost, pay your respects to the thousands of men and women who are buried at Arlington National Cemetery, including the gravesite of John F. Kennedy. Visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Memorial Amphitheatre, and if you´re lucky, try to catch the changing of the guard among the exquisitely maintained yards. As the afternoon evolves, head to Theodore Roosevelt Island, a small park in the Potomac where you can fish, walk the perimeter or have a picnic with friends, all for free.

Theodore Roosevelt Island © Cvandyke | Dreamstime

With the plethora of free activities in Arlington, it´s easy to budget and save your funds for a delectable dinner of some of the region´s best cuisine. When the sun sets, grab dinner and drinks in Clarendon, two parallel strips packed with restaurants, bars and lots of action. Have a cocktail ($8–9) at Circa and a New American-style dinner at Liberty Tavern (entrees $10–20) before catching some live music at Whitlow’s on Wilson.