The 100 Best Affordable Vacations

Published by the National Geographic Society
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Copyright © 2011 National Geographic Society. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

ISBN: 978-1-4262-0739-6

The information in this book has been carefully checked and to the best of our knowledge is accurate. However, details are subject to change, and the National Geographic Society cannot be responsible for such changes, or for errors or omissions. Assessments of sites, hotels, and restaurants are based on the author’s subjective opinions, which do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s opinion. The publisher cannot be responsible for any consequences arising from the use of this book.

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contents

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER ONE
americana

CHAPTER TWO
into the wild

CHAPTER THREE
quest for knowledge

CHAPTER FOUR
body & soul

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

introduction

Sometimes, all you want is to bake on the beach under a UV-blocking umbrella. But if a day or two of lounging leaves you wondering, “Now what?” maybe you’re craving something more: a vacation that replaces the worry-worn spaces in your soul with possibilities. And one that you can afford at the same time.

This book is divided into four chapters, with vacations that delve into the American mindscape, explore nature, craft new skills, and stretch horizons—both physical and those in our psyches.

What they won’t stretch is your budget. Though what qualifies as “affordable” varies, the 100 vacations here are wallet friendly. Some are downright budget savvy; others combine worthy splurges—tours, meals, train rides, and more that offer a bang worthy of the extra expense—with otherwise cost-effective trips. The splurges are highlighted throughout the book.

All of these vacation ideas recognize that soul-satisfying vacations—like the rest of our lives—often involve trade-offs. Plan ahead to visit during a city’s off-season “restaurant week,” and you might get a meal by a famous-name chef for half the regular price. Opt for a campsite instead of that cozy bed-and-breakfast, and you’ll feel better about splurging on a ride aboard a historic narrow-gauge train.

If you’re like us, you’ll recognize that the most cherished memories rarely revolve around a grand hotel or pricey gourmet meal. Renewal and wonder are priceless.

So put your iPhone in rest mode and leave the laptop behind. Better yet, head to a remote retreat where wireless doesn’t work. You’ll be amazed at how well the world survives without you—and you without it—at least for a few days.

—Jane Wooldridge and Larry Bleiberg

[
CHAPTER
1]

americana

W
e all have friends who have traveled to the farthest reaches of the globe. They’ve worn out passports finding their way to the temples of Asia, the majestic castles of Europe, and the incredible diversity of Africa. But ask them about America and they draw a blank. “I’ll get to that sometime,” the blasé will say. Others, a little shamed, will acknowledge the gap in their travels.

The delightful thing about seeing America is that you’re already here. There’s no need for visas and intercontinental flights; just point your car to the highway and go. The exotic is right in front of you.

A road trip is the best way to get to know your country—and yourself. And a trip anywhere in the United States will do just fine. For example, a visit to a state fair will tell you as much about human nature as any piece of literature; and Kansas City barbecue and Kentucky bourbon are as much delicacies as Russian caviar and French champagne.

The trips and experiences in this chapter will make you see America with new eyes. You’ll see that we have traditions, arts, and history as rich as any country. These vacations let you relive our founding revolution, marvel at the genius of Thomas Jefferson, mourn the tragedies of our Civil War, and see the horrific machinery we were prepared to deploy during the Cold War.

Other trips will introduce you to the heroes of the civil rights movement, make clear that cowboys didn’t die out with John Wayne, and showcase sites and museums certain to give you a new appreciation for the nation’s capital.

You’ll discover corners of our country where nothing seems to have changed for decades—places where you can indulge in folk art, absorb natural scenery, and, most important perhaps, have an unforgettable piece of pie. This is a celebration of all that our nation has to offer, and all that should be celebrated.

relive the american revolution

CONCORD & LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS

Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world.

—
POET RALPH WALDO EMERSON, “CONCORD HYMN” (1836)

1 |
April 19 is a pivotal day in American history. And although we can’t go back in time to watch the Battles of Lexington and Concord, there’s another option: Witnessing the springtime reenactment of the battles, when hundreds of dedicated Revolutionary War buffs depict the historic confrontations for thousands of fascinated spectators. There are parades, battlefield encampments, and living history demonstrations open to the public. It’s enough to make you don a tricorne hat and whistle
Yankee Doodle
.

“This whole notion about the willingness to stand up and fight for liberty, it comes from here,” says Lou Sideris of Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord, Massachusetts. “People really come here and say ‘now I know what it means to be an American.’”

The cities of Lexington and Concord work together with Minute Man National Historical Park to re-create these momentous events every Patriots’ Day weekend, a Massachusetts state holiday held on the third Monday in April. The major presentations begin on Saturday; by the time the last shot is fired on Monday, visitors will have a new appreciation—and understanding—of the events that launched our nation. Just as the Colonials were volunteer citizen-soldiers, so are the reenactors, who spend thousands of dollars on uniforms and who undergo rigorous training to properly re-create the historic battles.

Here’s a quick history primer: The British, tired of rebellious colonists who wouldn’t pay their requisite taxes, planned to disarm them. The colonists resented the taxation and wanted freedom from British occupation. The two forces met at dawn on Lexington Green, and shots were fired. The Colonials pulled back; they regrouped a few hours later at North Bridge in Concord. It’s uncertain which side then fired first, but in his “Concord Hymn,” Ralph Waldo Emerson describes the first shot as the “shot heard round the world.” The British soldiers marched 18 miles back to Boston, facing fire all the way. By the end of the day, 73 British and 49 Colonials were killed in action.

The schedule of weekend events can be overwhelming, and—because they are scheduled out of historic sequence—a little confusing. With literally thousands of spectators descending upon the battle sites for reenactments every year, you will need a plan to make the most of your experience. Here are the key events to catch:

 
Commemoration of the North Bridge Fight.
Saturday, 8:30 a.m. The action starts with this battle in Concord. Historically the battle lasted perhaps three minutes, though you can expect it to continue a little longer now. After that, you can visit reenactors encamped in nearby Minute Man National Historical Park, where there will be drill and musket exhibitions, 18th-century artillery demonstrations, and crafts.