Cheap Ways to Travel in the U.S

Planning a vacation is a lot of fun, but sometimes the financial strain can take the wind out of your sails. If you are planning a trip across the United States, being frugal is simple if you do a little bit of research beforehand. Whether you are planning a short trip or long journey, you can travel throughout the U.S. inexpensively.

Methods of Transportation

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  Calculate the cost efficiency of flying versus taking a road trip. Driving usually ends up being cheaper, even with the high cost of gas. Travel with friends and split the cost of fuel and lodging. There are also commuter trains that run throughout the U.S. This can often be a cheaper alternative to driving or flying. Amtrak most likely has a station near you. The benefit of traveling by train is that you can sleep during your trip, read a book or even get some work done. You will travel faster than you would by car. The downside is that you will not have a vehicle once you get to where you are going. A train trip from New York to Los Angeles, San Francisco or Seattle will cost $197 per person for a reclining seat, or $490-$880 for a "roomette" with two beds.

Places to Stay

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  Explore your adventurous side and go camping. If camping is not your style, swap houses with someone. HomeExchange.com offers members the chance to swap houses anywhere in the world. You can also stay with friends or family if you have any in the area you want to go. One last option to consider is a hostel. These are best if you are traveling without a family member since you may share a room with other people. Hostels are usually less than half the price of a hotel. For example, the City Hostel Seattle costs $28 per night and includes things like free Wi-Fi and breakfast. The average hotel in Seattle ranges anywhere from $70 to over $300 per night.

Ways to Offset the Cost

• If you own your home and plan to travel for more than three months, rent out your home to cover your bills and some of your travel expenses. You can also pick up side jobs along the way. You can work on an organic farm, a fishing boat or a restaurant. World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is a unique opportunity to work on a farm for free lodging and, often, food. There are WWOOF opportunities in every US state, including a 1,000-acre coastal farm in Half Moon Bay, California, where you would milk cows, care for chickens and maintain their gardens. You could also have a yard sale to make some extra money before you go.

Find Discounts

• The best way to get good deals while traveling across the U.S. requires a little bit of leg work. By doing some preliminary planning, you can find specials on just about anything, including hotels, restaurants, activities, cruises and air fare. Roomsaver.com has coupons for hotels that are regularly updated. If you organize a large group, you can often get a free trip for yourself.

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North Facing Beaches in California

With its expansive coastline, California has hundreds of beaches that resist simple categorization. They range from sun-soaked summer getaway spots to shiver-inducing strips of sand covered at high tide. Few of these beaches face north, which might be advantageous for a surfer hunting a rare swell or simply a unique opportunity for the average beach enthusiast. Still, the intrepid beachgoer will find several north-facing beaches running from San Diego up to the Oregon border.

La Jolla Cove Beach -- La Jolla

• The cozy La Jolla Cove Beach is among the most photographed in Southern California, and a true local treasure. Just 15 miles northwest of the center of San Diego, this tiny beach is hidden away among sandstone cliffs, and experiences mild waves throughout the summer due to its relative coastal seclusion. While fishing is prohibited, scuba diving and snorkeling are encouraged at the beach, where swimmers may enjoy visibility of more than 30 feet in the water.

Municipal Beach and Del Monte Beach -- Monterey

• Within minutes of downtown Monterey in Central California sit two of the state's few north-facing beaches -- Municipal Beach and Del Monte Beach, the western extension of Monterey State Beach. The sand at both beaches is relatively shallow to accommodate the city's development. They enjoy protection from the Pacific Grove peninsula and Monterey Bay, but can still experience fairly rough surf. The beaches are hotspots for a host of water activities and sports, including surfing, boogie boarding and body surfing.
• China Beach -- San Francisco

• Named for Chinese fishermen who made it their base camp in the 1800s, China Beach is another gem hidden among the San Francisco cityscape and larger neighboring beaches, Land's End to the west and Baker Beach to the east. While China Beach is too small for many activities beyond picnicking and sunbathing, it has gorgeous, unrestricted views of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands to the north.

Mendocino Headlands State Park -- Mendocino

• About 150 miles north of San Francisco, on the relatively undeveloped northern California coast, Mendocino Headlands State Park offers a respite from the crowded cities in the central and southern sectors of the state. The park offers an enviable range of outdoor activities, from surfing to hiking. It also covers a wide swath of oceanfront property, including beaches along its northern edge -- where visitors can sometimes track the migration of the grey whale and take in wide-open ocean vistas from atop the cliffs.

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Hang Gliding in Cape Lookout, Oregon

Located only a couple hours west of Portland, Oregon, Cape Lookout State Park provides many options for outdoor recreation. For the adventurous, the cliffs of the cape make an ideal spot for hang gliding. With a bit of planning and the right weather conditions, you can spend a day soaring with the birds and taking in the views along the Pacific Ocean at this scenic hang gliding location.

Sticking to the Rules

• You don't need a permit to hang glide in Oregon, but you will need to purchase a day-use pass to use the launch area above Cape Lookout's beach or to park at the other launching point at Anderson's Lookout. Before you start flying, make certain you have the skills and the right weather conditions to allow yourself to land on the beach. If you land in the campground, you can face a fine. If you plan on camping at the park or staying in one of the fully-furnished cabins, you'll need to make a reservation to guarantee a spot.

Observing the Scenery

• Cape Lookout State Park is part of the Three Cape Scenic Loop along the Oregon coast, with Cape Lookout being the second of the three. Looking north while in the air, you'll see a long sand spit that separates the Pacific from Netarts Bay. Slightly further north, you can see another spit that once held the resort community of Bay Ocean -- abandoned in 1953 after the ocean had steadily swept away the sand foundations of the buildings. Near the spit is cape Meares, another headland of the scenic route. To the south, you may see dinghies and surfers sharing the waters of Pacific City. On clear days, you should be able to see Cape Kiwanda, the third cape of the scenic loop. In addition to the sights of the land formations, you may be able to glimpse migrating whales, sea birds, sea lions and seals lounging on the spits.
• Knowing the Conditions

• To stay safely aloft, you want to visit the cape when wind speeds are a mild 8 to 10 miles per hour. You also want to ensure you can land on the beach at the main area of the park, not the beach farther south. The main beach has easy access to the day-use parking lot; the southern beach will require a two-mile, uphill hike to the trailhead parking area for Cape Lookout's hiking paths. The prevailing wind along the coast at Cape Lookout comes from the north, but ocean currents and offshore storms can bring winds hurtling from the west or south. Due to the ever-changing nature of coastal weather, the conditions at Cape Lookout can shift at any moment. Be sure to check the forecast and be aware of the signs of changing conditions -- especially if you're unfamiliar with the weather along the Oregon coast.

Taking a Lesson

• If you've never gone hang gliding before and the sight of people soaring over your head tempts you to try it out, several schools within the vicinity of Cape Lookout can give you a taste for the sport. You won't be jumping off cliffs on your first lesson, or for your first several lessons. Instead, you'll hit the beach and practice catching wind and working with the equipment. To be safe, take lessons only from licensed instructors.

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What to Do in Socorro, New Mexico

Socorro is out of the way and easy to overlook when planning a trip, but it's not without small-town charm -- it's just a different charm than you might expect. The community is simultaneously geared toward scientific hobbyists and outdoor enthusiasts, and neighbor to a large field of satellites famous to astronomers. Surrounded by mountains, Socorro boasts four distinct and even pleasant seasons, a rarity in the American Southwest.

Coronado's Treasure Chest

• The Mineral Museum on the New Mexico Tech campus is full of gold, silver and gems -- the same types of treasure that enticed Spanish conquistadors centuries ago -- and the naturally occurring geologic formations that abound in the Southwest. The original collection won awards at the World’s Fair in 1904 before much of it was lost in a fire 20 years later. Within 10 years, however, collectors were donating items, and the Mineral Museum now has more than 15,000 gems, minerals, fossils and even an ultraviolet mineral exhibit. In the fall the school hosts the annual New Mexico Mineral Symposium and Mining Artifact Collectors Association Symposium. The museum is located in the Workman Addition and is open seven days a week.

The Very Large Array

• The accurately if unimaginatively named Very Large Array, 50 miles west of Socorro near San Augustin, is an astronomical radio observatory comprised of 27 radio-telescope antennas spaced out in a large “Y” pattern. The data from the 82-foot-wide antennas combine to provide the same resolution that would be given by a 22-mile-wide antenna. According to the Socorro Chamber of Commerce, the VLA has played a significant role in more scientific papers than any radio telescope in the world. You can take a self-guided tour of this manmade marvel or attend a guided tour, offered between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month. It also has a year-round visitors center with displays and videos that explain what radio astronomy is and what information the VLA is gathering.

Wildlife Refuges

• The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, about 15 miles south of Socorro, is a temporary home for thousands of waterfowl, including sandhill cranes and geese. In addition to the natural sights, which include a stretch of the Rio Grande and two different mountain ranges, visitors can explore the 11,000-year-old petroglyphs left by ancient peoples who either settled or moved through the area. The visitors center is open daily, and visitors can hike, fish and hunt in addition to bird watching.

  The Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, one of the largest wildlife refuges in the United States, offers hiking, hunting and wildlife watching as well, although it's more restricted to visitors than Bosque so check where you are able to go. This refuge offers not only a variety of environments, including wetlands, arroyos, rock formations and mountains, but also the chance to sight coyotes, rabbits, deer, elk, waterfowl and more. Be prepared for hot and cold weather when you go. The visitors center is open year-round Monday through Saturday.

Trinity Site

• If you’re in Socorro the first weekend of April, catch a shuttle to the Trinity Site, where the world’s first atomic bomb was exploded on July 16, 1945. The national historic landmark includes Ground Zero, the base camp and the house where scientists assembled the bomb’s plutonium core. Visitors also get a lesson on the science, politics and history that went into the making and use of the first atomic bombs in World War II. The Stallion Gate entrance on Highway 380 is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first Saturday of April, the only day of the year with public access, and the open house is free with no reservations required. Cameras are allowed at the site, but as it's on an active military base visitors can only take pictures at Ground Zero. You can also drive from Socorro; it’s about a 90-minute trip. The military estimates that a visit to Trinity Site exposes people to a tiny amount of radiation over what they are exposed to in everyday life. However, young children, pregnant women and those with other health risks should consider how any extra exposure could affect them.

Live Theater

• New Mexico Tech's annual performing arts series includes dancing, a variety of musical performances, live comedy, plays and more. Past performances have included TAP: The Show, The Fantasticks, the New Mexico Philharmonic, magician Andy Gross and the Cirque Montage. Special events include a Merry-Achi Christmas in December, SocorroFest in October and a 4th of July Celebration. The Macey Center, home to the school’s performing arts, also houses an art gallery.

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What to Do in Delavan, Wisconsin

Life was once a circus in Delavan. Between 1847 and 1894 more than 25 circus companies wintered in the community. The green spaces and pristine waters that supported circus animals also created Delavan's contemporary appeal. Today, the city manages more than 100 acres of natural preserves and parkland. Its colorful history, Wisconsin outdoor traditions and community celebrations provide four-season recreation and entertainment.

Discover Parks, Trails and Circus Animals

• Delavan's municipal park system offers a variety of outdoor recreation options. The 11,200-acre Andy's Park is a lighted skateboard/bike facility with pipes and walls. Stroll through the formal Rotary Gardens at the waterfront Congdon Park. A walking trail encircles the nearly 30-acre park. Trails at Ora Rice Arboretum and its sister facility, Paul Lange Arboretum, offer additional walking options. Located along Lake Comus, Paul Lange Arboretum also has a boat launch for water access. For winter play, Rudy Lange Sledding Hill is a family pick. The lighted facility offers a 355-foot sledding area. Kids get a kick out of seeing the full-size animal statues at Tower Park, which reflect Delavan's association with the circus. Municipal neighborhood parks and athletic fields create additional choices for outdoor play.

Explore Delavan Arts and Culture

• One of Wisconsin's oldest communities, Delavan's notable architecture dates to the 1800s. Take a driving tour to see Greek Revival and Queen Anne structures throughout the small town. Art and film take center stage during the summer at Phoenix Park Bandshell. Musical performances range from the Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra to classic rock and blues. Performances take place Thursday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons. Bring the family, lawn chairs and snacks to the park for free outdoor screenings of feature films on a cinema-sized screen. The summertime Friday night movie events begin at dark. To learn more about local history, visit the Delavan Historical Society Exhibit and Resource Center. Displays of artifacts, documents and memorabilia change quarterly. The center welcomes visitors on Monday and Saturday and by appointment.

Experience Hometown Spirit

• Join in on a hometown celebration. In August, town folks put on a festive spirit for the three-day Delavan Daze festival. The downtown event includes live music, arts and crafts, sidewalk art and a flea market. Bring your dog to Tower Park for paw art, or simply observe other canines making art. Sunday's festival highlight is the Cruisin' Classics Car Show at Phoenix Park. In September, the Scarecrow Festival draws folks downtown to vote for their favorite decorated scarecrows, which are positioned throughout the district. For a small fee, you can make and take your own scarecrow. Other festival activities include pumpkin painting, live music, a craft fair and flea market.

Enjoy Wisconsin Wines

• Whether you're a wine aficionado or simply wish to learn more about Wisconsin wines, a visit to Staller Estate Winery in Delavan is a rewarding experience. Enjoy complimentary tastings of the winery's red, white and blush wines. For a more adventurous tasting experience, order a wine flight paired with a chocolate flight, cheese wheel or picnic plate. Savor the tasting seated in the winery's sun room or in the gazebo overlooking the scenic vineyards. You may wish to coordinate your visit with one of the winery's special events, which are held throughout the year and include: a Mother's Day dinner; the Ice Wine Release; Music, Chocolate and a Few Corks; and live music events.

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Westport, CA Beach RV Camping

The winding route of California Highway 1 brings travelers to the tiny town of Westport, California. A former sawmill town, now with a population of approximately 60, Westport lures adventurers with its miles of undeveloped coastline, historical charm and its proximity to Fort Bragg. Whether your preference is to camp right on the sand or in the shelter of the trees, campgrounds in the area provide visitors budget-friendly options with unbeatable view

Group Adventure

• Westport Beach RV Park & Campground has 75 full-hookup RV sites, 50 tent sites and 5 group sites. Guests have the option of camping on the sand, back on the grassy sites or along Wages Creek. Even if you do not own your own equipment, you can enjoy the sites and adventure of camping here by renting one of their bluff-top rental cabins that come complete with full kitchens. The campground has an on-site camp store, horseshoe pit, volleyball area, a children’s play area and laundry facilities. This 50-acre park is an ideal spot for bird watching and hiking. Its proximity to the ocean allows guests to step from their campsites onto the beach for leisurely strolls along the shoreline, and to fall asleep to the sounds of crashing waves.

Rugged Camping

• Covering three miles of coastline, the main Westport-Union Landing State Beach Campground is located on the land strip between Highway 1 and the ocean bluffs. This rugged, undeveloped campground offers adventurers gorgeous panoramic views, and a picnic table and fire ring at each of its 12 sites. Vault bathrooms are available. The Howard Creek Campground, directly adjacent to the beach, has 17 campsites and is frequented by RV and trailer campers. Just like the main campground, campers here have direct access to the beach, and dogs are welcome.

Walk-In Options

• MacKerricher State Park offers guests an ideal setting to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Outdoorsmen have a multitude of things to explore, including tide pools along the shore, seals living on the rocks and birds living near the tidal lagoon. The park, just 14 miles from Westport, offers paths for hiking and jogging, while fisherman can enjoy trout fishing in the two freshwater lakes. A wheelchair-accessible nature trail is also available. The main, developed campground has 142 sites that are very popular, particular in summer months, though there are no hookups. Surfwood, a 10-site walk-in campground, is separated from the main area. Set in the forest, just past the beach, Surfwood has drinking water and flush toilets. Picnic tables, food lockers and BBQ grills are available to all campers. Dogs are not allowed on the trails, but are allowed on leashes in the main campground.

Family-Friendly

• Hidden Pines RV Park and Campground is a 15-minute drive from Westport, California, located near Fort Bragg. Though this family-friendly campground is set back in the trees, beach access is less than a five minute walk. Close to Fort Bragg Landing, Noyo Harbor and the Botanical Gardens, this campground offers full hookup sites with access to picnic tables, fire rings, showers, cable and Wi-Fi. Laundry facilities are available to all guests. In addition, there is an on-site store that sells basic necessities as well as snacks, drinks, books and gifts. A recreation area has an indoor heated swimming pool, foosball and billiards. Pets are welcome, and a pet-sitting service is available.

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Water Parks Near North Richland Hills, Texas

When the Texas sun is beating down on you, escape the heat and cool off at one of the water parks near North Richland Hills. With slides and attractions geared toward thrill seekers and kids alike, there’s something for every member of the family. Several water parks are within 25 miles of the city, providing a quick, wet escape on a hot summer’s day.

For the Thrill of It

• NRH2O Family Water Park in North Richland Hills has eight large waterslides, including the world’s first Viper, a high-thrill, multi-rider slide with high banking turns and a 20-foot drop into a giant tube. Several enclosed slides zip riders through near darkness before plummeting into the water, while a four-lane slide allows you to race your friends to the end. The park’s 660-foot-long Endless River provides a relaxing float under misters, and kids can play on a five-level interactive water playground complete with small slides and a 317-gallon beaker that tips over and spills water onto guests.

Wet and Wild Fun

• About 15 miles southeast of North Richland Hills, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Arlington invites family to join in wet fun. The Black Hole shoots guests through darkness down two 500-foot tentacle tubes, and the Mega Wedgie sends riders flying down the sides at 23 miles per hour. The whole family can grab toboggans and ride down the 45-foot Bonzai Boggans before skidding across the water, or jump on an inner tube and slide through six pools on the Raging Rapids. A surf lagoon allows you to hang 10 on waves up to 4-feet tall, and kids can play in a water tree house with small slides and water cannons.
• Indoor Adventures

• Great Wolf Grapevine is an indoor water park in Grapevine, about 17 miles northeast of North Richland Hills. Little ones can splash away in Fort Mackenzie, an interactive water playground with spray features, swinging cargo nets and treetop slides, or enjoy a game of water basketball in the activity pool. For thrill seekers, the Howlin’ Tornado drops guests into a six-story funnel where you can swirl 30 feet up the sides before splashing into a pool, and Coyote Cannon drops riders 40 feet into a cannon bowl. Cabanas are available for rent and include a table, chairs, television, playing cards and a stocked mini fridge.

Cool Off in a Cabana

• Just less than 25 miles north of North Richland Hills, Hawaiian Falls in Roanoke has a three-lane slide. Feel the adrenaline while free-falling down a 65-foot slide. Both enclosed tube slides and open body slides twist and turn before dropping riders into the water, and a water playground has interactive features for kids to stage water battles. Private cabanas are available for rent and include wait service, drinks, chaise lounges, chairs and a locker.

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Tips for Visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium

From jellyfish to stingrays, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is filled with more than 600 species of sea life in several massive aquariums. Watch divers feed fish as sharks circle above barracudas or look for humpback whales in the Pacific from one of the aquarium's viewing decks. Use some tips to save money as you explore this Cannery Row staple in the famed seaside town.

Tickets, Please

• General admission tickets are valid for use anytime within a one-year period from the last day of the month of purchase, giving you plenty of flexibility. If you visit and decide you want to get a membership, the initial purchase price will be applied toward that annual pass. Children, high school and college students and seniors get discounts off the regular adult admission price. You can also pay extra for a behind the scenes tour which explains what it takes to operate the aquarium, from preparing food to marine research projects.

A Package Deal

• Save money on a Monterey vacation by taking advantage of package deals. Monterey Bay Aquarium has partnered with plenty of local lodging options to offer discounted overnight stay and admission ticket combinations. Tickets can be purchased directly from the hotel, motel, bed-and-breakfast and other partner accommodations. Locations offering the deal include Monterey, Carmel Valley, Pacific Grove, Seaside and Pebble Beach.

Avoid the Crowds

• To avoid the larger crowds at Monterey Bay Aquarium, skip the summer and try to come during the weeks after Labor Day in late September and October. You'll also experience smaller crowds by avoiding weekends. The staff at the aquarium suggest touring on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Get more face time with the fish by going early in the day, just after the aquarium opens, and late in the afternoon, a couple of hours before the facility closes. If you get a hand stamp on your way out, you can come back again the same day.

There's an App for That

• Plan your day before your visit by downloading the Monterey Bay Aquarium application for your smartphone. The app provides daily schedules of feeding shows and auditorium programs, as well as facts about the exhibits contained in the aquarium. You'll even be able to check off places you've visited and activities you've done as you tour the facility. The app also allows you to create custom virtual postcards to sent to loved ones from the aquarium.

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Biggest Waterslide in the U.S

Thrill seekers and water park junkies might think waterslides are old news, but a waterslide in Kansas City, Kansas, could change that. Scheduled to open in mid-2014, "Verruckt," at Schlitterbahn Water Park in Kansas City, Kansas, is slated to be the tallest waterslide in both the U.S. and the world.

The Specs

• As of early 2014, Schlitterbahn hasn't released the exact height of Verruckt, but its website says the slide will be 17 stories tall. Given the rough estimate of 10 feet per story, that would put Verruckt at approximately 170 feet tall -- nearly 40 feet taller than Brazil's "Insano" waterslide. The ride's total length is 601 feet. After climbing 264 steps to the top, visitors will share a four-person raft to go down.

The Experience

• "Verruckt" is German for "insane" or "crazy"-- an apt name for the slide, which will whip adrenaline addicts down its steep first drop at speeds of more than 65 miles per hour, beating Insano's top speed, but only after a terrifyingly slow buildup of speed at the top. After the nearly-vertical first drop, you'll fly up five more stories only to descend again, streaking into the pool at the ride's end as a wall of water flies up in front of your raft and likely gives you a good splash. Regulations are subject to change, but children will likely have to meet a height or weight requirement to ride.
• Schlitterbahn

• Schlitterbahn, located in Kansas City, Kansas, opens for the warm late spring and summer months in late May, and Verruckt, according to an article in The Kansas City Star, will likely open at that time in 2014. Visitors to the park can buy tickets online. The park is usually open from midmorning to early evening. If you aren't up for the hair-raising heights of Verruckt, you can enjoy another record-breaking ride at the park by diving into the longest tidal wave river in the world. Schlitterbahn also features beaches, minislides for kids and a host of other water attractions.

Runners Up

• If you can't make it to Kansas City to enjoy Verruckt, you can ride some of the other biggest waterslides in the U.S. Summit Plummet, in Disney World Orlando, comes close with a 12-story drop and speeds of nearly 60 miles per hour. Try Scorpion's Tail in the Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, Noah's Ark Family Park. It's 10 stories tall and drops the floor from beneath riders' feet at the top of the ride, sending them speeding down a 400-foot-long tube.

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The Stone Crab Festival in St. Marks, Florida

Florida stone crab is a renowned delicacy across the state, and the town of St. Marks holds a festival every October to celebrate the tasty crustacean. The sleepy town in the state's Panhandle welcomes thousands of visitors to the festival, sporting a full day of live entertainment, educational booths and, of course, heaping helpings of stone crab claws.

Crabs for the Future

• Unlike much of the seafood pulled from the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, stone crabs are a renewable resource. Fishermen snip off just one of the crustacean's black-tipped claws, then throw the crab back in the water. The crabs regrow their lost claws, and still have one powerful pincer with which to defend themselves and forage for food. The thick claws provide a solid chunk of tender meat, and are typically steamed and served with hot butter. The flavor of the claw meat has been compared with that of succulent lobster and is a sought-after treat during stone crab season.

Join the Crowd

• Stone crab is a staple of the town's economy from October through May, and the St. Marks Stone Crab Festival celebrates the opening of Florida's stone crab season each year. The festival has been an annual event since 1997, when the owners of the town's Riverside Cafe started it as a way to promote their business and highlight one of their signature seasonal dishes. Since then, the festival has boomed, attracting as many as 12,000 visitors to St. Marks' San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park to enjoy the festivities and gobble up the juicy crab meat.
• Let the Good Times Roll

• The stone crab claws are the festival's main attraction, but there's plenty going on to keep festival-goers entertained. A plethora of other seafood is available, as well as fair foods like funnel cakes for dessert. Live bands play throughout the day and local dance troupes -- from cloggers to belly dancers -- perform as well. A parade features sponsors of the festival and local organizations, with some people dressed in costumes ranging from crab-themed get-ups to superheroes and Confederate Civil War uniforms. Arts and crafts vendors sell handmade jewelry, original artwork and more. You might learn something, as well, since partners like the Archaelogical Institute of America set up booths at the festival to teach visitors about the area's natural history.

A Walk in the Park

• The festival's venue, San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park, offers even more activities for those who want to take a break from the festival crowds. A hiking trail leads you through ruins of a Spanish fort, which was built in 1679 and occupied by Andrew Jackson in the 1800s. There's also a museum that details the park's history, focusing on the Spanish, British, American and Confederate forces that held the fort at various times. Walk down to Tucker's Point for sweeping views of the waters where the Wakulla and St. Marks Rivers converge.

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