The oldest and most basic flight mechanism in human history, hot-air balloons first appeared as toys in China in the third century. Nearly 1,500 years later, in September 1783, brothers Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier launched a hot-air balloon carrying three…
Skiing and snowboarding are notoriously expensive pastimes. Last season, the average price of an adult weekend lift ticket at the nation’s resorts was $109. Frequent skiers and riders, however, can cut the cost significantly by purchasing a season pass to…
The end of summer means a new world of agricultural delights and gorgeous autumnal scenery, plus a whole lot of events honoring the new season. There’s a rich variety of fall festivals held across the nation, whether they be German…
New England comes first to mind for taking in fall’s brilliant hues of yellow, red, orange, and green, but there are gorgeous locations around the country with fall colors that would impress even a lifetime leaf peeper. Here are some…
If you haven’t gone skinny dipping — felt the one-of-a-kind sensation of submerging naked in a natural body of water — it’s something to put on your bucket list. For naturist and nudist organizations and clubs around the country, it’s…
When traveling, sometimes the best way to get the lay of the land is to get away from the land itself. Dinner cruises and whale watches promise unique experiences, but ferry rides are an equally scenic and more cost-effective way…
Running alone outside or in the gym is satisfying for some, but many runners crave a bit of competition, motivation to train, or just some good old-fashioned fun. That’s where…
Rome wasn’t built in a day, but travelers can get plenty of sightseeing done in a few days while visiting the capital of Italy. Tourists keen to see major attractions…
Not every golf game requires a club membership or three-figure greens fee to play. Even at more expensive golf courses, including some members-only clubs, it’s possible to get decent discounts…
Aquarium ticket prices can be scarier than great white sharks, but as a way to see exotic marine life, an aquarium visit is a bargain compared with the cost of…
Booking a deluxe room in a 5-star hotel isn’t the only way to get accommodation with an oceanside vista or skyline panorama out the window. These hotels, bed and breakfasts,…
A magnetic town for tourists with better prices than many other Eastern Seaboard destinations, Charleston, South Carolina, offers plenty of ways for families, couples, and singles to take a nice…
It’s National Park Week, celebrated with free entrance to all national parks through April 24. But the parks can be an inexpensive vacation destination no matter what the time of…
A flea market, sometimes referred to as a swap meet, is the perfect place to acquire awesome stuff on the cheap. Vendors sign up to man booths or tables, indoors…
Fancy a great backpacking adventure in some far-off place? Here are 18 destinations that cost less than $35 a day for backpackers, according to the budgeting site Price of Travel,…
Perhaps nowhere do consumers get more for free than the local library. Wi-Fi and computer access, books, magazines, movies, and music are just the start. Many branches offer classes on…
Smart travelers know that scoring the best deals means starting the research early, and with spring already here, summer vacations are just around the corner. To save money and create…
Yoga retreats in destinations such as India and the Caribbean conjure visions of rest and repose amid verdant landscapes and sandy beaches. But they can also cost a fortune, adding…