It is hard not to love summer, with its warm days and siesta atmosphere. Finding excitement and fun on a budget is not as difficult as you may think. Many cheap and affordable weekend getaways are as close as your own state, such as Bannack, the first capital and now ghost town of Montana, or the Bavarian village of Leavenworth, in Washington. Whether you enjoy the city, the beach, or the quietness of the country, nothing says summer like a fun weekend getaway.
If you enjoy the outdoors and biking, Rails-to-Trails provides an outstanding and historically educational excursion. Based in Washington, D.C., this nonprofit organization is transforming former United States railroad lines into a nationwide system of trails. Bike beautiful corridors located in river valleys, along lake shores, or meander through cities, suburbs, or farmlands. Because all trails are carefully graded on gentle terrain, they provide perfect access for walking, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, fishing, and wheelchair use.
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
The Duke Ellington Building
2121 Ward Ct., NW
5th Floor
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 331-9696
railstotrails.org/index.html
Only four hours north of Seattle is beautiful Victoria, British Columbia. Take the ferry across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to visit the capital city of Victoria. It is expensive to take your car on the ferry, so park in Port Angeles, little more than an hour from Seattle, for about $5 to $10 per day. Choose a hotel within walking distance of many of Victoria's sights, including the harbor and museum. Approximate costs for gas, round-trip ferry, parking, and accommodations range from $150 to $200 per day per person (as of January 2010).
City of Victoria
1 Centennial SquareVictoria, BC V8W 1P6
(250) 385-5711
victoria.ca/common/index.shtml
Located seven hours from Phoenix, Denver, and Salt Lake City, Mesa Verde National Park contains the ancient cliff dwellings of the Anasazi. Take an inexpensive guided tour, and camp under the stars (by tent or cabin). For fun, you can be in four states at once at Four Corners National Monument. The approximate costs for the guided tour, camping (tent), gas, and park entrance fees range from $250 to $330 a day.
Mesa Verde National Park
P.O. Box 8
Mesa Verde, Colo. 81330
(970) 529-4465
nps.gov/meve/index.htm
Claiming the smallest harbor in the world, Depoe Bay, Ore. is home to gray whales 10 months out of the year. Watch the magnificent creatures from the overlook, or charter a tour boat and see these giant mammals close-up and in their natural habitat. Whale watching cruises are $9 for children 5 to 12 years, and $30 for adults, for one- or two-hour tours (as of January 2010).
Depoe Bay Chamber of Commerce
223 SW Hwy 101 Ste B
P. O. Box 21
Depoe Bay, Ore. 97341
(541) 765-2889, (877) 485-8348
depoebaychamber.org
Nestled in Central Pennsylvania about 20 minutes from Penn State University, are America's only all-water caves. A guided one-hour boat tour glides you through an underground stream, teeming with trout. Giant pillars of limestone guard the caves as stalagmites and stalactites line the interior rooms. The 1,500 acres of preserved natural habitat is home to birds, plants, and animals such as wolves and bison, as well as the Penn's Cave icon--the cougar. The combined cave and wildlife tour costs $15.95 for children 2 to 12 years, and $29.95 for adults (as of January 2010).
Penn's Cave, Inc.
222 Penns Cave Road
Centre Hall, Pa. 16828
(814) 364-1664
pennscave.com
