As the cost of travel continues to rise, more people are looking for frugal activities and cheap airline tickets to keep up travel expenses.  After finding a reasonably priced ticket and settling into comfortable accommodations, turning to free – or close to free – attractions and activities can make the frugal trip that much more worthwhile.  Almost every city has its own set of free attractions to discover and explore, and many overlooked destinations continue to be a popular weekend activity for residents.  If you’re committed to keeping up with your budget this travel season, here are some simple ways to find free attractions in any city:
1.  Consult the Visitors Bureau.  Every city has its own tourist outpost set up at the Visitor and Convention Bureau, and many of the organization’s websites list some popular activities – and their costs – for the avid traveler.  You can also call these agencies to inquire about any free events or attractions in the area, and you’ll be surprised at the list of activities that truly are free of charge.
2.  Don’t forget the gardens!  Botanical and sculpture gardens are often overlooked when it comes to finding free things to do, and most cities have at least one that is open to the public free of charge.  Check up on hours and age limitations by visiting the organization’s website and look forward to a unique experience.
3. Look for free museum passes.  Some museums and galleries charge admission fees throughout the week, but many offer free admission on select days.  If you’re heading out on your trip during the week, don’t be surprised to stumble across a few museums and art galleries that offer free admission during the first half of the workweek.
4. Head to an outdoor concert.  Outdoor concerts in the city square or at a city park are great ways to enjoy the great outdoors and take in some free music.  You can find a listing of concerts through the local newspaper, or even by contacting the Visitors Bureau.
5. Go people watching at the park or café.  Cafes, bistros and city parks are fun and free destinations to just sit back and people watch.  You’ll get a taste of local culture and can enjoy the area from a new perspective.

If you like it faster, bigger or just better then the new theme park rides for 2008 will definitely fill your needs.  These are some of the best rides that have ever been designed and they include everything from interactive elements to stomach dropping excitement. 

Silverwood Theme Park in northern Idaho is set to premier the Aftershock in July of 2008.  This is a 191 foot tall steel roller coaster that reaches speeds of 65 miles per hour and G-forces of 4.5.  It is definitely not for the weak at heart (or at stomach).

River Battle may not be the most heart stopping fun around, but this great family ride at Dollywood in Tennessee.  Not only do you get to shoot targets and other people on the ride, but you also have the ability to shoot the people watching the ride along the way!

Hershey Park in Pennsylvania is the top of the heap for vertical drops at present.  Fahrenheit, which premiers in 2008, drops an insane 97 degree drop for 121 feet.  It is high speed, high intensity and definitely one for the experience rollercoaster junkie.

Legoland offers great interactive opportunities for the whole family.  The new Lost Kingdom Adventure is set in the Land of Adventure and is sure to offer a new thrill every time you enter its domain. FireFall is another of ride for thrill seekers everywhere.  It takes riders up to 60 feet and then through 360 vertical arcs that twist, turn and spin through fire and water effects.

If you’re ready to head out for a summer vacation this year, don’t miss out on some of the latest trends in travel.  The green movement continues across the travel, resort and hotel industry, more venues are offering eco-inspired amenities and features.  Cruise ships are heading out to Europe this year as more people want to explore beyond the usual Caribbean and South American ports, and more dining options at destination cities mean every foodie can travel to their heart’s delight.  If you’re looking for a fresh new experience this summer, make sure you pick a vacation that’s right in line with these other five trends:

1. Luxury trekking.  Outdoor enthusiasts can embark on a rigorous journey to the mountains and cliffs, but bask in luxury when they head back to the cabin.  The latest trends in trekking offer sleeping bags inside deluxe accommodations; head off to luxurious cabins outfitted with hot tubs and down bedding.
2. National park adventures.  Since many people are choosing budget-friendly options to manage high gas and travel costs, heading out to camp sites and adventure tours at a National Park may be on the itinerary.  Look for exclusive vacation packages at several destinations across the U.S.
3. Spa lodging.  Head off to a spa for a pampering treatment, but extend your experience with an overnight stay.  More spas will be catering to the budget-conscious traveler this summer with extended stay vacation packages, freebies and discounts on treatments.
4. The classic American roadtrip.  If all else fails in your trip-planning, you can always head off on a roadtrip.  To curb increasing gas expenses, you can choose a city or town in your region for a semi-‘staycation’.
5. Water park mayhem.  Whether you’re traveling with the family or just want to feel like a kid again, heading to the water park can be a great way to spend a weekend or an extended stay. Water parks with lodging options make it easy to take advantage of package deals and enjoy a wealth of on-site activities and amenities.

Warmer months ahead mean it’s time to head to the water park, and splashing into the season with a fun family getaway could be a great way to kick off summer.  Water parks continue to be a top choice for many American travelers, resorts and water playgrounds that cater to all ages.  Whether you enjoy the challenge of an inner tube race or just prefer soaking in the lagoon, there are plenty of ways to experience some of America’s best water parks.

BudgetTravel.com recently announced its top 15 list of U.S. Water Parks, highlighting notable resorts such s Wilderness Territory in Wisconsin, Kalahari Resort in Ohio, and Aquatica by Seaworld in Florida.  Other top choices for family fun include:

Daytona Lagoon in Daytona Beach, Florida
This water park is famous for its black tunnel slide and Blackbeard’s Revenge, a wild ride through Blackbeard’s territory that is sure to give you an adrenaline rush.  The Daytona Lagoon also features water shows, performances and a speed slide that’s ideal for racing enthusiasts at heart. 

Water World in Denver, Colorado
While the city of Denver is famous for its easy access to the ski slopes, summer calls for plenty of water park activities.  Water World has a dinosaur theme, so your journey through the park involves visiting old volcanoes, encounters with animatronic T. Rex’s, and racing off on a toboggan ride. 

Splish Splash, Long Island, New York
It’s about 75 miles away from New York City, and a getaway that everyone in the family is sure to remember.  This water park is filled with Hollywood-themed rides including Alien Invasion, Hollywood Stunt Driver and Dragon’s Den.  From wading pools to slides and tubes, it’s easy to get lost in the maze of water park fun at this popular East Coast theme park.

Six Flags Theme Park in Atlanta, Georgia
When the heat index rises in Atlanta, it’s time to head to the water park at Six Flags, one of the nation’s most popular theme parks and resorts.  Six Flags Whitewater offers plenty of thrills – and a few chills to take the heat down a notch – with fast-paced action rides, water activities and the famous Tornado that will drop you over 50 feet. 

Splashtown Waterpark, San Antonio, Texas
If you’re an adrenaline junkie in need of a fix, this park is an ideal place to experience action-filled rides, head to the water slides, and even take in a movie or two.   There’s plenty of non-stop fun for the whole family at this water ride hotspot.

Botanical gardens are found in every state in the United States (including Washington D.C.) and many cities around the world. They offer a wonderland of plants and flowers and exhibits. Many of them have taken the exhibits straight to the kids and offer interactive opportunities that are sure to delight the younger members of your group. Take a quick look around the internet to see what type of botanical gardens are available where you are visiting and then make plans to spend a day enjoying the beauty of the area.

Alabama - Huntsville Botanical Garden, Huntsville, Alabama has worked hard to become an amazing adventure for the whole family. There is something happening in every season of the year. Even the usually bare winter offers a five-mile light display that the whole family will enjoy.

Alaska - Alaska Botanical Garden, Anchorage, Alaska is 110 acre facility that focuses on native plants and northern horticulture. May to September is the peak season for the gardens.

Arizona - Tucson Botanical Garden, Tucson, Arizona has been touted as one of the best kept secrets in the country. It is an amazing collection of native and regional plants right in the heart of Tucson.

Arkansas - Garvan Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas is 210 acres of world-class botanical gardens. It is now under the development of the University of Arkansas School of Architecture and continues to expand and mature each year.

California - University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley, Berkeley, California has grown to an amazing representation of plants from every continent in the world.

Colorado - The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Vail, Colorado, are the world’s highest botanical gardens. It has six main gardens and includes some amazing waterfall displays.

Connecticut - Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens, Stamford, Connecticut, is 91 acres of parkland, gardens, and incredible landscaping. There is also a green house with cacti and succulents.

Delaware - Nemours Mansion and Gardens, Wilmington, Delaware, are re-opening after major renovations and restoration. One of the features in these gardens is the 800,000 gallon reflection pool.

Florida - Florida Botanical Gardens, Largo, Florida, has 30 acres of cultivated gardens and 90 acres of natural landscaping. It contains Florida natives, rare and unusual exotics, and some of the strongest garden plants in this country.

It seems that almost every national park has elements of every sport you can imagine. If you want to hike, fish or camp then you can be accommodated any where in the world. If you need a little more adventure in your outing experience, then there are some national parks that have more to offer than others.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe has everything the adventure traveler could desire. Try white water rafting, bungee jumping, ultra-light flights, or even elephant back safaris. If you need more water sports, then down the river you can find enough rapids to appease even the die-hard white water fan.

See the sites from the sky. You can view two of New Zealand’s National Parks (Abel Tasman and Kahurangi) in one jump and that’s only the beginning of what you will see. Skydive Abel Tasman offers experiences for beginners and experienced divers alike. Whether you want do sport jump, freefall, or tandem skydive, this will be an experience you will not soon forget.

Alaska is an experience all its own. During the Wrangell-St. Elias Kayaking Expedition, you will become one with this amazing country. It is five amazing days kayaking among the icebergs and wildlife of this untouched country. In between kayaking, you’ll be camping in some of the deepest wilderness in the United States. You could find your self in the company of bears, or moose or wolves. The end of the trip is almost as amazing as the trip itself. You will board bush planes for a return flight.

The name alone is enough to get the blood of an adventure traveler going. Death Valley Nation Park is full of amazing landscape and plenty of wildlife. Hike through canyons, sand dunes and even salt flats. This is the place to get a feel for all terrain with out traveling every where to do it.

What could be more exciting or more challenging than sled dogging? Take a trip through the Cairngorm National Park and test your navigation, balance, and endurance. Adventure Scotland offers the only trip of this kind in the UK.

Nothing says challenge like Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. The World Outdoors has put together some multi-sport adventures that will touch all the wild sides you might possible have. Six days of waterfalls, buffalo herds, geysers, rapids and biking will definitely leave you knowing you have experienced nature at its finest.

National Parks are the perfect place to get your wild on – what ever that may be.