Massachusetts’s Other Cape

Almost everyone has heard of Cape Cod, but many people don't realize that there's another Cape in Massachusetts. Forty miles northeast of Boston on Cape Ann, Rockport is a great alternative to Cape Cod, Nantucket, or Martha's Vineyard. Artists flock there to capture the rustic coastal landscape. Perhaps the most celebrated site in town is a fisherman's shack on Bearskin Neck wharf. Called simply "Motif No. 1," it's the town's most frequently painted and photographed subject.

Photo Credit: Rockport Harbor and Motif #1, Massachusetts(Tim Laman)

Boston—Walking Trails Through History

True confession: The only time I've ever fallen asleep on my feet is at the end of the Freedom Trail walking tour in Boston, Massachusetts. True, I was nine years old. (Note to parents: Don't make your kids finish this tour in the summer.) But I was also following a historic path jam-packed with enough material to satisfy even the most avid scholar. Boston's historic trails are a serious learning experience—if you're coming here, put on sturdy shoes and get ready for an intense course in America's past.

The most famous of all is Freedom Trail which follows the path of the American Revolution. This trail encompasses 16 historical sites and spans 2.5 miles. Notable stops include Boston Common, the Paul Revere House, and Bunker Hill Monument.

Top 3 Cheap East Coast Escapes

These historic cities each have a reputation for being pricey, but they all offer plenty of free and low-cost fun. Here's our guide to some of the top money-saving attractions in each:

Boston
Don’t bother renting a car. Boston’s public transportation system is excellent, and you can buy a seven-day unlimited pass for $15 to the city's extensive "T" subway and transit system. Admission to the historic Paul Revere house is just $3.50, while a tour of Red Sox home Fenway Park is $12. With plenty of mom-and-pop eateries and small ethnic restaurants to choose from, cheap eats aren’t hard to find.

Boston Day Trips: Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, Salem

Salem, Massachusetts' Turner-Ingersoll Mansion was made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne after he took the building's architecturally inspired pseudonym as the title to his 1851 novel, The House of the Seven Gables. Built in 1668, Seven Gables now stands as New England's oldest surviving 17th-century wooden mansion. Salem is an easy 45-minute drive north of downtown Boston.

Photo credit: Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, Massachusetts (Photodisc/Getty)

Top 10 Cheap Beach Vacations

These beach hot spots may not be statistically the cheapest of the cheap around the world, but factoring in the cost of travel and time, here are our ten best budget beach vacations in North and Central America, with one special shout out to Brazil (which currently offers great value for North American travelers):

10. Destin, Florida
9. Outer Banks, North Carolina
8. Huntington Beach, California
7. Cape Ann, Massachusetts
6. Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
5. Negril, Jamaica
4. Morro de Sao Paulo, Brazil
3. Placencia, Belize
2. Tulum, Mexico
1. Cannon Beach, Oregon

Don't agree with our picks? Tell us in the comments section!

Photo credit: Cannon Beach, Oregon (Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Getty)

Top 5 Cheap City Getaways

Take advantage of freebies and think like a local to experience these five big cities on a small budget.

New York
If you stay in a family-friendly hostel or funky bed and breakfast, use public transportation, and scout for deals on food, a trip to NYC can be surprisingly cheap.

Chicago
Don't overlook city passes, use the El when you can, and keep in mind that some of Chicago's most beloved attractions, like the Lincoln Park Zoo and Millennium Park are free.

Must-See Boston: July 4th Celebrations in Beantown

Beantown throws one great July 4th celebration—as it should, considering it's the staging ground of the Tea Party, Paul Revere's ride, and Bunker Hill. Each year, join big-name performers as well as the much-loved Boston Pops as they perform at the Esplanade. Watch more than 20,000 pounds of fireworks, with some that climb to 1,500 feet, light up the Charles River—while Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture booms in synch with the explosions.

Photo credit: Boston harbor (Digital Vision)