Top 3 Cheap Trips to the Shore

Try these three coastal havens for an easy-on-the-wallet beach escape.

Atlantic City, New Jersey
You don’t have to gamble away your life savings to enjoy a getaway at this classic Mid-Atlantic tourist destination. Hit the buffets at some of the nicer casino hotels early in the day for the best bargain (without a bellyache), or visit the famous pizza stands along the boardwalk and enjoy the free ocean views.

Spring Break Shorts: Florida's "Grapefruit League"

Major League Baseball spring training gets underway in Florida on March 2 for a month-long series of practices and pre-season games that's known as the "Grapefruit League" (the West Coast's equivalent is the Cactus League, which takes places around the Greater Phoenix area over the same dates). The 2010 season sees 15 MLB teams traveling to Florida venues including Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, and Clearwater. The New York Yankees will be based out of Steinbrenner Field in Tampa; both the St. Louis Cardinals and Florida Marlins will be batting out of Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, a short drive north of Fort Lauderdale and Miami in Palm Beach County. Take advantage of pre-spring break flight and hotel deals, as well as affordable game-day tickets and better-than-usual access to some of he league's top sluggers. More info about the Grapefruit League can be found at www.floridaspringtraining.com.

Photo credit: Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida (courtesy, Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau)

Miami For Less: Trip Ideas for Under Ten Bucks

Name of activity: Kite-Flying Over Miami Beach with Skyward Kites
Location: Miami Beach, Fla.
Price: Kites are $5 and up
Description: Skyward Kites at Haulover Park in South Florida has been in operation since 1985 providing a huge selection of kites, windsocks and wind spinners. Bring the whole family to enjoy the Florida seascape and beaches while watching your kites fly high.
Dates open/available: Daily, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; closed during severe rainstorms.
More info: www.skywardkites.com