Name: Budget Travel LLC
Price range: $

Some good ideas never take off.
We learned this weekend that <a href="http://www.jetamerica.com/" target="_blank">JetAmerica</a>, the upstart airline modeled after Europe's Ryanair and selling $9 seats, is <a href="http://www.onlinetravelreview.com/2009/07/20/the-final-post-about-jetamerica-theyre-not-going-to-launch/" target="_blank">never going to get off the ground</a>. 
It's sad: <a href="http://blog.budgettravel.com/budgettravel/2009/05/sales_9_to_florida_99_to_the_c.html">We had been enthused</a> that an airline was going to connect smaller communities to larger aiports&mdash;with affordable fares (such as $99 to the Caribbean). Alas, it was not to be.
As the blog <a href="http://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver/2009/07/the_strange_life_of_jetamerica.cfm" target="_blank">Gulliver</a> points out, 
<blockquote>The main problem for the fledgling airline was its inability to purchase landing slots at Newark Liberty International airport. Liberty was due to be a main hub for JetAmerica's flights to and from markets it thought were "underserved"&mdash;places like Lansing, Michigan; Vero Beach, Florida; South Bend, Indiana; and Toledo, Ohio.</blockquote>
Appropriately, all customers will <a href="http://www.jetamerica.com/" target="_blank">receive refunds</a>.
We agree with <a href="http://crankyflier.com/2009/07/20/jetamerica-is-gone-for-now/" target="_blank">The Cranky Flier</a> when he says:<blockquote>I feel bad for founder John Weikle. He seems like a complete and total optimist who wants to bring service to small communities. It's an admirable goal, but so far I've yet to see a model come even close to working that can serve that purpose.</blockquote>

JetAmerica, R.I.P.

Jane and Michael Stern: Good day, hungry travelers! Jane and I are here to offer whatever tips we can for finding good Roadfood stops along the way. Our goal primarily is to find food unique to its place and region, but we have no objection to such non-local treats as a great hamburger, hot dog, or pizza, and feel that just about any excellent, one-of-a-kind eatery deserves attention. So, who's going where, and what do you want to eat?

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New York City, N.Y.: I love your weekly segments on Splendid Table! What's the biggest mistake people make when planning a road trip when it comes to roadside dining? Or, put it another way, what's the best advice you could give folks like me that you haven't thought of?

Jane and Michael Stern: Thanks. Probably the biggest mistake is looking for something familiar. For us, the whole point of traveling is to experience the place we are, and that means eating the food people there eat, the way they eat it. That could range from Indian pudding in a Maine diner to carnitas tacos from a truck in South Tucson. In other words, be adventurous! Try new things! Meet new people!

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Los Angeles, Calif.: What is the best Jewish deli in the San Francisco Bay Area?

Jane and Michael Stern: It's nothing fancy, but for a good pastrami sandwich, matzoh ball soup, and noodle kugel, David's Deli on Geary Street is the place we've enjoyed. (I cannot miss this opportunity, however, to rave about how good the grazing is down at the Ferry Building, where I just was last week. No Jewish deli there, but the salami store has cured meats to die for.)

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Pittsburgh, Pa.: We will be in the DC/No. Virginia area this weekend. Ben's Chili Bowl is a must. Any other can't miss suggestions?

Jane and Michael Stern: D.C. can be tough for finding Roadfood, especially since Scholl's cafeteria closed. You're right, Ben's is a must. We also really like the good old Florida Avenue Grill, especially for breakfast. Over in Virginia, we had time for a quick meal in Fairfax and found ourselves at Chutzpah Deli and were really impressed at just how authentic it is.

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Seattle, Wash.: My husband and I are going on a coastal road trip starting from Astoria, Ore. to San Francisco, Calif. in early October. Could you share a few of your favorite diners along the way that do not require venturing off Hwy 101 too much? Thanks.

Jane and Michael Stern: We just did that trip a couple of weeks ago, but the other way, starting in San Francisco. There is no shortage of good things to eat right on&#8212;or just off&#8212;the Coast Highway. The one real diner-like gem is the Otis Cafe, just off 101 in Otis, Oregon. It is a tiny place, usually crowded. Hearty, homey food. While not precisely diners, some of the other casual Roadfood eateries along the way include the Marshall Store in Marshall, California, for oysters barbecued to order, served on makeshift tables overlooking Tomales Bay. In Oregon, a few favorites include the South Beach Fish Market in South Beach for excellent fried fish &amp; chips (especially halibut) and fresh Dungeness crab, a place called Fresh Seafood NW in Tillamook across from the big creamery (great chowder), and the Ecola Market in Cannon Beach (fresh EVERYTHING; they have their own boats). Also in Cannon Beach, there is a bakery called Waves of Grain that makes sensational sticky buns, cheese biscuits, and cupcakes. Beyond Cannon Beach, in Gearhart, we like Norma's Ocean View Diner for a full menu of local seafood, along with a list of wines from Oregon. Oh, and one more place if you want to have a more upscale meal: Sidestreet Bistro in Florence. It is a small, cozy place with an ambitious menu of mostly Pacific Northwest seafood.

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Hot Springs, S.D.: I will be in Bellevue, Idaho a few days in September while my dog undergoes elbow replacement there. Where are good, reasonable places to eat?

Jane and Michael Stern: Wow, elbow replacement. That's amazing that it can be done. Sorry to say, we have never been to Bellevue, so don't have any recommendations (please let us know if you find something good to eat there!) but if you can get over to Boise, definitely give Andrade's Restaurante Mexicano a try. They've got a salsa bar where you help yourself to chunky salsa roja, pico de gallo, four-alarm habanero puree and a large variety of other tongue-tinglers that are just right for dipping tortilla chips. Another fine place in Boise is the Westside Drive-In, run by local celebrity chef Lou Aaron, inventor of the Idaho Ice Cream Potato (!). Great burgers and stupendous, gigantic baked potatoes.

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Vero Beach, Fla.: Wanted a quick stop for a pulled pork sandwich off Interstate 95 going north (or south for that matter) in North Carolina. There used to be a wonderful stop at Benson that's now closed. Boy were we disappointed! Our mouths had been ready for 200 miles. There is another (I think called the Swan?) in the vicinity that's no comparison. Can you suggest any alternatives, as it was one of the treats that made the ride back north worthwhile. Thanks.

Jane and Michael Stern: The place I'd recommend is Parker's in Wilson, North Carolina&#8212;a classic, old-time pig-pickin originally made popular by local tobacco farmers long ago. Get the chopped pork and Brunswick stew with hushpuppies, corn sticks, cole slaw, and boiled potatoes on the side. If you are willing to detour off I-95 and head east to Ayden, you will there find the Skylight Inn, which many consider to be one of the greatest barbecue parlors anywhere. It is whole-hog 'cue done the old-fashioned way, and there are exactly two items on the menu: a sandwich (pulled pork with cole slaw included) and a tray (pulled pork with cole slaw and a tile of cornbread). Either way, it is a meal to remember.

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Belleville, N.J.: Whenever we travel around the state, my wife teases me because it seems like I've been to just about every diner we drive by. (Yeah, it's a Jersey thing&#8212;although, California has a diner culture too, doesn't it?) So what is your one can't-miss diner?

Jane and Michael Stern: In New Jersey, I am especially fond of White Rose System in Linden, which my eater-pals Bruce Bilmes and Sue Boyles directed me to for the Taylor ham sandwiches with eggs, cheese, AND home fried potatoes. (As a New Jersey native, you KNOW just how beloved Taylor ham is in the Garden State; it is a treat that few out-of-staters know or understand. The fact is that New Jersey really does have the best and the most diners, although you will find some good ones all over the country, such as Mickey's Dining Car in St. Paul, Bobcat Bite in Santa Fe, and Bette's Oceanview in Berkeley. I'm not sure about California having a thriving diner culture any more. Even Bette's is a modern place that is more an ode to the diner (but a thoroughly worthy one). Another interesting dinerish place in Oakland is a place called Bakesale Betty's, known for great pastries and its chicken salad sandwich. At this place, you dine out on the sidewalk at tables made from old ironing boards!

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West Palm Beach, Fla.: We will be road tripping from Atlanta to Asheville then on to Charleston, then Savannah and back to Atlanta from October 9th to the 19th. We're two adults in our late 30s, no kids. We'd love to find some good food on the road but haven't found any websites that help you plan a road trip around food. Any suggestions?? Thanks, Angela

Jane and Michael Stern: Hooo-wee, you will be traveling through some of the most delicious country anywhere in this nation. In Atlanta, I would start my trip with fried chicken, pot likker and plates full of southern style vegetables at Mary Mac's Tea Room. If you like classic old-style diners, check out the Silver Skillet: ham and red eye gravy for breakfast, and some of the best lemon icebox pie anywhere. Then, of course, who can leave Atlanta without a visit to the Varsity, the worlds' largest drive-in, for a slaw dog or two? I don't know the route you are taking to Ashville, but I suggest you plot it so you can stop in Statesville at Keaton's for barbecued chicken -- it is fried, then dipped in hot, hot sauce, emerging with a taste like no other. Charleston is an eater's paradise: seafood at Hyman's, great southern food of all kinds at Jestine's, and if you want an upscale version of Southern food, check out Magnolia's. Even more upscale, and pretty pricey (but very, very good) is 82 Queen. Oh, and the Hominy Grill must not be missed&#8212;for breakfast, lunch, or supper. In Savannah, be sure to have lunch at Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House. For many more tips along the way, check out <a href="http://www.Roadfood.com" target="_blank">Roadfood.com</a>. There are state-by-state listings and maps showing where the restaurants are, as well as discussion forums where you can ask for suggestions.

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Cicero, N.Y.: I am taking a trip in mid Sept. up the coast of Maine to Bar Harbor. Would you suggest some GREAT lobster shacks/pounds on the Maine coast?

Jane and Michael Stern: It's almost hard to find a bad lobster on the route you are taking. Heading downeast from the New Hampshire border, one of our favorites is The Maine Diner in Wells. It's not a scenic lobster pound, but the grandma's-recipe lobster pie is memorable. One of the most beautiful settings is at The Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth: dine on picnic tables overlooking Casco Bay. And at Five Islands Lobster Co. in Georgetown, while you are eating steamers, lobster, corn, and potatoes&#8212;a full shore dinner, cooked to order&#8212;you can watch the lobstermen bring in their catch. If you want to go a little more formal (utensils and washable plates), try Mabel's Lobster Claw in Kennebunkport. Just down the road from Mabel's is the Clam Shack, where you will get one of the best lobster rolls on the coast and where, next door, they will boil up an excellent lobster for you (but bring your own wine, side dishes, etc.).

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Bethesda, Md.: I am going to Renninger's Antique Show in Kutztown, PA at the end of September. Any suggestions for that area&#8212;Bethlehem, Allentown, Lancaster?

Jane and Michael Stern: How about the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market. Our friends Bruce Bilmes and Sue Boyle checked it out and recommended the pierogi, donuts, sausages, and chicken pies. There are all kinds of things to eat, but Bruce and Sue referred to it as a &quot;meat-eater's mecca, a carnival for carnivores,&quot; including meaty slab bacon, etc. Don't forget the shoofly pie, too. The market is open Thursday through Saturday, and while much of the food is for taking home, there are plenty of opportunities to feast on the spot.

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New York, N.Y.: What kind of ice cream recommendations do you have for an upcoming trip to New England?

Jane and Michael Stern: As you may know, New England eats more ice cream per capita than any other region, not to mention it being home of the original Howard Johnson's as well as of Ben &amp; Jerry's. Recently a team of ice cream fanatics from Roadfood.com sampled 50 of the top independent ice cream shops in the region. Some of their top choices are Tubby's in Wayne, Maine, for Cinnamon Trail flavor, Sundae School in Dennisport, Massachusetts, for Bass River Mud flavor, and Buttonwood Farms in Griswold, Connecticut for chocolate-covered Graham Cracker ice cream. Two personal favorites are The Big Dipper just outside Waterbury, Connecticut, for its toasted almond, and the Ridgefield Ice Cream Shop on Route 7 in Ridgefield for its purer-than-pure custard. The most intense ice cream you ever will eat is Rich Chocolate, at Dr. Mike's, in Bethel, Connecticut. In New Hampshire, check out Bishop's in Littleton; in Rhode Island, Gray's of Tiverton (get the ginger ice cream). And the Boston area is a hotbed of ice cream greatness, including Christina's and Toscanini's, both in Cambridge.

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Wellesley, Mass.: I will be traveling with another adult on Sept. 7 on I -35 north between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City. Any good restaurants? A life-long foodie

Jane and Michael Stern: In Fort Worth, the Paris Coffee Shop (named not for the city in France, but for the family who started it) is a modest place that has become a landmark for its excellent pies as well as good chicken-fried steak. In Oklahoma City, we are particularly fond of the Classen Grill, especially for its breakfast migas (a sort of tortilla omelet). Between the two cities, it's a short trip off I-35 into Tioga, Texas (birthplace of singing cowboy Gene Autry), for a visit to Clark's Barbecue, one of the Lone Star State's best.

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Trenton, N.J.: One Roadfood chicken meal: deep-fried, pan-fried, Broasted, or Cornell?

Jane and Michael Stern: That's like asking Hugh Hefner if he prefers blondes, redheads, or brunettes. But if you held a gun to my head and forced me to choose (oh, what a great dilemma!), I would go for the pan-fried, especially if it was the pan-fried chicken served at Stroud's in Kansas City, where it is presented with crusty skin inbued with the flavor of chicken fat and as rich and savory as bacon. It comes with real, rugged pan-drippin' gravy, fluffy mashed potatoes, buttery-sweet cinnamon rolls and even superb chicken soup with homemade noodles and juicy shreds of thigh meat. Everything comes in big bowls meant for passing among friends and family. 

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San Diego, Calif.: My wife and I are going on a retirement road trip from San Diego to New Jersey taking a Northern route there and a Southern route home. We are going through Utah (Zion NP), South Dakota (Deadwood), Iowa (Amana Colonies), Illinois, Michigan (Holland, Detroit), Ohio (Canton), Penn. (Hershey), New Jersey, Virginia, Tennessee (Memphis), Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and home. Can you recommend some not to miss, non chain places to experiences local foods? Thanks in advance.

Jane and Michael Stern: Oh, my gosh. You could take 5 years to make that trip and not hit half the great eateries along the way. A small handful of must-not-miss opportunities that come immediately to mind are barbecue in Memphis (at Interstate, A&R, or Cozy Corner), a green chile cheeseburger in New Mexico (at the Owl Bar in San Antonio) or a full-bore New-Mex meal at the beautiful and romantic Rancho de Chimayo north of Santa Fe. If you go through Tucson, great Sonoran-Mexican food in such gems as Pico de Gallo, El Charro, and the upscale Poca Cosa. It wouldn't hurt to take a copy of our book Roadfood with you; that's what it's for! ;-)

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Jane and Michael Stern: Thanks for chatting, everyone. And here's hoping we run into one another somewhere at the counter of an excellent diner down the road. Adios.

Trip Coach: August 12, 2008

New Prize: Italian villa vacation The best response that we receive between September 20, 2008, and October 14, 2008, wins a seven-night vacation rental at an Endless Vacation Rentals by Wyndham Worldwide property in Italy&#8212;the company has villas and apartments in Rome, Tuscany, Sardinia, and more. Prize includes airfare. For more info on Endless Vacation Rentals: 877/782-9387, <a href="http://www.evrentals.com" target="_blank">evrentals.com</a>.

How to enter E-mail us at <a href="mailto:TrueStories@BudgetTravel.com" target="_blank">TrueStories@BudgetTravel.com</a> or mail us at True Stories, Budget Travel, 530 Seventh Ave., New York, NY 10018. For a complete rundown of the contest guidelines, please see <a href="http://www.BudgetTravel.com/truestories" target="_blank">BudgetTravel.com/truestories</a>.

This month's winner is Steve Morley of San Diego, Calif. His prize is a Celebrity Cruises sailing for up to 14 nights.

At the Cape Point Lighthouse near Cape Town, South Africa, we stopped to photograph some baboons that were rummaging through trash cans. As I focused on one, he ran a wide circle around me and jumped into our car (I had left a door open) and into the backseat, where he sat next to my wife's 80-year-old mother. The two of them just stared at each other. After I chased him off, it was apparent that my mother-in-law wasn't sure what had happened&#8212;she asked about the strange-looking kid who had just hopped into our car.

Super stretch: Tim Gunn's crime-fighting alter ego For our trip to Hawaii, my fianc&#233; and I bought a first-class ticket for me; he used a first-class ticket for family of an airline employee. But the gate agent told him that airline policy forbade people using such tickets to wear jeans in first class. (He had on new jeans, boots, a black leather blazer, and a dress shirt&#8212;he looked ready for a Texas wedding.) We argued with the agent for several minutes and then went into the women's restroom and traded pants! I put on his jeans, and he put on my size 2, black super-stretch pants with bell bottoms. His coat covered his goods, but just barely. What a sight! Mikhail Baryshnikov would have been envious. The now angry and red-faced agent had no choice but to let us board. Once at our seats, we traded back under a blanket. (We didn't get a photo at the time&#8212;we restaged the trade after we got married.) Janet Trigg, Las Vegas, Nev.

Plans for later: ruined My wife and I were in Rio de Janeiro for Carnaval. At the stadium, each person was given a goodie bag with a program, site maps, and a moist towelette. After going for a snack, I rummaged around for the towelette. I tore the package open and rubbed my hands while watch&shy;ing the show&#8212;but the more I wiped them, the stickier they got. Turns out I was wiping my hands with a lubricated condom. David Ancil, Vero Beach, Fla.

Wait till she sees you and reports you as stowaways My family was at a restaurant in the Dominican Republic when a woman approached our table and politely asked, &quot;Would you mind if I take a picture of the typical Dominican family?&quot; We said yes&#8212;we just didn't have the heart to tell her that we had traveled there on the same cruise ship she had. Alexander Meyers, Burke, Va.

&quot;But if you keep whining...&quot; At the end of our honeymoon in Bermuda, we boarded the airport shuttle. Another couple grumbled&#8212;loud enough for the driver to hear&#8212;about how slowly we were moving. &quot;You don't have to worry about the plane leaving without you,&quot; the driver eventually said. &quot;After I drop you off, I have to go back and pick up the pilot.&quot; Dave and Lorrie Kenward, Kernersville, N.C.

Fish certainly doesn't get any fresher than that After a full day in L.A. malls and traffic, our family of three was ready for a seafood dinner. We scanned the restaurant section of our rental car's GPS. Among the listings was one that caught my eye&#8212;All the Fish U Can Wish. After what seemed like an eternity, the chime of the GPS told us we had arrived. Much to our shock, we had driven 40 minutes to find a store specializing in tropical fish! We explained our problem to the store owner and borrowed a telephone book. As we turned to leave, the store owner shouted, &quot;I could make sushi!&quot; Larry and Carla Sonntag, Albuquerque, N.M.

Someone has been reading his Encyclopedia Brown Last October, my family and I went on a cruise to the Bahamas. Our grandkids, especially 5-year-old Luke, were excited to meet the captain. When they did, Luke asked him how his leg was. The captain was confused, and Luke said, &quot;You do have a wooden leg, don't you?&quot; Suppressing a laugh, the captain said his legs were like everyone else's and showed one as proof. But Luke wouldn't give up on the idea. At bedtime, he said, &quot;You know, Grammy, the captain never did show us his other leg.&quot; Carolyn Sullivan, Dayton, Tenn.

Five-finger discount! At a gift shop in Bath, England, I found a fabulous soldier doll, but it was missing one of its hands. When I asked the clerk about a markdown, she exclaimed, &quot;That's Lord Nelson&#8212;he lost his hand at the battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 1797!&quot; Cynthia Tarnoff, Saltillo, Miss.

Nature called While in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica, my friend and I went to see howler monkeys. I stood under a tree where a few monkeys were, focused my camera, and got hit with something. Three monkeys had thrown mangoes at me! Determined to get a picture, I moved. The monkeys moved, too&#8212;and again they hit me with mangoes. I moved again, and so did they. We went back and forth several times until they stopped. I focused my camera. The next thing I knew, it was raining. I looked over at my friend, who was on her knees laughing. The monkeys had peed on me. Maria Daloisio, Gilbertsville, Pa.

He was hoping for Blanche My friend Elaine and I were on our way to the Prado Museum in Madrid. Locals were selling their wares nearby, and we stopped to admire some fans. The owner looked at us and said, &quot;The Golden Girls!&quot; He pointed to Elaine and said, &quot;Sophia,&quot; and then called me &quot;Dorothy.&quot; He had seen the show while in Los Angeles. We had a good laugh, and our friends agree that there is a resemblance. Sue Maloney, Fairhope, Alaska

The truth can really sting My friends and I had lunch in a Montreal restaurant one day. Before we left, I used the ladies' room, while my friend Marilyn went into the men's room. I emerged to find a man yelling in French. He repeatedly shouted &quot;Pee!&quot; and slapped his thigh, so I motioned him into the ladies' room. As we gathered our coats, we saw him with the hostess. It turns out, she translated, that he had been yelling not &quot;Pee!&quot; but &quot;Bee!&quot; He had come in to remove a bee that had flown up his pant leg. Bari Brenner, Castro Valley, Calif.

Prize Report Caroline Friesen won a four-night trip to Singapore and Malaysia, courtesy of Sayang Holidays, for her story about an interrupted resurrection at a religious theme park in Buenos Aires. &quot;A big thank you to Sayang Holidays!&quot; Caroline says. &quot;In Singapore, we strolled through the botanical gardens. In Kuala Lumpur, Sayang put us up in a beautiful hotel with a view of the Petronas Twin Towers.&quot;

Travelers' Tales

Now don't get me wrong: not all spring training camps come cheap. The New York Yankees' facility in Tampa boasts luxury suites, seats 10,000 fans, and is a mini-replica of the Yanks' Bronx home. The Atlanta Braves' state-of-the-art training field in Orlando is the centerpiece of a $100 million sports complex found smack in the middle of Disney World. At both, actual game tickets can run $17, and admission to a mere training session, where you can watch Chipper Jones stretch his quads, can cost $8 and more. But these aren't what you and I mean by &quot;spring training.&quot; The 1.5 million baseball buffs who make the annual pilgrimage to Florida from mid-February until March 31 aren't looking for a chance to cozy up in sky booths or with Mickey Mouse. They're seeking out the spring parks of yesteryear - the intimate ones that boast tinny-sounding organs, dugouts that consist of single wooden benches, and (most important) megacheap ticket prices.

The six parks below deliver the low-cost, high-nostalgia version of the great American pastime, and with a little preparation you might even catch your own favorite team as it visits one of these classic spring parks, of which about 20 are scattered throughout the state. (To get you started on designing your fantasy itinerary, just think: Griffey on Monday, McGwire on Tuesday, Jeter on Wednesday.) Training starts mid-February; actual games commence March 1 and run through early April. For exact dates of games involving specific teams, contact either the Tampa Convention and Visitors Association (800/36-TAMPA) or the Florida Sports Foundation (850/488-8347). Both can send you information on schedules, tickets, addresses, maps, and special March events. Tickets are usually easy to secure at the stadium on game days - unless Very Big Name Teams or Very Big Name Players are in town - but to be safe, call ahead.

Dodgertown (Vero Beach)

Los Angeles Dodgers. Ticket information: 561/569-6858. Ticket prices: reserved $12. Places to stay: Howard Johnson, 561/ 567-5171, rooms start at $61; Comfort Inn, 561/569-0900, rooms start at $89; splurge: Palm Court, 561/231-2800, rooms start at $145.

If you're going to get to only one Grapefruit League game, you should do your best to make sure it's at Vero Beach's Dodgertown, where the Dodgers have been playing since 1948 - a year after Jackie Robinson made his debut at Ebbets Field. Generally considered the most famous spring park, Dodgertown consists of the 6,500-seat Holman Stadium, six practice fields, ten batting cages, four pitching tunnels, plus a nine-hole public golf course, restaurant, and lounge. But it's best-known for its player accessibility - all Dodgers live and practice on the Dodgertown grounds - making it feel like a college campus. Fans can chat with players and get their autographs as they walk the 100-yard path from the clubhouse to the stadium.

Holman Stadium features open dugouts (so the players are always in full view) and was the first to create a berm, the raised grassy area beyond the outfield where fans can picnic and spread out blankets while watching the game.

Jack Russell Memorial Stadium (Clearwater)

Philadelphia Phillies. Ticket information: 727/442-8496. Ticket prices: box seats $12, lower reserved $11, upper reserved $9, reserved $6. Places to stay: Ramada Inn, 727/446-2688, rooms start at $119; Days Inn, 727/447-8444, rooms start at $115.

Built in 1955, 6,900-seat Jack Russell Memorial Stadium is brimming with old-world charm. On the first-base-side stands, right below a giant marquee reading, &quot;The Way Baseball Was Meant to Be,&quot; sits 80-year-old Wilbur Snapp, the organ master who has been pounding out ballpark tunes for almost two decades. Jack Russell Stadium is also one of the few stadiums whose concession stand has imported the team's local flavor (Philly cheese-steaks, of course) to satisfy homesick fans.

One of the beautiful things about spring training is the casual attitude adopted by the ushers who seem more concerned about catching the game themselves than making sure you're in the right seat with the right ticket.

When I recently arrived at the entrance to a sold-out Phillies-Yankee game without tickets, an usher asked an early departing fan to give me his ticket stub - so I got in for free. You might not be so lucky, but at the very least, remember that there's room to negotiate.

For information on special events, like the annual &quot;Meet the Phillies&quot; day (including clubhouse tours, fireworks, and games for kids), call 727/441-8638.

Joker Marchant Stadium, Tigertown (Lakeland)

Detroit Tigers. Ticket information: 863/603-6278, 863/688-7911. Ticket prices: reserved $8, general admission $5. Where to stay: Days Inn, 863/682-0303, doubles $50; Diplomat Inn, 863/688-7972, rooms start at $69; Howard Johnson, 863/682-0101, rooms start at $45.

&quot;The ultimate spring training ballpark is one that has a special relationship with the community,&quot; says Nick Gandy, president of the Florida Sports Foundation. Joker Marchant Stadium, the Detroit Tigers' spring home since 1934, is the quintessential example, holding the record for the longest ballpark-franchise relationship in spring baseball history. Every year the Chamber of Commerce throws a kick off barbecue for fans and players. (Call 863/688-8551 for details.) In return, the Tigers also host the Major League Scramble where community members (and visitors) can win a chance to play golf with their favorite players. Last year, all-star slugger Juan Gonzales was the grand prize partner. (Call 863/534-4372 for information.)

In the stadium, 7,000 bright orange-and-blue seats offset the shock of brilliant green grass. (You won't find any artificial turf around here.) With your typical March game day in Florida being sunny and 77 degrees, a game at Tigertown may just make you the happiest fan since Rudy Giuliani at the 2000 Subway Series. And the experience is only getting better. They plan on funneling $9 million into the stadium to enhance seating and create a berm in left field.

Osceola County Stadium (Kissimmee, near Orlando)

Houston Astros. Ticket information: 407/933-2520. Ticket prices: box seats $12, reserved $10, general admission $7. Places to stay: Quality Inn Conference Center, 407/846-4545, rooms start at $59; Holiday Inn, 407/846-4646, rooms start at $49; Travelodge, 407/846-1530, rooms start at $55.

This will be the 16th spring training season for the Astros at 5,100-seat Osceola County Stadium (the smallest in the league), another ballpark that prides itself on player accessibility. From mid-February through March, Astrophiles are allowed to watch every workout - no charge. Even on game days, when the gates open at 11 a.m., you can watch both teams take batting practice. And unlike the newer stadiums, neither the home nor the visiting clubhouse is connected to dugouts, so players must walk outside with the fans where they will often sign autographs and pose for photographs. There are also autograph opportunities after the game in a roped-off area outside the clubhouse.

The park itself, with pine trees lining the outfield, is considered one of the most picturesque for fans. It's also family-friendly. In left field at the end of the grandstand there's a fenced-off playground (with attendant) so parents have the option to drop off kids who might not want to sit through a game.

McKechnie Field (Bradenton)

Pittsburgh Pirates. Ticket information: 941/748-4610. Ticket prices: box seats $9, reserved $8, reserved general admission $6. Places to stay: Quality Inn and Suites, 941/747-6465, rooms start at $45; Days Inn, 941/ 746-1141, rooms start at $69.99; Holiday Inn, 941/747-3727, rooms start at $127.

Built in 1923 (and home to the Pirates since 1969), the 6,600-seat Spanish-mission-style McKechnie Field was renovated in 1993 with careful attention to preserving the intimate, old-time atmosphere that led USA Today to dub it &quot;the Fenway of spring parks.&quot; Members of the neighboring Boys and Girls Club like to take in the games through a large hole in the left field fence (deliberately created by the Pirates), but for a reasonable $6 general admission ticket, I recommend taking a seat - there's not a bad one in the house. The 1993 renovation provided McKechnie with a state-of-the-art P.A. system, but you won't find them blaring it obnoxiously like they do at the slick new parks. &quot;We try to maintain a relaxed, family environment,&quot; says a spokesperson.

Diehard Pirate followers may want to mark their 2002 calendars for the annual &quot;fantasy camp&quot; in which amateurs can play aging professionals (this year's was January 14-21). And this year, McKechnie will be hosting an array of 30th anniversary celebrations to commemorate the Pirates' 1971 championship team. For more information on special events, call 941/747-3031.

Chain of Lakes Park (Winter Haven)

Cleveland Indians. Ticket information: 863/293-3900. Ticket prices: berm seating $5 to lower box seats $13. Places to stay: Howard Johnson, 863/294-7321, rooms start at $90; Best Western, 863/ 324-5950, rooms start at $95.

The 7,000-seat stadium situated next to scenic Lake Lulu was built in 1966 and has been home to the Indians for nine years - ever since the Boston Red Sox left for ritzier digs in Fort Myers. Retaining its golden-era magic is so important to Cleveland's Chain Of Lakes Park that authorities are actually considering replacing the electronic scoreboard with a manual one. As Florida operations manager Jerry Crabb says, &quot;We want the experience to be how we all remember baseball.&quot; That means more organ music than Top 40 hits. It also means opening the park in mid-February so baseball enthusiasts can wander the grounds and watch players practice - for free. They keep up this policy throughout March, except on game days when fans must pay to get into the stadium.

Winter Haven's Chamber of Commerce kicks off the season with a barbecue on the Wednesday before opening day for players and fans. Information is available through the Chamber of Commerce at 863/293-2138.

Spring Training Camps in Florida

<h2>A spirit-lifting adventure in Kentucky and Tennessee</h2><ul><li>Take a Historic walking village tour with a local guide at a Shaker village followed by a farm to table lunch.</li><li>Pay a visit to some of Nashville’s most photogenic and colourful murals with a stop along the way for Mimosa and Donut tasting.</li><li>Earn your place in the Country Music Hall of Fame as you take part in a recording session with a professional sound engineer at the iconic Studio B in Nashville.</li><li>Discover a kitschy world of Southern glitz and glamour at Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley and his final resting place.</li><li>Get to know the real New Orleans during a walking tour that celebrates the city’s jazz music heritage, stopping off at some lively venues along the way.</li><li>It doesn’t get much better than Southern food – learn how to cook a classic New Orleans crawfish boil for a true taste of Louisiana.</li><li>Join a local Black-owned business for a tour of the Whitney Plantation, where you’ll get a sobering glimpse at what life was like for those enslaved on a Louisiana sugarcane plantation.</li></ul><h1>Budget Travel readers get 15% OFF Use Intrepid coupon code: 691016</h1>
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Best of the South: Louisville to New Orleans

<h2>A thrilling escape to the Sunshine State</h2><ul><li>Get a behind the scenes look at Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood during an in-depth tour, uncovering the area’s rich Cuban history, art, architecture and cuisine.</li><li>Discover Miami’s fantastic collection of colorful and glamorous Art Deco buildings and visit the trendy Wynwood neighborhood to admire its display of street art murals.</li><li>Zip through the wildlife rich landscapes of the Florida Everglades on an exhilarating airboat tour, looking out for alligators and unique flora and fauna.</li><li>Take a trip to paradise and travel to the Florida Keys, stopping off at the beautifully tropical Key Largo for a kayaking adventure over its crystal-clear waters.</li><li>Walk through years of history during guided explorations of Key West, from its successful industrial endeavors to its reputation as a getaway for many of the USA’s important figures.</li></ul><h1>Budget Travel readers get 15% OFF Use Intrepid coupon code: 691016</h1>
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Miami to the Florida Keys

Vero Beach is a city in and the seat of Indian River County, Florida, United States. It is thirty-four miles south of Melbourne. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2010 data, the city had a population of 15,220.

Vero Beach, Florida

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<title>Budget Travel | Vero Beach</title>

Vero Beach

Martin County is a county located in the Treasure Coast region of the state of Florida, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 146,318. Its county seat is Stuart. Martin County is in the Port St. Lucie, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Martin County

Cape Canaveral is a city in Brevard County, Florida. The population was 9,912 at the 2010 United States Census. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Cape Canaveral

Cocoa is a city in Brevard County, Florida. The population was 17,140 at the 2010 United States Census. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Cocoa

West Palm Beach is a city in and the county seat of Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. It is located immediately to the west of the adjacent Palm Beach, which is situated on a barrier island across the Lake Worth Lagoon. The population was 117,415 at the 2020 census. West Palm Beach is a principal city of the Miami metropolitan area, which was home to 6,138,333 people in 2020. It is the oldest incorporated municipality in the South Florida area, incorporated as a city two years before Miami in November 1894. West Palm Beach is located approximately 68 miles (109 km) north of Downtown Miami.

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