Hotels In St Augustine Florida

One-tank trips in five states

(CNN) -- Money's tight and gas prices are high, but a change of scenery is good for the soul.

As much of the country tries to balance prices at the pump with the all-American summer vacation, we asked six reporters across the country to share easy road trip recommendations from their stomping grounds.

CNN's Reynolds Wolf filled up a gas-guzzling Ford Expedition for $99 and traveled east from Waycross, Georgia, to the coastal islands and up to Spanish moss-draped Savannah in a day. Watch the video above to check out that adventure and read on for five more one-tank trip ideas.

On a budget? Take a road trip

MINNESOTA

From: Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Brainerd Lakes Area , home to more than 450 lakes, is about 125 miles from Minneapolis -- a doable one-tank trip. Skip the hotels or fancy lodges and try logging on to the website Vacation Rentals By Owner for a cabin tailored to your needs.

These lakes are home to hundreds of cabins, suitable for families large and small. It can be very economical, not to mention convenient, to have a little house all to yourself. I found a little cabin on Upper Gull Lake with its own stretch of beach and free use of the owner's canoe. The cabin was essentially one large room with a nice queen-size bed, a sitting area with TV, a kitchenette and a bathroom.

As for dining, if you want a fun family atmosphere where you can literally pull up your boat and order, check out Zorbaz on the Lake . It has a big kid-friendly menu and unique adult beverage concoctions, too. This spot can be a little touristy, so if quiet time is a priority for you, just bring something to throw on a grill or makeshift campfire by the beach.

There's plenty of fishing in the area, as well as golf, trails and swimming, and at night you'll have no problem hearing the occasional call of the loon. Not a bad way to spend a night -- or even two. -- Chris Welch

WASHINGTON

From: Kingston, Washington Travel time: About three hours each way

When summer finally arrives in Seattle there's not a moment to spare to take full advantage of the long days and spectacular natural beauty. Everyone here knows how quickly the grey and drizzly weather can return. Luckily you can drive in any direction from Seattle and come across amazing scenery.

My favorite trip is to head West to the Olympic Peninsula, which lies between Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean, and is home to towering snow-capped mountains and Olympic National Park. With temperate rainforests, mountains and amazing camping and fishing, there are more activities in the Olympics than one tank of gas can carry you to. I try to branch out when I go, but one spot I always come back to is Rialto Beach near the Peninsula's westernmost edge.

St. Augustine, Florida | Christian Travel Advisor

Christian Traveler

St. Augustine, Florida is much more than the oldest city in the United States.  With more than 85 historic sites and attractions, St. Augustine has something for everyone, whether you are a history buff, architecture nut, connoisseur looking for a great meal, naturalist, or beach bum.  Best of all, St. Augustine is a distinctly Christian destination that is family friendly and great for couples looking to recharge their marriage.   

The heart of St. Augustine is the historic district whose buildings are now filled with restaurants, desserts, arts, antiques, clothiers, and a few touristy spots.  There are two streets you’ll want to spend extra time on, St. George and Aviles streets.  St. George is an 11 block pedesterian-only street on the north side of the Plaza de La Constitucion.  The less crowded Aviles Street runs south of the plaza and is considered by many to be the oldest street in America.   

Here’s our list of top places to go in St. Augustine.  At the bottom of the list, are the attractions in and around St. Augustine that we recommend for those with more flexible schedules. 

St. Augustine was founded in 1565 making it the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States.   As the first city in the U.S., St. Augustine is loaded with historical landmarks. 

Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park sits a short bike, scooter, or car ride north of the historic district.  This park pays tribute to the 1513 founding of Florida by storied explorer Ponce de León, who claimed the land for the king of Spain as he searched for the legendary Fountain of Youth.  You’ll also learn of the 1565 founding of St. Augustine by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, 42 years before the English colonized Jamestown and 5 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock.  A variety of exhibits will entertain big and little kids alike including the Discovery Globe which traces the route of past explorers and a planetarium depicting the stars as the explorers say them in 1513.  For more information, visit http://www.fountainofyouthflorida.com .   

Castillo de San Marcos is a key reason St. Augustine survived continuous occupation and remains the symbol of the city’s strength and resiliency.

A Guide to Historic St. Augustine, Florida

Flagler's St. Augustine hotels, the Ponce de Leon, the Alcazar, and the Casa Monica

Ghostly Encounters, True Stories of America's Haunted Inns and Hotels

Florida For Dummies

Frommer's Florida 2007