Over the past several months, we've talked a lot about the silver lining in this gray recession cloud. That is, all the great travel deals that are out there. For the summer, we're seeing airfare that has dropped more than 17 percent over last year and hotel rates that have declined a good 13 percent.

But, there's more to the silver lining than just deals. Travelers are getting back to the basics, seeking to experience the world on a budget and taking the time to explore their own backyards. For many, that means hitting the road.

Take a look at the map below for road trip inspiration from your hometown. We've highlighted the cities that have the best average hotel rates on the continent and found some local-recommended festivals that are worth checking out and will help to keep you on budget.

So Uncle Sam gifted you a huge refund and you spent it on a ticket to Coachella? NICE. After six straight months of grim economic news you’ve more than earned a chance to blow off a little steam. But don’t space out yet. There will be plenty of time for that once My Bloody Valentine starts their set.

Here are some tips to make your Coachella experience rock.

Glowing is for Glowsticks:

It’s cherry blossom time in the D.C. area, and the famous Cherry Blossom Festival by the Tidal Basin is getting into full swing. Each year, this area bursts forth with cotton-candy pink blossoms on the trees that circle the monuments along the water, and people come from all corners of the globe to witness this rite of spring.

I just opted out of trips to attend the Coachella and Pitchfork music festivals (not that I don’t love me some Palm Springs, Chicago, and Paul McCartney, but I’m saving my travel budget for some other things this year). So I was pretty excited to read today that Woodstock might return for a 40th-anniversary edition, right here in New York City.

We’ll have to wait to see if the idea will materialize, but Woodstock’s founder is reportedly seeking sponsors for a free, environmentally friendly NYC concert, possibly even in Central Park. If it happens, I’ll be among the first to dole out my $2 to travel uptown.

If you find yourself in Michigan with a chocolate craving this summer, you're in luck. The Henry Ford Museum---founded in 1929 by automotive pioneer Henry Ford---is playing host to a tantalizing traveling exhibit guaranteed to have you craving a tall glass of milk within minutes. Its name? Chocolate: The Exhibition. Honestly, you can't argue with that.

Exploring the relationship between human culture and chocolate---and yes, it goes deeper than "mmm, I love that stuff"---the exhibition (which is free with general admission to the museum) traces the path from the Mayans' discovery of the cacao seed to the American development and marketing of the candy bars we know and love today.

Two weeks ago, I got the privilege of dog-sitting my roommate’s two heartbreakingly cute Chihuahuas. Of course, I was thrilled to play mommy to them for an entire week--but I couldn’t help feeling just a tad bit left out. After all, my roommate’s band was headed to Austin, Texas for the much-lauded South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival, which took place March 7 through 16.

SXSW is an annual event that showcases hundreds of mainly “indie” rock bands from around the world. Since the nature of independent labels is, well, that they’re not major labels, most of these bands tend to be a smidge more off-the-radar than, say, Madonna or Coldplay.

This morning, I noticed that my right shoulder was pretty sore. Figuring it was due to some errant check from a hockey game the night before, I wrote it off until I went into the bathroom and saw the gleaming tile and mirror-like fixtures of the tub. Last night, already relatively gross from the game, I got to work scrubbing and trying to avoid the occasional blasts of scalding hot water that I employed to rinse the grout I’d just been over. It was hardly enviable work, but there was something cathartic about it beyond even the fact that I knew my bathroom was pretty filthy and really needed the cleaning. Perhaps it was the sunny, warmer weather that’s been rolling through the city, but it seemed that with each tile scoured, winter’s hold was loosened ever so slightly by an expiating combination of bleach, a scrub brush, and elbow grease.

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member ladyanne47

I recently returned from a week in Trinidad & Tobago. Before you look outside at the wintry weather and curse me for basking in the warmth of the Caribbean, let me tell you that it was not all bath-warm water and coral beaches. Some of it was, I won’t lie, but I was there for Carnival. Trinidadians take their Carnival seriously and their celebration is the largest in the Caribbean—and one of the biggest and wildest in the world. Hmm, that doesn’t seem to be eliciting much pity from you either. Understandable, I suppose, but you are also looking at it with a chilly and rested eye. Carnival is all about sleep-deprivation. They say that when Trinidadians are not celebrating Carnival, they spend their time talking about how great last year’s party was, or how great next year’s is going to be. They’re not kidding; I’ve never seen people dance, drink, party, and generally revel in an event like Trinis at Carnival.

Yesterday marked the official beginning of Chinese New Year. To many people, this late winter holiday means vibrant street festivities complete with fireworks, colorful dragon floats, and tasty Chinese goodies galore. To others, the term “Chinese New Year” barely rings a bell. But given the growing influence of Chinese culture, more people are learning about the holiday and making plans to participate in celebrations across the country and the world.

Bottoms up: Oktoberfest has begun! The largest beer festival in the world, this 2-week party kicked off on Saturday and has brew-lovers coming together for a rousing, collective cry of "Prost!"