UNIQUE TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES WITH SPECIAL INTEREST ORGANIZATIONS
Some of the most interesting opportunities for budget travelers are sponsored by nonprofit organizations. Some of these organization sponsor ongoing tours; others offer tours around their annual convention. Here are a few of my favorite offbeat clubs:
HISTORIC
- Society for Industrial Archeology Factory Tours
- Society for Commercial Archeology Roadside Attractions, Neon & Diners
- Organ Historical Society Pipe Organs
- Circus Historical Society Circuses
TRANSPORTATION
- Electric Railroaders’ Association Rail and Transit my review
- Steamship Historical Society Ships
- National Railway Historical Society Trains & Trolleys
ARCHITECTURE
- Miami Design Preservation League Art Deco Weekend and Walking Tours
- Chicago Architecture Foundation Ongoing Architecture Tours
- Open House New York Weekend of Architectural Tours
- Modernism Week Southern California Mid-Century Design
OUTDOOR RECREATION
- Appalachian Mountain Club Hiking, Lodges, and Family Camps my review
- Sierra Club Service Trips and Lodge
- Potomac Appalachian Trail Club Hiking, Cross Country Skiing, Cabins my review
- Mycological Association of Washington Mushroom Forays
- University of California Santa Barbara Summer Family Camp
MUSEUMS
- Association of Science & Technology Centers Passport program for free admission to 800 museums
- Association of Childrens’ Museums Reciprocal Network for 50% discount on admission