The Minnesota Renaissance Festival - Minneapolis/St. Paul's Best Escape

Arriving at a castle, flanked by a pirate ship, a battalion of horses in armor, and a store selling "Wenches Want Me" shirts, we were greeted by a knave who serenaded us with Frank Sinatra. Where in the world? The Minnesota Renaissance Festival.

Out in ye olde Shakopee, there be a medieval village filled with the aforementioned wenches, vagabonds, knights, wizards, faeries, hobbits, morris dancers, belly dancers with snakes, and everyone putting on their finest British accents.

Visitors can feast on scotch eggs and turkey legs, washed down with cups of tea, or ale in a leather beer mug, whatever your persuasion.

There's live armored jousting by knights on horseback who battle for the crowd thrice daily, and jugglers, jesters, fire walkers, comics and musicians who entertain almost constantly. The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is very good value for money.

This is one of the few places you might feel underdressed if you aren't wearing leather britches or fairy wings. Here's resources for making RenFest costumes, and images of outfits from Renaissance Fairs around the country for inspiration

About.com's guide to DIY Fashion: Making your own Renaissance Festival Costume

Whether you get dressed up or not, it's always a rollicking good time at the Renaissance Festival.

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is open every weekend from now until September 28, plus Labor Day and September 26.

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival Website