3 Vacation Ideas for Car Aficionados

A new car might not be in your budget this year, but you can still satisfy your need for speed through these four-wheel vacations.

Catch the Indy 500: Tickets are still available for the largest sporting event in the world, the Indianapolis 500 on May 24. Last year, the race drew an estimated 300,000 spectators to Speedway, Ind., a town outside Indianapolis that's dominated by the 2.5-mile racetrack. This is a must-attend event for car enthusiasts, Danica Patrick fans and people who just like to party.

The speedway is large enough to hold the Roman Coliseum, Vatican City, Wimbledon Campus, Rose Bowl, Yankee Stadium and Churchill Downs. The infield alone is large enough to contain an 18-hole golf course.

If you're going for the festivities, buy a $20 ticket for the infield, which will be filled with sunburned, drunk revelers before the race reaches its midway point. Hard-core partiers should look for "the snake pit" -- just follow the scent of beer.

The infield also offers a no-alcohol viewing area for families, giving kids a place to run around while their parents watch the race.

Finding a hotel room can be more challenging than snagging a ticket to the race. The Indianapolis Convention & Visitor's Bureau has compiled a list of lodging options. If you want plusher accommodations, you might have to be creative. The Conrad Indianapolis, one of the nicest hotels in town, has no rooms available for May 23rd, but rooms may still be available starting the evening after the race. That might be enough time to recuperate.