Re-creating bygone eras allows modern man to experience the joy of wearing pantaloons for the first time or the fear of having to obey a feline demigod. Honor history's quirks with today's Groupon: for $12, you get one adult admission to the Scarborough Renaissance Festival (a $24 value), located in Waxahachie. The festival runs 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday from April 9 to May 30, as well as Memorial Day.

Now in its 31st year of facsimile fiefdom, the Scarborough Renaissance Festival transports fair-goers to 16th-century England with the reimagining of a 35-acre village jam-packed with spectacular performers, delicious eats, and old-fashioned shoppes. Merry men and maidens of all ages will carouse through an immersive schedule of more than 200 daily performances, highlighted by the Royal Falconer's presentation of his birds, three combat jousts daily, sword fights, jugglers, and knife-throwers taking aim at sass-mouthed jesters. Making the rounds among the crowds are 150 in-character volunteers dressed as resplendent royalty, ethereal faeries, and one fully conjoined Queen Anne Boleyn.

History buffs can observe artisan demonstrations including blacksmithing, glassblowing, and sword-making before slaying their Henry VIII–sized appetites by noshing on the festival's renowned giant turkey legs, homemade pastas, seafood, and italian ices, among other eclectic chow served throughout the food court areas. Eight pubs and taverns dispense hearty beers, wine, and ol' timey mead to lubricate tongues between fiery rounds of competitive lute playing.

Admission for children ages 5–12 is $9, and children ages 4 and under enter for free.