I actually prefer the Renaissance Festival to the other options. I think Star Wars/Star Trek people are nerdy and while I like Tolkien, going to to a Tolkien convention just seems kind of weird.
But at Renaissance Festival, I get to dress in a green and yellow court jester's costume with pointy shoes and nobody laughs at me. I get one of those giant turkey legs to gnaw on and drink lots and lots of mead and cidre while I watch the knights in chain armor jostle each other on horses. All while harp and flute music is playing. It's a lot of fun.
I used to go to the one in Maryland when I lived near Annapolis. I would go as a traveling freeman, wear leather boots, homespun pants, linen shirt, and leather jerkin.
With the same mission. Gnaw on a turkey leg, drink, and watch the games.