How to Plan a Cheap Vacation Close to Home

Lately it seams many family budgets are very tight. A vacation looks less likely than normal with gas prices and hotel costs. Why not plan a stay at home staycation.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    

   Get a local state map and look at the areas within about a 3 hour drive. What state parks do you have? Are there any major cities you have not spent time exploring. 3 hours is about the limit to leave early and drive and still return home to sleep and be more cost and time effective than getting overnight accommodations at a motel or hotel. Look for areas an out of state tourist would be interested in.

2. 
    

   After a map check a great source of local ideas may be a large hotel in your area. Hotels generally have a wall of brochures for local activities that may not be at the top of your mind for a mini vacation. I found horseback riding, river rafting, museums, waterparks and so forth. Some of them within 20 minutes of my home. Others a one day drive down the interstate for those now on vacation

3. 
    

   What do people come to your area to do? I often hike the local canyons, but had not paid much attention to the rock climbers on the canyon walls. I have climbed a few times, but not much. I found out many of these climbers were planning big trips from other countries and staying within a short distance from my house to climb for a week. I checked a local sporting goods store and lessons were readily available for a short course or even a series of summer outings with licensed trainers and guides. I could stay at home and have a series of mini vacations nearby in an element totally new to me.

4. 
    

   Check out any local tourist information or travel booths. I found a brochure for a local self guided old town architecture tour. I learned a lot of local history I was not aware of in the decades of going about my daily routine here. Take your own bike trip through your area. You will see so much you miss from your car. Travel your own town like a tourist and gain new eyes for where you live.

5. 
    

   Find museums, art galleries, and zoos near you. Even collections and shows at local universities can all be fun and inexpensive for a great afternoon.

[eliptica]

on 2/17/2009 My husban and I usually go camping and backpacking. Thanks for the great read.

[wordwhirler]

on 2/7/2009 So much so close to home that we never pay attention to. Be a tourist in your hometown!!

[ginafur]

on 2/6/2009 This is what we do. We are an hour away from the beach, have Mardi Gras for 2 weeks during the year, and a couple of hours from several campgrounds. So, throughout the year, especially the summer, we take weekend trips. Leave Sat. morning, back home Sun. night. Thanks for the great tips. 5*

[SharonJeanne]

on 2/5/2009 Great advice for a cheap vacation close to home. 5*!

[keytothestars]

on 2/4/2009 Great ideas. I live a "stone's throw away" from the Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, Saguaro National Park and more so this is what I do! Thanks =0)