I have written previously about taking family vacations during the summer. However, it may be that you are on a tight budget and a family trip may have moved down the list of priorities this summer. But, you can still have a vacation with your family without breaking the bank or crossing state lines.
“Staycations” are the perfect alternative to expensive out of town trips. You might think that you have seen everything in your area, but there are possibly many hidden gems still waiting to be found and this is the perfect opportunity for you and your family to do just that. In addition, there usually are a variety of local discounts available from museums, historic sites, and other ‘tourist attractions’.
If you want to leave your home, you could stay at an inexpensive hotel to have the full “vacation experience”. Many hotels give local residents discounts during the summer. However, there are plenty of ways to have the luxury feel of a hotel in your own home. For example, one of the best parts of any good hotel stay is the breakfast spread. Plan on cooking a big breakfast (the kids can join too!), similar to that of most hotels, and serve it buffet style. Set the table with white tablecloths and a simple centerpiece and enjoy your private, yummy breakfast with the family.
After breakfast, select one or more popular tourist attractions to visit. Try something new and different. It may seem silly to be a tourist in your own home, but it can be fun and educational. One of the main advantages is that you do not have to worry about the cost of transportation because you can drive to each destination in your own vehicle! Try visiting museums, having a picnic in the park, going backyard camping, or just taking a stroll through the city or town. In the evening, consider talking the family to a drive-in theater.
You can make a day or a weekend out of it. The schedule is completely up to you because transportation, location and the struggle that comes with being in a new place will not be an issue. By the end of it all, you and your family will have seen, done, and learned so much about your own community that you never imagined you could. Who knows? It might even become a family tradition.