July 8th, 2009
A lot of families are finding fun, exciting summertime alternatives to costly trips out of town, and the term “staycation” was recently coined to describe just such a phenomenon. Here are our top picks for this summer’s best staycation possibilities:
1) Tourist in your own town
Odds are, within a half-hour’s drive of your home, there are many cool venues and attractions that you haven’t yet explored. Imagine you were visiting your neck of the woods from elsewhere — visit your chamber of commerce, tourist info office, local websites and more to see what new and exciting activities await your discovery. You can also stop by one of the local hotels in town — they’re bound to have a rack of discount coupons, attraction flyers, maps and more. And when you venture out, be sure to bring your camera.
2) Outdoor recreation
Armed with plenty of fresh water and sunscreen, this is the perfect time of year to venture outdoors. Plan a picnic at a local park, take the kids to the playground, go for a hike or bike ride — the choices are virtually endless. Try searching the internet for the name of your town plus “parks and recreation.” Many cities and even small towns have a Parks & Rec site that’s loaded with useful information about camping, fishing, hiking, and much more, all within easy reach of you. Odds are, there are nearby parks, trails and green spaces you haven’t yet discovered. Stay active this summer while exploring your local natural resources.
3) Free tours
You might be surprised how many free tours or activities are available in your own town. Many local libraries feature story hour for kids, as well as local workshops and free classes. Larger cities have many free options including commercial tours (bread making, wine tours, candy or candle making, etc.), government tours (U.S. Mints, state buildings, etc.), eco-tours (like guided hikes and nature trails) and much more. Some paid venues offer free days, BOGO (buy-one-get-one free) offers, and kids’ day specials where kids get in free with paid adult admissions. You can search “free activities in [your town]” for more info about local opportunities.
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