Going on a vacation doesnít always mean planning a long getaway or going to an exotic destination. Sometimes such an extensive vacation isn’t in the budget, and sometimes you just need a quick, but relaxing, few days to rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul.
Planning short getaways within just a few hours from home may be just what you need. Short little vacations close to home are easier on the wallet and, frankly, easier on the nerves. Planning and executing long, involved travel plans can backfire, leaving you less relaxed than when you left. Finding places nearby takes a bit of creativity, but it can be very well worth the effort.
Think Like a Tourist
The last time you had friends or family come to visit, I’ll bet you found things to do and places to see. This is a common situation; we residents often miss out on some of our most delightful attractions until we have ‘tourists’ to entertain.
Start by planning a trip to those places youíre always telling your friends about. If you have lovely beaches, beautiful mountain scenery, walking trails, museums, or any attraction you keep talking about, pack up your bags and go see them for yourself. Whether it’s a day trip, or a couple days, make your plans early so you can be prepared and take full advantage of your mini-vacation.
Gather Brochures and Newspapers
Many towns print local ‘what to do’ magazines or fliers that are available in grocery stores, drug stores, restaurants, or the travel bureau. Grab a handful and start browsing. Don’t be selective at this point, just grab them. If you think too hard, you’ll eliminate places too quickly that you might want to consider. Those racks and racks of pamphlets and brochures are meant to entice the visitor to your area, so be enticed! Give each one some consideration.
There are typically a few newspapers in most towns or cities that feature a travel or event section. Don’t forget your local or area television and radio station. You’ll sometimes find a segment called ‘community events’ around the news hour. Stay tuned and jot down what’s going on.
Dive Into the Internet Pool
Simple searches in your town, city, or area will give you almost too many choices to imagine. Narrow your search to only include things you may enjoy. Search for your area’s state or national parks for a nice day trip or overnight trip, depending on the accommodations. You may even find local water spots that offer boating, rafting, fishing, and the like.
Be creative when you search the internet. If you only search, for instance, the term ìvacation destinations, your hometownî you will likely only get results for the hot vacation spots, big hotel chains, etc. The hidden gems may not be getting the search love it needs so you can find them. Think outside the term ìvacationî and you may find some real surprises.
Another tool to find local spots is to look at an online map to see areas you hadn’t thought of before. These spots, such as nature preserves and recreational spots, may not have a big internet presence, therefore won’t show up in your search. Oftentimes, nice spots remain hidden from the search engines, but appear on maps as big green areas or areas of interest. Read your map’s legend and find out if you’re missing a local attraction.
Big Fun Right Around the Corner
Water parks, amusement parks, and the like can often be found within an hour or so of many cities. You may likely find that these areas cater to the ‘park going crowd’ and offer deep discounts not only at hotels and motels, but on admission tickets, as well.
The added bonus in going to a city that has a big water park or amusement park, is that they often have other attractions. These towns and cities will usually boast some great museums, a sports venue, shopping, and reasonably priced family dining. Affordable lodging, food, and fun is the name of the game at these communities that feature a big attraction of any sort. Plan your trip for the ‘slightly off season’ and your stay will be less hectic than at the busy times.
Laugh and Learn Locally
Having a learning vacation could be quite the adventure if you do a little research and find the right places. Depending on your area, you may be able to visit a ranch, a zoo, a farm, a winery, a tree nursery, a crafting colony, or even a chocolate factory.
Wouldn’t it be great if your kids could help feed a newborn foal? A visit to a working farm could teach you and your kids how to milk cows, collect eggs, or churn butter. Perhaps you could plant the next generation of Christmas trees, or create lovely candles, or learn how to make fudge. Many factories, farms, and craft and artist colonies offer free tours, requesting only a donation.
A vacation is merely a change from the ordinary, a place to get away to, a time to do something fun and interesting. Chances are there are many places around your own hometown that you have never been to. You may have talked about these places and even suggested them to visitors. Now is the time to treat yourself like a visitor. Go ahead and plan a day or two creating memories with your family in places not so very far away.
