The Stay-cation

Normally, people think that you need to go places away from home in order to have a proper vacation. But we forget that there are places nearby that people from other areas travel to see and enjoy.

You may not live in a tourist destination, but if you're family is low on budget, there should be a series of day trips for you and your family to enjoy while still spending the night under your own roof and saving on hotel fees and meals.

The preconception that home is a place where you live and work might make you overlook some attractions nearby which you could enjoy.

If that is so, then there are many things you can do to start your search. The best places to start would be the local chamber of commerce or visitor's center, although it is the most overlooked. At either location you can pick up brochures, maps and guide books that will tell you about things to do nearby. You might also find someone who knows first hand about the locations and activities you can do at the chamber of commerce or visitor's center. The Internet may also offer some suggestions.

Another way may be to find a local tour guide. While it may seem strange to take a tour of the area where you live, you could get a fresh perspective on things to do there or locations to visit. The possibilities of discovering things about where you live are very big, like maybe there is a historic site you can plan an outing or a state park where you can hike, ride a canoe or take nature walks. Some commercial attractions that you never thought about visiting might even be around, such as a water park, amusement parks or a go-cart track, to name a few.

When you've figured out the places you want to go or the things you would want to do, the planning stage can commence. You can mix it up by putting the more relaxing sightseeing along with the more active outings like the water or amusement parks. Save money by eating breakfast at home before you leave, packing a picnic lunch or returning home for dinner.

Having a shorter drive to your destinations each day may help keep the boredom away from smaller children. It may be possible for your older children to take a friend along for some outings to help them enjoy their day more. If you don't have children, you don't have to wear yourself out driving and you may find things you would like to do more often when it's just a day off.

A more budget friendly and restful vacation can be achieved, if you plan it close to home. Focusing more on your family time and relaxation rather than the hassle of a traditional vacation and this could turn out to be your best one yet.