We went to San Antonio last week. DH went to a convention, so it was all paid for, so that's great. We have been invited to an anniversary party in Franklin, Tennessee in July, and may go to that. We usually take a big trip in the summer, but those 2 may be it!

Oops! I mean North Cleveland, Tennessee.

They are calling those "staycations" now.

Linda

I believe every area has something of interest. The trick is finding it.

Around here within about 5 - 10 miles we have:

several small museums from the Revolutionary days (an inn, an underground railway museum, etc); a living history farm; a store that sells fossils and other interesting natural material--it's like a museum itself, fun to visit even if you don't buy anything. There's the site where the first complete dinosauer skeleton was found. Numerous parks and playgrounds and nature walks.

How about local businesses? Our bakery and pasta factory give tours if you ask. Check the summer programs at the library.

What do your county freeholders offer? Our county has children's shows--plays, music, magic, etc--at several locations every week; summer concerts by the river; crew lessons; nature walks and environmental presentations; festivals; a museum that features local artists.

How about going to a local farm to pick berries or other produce, then taking a day or two to bake up some treats with the kids. Or help the kids start their own garden.

Why not do an Alex's Lemonade Stand as a family project--fun to do, and it helps a very necessary charity, children's cancer. Or visit the local animal shelter to help--the dogs always need someone to walk them. If you're even more interested in helping, maybe sign up to raise a puppy for the local guide dog training facility--they usually provide the puppy, food and pay vet costs.

It's not too expensive to go to minor league games--baseball, or pre-season football/hockey games later in the summer. And they're just as much fun as expensive major league competitions. Actually can be more fun for the kids, because you can sit closer, and feel more connected to the players.

Sometimes, I like to go to some of the bigger nursery centers, especially the ones that sell pond supplies, and just wander around, enjoying their sample plantings/ponds. Pet stores are fun to visit--as long as you don't bring home one of everything--LOL.

Some of those things may be specific to my area, but my point is that if you look around, and try to see your old area with new eyes, you can generally find some really interesting places to visit right in your own back yard.

I don't do vacations, but have decided that I need some 'me' time....that I need to do something on days off other than chores.

Have been in this area almost 19 years & there is a museum & a historical home within a mi of my home I've never visited. Antique stores, too, if in the mood to browse, within a mile.

Appox. 15 min to another historical home, & appox. 45 min to another town w/a historical home I've wanted to see & never have. I'm hoping to get out of my rut of chores-only and do something for 'me'. I like the word stacation I've heard. Sounds unusual, but makes sense.

I like the way Azzalea thinks - great ideas. We like to go on picnics to different parks in our area. Depending on the age of the kids tagging along we go to some with great playground equipment, others have canoes to rent for a lazy paddle along the creek, or we can hike at the nature centure. We love to drive a little ways north and go tubing along the Delaware River - it's a great way to spend a hot summer day.

I won't get to take one again this year.

But if I had the money I'll tell you what I'd do.

I'd buy a small lot of land on the river and buy an old trailer to sit there. It would be a year round "vacation" spot. Someplace DH and I could go to get away. To do some fishing.

We could have friends and family come out...If they have a camper or tent they could bring it. We could spend the evenings playing cards, laughing, and talking.

I can't imagine anything better.

patti

Why not take a trip with another couple and split the cost of gas?

Visit Relatives and freeload.LOL! Remember the saying "live long enough to be a burden to your children".

Gayle

We have some pretty nice Bed and Breakfasts in our town. Also plenty of nice hotels/motels that would make for a nice weekend retreat complete with pool, saunas, first run movies. Why not rent a room for a couple of days for a change of pace and new scenery. Enjoy some room service and try out a few new restaurants. What you save on gas, you can put in on your eats and entertainment. Take a game or deck of cards and enjoy some family time that you never seem to catch at home. Get away from the phone. That's the main thing. Don't even take your cell. :)

At home? Turn the land line and cell phone off for a few days. Rent some good movies have Pizza delivered. Use the crockpot and spend the day reading of doing things that make you happy. Keep things simple and fun. Enjoy your local "free" exhibits and entertainment. Pack a lunch and explore a local park or lake you just otherwise wouldn't take the time to.

State parks are always affordable. Most have campgrounds where you can pitch a tent for less than $30 a nite. Take them to the local amusement park. Pack the cooler and use the picnic area or tailgate. Water parks and zoo's are often affordable family outings. Remember to pack the cooler! The money you would spend feeding a family can add up quickly. Most movie theaters offer a free summer program for the kids. Good way to kill a couple of hours out of the heat. Check with your local library to see what kind of summer programs they offer. Get the Sunday paper, read the travel and entertainment section. You can find alot of freebies there.

We live just minutes from Niagara Falls. While we see the Falls many times during the year we have never done the tourist attractions, the Maid of the Mist Boat Trip, the Walk under the falls etc. This year our vacation will be spent doing day trips close to home. We'll do whatever we can that can be done in one day. Trips to The Falls or a Wine Tour etc. The rest of the time will be spent by the pool at home or doing odd jobs around the house that we never seem to have time to do. We'll be doing things that we've always wanted to do but never had the time to do.
People travel days and spend tons of $ to see the area that we live in. It's about time we took a look and saw what the tourists are seeing!

I do not like my town in summer it is way too hot and dry looking we are going into triple digets for the next few days. Lucky me I am taking a mini vacation to my DD's house for the next two days she lives close to the beach where it is soooo much cooler and funner:)

What I did for several years with my kids was put them in the last swiming lessons session of the day~~they got a cool swim. I sat in what shade and felt what breeze there was. We would stop for fast food several times a week on the way home, felt like a vacation to me~~~not haveing to scrounge the neighborhood finding my kids and have them whinning they did not want to come in so early and best of all no cooking!! YUP~ swiming five days a week for most of the summer was great:)