Summary:
Would you like to take a family vacation this year but there is no money left in the budget to go anywhere? Or are gas prices scaring you from roaming too far? You can still have a memorable family vacation for little cost right in your own home town. With these tips and by following a few ground rules you and your family can vacation at home like a tourist.

Details or Sample:
Vacation at Home like a Tourist
By Deanna Lynn Sletten

Is there no extra money left in the budget to take a family vacation this year? Or are gas prices keeping you from going far away? Don’t despair. You can still enjoy a family vacation without going too far or putting too many miles on your car. Vacation like a tourist in your own home town or the surrounding area and you will have just as much fun as if you had gone across country.

Think about it. Family vacations generally mean endless packing and unpacking, long days in the car or long waits in airports, and long hours in crowded places. For most parents, by the end of a family vacation they need a vacation just to recuperate. A vacation at home will not only save you money, but also your sanity. Here are some ideas on how you can have a great family vacation without going too far.

Rules First - Vacation means that even Mom gets to take the week off so for the entire vacation there will be no cooking, cleaning or laundry being done. Computers should be turned off as well as the television set and video games. Phones should only be used for communicating with each other or to make restaurant reservations. Vacations mean no work and spending time together as a family, so pretend you are not at home and act like you are on vacation.

Try New Restaurants – We all get into a rut in our home towns and tend to eat at the same old places. During your vacation try eating in at least one different place each day. Try a different cuisine or eat at a more expensive place. Mix it up so you really feel like you are having new experiences during your vacation.

Be a Tourist – Go to your local chamber of commerce and pick up brochures about sites to visit in your area. Many people are surprised at how many places they haven’t visited in their area that are popular or famous attractions. Take a day or two to visit these sites. You’ll be surprised at how much fun you will have learning about these area sites.

Visit Gift Shops – Be sure to visit the gift shops in your town and at the tourist sites too. So often people forget about the small shops and head out to the mall instead for quick shopping. Small gift shops are great places to find fun and interesting items you can pick up later for birthday and Christmas presents. Visiting these places will really make you feel like a tourist.

Bike, Swim, Hike – Depending upon where you live, take advantage of area activities like the beach, hiking trails or biking trails. State and national parks are great places to visit for a picnic or hiking. Spend a day at the beach and visit the shops on the wharf or in the beach towns. If you live close enough you can even bike to the beach or park as a family.

Local Amusement Parks – Forget about Disney World (unless you live right next to it) and spend a day at an amusement park nearby. Ride the rides, eat lots of junk and take pictures of the family doing goofy things. You’ll have just as much fun creating family memories and still have some money left in your pocket.

Soak in some Culture – Take in a play, musical or even a ballet. If you live near or in a big city you can see the most recent ones touring, otherwise go to the local playhouse and enjoy the entertainment. Most families don’t make the effort to go to these performances so this can be a wonderful experience for all of you to share.

Be a Good Sport – Catch a baseball game and enjoy the hot dogs and popcorn. Don’t live near a huge stadium? Then go to a local game or sit and watch a little league game. As long as you are enjoying something together as a family then it doesn’t matter how professional the team is.

Take Pictures – Be sure to take a lot of pictures just as if you were away on vacation. You will feel more like a tourist with a camera in hand and will remember your home vacation more vividly years from now when you have pictures to look at and enjoy.

After the Vacation - When the vacation is over you may want to treat Mom to one more luxury – a maid to clean up the mess the house became while you were all having fun. That will help to make Mom feel like she was truly on vacation too.

There are so many ways you can enjoy a family vacation in your own town and still make memories that will last a lifetime. Be creative and plan ahead and you are sure to have a family vacation you will all enjoy and talk about for years to come.

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