Senior Writer/Editor
Though the meaning of the word should be painfully obvious, UrbanDictionary.com defines a "staycation" as a vacation spent at or close to home. They even use it in a sentence as follows: "With the price of gas soaring, a staycation is what most Americans will experience during the summer of 2008." Thanks for reminding us.
Since I will most likely be using my stimulus check from Uncle Sam to pay off my credit card debt, this is likely to be a staycation summer for me. Oh well. I guess I don't need to be so grumpy about it. After all, I do live in South Florida, which is already a tourist destination. There is plenty to do around here on my days off from work.
But no matter where you live, there are some great things you can do close to home that are both fun and inexpensive. Here's a few ideas:
Be a tourist in your own town. When was the last time you visited a local museum, art gallery, planetarium, aquarium or zoo? Many times, when people live and work in a place, they don't take advantage of the fun things to do there.
Have a picnic. Pack a healthy picnic basket and head to the beach or park with your friends. Combating the rising costs of gas and airfares may be no picnic, but you can have one anytime you want. So, go ahead and pack that basket. Oh, and watch out for the ants.
Get a room. Gas prices are out of control, so road trips and plane fares are out of the question. Why not stay at a nearby hotel for a weekend -- just being away from home and having someone clean your room and change your sheets can be a relaxing break. Plus, without the travel cost, you're getaway is all that much cheaper!
Backyard pool party. OK, maybe you don't have a big, expensive pool in your backyard. If not, a few kiddie pools and lawn chairs will do the trick.
So, what about you? Will you be traveling this summer or taking a staycation? And, if you are going to be staying home, what are you going to do for fun?
Comment: Thursday, June 19, 2008 7:20:00 AM - 
said...
Sounds like a plan to me, especially with gas prices being the way they are. I am going to be doing a Staycation this year.
Comment: Thursday, June 19, 2008 10:27:00 AM - said...
Yupper we are doing the same,we bought a walmart pool and thats where we will be no big trips for us until gas goes down...
Comment: Thursday, June 19, 2008 10:31:00 AM - said...
A GREAT "ESCAPE" FOR A FEW HOURS.....WHEN YOU LIVE NEAR THE COAST... IS TO TAKE A DOLPHIN WATCH CRUISE OR A SUNSET SAIL....LIKE THE TOURISTS WHO TRAVEL THOUSANDS OF MILES TO EXPERIENCE. IT'S AN INSTANT, RELAXING GETAWAY WITHOUT LEAVNG HOME.
Comment: Thursday, June 19, 2008 12:26:00 PM - Nicole said...
We will be hanging by our pool during vacation too. We named it our little cabana..For our own personal "resort" getaway. A picnic by the pool is always fun too! Fresh watermelon and blueberries in a fruit salad. Makes it more resort style. :)
Comment: Thursday, June 19, 2008 12:58:00 PM - said...
Luckily I live in Maine aka "Vacationland" - I rented a cottage on nearby Sebago Lake for a week. A half hour drive from my home, but 'away' none the less!
Comment: Thursday, June 19, 2008 1:37:00 PM - said...
As everyone else I will be staying local. I live in Santa Monica,CA. Besides walks to the beach, this year I will make sure I will do some of the garden tours, visit the local art galleries and go to the L.A. Zoo. No long distance driving unless I have and gas goes down. Have a great summer everybody! AB
Comment: Thursday, June 19, 2008 2:47:00 PM - said...
When you love Jesus, every day is a vacation ... a vacation from SIN!
Comment: Thursday, June 19, 2008 4:09:00 PM - said...
this summer we are doing a staycation ,we are taking our girls and their friends to the free family movies at 10am m-th every week ,the rest of the week we are doing BBQ'S at the park,beach etc. also free music concert,library activities for kids ,nigths we do special recipes,inviting friends over karake nights,lunches at new resturants every two weeks instead of dinner to reduce the expenses
Comment: Thursday, June 19, 2008 9:11:00 PM - 
crissy27blue said...
I am staying with my sister for the whole summer while I am taking summer classs up until mid-July.We go shopping once a while yet we cook,watch DVD's,I take walks,shoot hoops,work out,there is a swimming pool so that also works out too...There is so much to see here including seeing a movie in the movie theater close by or going to a museum or the library by walking on her campus for free..
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