Want to save a boatload of money? Then spend your vacation at (or near) home. Yes, a "staycation" can be a great way to take a break and not break the bank. Wise Bread lists 14 fun staycation ideas. Here are their suggestions along with my comments on each:
1. Visit the Local Ski Resort. My wife and kids do this at least once a year with friends at a resort a couple hours away from home (they make it a day trip). It's usually during a work day, so I don't attend (not that I'm much of a skier anyway).
2. Plan a Spa Day. A spa isn't exactly my cup of tea. Pass.
3. Check Out the Latest Museum Exhibits. We have been members of the local botanical gardens for years now and get a museum membership once every other year or so. These places make GREAT mini-vacation stops as they always have something new going on.
4. Schedule a Movie Marathon with Friends. Love it! And with our cable TV and DVR, all we need to do is record several movies and watch them from the comfort of our living room. Sweet!
5. Start a New Craft Project. Uh, no. I am not "crafty" and don't need any new projects in my life.
6. Embark on a Food and Beverage Tour. I did one of these for work last year. It was a great time, but is pretty pricey ($60 per person.)
7. Challenge Yourself With New Recipes. New recipes can go one of two ways -- very good or very bad. I prefer to phase one at a time into our normal food line up, just so the balance of what's good doesn't get upset. So if they are talking one new recipe, I'm ok with that. But not too many, lest we end up with a week of meals we hate.
8. Rearrange the House. I like things the way they are. And this isn't really fun anyway IMO.
9. Take a Trip to Nearby Wineries. We don't have nearby wineries, but we do have some fun attractions near our home, so I'll take the "nearby" idea, expand it a bit, and call it good!
10. Hit the After-Holiday Sales. We did this this year. Not really a money-saver per se (since you end up spending money), but lots of fun and several bargains.
11. Visit a New City by Bus. I hate busses. No way.
12. Devour a Stack of Books. Or maybe just a couple. I like it.
13. Invite Other Staycationers Over for a Sleepover. Our kids would especially like this. Me? Not so much.
14. Go Thrift Shopping. It's an "ok" idea IMO.
Our favorite staycation ideas are always visiting places near our home that are fun and inexpensive (relative to a full-blown vacation.) Places like an indoor water park (save a ton of money by going on an off day), visiting the local gym's climbing wall and kids' pool, doing some outlet mall shopping, and so on.
But this year, we're not staying -- we're off to the Caribbean. ;-)
What do you do for your staycations?
Re: #9 - There are boatloads of wineries and vineyards in the SW and NW portions of your fine state!
Posted by: Jeff | January 05, 2012 at 04:38 PM
Jeff --
Really? I never would have known...
Posted by: FMF | January 05, 2012 at 04:40 PM
St. Juilian winery in Paw Paw, Lelenaue winery near Traverses City, Chateau Chantale on Old Mission peninsula...
Plus there are may cultural events offered at universities that are not too expensive.
You might want to check out Grand Vally State university and Western Michigan University.
Fred Meijers gardens in Grand Rapids.
Seek and you shall find.
Posted by: Matt | January 05, 2012 at 07:22 PM
#8 Rearrange the House
I'm going to rush home and suggest to my wife that instead of going to Hawaii we should just move the couch. ;)
Posted by: jim | January 05, 2012 at 07:58 PM
If you live anywhere near the Chicago area, you HAVE to visit the Museum of Science and Industry there - absolutely amazing! At 4 hours away, it wasn't exactly a "Staycation" for us, but definitely worth the trip! Don't miss Shedd Aquarium either!
Posted by: Tyler S. | January 06, 2012 at 02:10 AM
I think most of us would say that we have never visited most of the attractions near where we live. A lack of money is a great motivator to finally do it!
Posted by: Wojo | January 06, 2012 at 07:25 AM
Tyler --
We did both of them in 2010 and LOVED them!!!!
Posted by: FMF | January 06, 2012 at 07:50 AM
To go along with Tyler's comment:
Taking a train somewhere can be quite a neat experience, and rather reasonable so long as you are not traveling a great distance. We traveled from Indianapolis to Chicago via Amtrak for less than $20/each last year, and was a great family trip! A hotel is a must, since the trains don't run the routes every day or when you necessarily want them to. But, if you're traveling to a place with established mass transit systems--such as Chicago--you can pick up an economical 'day pass' which will negate any need of a rental vehicle, so that's a cost savings (I think the passes were $5 or so).
We visited the Museum of Science and Industry, as well as the Shedd Aquarium, and I highly recommend it! Don't forget to check out the view at night from atop the John Hancock building! :)
Posted by: Luke G. | January 06, 2012 at 09:38 AM
Luke --
We took the train to Chicago as well. Saved us the hassle of driving into the city and also saved on parking at the hotel and at attractions.
Posted by: FMF | January 06, 2012 at 09:40 AM
The biggest problem I've seen with 'staycations' is that you don't take the same opportunity to relax and enjoy things as you would if you weren't at home. It's too easy to get involved with cleaning something or going somewhere or doing something for a family member, all worthwhile things in their own right but things you wouldn't be doing if you were 'away'.
Posted by: Money Beagle | January 06, 2012 at 10:50 AM
#15 for FMF: Take a trip to Grand Haven and walk the beach/pier. It's only an hour's drive.
And eat Pronto Pups. And Dairy Treat. And a trip to Ray's or G&L Chili Dogs. :)
Posted by: JP | January 06, 2012 at 10:52 AM
JP --
I've done the pier, but not the places to eat. Now I'm hungry... ;-)
Posted by: FMF | January 06, 2012 at 12:11 PM
Oh my gosh, FMF, our state ABOUNDS with wineries. I don't know your exact location, but I doubt you're more than an hour away from Fenn Valley Winery near Fennville. Our local favorite here on the east side is Sandhill Crane Vineyards near Jackson.
This web site is a great place to start exploring:
http://www.michiganwines.com/index.php
Posted by: Jenzer | January 09, 2012 at 09:06 PM