Staycation Anyone???

We are staying home again this summer also. We are finding new exciting things to do, my boys enjoy being home or close to home.

Last summer, i was pregnant with twins. Going to the store for groceries was all the trip i could muster. This summer, my husband is deployed. So, no. We aren't planning any vacations.

We are staying home this summer and I am looking forward to it with two toddlers. I have no desire to get on a plane or go for a long car drive with them, it's just easier with the whole sleeping situation as well. We're not far from the beach, hiking, lakes and fishing where we live. We also plan to do occasional day trips to the ocean. Sounds like you live in a great place, I would just enjoy it and not feel bad one bit!

To be a SAHM, we never went on a big vacation. We still had a blast many times a year, with small trips to towns or cities around us.

We would drive at least once a summer to a town about 3 hours away to see one of the last Drive in Theaters in Texas. While on our way, we would try to find a festival or a small town with interesting history or fun things to do.

We would drive to the Texas coast, and stay in a very inexpensive hotel, make our own lunches, maybe cook out. Again sightseeing in the area.

We would search for different small town festivals. We would ask friends, if we could borrow their vacation homes in the area. In turn we would volunteer to pet or house sit when they went out of town on vacations.

Our daughter never felt lie she was missing out, because we always had a blast and found it did not take a "trip" to make out time together fun.

Oh, no, you are not the only one!

I live in Portland, Oregon, and we plan on spending a very frugal summer mostly at home. Our big splurge will be a few days somewhere on the Oregon coast, otherwise, we have a family camping trip booked nearby and not much else.

Your friend's statement about "getting away" expresses more about her circumstances than anything else. Many of us can't 'get away' financially and would rather not put ourselves in debt to do so, thanks. (To me, standing in line at an amusement park is my idea of hell, not a vacation. That's why we've already decided, no Disneyland until our son is 10 and capable of doing this.)

If you want an idea, simply this: last year, my son and I spent a lot of time scooting around town on the bus to look at fountains. We took lots of pictures and made little adventures out of these outings. Kids are happy to have those pictures printed out to make a book. You could do a Summer Scavenger Hunt of things/ places to go and document with the camera (different statues at parks, etc.). Is there letterboxing going on in your area? There's another fun day adventure. But our attitude is the biggest part, so if you can treat some days like a 'mystery adventure', that's fun too.

And I also have friends who take really nice getaway trips. They are either child-free, or have one parent or another rather 'well-off' and professionally employed. With the price of gasoline and lodging and attractions, we'll make our one small trip really count. Have fun!

I wanted to go to Austin. I love the drive. The highway is lined with Bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrushes, Buttercups. Austin is so fun. But since gas is so out of control, I have opted to take that money we would spend on gas and hotel and eating out and buy season passes to 6 Flags. It's right down the road and we can go all year. They even have Halloween and Christmas stuff, so, I would be getting 9 months of family fun rather than just a long weekend.

Part of my childhood was spent in a town with a beach so we hardly ever took summer trips then. My mother always said "why would we go some place else?" We did often take a winter trip. I'd tell anyone who's being a bit pushy that that's your plan. And I just thought the other day how great it was we didn't have to go anywhere in the summer to have a great time so don't worry about the kids either. Because of how I grew up, I don't feel compelled at all to go some place in the summer and would rather save it for winter...

ha ha --- last year we spent our "stay-cation" in Laguna Niguel!!! So, lucky you, you live near one of the prettiest beaches in the state :)

Staycation for us too! We are on a tight budget in an area that seems very affluent, so my son hears about other children's exciting trips all the time. So yes, I feel jealous and guilty too. One thing I try to take advantage of is our library program. If my son reads a certain number of hours, he gets free or discount coupons to some popular attractions near where we live. I am also researching nearby hiking/biking trails as well. Last Sunday, my husband and I took our son 7 year old son to fly a kite for the very first time, and he had a blast. We also do a lot of cooking and art projects, but I know that doesn't always compare to hearing some kid talk about Disney World. The only trip we are doing this summer is our church's family mission trip. We will be helping others, but at the same time, I think it will be a good lesson for me and my son to appreciate what we do have, because I do get jealous quite a bit and wish we didn't have to watch every penny.

we did a staycation a few years ago. We took the week off of work. Ate out some of our meals (mcdonalds, taco bell etc some of the days and some nicer places a couple days. we ate at the house for breakfast) and picked something fun for 5 of the days. the boys and hubby went paintballing and i had a mani pedi, we went to the drive in one night, played board games, rented videos and just had some fun. it was great.

We aren't going anywhere this summer.

Last year we went to Yellowstone. It was a big deal and we loved it. But we can't every year.
(In fact this was the first trip we'd taken in several years!)

This year, we have a baby on the way, and just don't feel like going anywhere. And can't afford it. The kids will be fine, they won't be deprived or anything. We probably won't do anything major next year either, except maybe visit family in WY. When baby is a bit older we'll plan another big trip. As long as you get a few in there when they're young, it doesn't matter if it happens every year.

California is so varying.
What about just go someplace in California?
Stay in a hotel for a long weekend.
All States have a tourism website. Just Google it. See what you can do or where.
Like:
http://www.visitcalifornia.com/

We don't go anywhere.
Its fine.
My kids don't compare with other families that may travel.
Or, we go to another island or just to a Hotel in Waikiki. Which many locals do.
Traveling from Hawaii, is a big chunk of change, just for airfare.
And we have limited budget.

I personally don't care if others are traveling and we are not.
It doesn't bother me.

We are tagging along with our in-laws again for a Hot Springs, AR trip - LOL! One step away from a staycation as we all stay in their timeshare and alternate cooking duties. Like being at home, but without the responsiblities of washing, cleaning and cooking every night :)

We live in Virginia Beach and we are staying hoem for Vaca. The place we are really going is to niagra falls for his parents anniversary (his parents want to be w/ family (mostly the grandkids, we just have to take them. hehehe). But thats only for like 3 days. When it gets warm enough we go to the beach every weekend (I can't quite handle a 5,4 and 9 mo. olds at the beach by myself). But we go to the zoos. The strawberry festival is at the end of this month. They have all kinds of festivals during the summer time down at waterside. I think anywhere you live you can find all kinds of things to do through the summer, just have to look for them. I always had more fun staying home for vacation than going somewhere else, I could be a rarity. lol.

We do staycations. We are time and money poor! My husband has to work through it, but sometimes manages to take a day or so off to join the kids and I. What I like to do is ask the children what they would really like to do (go to the beach, snorkelling, visit the zoo, go to the park, fly a kite, have a picnic, swim in a river etc). We all get to do something we really like, and the children love it. They really look forward to it.

We only take trips every 2-3 years. Last September we went to Disney World, so it will be a while before the next trip.

However, as many in my extended family have RVs, on the long holiday weekends the whole family (us and my dad, brother, aunts & uncles, and cousins) will go camping. We usually go someplace that is within an hour's drive. Those weekends provide a nice little break from the routine.

We were thinking of taking a week long vacation to Niagra Falls.. Now that the economy seems to be taking a huge turn for the worse, I'm concerned about spending a lot. We'll probably just go away for a few days, and take a few day trips.

I really think that everyone should get away for a few days every now and then, but it doesn't need to be expensive, and you don't need to travel far. You can visit family or friends that live out of town or go camping.

You live in Laguna? Your Stay-cation will be more fabulous than most people's "va-cations"! We used to live in San Diego, and of all the vacations we ever had, my daughter's all time favorite was our 3-day "stay-cation" at Disneyland. It doesn't matter how far you travel - just how much fun you have. Being in Laguna, you could take multiple mini-trips - to Disneyland, Legoland in Carlsbad, local beaches, etc. and have a blast without blowing lots of $$ and time on travel. You have NOTHING to feel bad about. Enjoy all that So-Cal has to offer!

We did a staycation one year when we lived in Mission Viejo. It was great! Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, San Diego Balboa Park, Wild Animal Park, the Beach. Since we didn't have to pay for airfare or lodging, we could splurge a little more at the destinations, like eating at the Blue Bayou in Disneyland instead of packing a lunch.

Stay home and enjoy....I am always go go go but I am so tired all the time I am just done. My now standard answer to "do you want to...." is nNO THANKS! I have turned into he biggest homebody ever and am loving it. Travelling with kids - too much of a hassle! I figure I am going to be stay-cationing until my child can carry her own bag and appreciate the trip.

Plus, most of these people who are taking these fab vacations are putting it all on their credit cards which is even more stressful and you never get out of it. Have I convinced you yet ;))

We are not going anywhere! It is so freakin expensive nowadays, I would rather take days here and there and do amazing things around southern California. If my husband and I do take our baby somewhere, it will be to see his family (which I have to admit is in Amsterdam!). That is a VERY expensive trip to see family! Don't feel bad for not going anywhere!
If you really want to do something, stay in a cabin in Big Bear for a weekend, go to San Francisco for a few days, Go to Disneyland, Visit Vegas... There is so much to do in and around this lovely State of ours! =)

Are you kidding? We are the King and Queen of Staycations! In fact, we are newlyweds and didn't even take a honeymoon. Both of us are commission only biz owners so we have no idea month to month how much our checks will be. In the last 4 years since we've been together, we've only been on 2 "vacations" and the 2nd one is next month!!! These trips are contests that my hubby has won thru work. One was a cruise and next month is Mexico (which I'm not thrilled about) but will gladly go on! His company pays for EVERYTHING. The hardest thing is getting someone to watch the kids! My friends on Facebook are constantly going on great trips and I think...HOW are they doing this??? But that's ok. Our ex's have our kids every other weekend so every other weekend we have NO KIDS so we tend to have our 'staycations' then. In fact, last weekend we drove up Friday early (benefit of being biz owners!!!) to the mountains, stayed at a hotel with a fireplace and jacuzzi, went to the casino (won $500!!!), drove around to thrift and antique stores, did some shopping, eating and before driving home saw Fast Five at the theater. We do something like this about every 6 weeks or so if finances allow. So no, you are not the only ones! And really, I don't care...I like road trips with hubby and quiet weekends trying a new restaraunt, getting caught up on movies, etc. I know someday when the economy picks up that we will be able to take "normal" vacations and see some things and go some places I haven't been yet. But in the mean time...I'm happy for the fun times we have now! :o)

We are all about the summer staycations! I hate summer traffic anyway, and the weather is nice locally, so why go anywhere?

I am so jealous that you live in So Cal. There is so much you can do where you are -- even without going to theme parks. What about Griffith Park, LaBrea Tar Pits, Hollywood Bowl, Orange County Swap Meet, visiting all the missions, Orange County Fair, Salt Creek Beach, Back Bay (Newport Beach), tide pooling in Corona Del Mar, Balboa Ferry and Balboa Fun Zone (can you tell I used to live in Newport Beach ;-) ?)

Have a great summer! At least you know you won't lose your luggage or get stuck on the tarmac.

i "staycationed" by myself for a week last fall - my son went to school, my husband went to work. and my grandpa had heart surgery and was in the hospital for thanksgiving, SO i didn't get much of any kind of vacation at all. something to do every day, much of it spent at the hospital. fail. (he is doing much better now, thank god). this year our family vacation was going to be going to florida to meet up with my inlaws and then going to seaworld (disney is too expensive for us right now). since my husband discovered Dave Ramsey, now i am going to sit at my house until my inlaws come to PICK ME AND MY SON UP, spend the week with them with OUT my husband (ok granted, i am shocked in a good way that he feels he hasn't earned a vacation, when he has always had one of the weakest work ethic drives of anyone i know), and then let them drive us back home. *siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh*. i'm sorry...that doesn't sound like much of a vacation at all to me. without my husband there as a buffer, without this being a 'family' vacation...i am going because i don't want my son to have to go by himself (he is 4 so that's a little young imo to go off for a week halfway across the country, with relatives he has only met a couple times) and i am sure it will be fun...but a vacation? not my idea of one. make you feel better at all?? :) lol!

We are taking one trip to Northern California (just my daughter and me) for about a week to visit family and friends.
Other then that we (all three of us) are going to San Diego for a few nights for the zoo, and finding other things around here. There are tons of things to do down here..beaches, hollywood, zoo's, aquarium, queen mary, tar pits, fashion district, drive in's, swap meets, car shows, fishing, camping, off roading, etc. I like to go to Hollywood just to go to the Ripley's Museum.
This also sounds wacky, but I went to roadsideamerica.com and found lots of weird things to see in So Cal, and decided why not try to see some of them. Yeah some are sort of lame...but at least you get out of the house and go on an adventure.
I just try to plan things around my bf's work schedule to make it more of a family event. =)

I love staycations but the last 2 I have taken ended up being "work on the house/yard cations" due to various reasons. This year I want to get away from the house and anything that has to do with working on the house :)

I grew up as a military kid basically. Our "vacations" were visiting with family that we didn't get to see except once a year. When my dad retired we took the only "vacation" that I can remember. We went to California and spent a week there at my uncle's house. We went to the beach one day, Disneyland another, and even down to Mexico. The only other vacations that I have been on in my life were my honeymoon at 27 and we went to the see the Grand Canyon when my sister in law got married 3 years ago. I guess we must always "staycation." Guess what I've never felt underpriviledged at all. It makes me appreciate things more when they do happen.

We are staying home as well. Just tell the kids that this year you aren't going anywhere but next year you are going somewhere really fun don't tell them where just plan something!

LOL! There is a term for that? Nearly all our vacations are local. We can't afford any other.

Well, we are selling our house and moving this summer (same city, just to a nicer home) so we aren't anywhere! We'll still do local fun stuff - beach, Lake Michigan is 1 hr away, the zoo, maybe a canoe trip - stuff like that, but no cross country road trip :(

I WISH I could staycation like you. Hiking and Camping is my kind of vacation. Teach the kiddos how to eat cereal out of a cup- without a spoon, use their shorts as swimming trunks, and learn how to get lost in the woods...without getting lost :-)

We're opting for the Staycation too! Sounds like you all have fun stuff to do. Relax and enjoy!

Yes!!! My parents & sister had wanted us all to go to Disney this summer. I wasn't thrilled with the idea because Florida in August sounds a little bit like torture, but we ended up not having the money to go anyway. When I told them that we'd have to go with them the next time because we just couldn't swing it this year they all decided to stay home, too. My parents are putting in a pool this year so we decided to all take maybe not the full week, but at least a few days of the same week we were going to head to Florida & stay at my parents house, swim in the pool, go to the boardwalk, go out to dinner & whatever else we decide.