Vacation is often seen as time away from home, a trip of some sort to do new and different things. But we often overlook the things within a short drive of our home that people travel from other areas to enjoy.

Even if you do not live at a traditional tourist destination, chances are good that if the family budget is tight, you can find a series of day trips to entertain your family while still spending the night at home and saving the cost of motel stays, pet boarding and some meals.

You never know, maybe there are some attractions in the area where you live and you just overlooked them because you think that home is just where you live and work.

If that is so, then there are many things you can do to start your search. The local chamber of commerce or a visitor’s center can be one of the best and most overlooked places in your town. At either location you can pick up brochures, maps and guide books that will tell you about things to do nearby. You might also find someone who knows first hand about the locations and activities you can do at the chamber of commerce or visitor’s center. The internet is also a good way to land information.

Finding a local tour guide is also a good idea. While unconventional and for some strange, taking a tour of the area where you live could give you a fresh perspective of the locations and the things you can do. There are many things to discover, such as the possibility that you might be living near a historic site or state parks that offer hiking and canoeing. There may be commercial attractions that you simply never thought about visiting, such as amusement parks, go-cart tracks, or water parks.

Once you have an idea of some locations you and your family might find interesting, or activities you would like to try, then you can plan your daily trips. You can mix it up by putting the more relaxing sightseeing along with the more active outings like the water or amusement parks. Save money by eating breakfast at home before you leave, packing a picnic lunch or returning home for dinner.

If you have small children, having a shorter drive to your destination each day can help keep boredom at bay. For your older children to enjoy their day more, it is also possible to bring along a friend on your outings. If you don’t have kids and don’t really feel like wearing yourself out on a long drive, you might find it more enjoyable to take the day off.

A more budget friendly and restful vacation can be achieved, if you plan it close to home. It can be one of your best vacations since you can focus on spending time with the family and relaxing, rather than on the packing, reservations, weather conditions and other unknowns.

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