With oil around one hundred and twenty dollars a barrel and gas is around four dollars a gallon, it is time to decide how you are going to spend your vacation dollars: gas or fun. If you have been watching closely, ads that used to be targeted to tourists are now being targeted to locals. So instead of traveling to some exotic destination here are a few ideas that can save you money and give you some fun by staying home.
Museums
Many museums have children areas where the kids can learn science, history, and anthropology. The prices are pretty inexpensive and unless you live in an extremely rural area, you can find a museum close to you. When I lived in Vernal, Utah, we used to visit a small museum filled with bones. We would visit this museum one or two times a year. The museum would change some of its exhibits about once a year.
Libraries
Many of the libraries across the nation are trying to get more customers for their services. You can find music, books, and computers. Many of the libraries hold free concerts. Also you can find pamphlets and other notices of festivals, rendezvous, etc in your area.
Community Centers/Swimming Pools
Another inexpensive center for swimming and other community offerings is at your community center. Many centers have indoor swimming pools where you can get swimming lessons for your little ones.
Hobbies
Summer is a great time to catch up on your hobbies. If you like to knit, crochet, or sew, shops like Michaels provide classes. The local newspaper print organizational meetings for hobbies such as politics, amateur radio, trains, and etc If you don't know where to find others who like your favorite hobby, you might go to a store that sells supplies. The owners/managers can help you find others with the same hobby.
Garage Sales
If you are into antique shopping or even looking at other people's junk, searching out garage sales is for you. The best time is early before anyone else has picked over the stuff. You can see other parts of your city and meet new people. Sometimes groups of people will get together to do jumble sales. For instance, the Lutheran Church in our area does a huge jumble sale in their parking lot every Saturday during the summer months.
Local Tourists
Be a tourist in your own city or town. For instance, I am thirty minutes from Lake Tahoe. We go up and walk along the beach, watch the birds, and collect fir cones. So look around you. What can you do in your area? Do you live near the ocean? Are you close to the capital building? Go see that tourist trap that you have never seen because you were to busy traveling somewhere else.
So even though it is going to be a rough travel year, take some time and enjoy where you are. At the very least, catch up on your T.V. shows. Sit in your backyard with a hammock and enjoy the birds. It will save you time, money, and stress.
