We Need Vacation

The daily stress of modern life is one that we can never seem to get away from. School, work, parenting, outbreaks of disease, paying bills, the list of sources of stress seems almost endless. This stress can accumulate, and lead to health problems such as heart disease, lowered immunity, increased risk of stroke, over-eating and diabetes, high blood pressure, and increased risk of depression and anxiety just to name a few.

In order to rid ourselves of daily stress, it’s important to practice daily techniques such as meditation, cognitive re-framing, physical exercise, and dieting. However, what happens when even those things are not enough to help get rid of stress? According to the American Institute of Stress, over 45% of Americans report that their main source of stress comes from work. This makes the workplace by far the most common source of stress in Americans.

Fortunately, many jobs now offer paid time off, vacation and sick days for workers in order to get away from work while still getting paid. Surprisingly, however, a study by the United States Travel Association found that 54% of all Americans did not take all of their vacation days for various reasons. This is a staggering amount, and if you find yourself in this group, be assured a vacation is not only necessary and fun but can also be paid for by your employer.

A Vacation is Anywhere

When it comes to planning vacations, many people think it must be stressful, or even impossible to plan without a travel agent. However, a competitive travel market and new programs such as Air BnB make it much easier to find affordable accommodations, affordable travel, and overall plan better for vacations.

If you’ve never taken a vacation or had a bad experience before, rest assured that a vacation does not have to involve overseas travel, expensive hotels and entire island getaways (although it’s not discouraged)! Vacations could also come in the form of mini-vacations, last a couple of days, be cheap and still give you the benefit of a full vacation. Even mini-vacations can still serve to give you the break you need from work, recharge your life batteries, and even gain new insight and experiences. Whether you’re planning a mini-vacation today or in the future, here are five tips to keep in your back pocket as a handy travel guide.

1. Go Cross-Country

Going cross country is the most underrated and under-appreciated form of vacation there is today. Because of movies showing children in the back of a station wagon asking “Are we there yet,” most people shudder at the thought of driving cross-country. However, the options for going cross-country in the U.S. include much more than driving. Today, traveling by train is a great way to sit back, relax, and take in the sights your country has to offer. Services such as Amtrak offer cross-country train rides along with pit-stops, luxury dining cars that offer full-service meals, and even sleeper cars that include beds and showers on board. With cross-country train travel, you get to reach your destination while experiencing not only major cities and pit stops but also the smaller towns and sights that might have otherwise gone unnoticed. The U.S. consists of mostly small farm fields and rural areas. In fact, according to statistics by the U.S. Census Bureau, urban areas make up only 3 percent of the entire land area of the country, while 97 percent of the country’s landmass is made up of rural areas. Expansive grasslands, wild horses, deer, pine forests and deserts all dot the American landscape and can be fully experienced in as little as 4 days cross-country on a train ride.

However, if you’re short on time, or simply don’t like the idea of sharing a train full of other passengers, renting a car and driving to another city is still a great way to get a mini-vacation in. It’s not hard to look up tourist destinations near your area, and places such as Hearst Castle in Northern California, The EMP in Seattle, The Getty Center in Los Angeles, and thousands of other options offer both a beautiful city and an entertainment destination. When planning to go cross-country, ensure that your destination is one that will inspire, is great for kids if you decide to take them along, and provides a day full of activities that strike your interest. For example, some destinations can belong to a niche of their own, such as the Mutter Museum that houses anatomical oddities, or the Winchester House in San Jose. Having a destination that will satisfy your unique interests will not only make the cross-country trip exciting but bearable and worthwhile.

2. Attend a Unique Event Near You

Whether it’s the Chicago River being dyed green, Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, or even a sporting event that involves your favorite team, there is always an event happening near you. With these events could come the surge of hotel prices, so it’s always best to plan to attend an event ahead of time. However, if you are crunched on time and want to take a mini-vacation as soon as possible, Air BnB and services like it are a good way to book a room without hurting your bank account.

With the recent rise of violence at public gatherings, a concern for some might be their safety at such big events. However, the National Sources of Law Enforcement showed that in 2012, there were over 780,000 police officers working in the United States. For these major events, there is not only police officers sent out for extra reinforcement, but also extra security and protocols to maximize safety for tourists.

In addition, attending an event for a mini-vacation can be a once in a lifetime experience. Though events happen every year, the crowds are different, the people you meet are from every walk of life, and overall the experience of an event will change with the times. Planning a vacation can be as complex, or simple, as deciding what day in history you want to be a part of.

3. Take a Helicopter Tour in your City

Nowadays, helicopter rides are available in every major city, and even for major tourist attractions such as the Grand Canyon, for lower and lower prices. Helicopter tours can range from $99, up to $500. The price is not bad for a unique, stunning view of your city. Some helicopter rides even include landings in luxurious places, such as Malibu and Beverly Hills in Los Angeles. Make no mistake, helicopter rides that are done through a reputable company and using the best pilots are completely safe, and don’t require passengers to have previous flight experience. Helicopters themselves were made with safety in mind. For example, the Hughes 500D made famous in the television series Magnum P.I. has originally developed about 50 years ago for military purposes. Helicopters have come a long way with technology, and now being able to see your city from a bird’s eye view can be done in style, luxury, and with safety in mind.

4. Plan a Trip to your Local Lake

For those of us that live inside the mainland United States, being able to experience the beach, sands, and cool water seems like only a luxury dream. However, more and more people are starting to experience the relaxation that comes with traveling and vacationing at their local lake. Lakeside resorts are a great option and provide the best views and accommodations possible. The most famous lakes that already have established tourist accommodations are Lake Tahoe in California, the Great Lakes in the mid-western United States, and lakes dotting Florida. However, virtually every state in the U.S. has either man-made, natural lakes, or reservoirs, and so even for those living inland, a trip to the water is not too far off.

If you prefer to do more outdoor activities while vacationing lakeside, fishing with a license, power-boating, and swimming are all great options. Power-boating, in particular, has the potential to mix both leisure and excitement and can be a great couples activity. Renting a powerboat could be an option for those who couldn’t otherwise store a powerboat. For those that have room to store a powerboat, the past-time activity is one that is filled with adrenaline, speed, and power, and could be an essential part of every vacation. In fact, sales of new powerboats were projected to have increased between six and seven percent over 2016, showing just how much people are beginning to enjoy powerboating.

5. Take Days Off to go Camping

Similar to vacationing lakeside, camping involves being intimate with nature, experiencing the best of your backyard, and learning how to let go of urban stress. With camping comes a newfound form of respect, admiration, and closeness with nature that could otherwise have remained ignored with other forms of vacationing. Camping can be done almost anywhere, and there is a multitude of tools, equipment, and stores like REI and Big5 Sporting Goods designed with campers in mind. There is also a wide array of websites, blogs, Youtube Channels, and forums that are specifically geared towards new campers. These websites make camping less intimidating and can keep you informed on local conditions.

Camping is one of those activities that, though only done for a matter of days, has the ability to quickly recharge your spirits and have positive effects on mental health. More and more research is showing that camping is connected to positive effects on memory, decreased levels of anxiety, and decreased levels of depression. In addition, for children that go camping, a getaway can help improve their cognitive functioning. Finally, camping has been shown to have a restorative effect that brings people back from the busy urban environment, and into the calm hands of nature. For a mini-vacation, camping is not only essential to do at least once, but can also be done as a weekend getaway several times a year.

Takeaways for Mini-Vacations

When it comes to vacationing, the most popular tourist attractions are obvious. Las Vegas, Hollywood, New York, Miami, all these cities have readily available tourist attractions, accommodations, and night-life. However, sometimes the vacation itself can prove to be more tiresome and stressful than originally planned. The purpose of a vacation is not to stress over finding a hotel, battling traffic and crowds of people, and paying outrageous prices for food and Ubers. Vacationing doesn’t have to be difficult, or tiresome. The point of a vacation is to be able to escape from your daily stressors, be it work or home, and have time to gather your thoughts and re-charge for the upcoming year.

Unfortunately, many people do not realize there are fantastic resources available to them to make the most of a short vacation. As mentioned earlier, some don’t even take the opportunity and make use of all their vacation time. From taking a train ride cross-country, riding a helicopter, experiencing nature, and finding a new exciting activity like power-boating, vacationing can be both simple and exciting. In addition, being able to find the time to vacation can be a feat all on its own, and can prove to be a deterrent from vacationing at all for some people. With these mini-vacations, you can still have a chance to visit that unique destination, or camp for a couple of days, without worrying about getting your vacation request denied. With these five ideas, you can make sure those limited vacation days pack a punch and get you back on track to a stress-free mind.

With spring break right around the corner, many families are scrambling to find the best possible vacation spots that work for their budget. The good news is that a great spring break vacation doesn’t need to break the bank.

In fact, many Americans are looking to save money on travel this year. According to a recent report on spring break travel by Allianz Travel Insurance, domestic travel during spring vacations has increased by 24% since last year.

Whether you’re looking to lounge on the lake or beat the winter blues, here are four affordable spring break destinations for 2020.

1. Cocoa Beach, FL. Florida is one of the biggest vacation destinations in the U.S. and with good reason considering 87 million Americans participate in recreational boating when the weather’s warm enough. Cocoa Beach is not only an iconic surf town but it also happens to be an affordable family destination with budget-friendly hotels and family-run inns. There are plenty of family-friendly activities, too, including boogie boarding and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The Cocoa Beach Trolley is also free for kids under five.
2. Blowing Rock, NC. If you’re looking for a warmer destination that isn’t as tropical as Florida, Blowing Rock is a mountain town in western North Carolina with plenty to see and do. Blowing Rock offers independent shops, restaurants, and mountain hikes. Blowing Rock is also home to Tweetsie Railroad, a family-oriented Wild West theme park. At the center of the park is a 3-mile ride on a train, which is pulled by Tweetsie Railroad’s two historic narrow-gauge steam locomotives. About 15 miles west of Blowing Rock is Sugar Mountain, which has ice skating and ski slopes open through March.
3. Jamestown, VA. Jamestown is a great family-friendly vacation destination with plenty of U.S. history to learn about. Jamestown is home to the first English settlement in North America and offers kids the chance to visit the original settlement along with a Powhatan village and 17th-century forts. There are also kayaking adventures the family can enjoy along the James River. Jamestown also has budget-friendly chain hotels, so you don’t have to sweat the length of your stay.
4. Blairsville, GA. Blairsville is a friendly mountain town with plenty of space for outdoorsy fun. Located just two hours north of Atlanta in Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Blairsville offers hiking along the Appalachian Trail and adventuring in Wolf Creek Falls. You can even take your family horseback riding along the trails.

Not every vacation needs to break the bank. There are plenty of adventures out there for you and your family to enjoy on spring break.

About 162.07 million people made up the U.S. civilian labor force in 2018, yet the majority of these workers left a significant portion of their vacation days unused. If you’re reluctant to take a family trip due to money concerns, you can find ways to cut back on the costs of a vacation. Here are eight tips for saving money on your next family adventure.

1. Select Your Destination with Care

When you’re trying to decide where you’ll travel, remember that some destinations cost far more than others. For instance, instead of setting your heart on visiting a large city, consider booking a hotel in a less-expensive suburb that’s under an hour away by car. A trip to another state or even another country could save you money, even with airfare factored in, as compared to a visit to a popular amusement park resort. In any city, avoiding the major tourist draws may cut your costs dramatically, since places and events designed to attract tourists typically inflate prices on basic expenses such as food and admission. Be sure to conduct thorough research and take your time in comparing the prices of different destinations on your list.

2. Consider a Road Trip

Total sales for new cars and trucks exceeded $1 trillion in 2017. If you’re one of the many Americans with a new vehicle, you can use this asset to save money on a family vacation. Driving instead of flying can cut your travel costs by as much as half. Get a good map of the U.S. and think about how far you can comfortably drive. If you can get family or friends to put your family up for a night or two, you can save on a hotel and extend the length of your trip.

3. Time Your Vacation Wisely

If possible, try to book flights when airports are less busy, like the middle of the week or early in the morning. If you’re buying plane tickets online, use the flexible travel date search feature, which allows you to look at prices for a range of days before and after your target departure and return dates. Be sure to research the busy season associated with your destination and time your trip to coincide with slower months in order to save. While it might be more convenient to travel during holiday breaks, your family may be able to save a lot of money by scheduling your vacation during other times of the year.

4. Find Low-Cost and Free Activities

Even big cities offer free attractions if you’re willing to put in the effort to find them. Look at the tourism website for your destination, which will probably offer a long list of free (or almost free) family-friendly activities. Many parks and museums have free or low-cost admission days, and just strolling through colorful neighborhoods can be entertaining. Find out if the city you’re traveling to offers passes that will let you into a number of different attractions for one flat rate. And of course, with cities by the water, there’s always the option of going to the beach, a fun and free activity enjoyed by almost 60 million Americans in 2010.

5. Look for Travel Deals

Search for ways to save online by visiting websites such as Priceline or using apps like HotelTonight. Sign up with your email address for alerts from a particular hotel or from travel planning websites so that you’ll know immediately when deals become available. If you buy plane tickets online, you’re likely to save money on admission to your destination’s attractions. When you’re booking lodging, choose the least expensive room that will accommodate your family in the nicest hotel that’s within your budget. You might even find news of lower prices by checking out posts from hotels on social media. Don’t forget to sign up for flight alerts, which will send you a notification when airfare drops.

6. Consider Renting or Sharing a House

The increasing popularity of online housing rentals is a boon for vacationing families. It can be a challenge to share hotel rooms with children, so it’s nice to have an entire house to spread out in. Visit sites like Airbnb or homeaway.com to see how much more space you can get for the same amount you’d spend on a hotel. Larger families can save significantly by renting a house instead of booking several rooms in a hotel. You’ll also cut costs by having a full kitchen available to prepare food, as opposed to eating in restaurants at every meal. What’s more, you’ll have a free place to park. Just make sure to do your due diligence and avoid obvious scams.

You can save even more money by renting a house with friends or family. The price per family is typically less if the rental house is shared, so you could end up spending even less than you’d pay for a hotel. If you rent a house with another family, your kids will have other kids to spend time with and they’ll likely have a more enjoyable experience.

7. Sign Up for Tours or All-Inclusive Packages

For some tourists, planning a family vacation can be stressful and time-consuming, so booking a tour is an attractive alternative. Choose a family-friendly company, like Intrepid Travel or Trafalgar, and they’ll take the planning from there. You and your family can enjoy a package that covers lodging, transportation, a number of meals, and a tour led by a seasoned guide. You may very well spend less on a guided tour than you would if you paid for each feature separately.

8. Go to the Grocery Store

You can use online mapping tools to choose a hotel near a sizable supermarket or health food store. Here, you can eat for less than you would spend in a restaurant and pick up emergency snacks for the kids. Large grocery stores typically offer salad bars and buffets with hot entrees with enough variety to please everyone in your family. Another plus is that dining with help from a grocery store will probably be much quicker than waiting to be served in a restaurant, leaving more time for sightseeing. If you have access to a kitchen, you’ll be able to spend quality time together and save money by cooking at your home base. That’ll leave funds left over for other fun activities!

A family vacation is a great way to create lasting memories and enjoy each other’s company away from the stresses of everyday life. By planning ahead, searching for price deals, and being creative with lodging and amenities, you can book a relaxing, fun-filled trip without breaking the bank.

The holidays are almost here, and you know what that means – it’s time to plan your winter and holiday vacations. With so many destinations to choose from, it can be hard to pick just one. Once you do have one in mind, you might not know what activities you want to fit into your vacation. One area you should definitely put on your vacation destination list for this holiday season is Denver, Colorado – here are just a few reasons why and what you should do while you’re there.

Holiday Shopping Spree

Have you been putting off your holiday gift shopping for the season? Luckily, Denver has plenty of stores big and small you can shop til you drop in. Look for all your new favorite fashions to start out the next decade in one of the many malls or small boutiques across the city. Just be ready to race against the holiday crowds, especially if you’re trying to purchase some new wardrobe essentials for 2020. The global clothing and textile industry is currently worth an estimated $2.560 trillion, meaning you might have to work through some crowded malls.

Adventure Away From The Cold

Not a fan of the cold weather that Denver gets during the winter season? There are still plenty of adventurous activity options available for you and your family. Check out one of the many escape rooms Denver has to offer while you’re traveling, especially if the weather outdoors doesn’t cooperate with your other plans. Make sure you bring a few extra friends or family members – in order for all parts of an escape room to be utilized, you should bring a group of four to eight people. It’s just one more way to include as many people as possible in your travel plans!

Festive Nightlife

To really make the most of what the city has to offer, you have to experience some of Denver’s thriving nightlife. The entire state of Colorado is known for its high-quality beer and breweries; after all, there are over 180 breweries and brewpubs throughout the state of Colorado. However, the epicenter of Colorado’s brewing is in Denver. If you’re traveling with friends this holiday season, make sure you save time for a bar crawl so you can check out all the festive events going on in the city.

Delicious Seasonal Treats

Don’t forget to include meals when you’re planning your daily travel activities this holiday season. There are countless restaurants and dining experiences waiting for you in Denver, from fun and casual to high-end class. Save room for dessert as well – with the holiday season in full swing, plenty of places will be offering seasonal desserts and other treats that are sure to get you in the spirit of the season. If you need a last-minute stocking stuffer for someone on your list, maybe pick up some festive chocolates. After all, 2.8 billion pounds of chocolate are consumed in America each year, which is over 11 pounds per person; your gift is sure to be a hit.

With all the options for travel destinations this holiday season, one of the places that absolutely has to be on your list is Denver. This town has plenty to see and do, especially during the winter holiday season. What activities are you including on your to-do list to get you in the holiday spirit?

Traveling is a lot of fun and can help relieve all kinds of stress. Not only is going somewhere new fun and exciting, it can actually boost your professional productivity. In fact, professional services from Ernst & Young conducted an internal study of its employees and found that for each additional 10 hours of vacation time employees took, their year-end performance ratings improved 8%.

Though traveling is a lot of fun, no matter where you’re going, it can be quite stressful — especially if you have pets. While there are roughly 9,000 boarding kennels in the U.S. and Canada, many pet parents choose to bring their furry friends along for the trip.

According to Forbes Magazine, 92% of pet owners spent the same or more on their pets during the most recent recession period. When traveling with a dog or pet, you have to budget for all the same expenses as everyone else on top of the costs tied to pet care and travel.

Pet owners could choose to just leave their pets at home during their trip, sure, but opting for a kennel or a sitter can be just as — if not more — expensive. Let’s take a look at the extra expenses pet owners need to budget for while vacationing or traveling:

• Pet-friendly airlines — It’s imperative that you find an airline that allows pets to ride in the cabin, even if they have to stay in a carrier under the seat — it’s better than running around the airport in a panic not knowing what to do. Some airlines can charge around $100 for pet travel.
• Hotel surcharges — Before booking your hotel room, make sure to ask if there is a pet surcharge. Most places will likely accommodate your furry friend, but not every hotel will accept pets. It’s best to budget an extra few bucks for possible pet surcharges.
• Pet beach fees — If you’re vacationing at a beach destination, some time playing in the sand can be a lot of fun for the whole family. It’s important to note, however, there are some beaches across the country that charge non-refundable pet fees upon admittance.

Whether you’re traveling to Florida for a week at the beach, going on a business trip, or even moving across the country, you need to carefully plan for extra pet-related expenses. Statistics show that Fridays are the busiest days in the moving industry, with 19.45% of moves occurring on Fridays in 2016. If your pet doesn’t handle busy airports or large crowds very well, you might want to opt for a different day to book your flight.

If you’re traveling by car, there are a few important things to keep in mind to ensure a fun and stress-free trip for all — including your dog or cat:

• Keep your pet in the back seat of the car to avoid injuries. If your pet is in the passenger seat and the airbag deploys, it could cause serious damage.
• Make sure you’re stopping frequently to allow your pet to go to the bathroom, stretch, and get a little exercise in.
• Don’t ever leave your pet inside the car alone. Even during quick pit stops, either make sure someone stays in the car with your pet or let them get out with you.

Above all, it’s important to not stress out too much and have fun during your trip. As long as you’re properly budgeting and planning things carefully, your trip, whether it’s for business, leisure, or relocation, will be a success. Enjoy!

Charleston is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the United States. The city attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, and for good reason; with mild temperatures, endless coastlines, and more than 300 years of history, Charles Town offers a little something for everybody.

That fact is a boon for families with different tastes; it can be hard to meet the needs and interests of mom, dad, and a gaggle of kids, yet Charleston, SC, manages to get the job done. Let’s take a look at three unforgettable family activities you can do on your trip down south.

A Tour Through Time

Charleston was founded in 1670, an entire century before the U.S. was officially established. Its ideal location on the coast allowed it to prosper in those early years, and it ended up playing a crucial role in the Civil War. As a result, the whole city is attached to a little piece of history; whether you want to take a ghost tour through the Old Jail, a horse carriage ride through the historic district, or just marvel at the classic architecture, you’ll have plenty of options. If you’re looking for timeless beauty, check out the region’s stunning plantations; you may be used to metal barns and modern agricultural metal buildings, but you’ll find only original structures when you walk the grounds of Middleton Place or Boone Hall Plantation.

Explore Your Wild Side

For those looking for something a little more active, you can step outside the bounds of the city and hop on the back of an ATV. The state of South Carolina boasts a wide variety of stunning natural terrain; you can explore mountainous roads, swamplands, coastal regions, and a multitude of wooded areas — nearly any environment you can imagine is available as on an off-road course. And due to the fact that the demand for sport ATVs was around 180,000 units in 2016, there will be no shortage of vehicles!

Walking In The Wilderness

Although the city of Charleston is charming in its own right, not everyone wants to spend their entire trip within its walls. If you’re looking to find a balance between the bustle of downtown and the adrenaline rush of off-roading in an ATV, there are plenty of gorgeous hiking trails close by: for example, I’on Swamp Trail, located in the Francis Marion National Forest, is an easy two-mile loop that promises views of alligators and a multitude of migrating songbirds. The Audubon Swamp Garden kills two birds with one stone; this 60-acre swampland is located on Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, allowing you to sees a bit of history and a bit of nature all at once. Considering the fact that only one in three adults receive the recommended amount of physical activity each week, making time in your vacation for a hike (or leisurely walk) is well worth it.

Planning a family vacation that satisfies everyone’s interests can be difficult, but Charleston makes the job a piece of cake! When you visit this beautiful and historic city, you’ll find that no one wants to come home.

Road trips are becoming more and more popular, especially in the summer months. And they’re expected to only become more popular with a PwC forecast showing that about 107 million vehicles will be produced in 2020. If you’re planning on taking a road trip with your family this summer, you need to plan ahead. Traveling of any kind can be expensive so we’ve compiled a few simple tips to help you save some money on your summer road trip! Here’s 3 easy ways to save money on your summer road trip:

Get your Car Tuned

Unexpected breakdowns and repairs are a common road trip expense. Fortunately, this can be avoided by taking your vehicle in for a tune-up before your trip. While you will be spending some money at the shop, it’s worth it in the long run. Rotating your tires at least every 6,000 miles can help prevent uneven wear and damage, which can result in blowouts. A quick oil change and checking of fluid levels can make a big difference in the performance of your vehicle, which can ultimately allow you to use less gas and spend less money overall. And taking your car in to be looked at by a mechanic can also give you peace of mind — with motor vehicle accidents accounting for 52% of personal injury cases, you want to ensure your car is in good working condition.

Bring Food With You

When you’re on the road, it’s really convenient to just pull off at a rest stop and buy food — there’s a reason why there are so many restaurants and fast food places near the highways. And while it may be convenient, spending money on food can quickly get out of hand. So instead of eating out for every meal, bring some food with you from the start. Pack snacks like chips, pretzels, granola bars, and trail mix that you can put in containers to bring along. And as for drinks, put a case of water bottles in the trunk or bring a reusable water bottle that you can fill up at rest stops. Packing food and drinks ahead of time will help you save money on the trip.

Choose Reasonable Accommodations

Road trips often involve crashing at a hotel or other accomodations along the way. But if you rent a hotel room every time, you may end up spending a lot of money just on that. So consider alternative accommodations. Depending on where you’re headed, camping could be a great option. All you have to do is pay a small fee for the campsite and bring your own tent. This is a great option if you want to stay somewhere for a few days. Additionally, you can consider renting an Airbnb or even staying with family or friends along the way. When you have multiple people, it can be difficult to find reasonable accommodations but there are certainly several options you can explore.

Planning a road trip takes a lot of effort, especially when you’re trying to save money. But keep these simple tips in mind to make sure you’re staying under your summer road trip budget.

As many as 37% of families say that vacations make them happy, making a vacation together the activity that makes families most happy. While many families have fully set up their ideal vacations from packing to travel to itinerary, not everyone is quite so well-organized. If your kids have been pestering you about your vacation plans and you’ve realized you’ve been procrastinating on them, here are a few unique and creative vacation ideas you can use to pull off a trip at the last-minute.

Check Out Local Natural Attractions

Every area across the country, whether you’re in the middle of the desert or up in the mountains, has their own local natural landmark. They might not be nationally known – Cumberland Caverns is the second longest cave in Tennessee, for example. Do some research to find a local landmark near you that you and your family can take some time to go explore. This can be a great option for more adventurous families looking to immerse themselves in nature without traveling too far from home.

Wonderful Time On The Water

Nothing says “summer” quite like a fun and relaxing trip to the beach to make the most of the sunny, warm weather. Nearly 60 million people in The United States visited beaches in 2010 according to the US Census Bureau, meaning this is a fairly popular option for summer fun. While this might not necessarily be the easiest option everywhere in the country, you don’t have to be along the coast to enjoy some time out on the water. Look for local lakes you can bring your family too for some fun boating, swimming, and other fun water-based activities. If you’re looking for a longer trip, feel free to drive or fly out to one of the more popular beaches in the nation, but be prepared to face the crowds.

Try Out Adventurous Accommodations

Most people associate vacation times with expensive hotels that offer more or less the same experience no matter where you’re staying for your trip. However, with the rise of the internet, more people have been able to offer unique (and often affordable) accommodations for your travel needs. Sites like AirBnB have been offering a wider variety of places to stay, including options from apartments, to cottages, even to tiny homes constructed of recycled shipping containers. Most shipping containers are 8 feet wide, 9.5 feet tall, and either 20 or 40 feet long, meaning they’re actually fairly decently sized for a temporary stay. Don’t limit yourself to standard travel options when looking for lodging; a bit of creativity can completely change the tone of your trip.

A Weekend In The Big City

In many areas across the country, there’s a good chance you’re within driving distance of a major metropolitan area. Whether you’re closer to New York City, Chicago, Seattle, Portland, or any of the many other urban hubs across the United States, there’s sure to be something that you and your family will enjoy. Cities offer enough activities and options for every member of the family where even if you put off planning out your days, you’ll still be able to find something to do throughout your trip.

Whether you’re looking to plan a short weekend trip or a week-long vacation for the entire family, there are plenty of options that you’ll be able to book, even at the last minute. What vacation options can you see yourself booking for you and your family’s next trip?

From St. Paul to St. Louis with Kids!

My kids have had a ton of adventures while growing up here in the Twin Cities – so many adventures that they’ve hardly noticed they had actually never been outside of Minnesota and Wisconsin!

I had been to many states growing up, but there are actually many I have not been to myself right here in the midwest. So this summer we decided to take a family road trip to a place we had all never been to before: St. Louis, Missouri!

Why did we choose St. Louis? For a few reasons:

1) Its metro area is similar in size to the Twin Cities: 2.8 million vs. 3.3 million.

2) It’s rich in history – especially the Gateway Arch, of course, which was built as the “gateway to the west” as it is located near the beginning of the famous Lewis & Clark Expedition (1804 – 1806).

3) And there are some super unique family attractions to visit, many of which are FREE!

Plus, driving to St. Louis from the Twin Cities meant we could be traveling through a total of 5 states (yay, more my kids could say they could see!).

We could just go directly south to Missouri through Iowa, but I decided to take a more interesting route. What we did was we made it a 5-day trip with a stop overnight in the Wisconsin Dells on the way there, and a stop in Iowa on the way back. Both ways were about the same distance, and overall, it worked out very well.

And fortunately there was an opportunity to visit St. Louis with some fellow bloggers this summer and explore some NEW attractions opening up this year, so we scheduled our trip for that weekend and I will tell you, I don’t know who was more excited, my kids or me!

To Drive or to Fly?