Recession-Proof Summer Vacations Near Home

With all the talk of a recession, record-high gas and food prices, and less money to spend, people are starting to rethink any major travel plans they may have had this summer.

Airline tickets are climbing higher every day — a plane ticket that was only $250 a month ago is now closer to $500 and the price of a trip to Europe is no longer manageable for many Americans.

So what’s a traveler to do?

1. Stick close to home. Instead of taking the family abroad, why not explore your own backyard? I’m willing to bet a majority of us have seen more of another state or country than we have of our own. No one says you have to fly thousands of miles to take a great vacation.

2. Get outside. Why not take a week-long family camping or backpacking trip this summer? With 391 national park areas in the U.S., there’s most likely one near you. Take advantage of it. Get out and explore our beautiful mountains, lakes, and forests. It won’t cost you much to get there and won’t cost you much to stay. But the rewards of an outdoor vacation are immeasurable. Go fishing, kayaking, hiking, or cycling. Any gear you buy will be an investment in present and future enjoyment.

3. Rent (or swap) a house or cottage and skip the hotel. Not only will you save on hotel costs, but you’ll have a kitchen to cook in and won’t feel like you have to be out doing something (and spending money) all the time.

4. Take a volunteer vacation near home. We’ve talked before about volunteer vacations abroad, but there are also plenty of volunteer opportunities right here at home. Check Volunteer Match for programs near you.

5. Consider a family farmstay. Long a staple vacation in Europe, a farmstay is similar to a bed & breakfast, only on a working farm. The rates are affordable and you get the chance to experience real working life on a farm. You can choose from a maple sugar farm in Vermont to a guest ranch in Colorado — bring the whole family and introduce the kids to life with animals. Sounds like an interesting vacation to me.

Whatever you choose to do this summer, make sure you allow yourself time to breathe and enjoy. It’s been a stressful year for many of us and it’s important to take a time out and focus on the things in life that are really important… health, happiness, friends, and family. If you’ve got one or all of those things, consider yourself rich.