About Staycations

According to the Urban Dictionary, a STAYCATION is a vacation that is spent at one's home enjoying all that home, and one's home environments, have to offer.

In my opinion, a Staycation can even involve staying at a hotel, B&B or other accomodation, but still relatively close to home. Instead of spending a $600 a day to take the family on a vacation that involves airline travel, and major chain hotel - stay at a BandB or local hotel near an area that has plenty to do!

With the price of gas soaring, a Staycation is what most Americans will experience during the summer of 2008. According to a 2005 study by the Families and Work Institute, up to one-third of employees who get paid vacation time don't use it all. Many people said they would get too behind on the job if they took time off, while others cited not being able to afford to take a trip.

One of the tricks to a successful Staycation, especially if it's a going to be a day trip, is to take care of the home chores beforehand. Mow the lawn, do the dishes, the laundry, etc., so that's not on your mind all day, or all weekend! Being away, yet so close to home, it may haunt you the entire time!

I've started to compile a list of ideas, and links to area (i'm from NJ) resources, of things to do on a Staycation.

If you really think about it, there's probably a LOT do do where you live. For instance, I'm from NJ. I'm MINUTES from NY. Do you know how many times I went on a cruise out of New York? ZERO. Visited the Statue of Liberty? ZERO. Why? Because it's right there...it'll always be there (so we think). We take what's around us for granted.

Sit...think...what's near you? Swimming in clear blue water of a nearby lake, river or ocean, tennis and a little bicycling, hiking, camping in a beautiful parkland, barbecued meals, a concert under the stars, a ballgame with fireworks, maybe even a museum or two... and all for free. Well, okay, not for free – but for a fraction of what other people will pay.

Lets say you live near the New York area, like me. Think of the broadway plays, museums, sightseeing tours, river boat trips, dinner cruises, Statue of Liberty...do you know how many people come here each year to see these things? It's right at my back door and I'm ashamed to say, the only thing I've done - and force myself to do every month with friends - is go to a Broadway play.

Try it...You'll like it!! A Staycation is a fun and affordable way to enjoy your time off!

"The Shore"

I'm from New Jersey, so I have to start with ideas for things to do on a staycation there. Lets start with the most obvious. The Jersey Shore. Down the Shore you can go fishing, lay on the beach, take a trip on a party boat, hit the boardwalk, visit the parks and lighthouses, go camping, hiking, surfing, biking, or just watch the sunset at night. There's plenty of golf courses, bars, restaurants, hotels, and cozy bed & breakfasts:

Courtesy of the Star-Ledger, below is a listing of the Jersey Shore's top beaches:

Gunnison Beach (Sandy Hook): The state's only legal nude beach is listed first not because I go there but because this is in alphabetical order. Get naked, as they like to say here, or get lost!

Island Beach State Park: RV enthusiast, fisherman's and hiker's heaven. Ten miles of sand and sun, and not a T-shirt shop or pizza joint in sight.

Manasquan: Nice, compact beach, and the nearly-mile-long walkway is nearly clutter and commercial-free.

Margate: On how many beaches can you spread your blanket in the shadow of a six story-high elephant? Lucy's her name.

Ocean Grove: The state's best-behaved beach, if there is such a thing. It's a dry town, and no one's allowed on the beach on Sundays until 12:30 p.m. That means you!

Point Pleasant Beach: Plenty of action on both the beach - volleyball, entertainment, even fashion shows - and the boardwalk.

Sea Bright: The first true Shore town. Free beach-front parking. Amazing.

Strathmere: Blink twice, and you're out of this town, sandwiched between Ocean City and Sea Isle. But it's one of the state's few free beaches. For dinner or drinks: the Deauville Inn.

Sunset Beach: This stretch of sand in Lower Township (adjacent to Cape May), is the end of the line as far as Jersey's beaches go. The evening flag-lowering ceremony here is a must.Wildwood (including North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest): Unimaginably wide beach - you can barely see the surf from the boardwalk - and it's free!!

Here are some more great spots to go to Down the Shore:

Atlantic Highlands: A visitor can enjoy accommodations in an 1800’s Victorian B&B, local seafood so fresh it practically jumps out of the ocean, and many beach bars to unwind and listen to some great music preformed by local Jersey Shore bands.

Avon by the Sea: Just 60 miles from New York and Philadelphia, it is a great place to swim & relax in the summer sun. Plenty of fine restaurants, shops, Victorian homes and a non-commercial boardwalk make Avon one of New Jersey's most relaxing respites.

Belmar: Belmar has kept its reputation as a resort town for all seasons. Whether you are seeking a relaxing vacation on the beach, or a vacation full of activities and nightlife, you can find it at Belmar.

Long Beach Island: Long Beach Island remains the premier spot in New Jersey for quiet relaxation by the ocean. Since it is only a quarter mile wide, visitors are close to both the sea and the bay. Only one town on the island has an amusement area, and there is no boardwalk. Long Beach Island boasts some of the most naturally beautiful beaches on the east coast, as well as hundreds of boutiques and fine restaurants.

Point Pleasant: Point Pleasant NJ has remained a premier Jersey Shore Boardwalk, with a first class aquarium, rides, live entertainment and amusements. Downtown Point Pleasant boasts a thriving shopping district with a myriad of premiere antique establishments, making the area a great location for all ages.

Wildwood: Wildwood consists of four distinct towns. Wildwood Crest, Wildwood, North Wildwood and West Wildwood.

Gambling and Casinos

If you crave the sounds of binging and dinging and excitement of gambling, here's a few places to go - and it's not just Atlantic City, but we'll start there...

Atlantic City: Whether you're looking to while away some time at a low-stakes slot machine, play some high-powered poker, or anything in between, Atlantic City gambling halls have what you want. Atlantic City casinos offer slots, poker, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, keno, race books and specialty table games provide non-stop action along the Boardwalk and in the Marina District.

Foxwoods: About 2 hours north of New Jersey is Foxwoods Resort and Casino. There are over 380 to choose from. Blackjack and craps, or pai gow, we've got your game. If you prefer the slots, we feature 7,200 to choose from – including a smoke-free casino with over 500 slots.

Monticello Gaming and Raceway: About 90 minutes north of New Jersey, Monticello Gaming & Raceway features over 1,500 of the newest, hottest video games, including progressives and video poker. From penny games to $10 high limit action, they've got the name of your game!

Mount Airy Casino Resort: Mount Airy Casino Resort is in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania and is open daily 24 hours. The casino's 68,000 square foot gaming space features 2,523 gaming machines. The property has four restaurants and a hotel with 188 rooms.

Amusement Parks and Zoos

There's more to amusement parks in New Jersey than the famous Great Adventure. Here are some great theme parks, zoos, and amusement parks that the kids would love, as well as adults.

Adventure Aquarium: Immerse yourself in our watery world and get ready to experience the life aquatic at the Adventure Aquarium on the Waterfront. Now you can get hands-on, up close and more interactive than you ever imagined with these creatures of the sea.

Bergen County Zoological Park: The Zoo is open 365 days a year (weather permitting) from 10 am - 4:30 pm.

Clementon Park & Splash World: The 100 year-old family park opened on Memorial Day Weekend in 2008 with new ownership, new management, a new logo and millions of dollars in improvements including a massive new Polynesian-themed multi-level aqua playland to be called Laguna Kahuna.

Six Flags Great Adventure: Six Flags Great Adventure, located in Jackson, NJ, offers travelers an encompassing time of fun complete with thrill rides, live shows, dining options and more, including, new for 2008, The Dark Knight Coaster! Guests will find a varied time of themepark fun with areas including Wiggles World, Looney Tunes Seaport, Main Street and Fantasy Froest.

Spacefarm Zoo & Museum: Featuring more than 500 animals of 100 different species, Space Farms has the largest private collection of North American animals, in their natural surroundings in the United States. The zoo also has many exotic species from around the world. Space Farms is internationally famous for their bear and lion cub breeding programs.

Jenkinsons Boardwalk: Jenkinson's Boardwalk offers your family a wide range of activities. Whether you are visiting for the day or the entire summer, you will always find something to excite every member of your family. From free weekly events to yearly festivals there is always something extraordinary to experience here at Jenkinson's.

Morey's Piers: Morey's Piers offers over 100 exciting amusement park rides and attractions, including TWO large beachfront waterparks, kiddie rides, roller cosaters and more! Avoid the long theme park lines and come enjoy a classic seaside amusement park with your family!

Mountain Creek: We've all been awaiting the perfect cure for summer's sizzle. Mountain Creek Waterpark is open 7 days a week! Keep your cool no matter what day it is or how hot.

Storybook Land: Just 10 miles west of Atlantic city is Storybook Land. The timelessness of childhood will ring true as your family literally walks through its all-time favorite stories and nursery rhymes at Storybook Land. Children’s classics are interspersed with exciting new family rides and attractions in a remarkably clean and enjoyable park setting.

Wild West City: Wild West City is a western heritage theme park that brings the old west back to life through portrayals of real-life western characters, legendary events and a frontier town re-creation. Featuring twenty-two (22) different live action shows throughout the course of the day, Wild West City offers the visitor the chance to “live” in the old west!

Hot Air Ballooning

Ballooning: Scary? Exhilerating? But did you know that hot air balloons have the safest flight record of all aircraft? This is a fun and adventurous staycation idea. I've been to the Balloon Festival i the Poconos and it's amazing! Find a great little B&B there, and watch (or ride in) the balloons all day!

Alexandria Balloon Flights: NJ Hot Air Balloon Rides serving New Jersey,New York, and Eastern Pennsylvania. Alexandria Balloon Flights provides scenic Hot Air Balloon Rides over some of the most beautiful and charming countryside NJ has to offer.

American Balloon: YOU ARE INVITED to share an aerial adventure which mankind has enjoyed for more than two centuries! Join us as we drift in the gentle breezes over the lovely hills and valleys of Hunterdon County in New Jersey. It is truly a vista of breathtaking beauty. Your hot air ballooning adventure may take you to heights where you can view distant objects and you'll fly low near the tree tops close enough to touch the leaves.

Balloons Aloft: Flights last about an hour, and take place in beautiful Hunterdon County, NJ. The landscape is a combination of wooded areas, farmland, and beautiful villages and towns. The passengers aloft are treated to a serene, fantastic, sometimes dream-like panorama.

Dancing on Air: Come and enjoy the adventure of a lifetime with a balloon flight over the beautiful Lambertville/New Hope area. You will board your balloon and rise gently into the sky. On clear days, you can see the skylines of Philly, NYC, the Delaware Water Gap, and the beautiful countryside of Hunterdon and Bucks Counties.

NJ Hot Air: Hot air balloon rides in NJ, PA & NYC - Hot Air Ballooning adventures in New Jersey, Pennsylvania & New York City, including such hot air balloon services as champagne balloon flights, engagements, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, gift certificates, hot air balloon sales, corporate hot air balloon advertising, balloon flight instruction, aerial photography and more!

In Flight Balloon Adventures LLC: Serving NJ, Pa and NYC. Enjoy an amazing ballooning experience with spectacular views of hills, farms and historic buildings! Whether you want a romantic getaway hot air balloon ride, a surprise elegant dinner combined with a hot air balloon flight, a special birthday or anniversary ballooning ride, a B & B very romantic getaway package, a banquet event, or even a most unique wedding getaway - choose the Experienced Professionals for New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York City.