Five simple, but sometimes forgot about, reasons to vacation close to home. I’m honored to have partnered with Extended Stay America for this post.
My family loves to travel. We like experiencing new places, finding new ways to have fun together, and just the spontaneity of being out of our normal, every day routine.
During spring break we had several options for a vacation, but in the end, we decided on a vacation close to home for several different reasons.
5 Reasons to Vacation Close to Home
Less travel time, more fun time. Life is busy. There is no denying that. And I know most families are over scheduled, over booked, and just flat out tired. Vacation is supposed to be fun, not stressful. When vacationing close to home, there is less travel time, resulting in more fun time. If you are flying to your destination, you can plan on one entire day being used up by traveling.
It’s easier on the budget. With gas prices as low as they are, driving to your destination is definitely much cheaper than flying. Take away the checked luggage fees and the rental car fees and you can definitely see how vacationing closer to home is easier on the budget.
Pets can travel along easily. I have a black lab that loves coming along for the ride. There is no way that I would travel with him if we had to fly. The thought of him being in the bottom of the plane with the luggage not only terrifies me, but I’m sure it would terrify him as well. Just make sure you book a room that allows pets. (Extended Stay America does!)
Knowledge of the area. Unless you’re traveling hours and hours away, it’s very likely that you already have at least a little knowledge of the area. This will make it easy when booking the hotel, planning activities, etc.
Easier to handle those unexpected life events. During spring break, one of my children started coming down with something. Nothing terrible or anything, he just wasn’t feeling well. We were able to change our plans and leave early without any type of penalties. We were due to check out on Friday morning, but decided to head out Thursday afternoon. We were able to get home quickly so that he could be in the comfort of his own home as he recovered.
I’m sure there are many more reasons to vacation close to home, but these were the five that helped us in deciding where we were going for spring break.
What are your reasons to vacation close to home?
More travel inspiration can be found here:
Melissa Lawler says
Being on oxygen means we have to stick close to home. I don’t really mind because there is so much to do in the Black Hills area!
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
With the exception of our yearly trip to Disney, we tend to stay close to home. I Like being able to get home relatively quickly if need be.
Brett Beyer says
We like to travel just outside of our comfort zone, just a few hours away. That way (like you said), it’s cheaper, and we get to feel like we are in a new place, even though we aren’t that far away.
William Sweeney says
We stay close to home a lot because of the kids activities. I love that we are close enough to so many different things where we live that we always have something to go and do during our breaks from school.
Jeni Hawkins says
YES! I love this list! Pets traveling can be so hard, but when you’re close to home, it makes it so much easier!
Meagan says
I LOVE staycations! Such a fun an inexpensive way to celebrate summer.
Dawn Lopez says
Those are all really great points! It’s amazing how many fun things to do in your own area you can find if you look. We’ve had a lot of success with vacations close to home also. 🙂
Ann Bacciaglia says
We have had some great vacations close to home. We are lucky to live in such a great area. There are a ton of fun things to do.
Muna Kenny says
We try to be close to home when traveling, it is less expensive and in case an emergency take place we can be home quick.
Lisa says
There really is so much to experience close to home. I love taking the kids on staycations in the surrounding cities and states.
Shelley Zurek says
I was 50 years old before I ever went to a big tourist attraction near my home. I have been all over the world but I hadn’t been there. ANd I sure missed out as it is one of the loveliest places I have ever been.
Sarah says
I do love to travel but a vacation at home can be just as fun. Sometimes we over look the things that are right in our backyard.
Ryan Escat says
I like the idea. Well there’s advantage of having a vacation close to home
Jennifer says
We have recently been traveling about 2-3 hours away for a quick getaway for that very reason. It is so nice to not have to spend hours upon hours in a car — plus we are pretty familiar with the area.
Tiffany Cruz says
I just spent a ton of spring break out of state, our next trip will be a staycation for sure. Great reasons to stay close to home.
Michele says
I am not much of a traveler mainly because I have always had a pet of one sort or another. Back when I had dogs we went on many car trips–they loved them!! Now I have a cat so no car trips with her!! It is very good to know that Extended Stay America allows pets just in case AND I will tell all my pet owning friends this very important information!!
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
We don’t vacation close to home. We don’t vacation all that often so when we do we go somewhere.
Scott says
We like to go close to home so we can do more of them. Saving by driving allows us to vacation more often!
angie says
love your reasons. We love to travel as well but often we stay close to home I have a friend who loves to take her family out but be close enough where she can drive to work but they can enjoy the hotel and surroundings she later joins them she says this works well
Tammilee Tips says
I love doing small trips at home like this! I love that we live so close to so many different beautiful parts of the northwest we can just road trip.
Pam says
These are all good reasons. When we vacation close to home it is usually because of time constraints. I think you can really discover to many cool things right in your backyard if you just open your mind up to the possibilities.
Maureen Campaiola says
There is a lot to be said for staying close to home. We did this alot when my daughter was younger.
chastity says
The first year of my son’s life we vacationed close to home. I was too nervous to have to deal with flying or having to worry about a long road trip. It was less stressful and we visited a small town we always wanted – perfect excuse!
Neely (@Neelykins) says
We’ve done little vacations like this a few times. Its always fun as long as we are together!