Be a tourist in your town

Sometimes you come back from a vacation wishing you could take another one just to catch your breath. Or you fly to an exotic destination only to find yourself dreaming of sleeping in your own bed. A staycation, a vacation at or near your home, can cut out the stress of travel, while giving your pocketbook a break.

Gas, hotels and airfare can easily add up to thousands in expense for an average-size family.

A staycation offers a good way to cut those costs, says Jacquie Fisher, founder of KCEdventures.com, which features educational excursions in Kansas City, Mo., along with at-home activities and crafts. Fisher has taken three staycations in her hometown, becoming an expert in all the best her city has to offer.

“If you stay at home you avoid the costly parts of travel, but can still enjoy eating out. And even if you take car trips every day it’s not nearly as expensive,” she says.

“Being in your own home has advantages. Everyone sleeps better in their own bed. You don’t have to worry about boarding pets. As kids get older, you don’t want to disrupt school schedules or kid schedules.”

Prepare for a staycation by doing the same research you would if you were going away.

Fisher suggests checking out review websites Yelp and TripAdvisor to get the latest feedback about attractions and restaurants. Talk to your friends to find out what’s new in your area. Stop in at your local visitors center or cruise its website.

TripAdvisor also offers an app that can help you discover nearby places via online forums, says spokeswoman Julie Cassetina. She suggests splurging on things you wouldn’t normally spend money on at a destination vacation, such as fine dining and live performances.

Also, don’t forget to just play—go to the park, take a walk, have a picnic.

“Staycations can really allow you to enjoy some old fashioned fun,” Cassetina says.

Visit your local library to get ideas and see if it lends complimentary passes to nearby zoos or museums. You can also use a staycation as a time to unplug and put away all screens and devices, including TVs, tablets and cell phones.

Above all, make sure to treat a staycation like a vacation, Fisher says.

“Try to make sure when you are on a staycation you follow some of the same rules as on a vacation,” Fisher says.

“If you are saving money not flying or staying at a hotel, eat out, maybe hire a lawn service that week. Make yourself feel like you are on vacation.”

Many people blow off taking vacations “because of the money and the amount of time it takes to plan and travel,” Fisher says. But downtime—even a few days, even at home—strengthens family bonds.

“One of the best reasons to take a staycation is to reconnect with your family, to spend one-on-one time, all in the same house,” Fisher says.