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

At the Jersey 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.

Amusement Parks and Zoos

Here are some great theme parks, zoos, and amusement parks that the kids would love, as well as adults.

The Brandywine Zoo: Open since 1905, Delaware's only zoo is located a few steps from the Brandywine River. The 12-acre zoo features Siberian tigers, river otters, and other animals native to the Americas and the temperate areas of Asia. A new state-of-the-art Andean Condor exhibit features a 110,000-cubic-foot flight cage.

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore: Today the 160-plus acre zoo property is owned by the City of Baltimore and leased to the State of Maryland. The Maryland Zoological Society, established in 1967, operates the Zoo under a lease agreement with the state. The Zoological Society assumed full management of the Zoo in 1984. Currently the Zoo’s animal collection encompasses more than 1,500 birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles, representing nearly 200 species. Animals are displayed in natural settings replicating their native habitats.

Plumpton Park Zoo: Plumpton Park Zoo came into existence in 1987 when two animal lovers started giving homes to unwanted, neglected and abuse animals. Knowing that these animals could not control how humans treated them, a loving home was provided. To this day, the team at Plumpton Park Zoo takes pride in providing as many homes to these animals as they can. However, the problem is with space and finances. The zoo receives NO funding from the county, state or federal governments. The park is maintained upon zoo admissions, gift shop sales, and generous donations from caring people like you.

Camping

Here's a great Staycation idea - Camping. There's two types of camping that I think of when I hear the word. One is "roughing it" camping where there are NO amenities! Just you and the outdoors (and a bush for a bathroom!). Then there's RV camping or cabin camping. You have a bed beneath your back, a roof over your head, but still not quite all the comforts of that 5 star hotel. If either of those are for you, it can be a lot of fun, you can meet a lot of great people, and do a lot of things while you're there. Camp and Fish, Camp and Hike, Camp and hit the river....The options are endless and the cost is reasonable!

Bass River State Forest: 176 tent and trailer sites with fire rings and picnic tables. Flush toilets, showers and laundry facilities are within walking distance of all sites.

Blueberry Hill RV Park: Only 13 miles from Atlantic City, you are near enough to enjoy the casinos, boardwalk and beaches, yet far enough away to enjoy the rural countryside of our quaint historic town of Port Republic. Unlike many New Jersey RV Parks, we are open February 1 through December 15, so take advantage of our Spring and Fall specials!

Cedar Creek Campground: Cedar Creek Campground features camping, kayakingand much, much more!

Country Oaks: Country Oaks is located right in the hub of everything that’s happening at the Jersey Shore. But there’s more than that. In fact, much more.

Holly Acres: Nestled on 40-acres in Southern New Jersey, Holly Acres R.V. Park offers a peaceful camping experience, while still being close to area attractions, such as the casinos, beaches, and shopping.

KOA: Thirty Kampgrounds of America parks in North America were named to a list of top campgrounds in North America prepared by ReserveAmerica, one of the leading recreation reservation services in the nation.

Pomona RV Park: Pomona RV Park and Campground offers outstanding family camping in the heart of Southern New Jersey’s fabulous shore area.

Canoeing and Rafting

If you're near a river, or other waterway, you can enjoy a peaceful ride down a shimmering river, or the exciting ride of white water. How about a camping staycation that includes a ride down the river!

Delaware River Tubing: Delaware River Tubing is the closest, cheapest, has the best customer service, and easiest to get to tubing and rafting business from New York, Philadelphia, PA, and New Jersey! Plus a free BBQ meal! Nominated for the 2007 New Jersey Governer's Tourism Award.

Cedar Creek Campground: Cedar Creek Campground features camping, kayaking and much, much more!

Canoeing the Delaware River: The main stem of the Delaware, 331 miles from Hancock, NY, to its mouth at Cape May Point, NJ, is the longest free-flowing river in Eastern United States.

Canoeing Wawayanda Creek: A classic canoeing adventure on Wawayanda and Pochuck Creeks.

Delaware River Family Campground: Delaware River Family Campground is an ideal resort setting for a memorable family vacation. We invite you and your family to experience the wonderful outdoors in the breathtaking Delaware River Water Gap area. Whether you take to the river in a raft, canoe or tube; hike the Appalachian Trail; or relax around the Resort, there is something for everyone to enjoy. It's a great escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Kittatinny Canoes: Award winning family owned and operated, offering 68 years of outdoor fun and excitement for all ages and abilities. Kittatinny operates on the Scenic Delaware River,running through two National Park. All seven of their bases are strategically located to insure the most diverse river trips.