Weekend Getaways and Mini- Vacations!
You need to get away, but don't have the time or money to take a
week or two off to head to your favorite destinations. Many
people count out taking a weekend and heading to a semi-local
vacation spot that allows them to get away, relax, enjoy time
alone or together, and find romance, rest, fun, or whatever it
is you are looking for in a vacation.
The beauty of weekend getaways is that you can travel on a
budget and not miss work, kids activities, and so forth. For a
few years while in school, my wife and I never had enough time
or money to take a full fledged trip, so we would take little
weekend trips a few times a year experiencing more types of
travel than if we had taken one big trip.
So, we have put together a simple list of weekend getaways that
you can print out and enjoy immediately. Many of the ideas we
mention are generalized to any area of the world, however we
will mention various locations that are close to where we live
as examples. Use your imagination to brainstorm destinations
that are within driving range and quite affordable.
1. Romantic Getaways: These are usually at the top of the list.
With anniversaries, holidays, romantic events, and so on always
around the corner, we need to be on our toes to come up with
fresh ideas to sweep our significant others off their feet and
keep the romance going. Rent out a bed and breakfast in a small
town, grab a hotel in a romantic city like Paris, head to Las
Vegas and enjoy all it has to offer. Romantic spots are as
creative as you make them.
2. Sporting Events: Big sporting events like March Madness
coming up is always fun. An example is two of my best friends
for Valentines Day are traveling a couple hours to our state
capital to watch the state high school basketball championships.
Spring training is coming up for baseball and is always in a
warm location. You have racing, football, golf, the Olympics,
baseball, the major horse racing events like the Kentucky Derby.
The list goes on and on.
3. Camping: This is a cheap vacation that can be fun, romantic,
and adventurous. Combine camping with white water rafting or go
hiking or without being too adventurous, rent a cabin in the
woods and get away from society all together.
4. Theme Parks: One year we traveled to Cedar Point in Sandusky,
Ohio and enjoyed a day at the theme park and the night at
Put-n-Bay on Lake Erie. Also, we live near Kings Island in
Cincinnati, Ohio and many people travel from all over to spend a
couple of days enjoying the attractions there. There are theme
parks everywhere and are a great way to have some fun while
enjoying an array of activities. If you aren't close to Disney
World or Disneyland, then think of a closer location.
5. Famous vacations spots: Las Vegas comes to mind. We enjoy
traveling to Gatlingurg, Tennessee and spending a couple days in
a cabin, shopping, eating, and hanging out. New York, San Diego,
anywhere in a 6 hour driving time to your home can be perfect.
Just write down a few places within that circle and pick one.
6. Beaches: Unfortunately, we don't live within a few hours of a
beach, but many people do. A great weekend getaway to enjoy the
walks on the beach, dinner overlooking the ocean, beachfront
hotel or villa, and all a beach vacation has to offer.
7. Festivals, Events, Concerts: Is there a musician playing in a
town not too far away? What about a major event or festival?
Pack the bags and head out for the weekend. Grab a hotel and
head to this event. You'll have a great time. We have done this
many times and always have a good time.
This is just a short list of ideas. Pack your bags and just get
away. You'll come back feeling refreshed and ready to plan your
next weekend getaway. Have fun and tell us how your trip was!!