Summer Vacation Blues Can Save You Green

I was a bit surprised earlier this month when the Automobile Association of American (AAA or Triple A) released findings that more than 25 million Americans will be taking foreign trips this summer–and that’s up slightly (2.6%) from 2006. Granted, we took a short jaunt to London last summer and managed to stay on budget, but with gas prices what they are these days, airlines charging more for a second checked bag, and the dollar not holding its own against other currencies (check out this CNN currency converter for the latest), I just can’t imagine this overseas-travel statistic coming true.

Interestingly, if you read that AAA release, you realize that they’re talking about any travel outside the United States, which could include Mexico or Canada–not just flights overseas. Now, given that AAA is an automobile association, this makes a bit more sense.

Now, not being from the South, I don’t know if people drive to vacations in Mexico, but I’m guessing that anyone living near a northern border state to our neighbor to the north might consider taking a car instead of flying to Canada. Even with gas nearing $4 a gallon, I’ll bet that driving to Quebec or Ontario would be cheaper than flying. No wonder that in my last few issues of New York Magazine I’ve seen glossy advertisements promoting Ottawa as a terrific summer destination.

Nonetheless, I’m guessing that many folks will be scaling back their vacation plans this summer in an attempt to save money. And you know what? If you try to save green with your summer plans, those plans just might end up being green, too.

For example, can you figure out a way to act like a tourist in your own town? Or a town near to you that you can park and then walk around, or to which you can take public transportation? I think a great way to modify your summer travel plans is to find ways locally to create a vacation-like experience. So instead of locavore, we should call it locavacation (hey, did I just coin a new word?) Here are some locavacation ideas to consider:

* Find a nearby amusement park or water park. Chance are that if you’re like me, there are plenty of nearby amusement and water parks that you just haven’t had the time to get to or just never bothered checking out because they’re right in your backyard. Obviously those who live in the Orlando area are well aware of their Disney, Universal Studios and SeaWorld neighbors. But what about the rest of us? I just learned that Six Flags (which I always equate with Great Adventure, the amusement park we visited when I was a kid) has 21 parks in the United States, Canada and Mexico. That’s nearly one in every other state. Here’s something else to consider: Many amusement parks will offer discounted season passes to people who live nearby.

* Take yourself (and your family) out to a minor league baseball game.
Sure, I’ve got a major league baseball team whose games I could go to whenever I wanted (though it’s a bit of a haul and a lot of cha-ching for tickets), but within a 45-minute radius of my home, I’ve got a better, closer and more affordable option: three minor league baseball teams and a professional softball team. In fact, this week my daughter’s elementary school is having a school night at one of the local minor league team’s stadium, and our family of four will have a wonderful night out for under $50!

* Explore local museums.
I know that I make it a point to visit major museums when I visit big cities (Philadelphia Museum of Art when I’m in Philly; Metropolitan Museum of Art when I’m in the Big Apple), but I often forget that there are a number of terrific (albeit smaller) museums that are a short drive away. On a hot summer day, what could be more wonderful than spending a day inside with air conditioning and appreciating local art? Also, it’s often cheaper to join a museum as a member than to pay admission a la carte. If you do, then you’re supporting a local institution, you’ve got an economical destination for other day trips in the future, and then when you’re invited to openings (which members inevitably are), you’ll have something to do at night (granted, without the kids) that’s free.

* Rediscover the joy of picnicking.
OK, so I can’t help but recall that recent Verizon commercial where a family seems to be having an idyllic camping experience until the mosquitoes attack. But seriously, when was the last time your family and you had a picnic? When I was a kid my mother would fry up chicken, pack that and some salads in a cooler, and we would go to the beach to enjoy a sunset picnic dinner on the sand. We would always go with some friends so that the grown-ups could enjoy, well, grown-up time together, and the kids could run around doing kid things. Even if you just pack up dinner and eat on a blanket spread on your back lawn, that small change of scenery–switching out your dining room for the backyard–can create a feeling of being away without your having to travel far or spend a lot of money.

What are some other ways to create a locavacation this summer?