The big thing this summer seems to be stay-at-home vacations. Marketers even made up a name for it - staycations.
On the face of it, staying home may seem like a depressing alternative to going someplace new or returning to a favorite spot.
There are a lot of us who are grateful to have a comfortable home to go to, so staying home isn't exactly a hardship.
But even though times are challenging, money's tight and people are looking at their budgets more closely these days, we all need a break.
So in keeping with the Business section's goal of helping you save money AND supporting the local economy, here are a few humble suggestions on making the most of your at-home vacation. Call it the Vacation Simulation Local Stimulation Package.
Shop. When you're out of town, everything in those speciality shops whispers "take me home." So visit our local merchants for unique handmade jewelry, collectible artwork, clothing and other merchandise you may want or need. And while you're at it, pick up some birthday or Christmas gifts for friends and family. Retail therapy has real benefits, even in moderation.
Eat out. Visiting restaurants is high on any traveler's list of things to do, so why not venture out and dine at your favorite local spots, and then try some new eateries. You gotta eat anyway, right?
Sightsee. Tool around neighborhoods you're not familiar with or haven't visited in a while. In big cities, tours of ethnic neighborhoods are listed in all the guide books. If you think there's nothing like that here, think again. Years ago a young professional from a small town told me she had spent her junior year "abroad." "Yes," she said smiling. "I lived in Biloxi." We always brag about our cultural gumbo. Go out and try a cup of it.
Buy some books. You know you do that on beach vacations - gobble up the new romance novels and other light fare. Your local bookstore sells 'em by the shelf. And don't forget those gossip and style magazines. I have a friend who shamelessly grabs up copies of the latest celebrity and fashion magazines whenever she's safely out of town.
Go to a show. How decadent is sitting in a cool, dark movie theater in the middle of a weekday afternoon? Want to hear live music? Pick your favorite kinds of bands and singers and give yourself a treat.
Feel like a spa treatment? No problem - there are plenty around here. How about a new outfit or haircut? Hankering to go charter boat fishing or take the ferry to a barrier island? Go for it. It's all here, it's all good and there are lots of other options. And we have a whole lot of summer ahead of us. Enjoy.
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