Growing up just outside of New York City, I was one of those people who never made it to the top of the Statue of Liberty, rarely saw a Broadway show, and never ice skated at Rockefeller Center. It seemed like those were things I would always have a chance to do, but now that we’ve moved away, I have a whole new appreciation for those activities. Unfortunately, the cost of hotel rooms, gas, ferries, tolls, and parking means we don’t get to do them as often as we’d like. With this in mind, I’ve vowed not to make the same mistake in my new home state. So this year, we took a vacation at home—otherwise known as a “staycation.”

Instead of paying for airline tickets, hotel rooms, and car rentals, we looked for family-friendly things to do in our own backyard. Much to our amazement we found places we never knew existed – local theaters, beaches, petting zoos, bike paths, ice cream parlors, drive-in movies, and much more.

A few tips for vacationing without leaving home:

~ Find out if your city or state has a tourism office. Tourism offices have tons of information on the must-see places. They also often have coupons and discount offers available for admissions to museums and other attractions.

~ Talk to the locals. Ask your friends, co-workers and neighbors about their families’ favorite spots around town. You’re bound to hear about some new places to hit during your vacation at home.

~ Set aside a few days or more for your vacation at home, and just say no to things that don’t fit into your plans. Make your vacation the priority -- and just say no to work, doctor appointments, and washing the car. Act as if you are truly on vacation, because you are.

~ Think beyond the summer. Take your “vacation days” throughout the year to get the most your area has to offer. For us that means leaf peeping in the fall, house tours during Christmas, and strawberry picking in summer . . .

~ After our vacation at home, I know if we had to move tomorrow I could leave knowing we experienced many of the best things the state has to offer – and spent far less than the vacationers who flock here every year.