I just completed a nine-day vacation trip to Costa Rica. It was great!

But I've come to learn that somehow I accrue more vacation time than I take, and that if I don't take more vacation before the end of August, I'll stop accruing it.

Nice problem to have, huh?

See, I don't take a lot of vacation time. There are two guys in my office that are in negative figures -- but I can't sell them my time, so don't ask.

But the Costa Rica trip took most of my vacation cash, so I'm faced with taking time off but not having money to spend on it.

I live in the D.C. suburbs, and I've thought of taking a "staycation" and doing a number of tourist-y things. There are some vacation packages that include food and lodging, and it might be interesting to see things from a different persepctive. Yet...

If you were going to take a week to 10 days off with a limited budget in mind, what would you do?

quote:

If you were going to take a week to 10 days off with a limited budget in mind, what would you do?

In the past, I've done a combination of projects around the house and:

range day

fishing w/o guide

lunch with a friend and a movie

go on a hike

spend a day reading a book

Example 1 - you could unwind on day 1 with a day of reading a book, day 2 do projects around the house, day 3 (one of the bullets above), and then keep alternating between project days and one of the bullets above.

Example 2 - you could unwind on day 1 with a day of reading a book, and the rest of the days do projects in the morning and one of the bullets above in the afternoon/evening.

What do you enjoy doing?

I would take a few days and disappear into parts of Dolly Sods/Roaring Plans in WV. Of course, you need to enjoy backpacking and sleeping under the stars in a tent. Temps average about 10-15 degrees cooler than DC which is nice for summer camping.

Come to Philly for a couple days:

-Philadelphia Art Museum
-Franklin Institute
-National Constitution Center
-Independence Hall
-Philadelphia Zoo
-Liberty Bell
-Reading Terminal Market
-Tons of great restaurants

I usually take a week off during the summer to work on home projects. However, some times that ends up costing more than a vacation! Any cheap projects you need to do around the house?

Lots of cheap things to do in and around Nashville. TN War Museum, American Pickers Store, Jack Daniels tour, plenty of nature areas and falls, etc.

I would do things I don't uaually have a chance to do, like kayaking, hiking, camping etc.

Some great ideas, folks. Keep 'em coming!

One thing about me: Staying at home doesn't feel like a vacation to me. I'm there every night and can pretty much do what I want (play guitar, edit photographs, walk/bike/explore the nearby parks and trails...

I like to get away. It makes it feel like a vacation!

Do you like to camp or hike? You could go to Shenandoah or Great Smokey Mountains National Parks for a few days. Cheap. Beautiful.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
Do you like to camp or hike? You could go to Shenandoah or Great Smokey Mountains National Parks for a few days. Cheap. Beautiful.

^^^^^
Take a hike!

http://www.onlyinyourstate.com...19-waterfalls-in-va/

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
Do you like to camp or hike? You could go to Shenandoah or Great Smokey Mountains National Parks for a few days. Cheap. Beautiful.

Speaking of hiking, I had a coworker (he retired) that hiked the Appalachian Trail. Every year, him and his wife would take a vacation to hike another segment until after many years they had hiked all of them. 554 miles of it are in Virginia so the OP could take a day hike or multi-day hike and not spend much money.

In addition to the above suggestions, since you're in the DC area, I could spend several days at the Smithsonian museums.

Lots of historical sites to visit on the East coast if you're into that kind of thing.

I'm starting one right now, going to go fishing in eastern Washington for a week with my father. Find a small, no-frills place to stay and fish your brains out.

Wife is taking the kids to her moms timeshare next Week. Fortunately that costs us nothing to use and is driving distance. They will get some groceries and use the in unit kitchen. I get to come home to a quiet House and Work all week. It’s a great vacation for me. BBQ and drink every night. I will clean the house the first night and it stays clean ! All week ! It’s so nice.

Beside the backpacking/camping, I mentioned earlier your in DC.

Visit some museums, monument, Arlington Cemetery. If you have never walked around the mall area and monuments at night do it.

Korean War and WWII monuments are very special at night.

quote:

Originally posted by comet24:
What do you enjoy doing?

I would take a few days and disappear into parts of Dolly Sods/Roaring Plans in WV. Of course, you need to enjoy backpacking and sleeping under the stars in a tent. Temps average about 10-15 degrees cooler than DC which is nice for summer camping.

I like this idea! A quick check into hotel in and around Davis, WV. show availability and good prices. And easy access to Blackwater Falls, Canaan Valley, Dolly Sods, Seneca Rocks and more. Hmmm.

Thanks.

Keep 'em coming folks.

Oh, as far as the D.C. sights are concerned, I've seen them all. Many times. Great museums, parks, architecture and landmarks. But not this time.

DC Area... Drive to Chincoteague/Assateague.

Great, low cost vacation, go camping at harpers Ferry area and visit the Battlefields.

What kind of budget are you working with, and are you going solo?

What about all of the tourist things in your home town or state that you know about but have never done?

ID go to the western mountains of NC and just putter around, drink too much whiskey and eat too much ....