Get Away While You Stay: 4 Best Cities for Staycations
Whether you are looking for a vacation experience on a budget or simply want to explore your city like tourist might, a staycation can be the perfect solution. With a staycation, you explore and enjoy day trips to historical landmarks and attractions that aren’t too far from your own front door. The best places to live will be the ones that offer the greatest opportunities for staycations. Here are some of the best places to have the “getaway” experience without the high price tag of a full vacation.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Although it is not the first city that pops into people’s minds when they envision lots of attractions, Cincinnati is one of the best possible places to enjoy a staycation. Kings Island is a local amusement park that has achieved fame since an episode of “The Brady Bunch” depicted the famous family vacationing there.
There are many other fun options for day trips. The Cincinnati Art Museum is free and features well over 100,000 works of art. The American Sign Museum shows the fascinating and sometimes wacky history of signs in this country. Other top local attractions include the Cincinnati Music Hall and the Krohn Conservatory.
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is a beautiful city located in western New York, and it is an especially great place for a staycation. See a world-class performance at Shea’s Performing Arts Center. Check out historical sites like the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin D. Martin House Complex. Buffalo also boasts the Erie Basin Marina Gardens and the Buffalo Museum of Science.
Mobile, Alabama
Although it’s not as popular as some other southern cities, Mobile is a city on the verge of major change and growth. It’s the birthplace of Mardi Gras, and the annual celebration shuts down businesses and branches of government. A staycation during the Mardi Gras weeks of February would be the best time to have a staycation here, but any time of year works. The weather is rather mild year-round.
From the white sand beaches of the Gulf Coast to its spectacular city scene, Mobile has enough to do to rival any vacation destination you may imagine. Its historical USS Alabama battleship also serves as a museum, and dozens of other historical landmarks are located throughout the city and its nearby suburbs.
Orlando, Florida
It’s no secret that Orlando is ideal for a staycation. Residents of Orlando have the privilege of going to any of Disney’s local theme parks throughout the year. An annual pass is even discounted for locals. The attractions in Orlando soar far beyond Disney, too. It’s home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, the Orlando Museum of Art, and Lake Eola Park.
Sometimes, enjoying a staycation can be more fun and rewarding than a long distance vacation. Make sure everyone in your party is on board and ready to make the most of seeing your city as a tourist would!
