Weekend Getaways and Mini- Vacations!

You need to get away, but don't have the time orbaseball, the major horse racing events like the
money to take a week or two off to head to yourKentucky Derby. The list goes on and on.
favorite destinations. Many people count out taking a3. Camping: This is a cheap vacation that can be fun,
weekend and heading to a semi-local vacation spotromantic, and adventurous. Combine camping with
that allows them to get away, relax, enjoy timewhite water rafting or go hiking or without being too
alone or together, and find romance, rest, fun, oradventurous, rent a cabin in the woods and get
whatever it is you are looking for in a vacation.away from society all together.
The beauty of weekend getaways is that you can4. Theme Parks: One year we traveled to Cedar
travel on a budget and not miss work, kids activities,Point in Sandusky, Ohio and enjoyed a day at the
and so forth. For a few years while in school, mytheme park and the night at Put-n-Bay on Lake Erie.
wife and I never had enough time or money to takeAlso, we live near Kings Island in Cincinnati, Ohio and
a full fledged trip, so we would take little weekendmany people travel from all over to spend a couple
trips a few times a year experiencing more types ofof days enjoying the attractions there. There are
travel than if we had taken one big trip.theme parks everywhere and are a great way to
So, we have put together a simple list of weekendhave some fun while enjoying an array of activities.
getaways that you can print out and enjoyIf you aren't close to Disney World or Disneyland,
immediately. Many of the ideas we mention arethen think of a closer location.
generalized to any area of the world, however we5. Famous vacations spots: Las Vegas comes to mind.
will mention various locations that are close to whereWe enjoy traveling to Gatlingurg, Tennessee and
we live as examples. Use your imagination tospending a couple days in a cabin, shopping, eating,
brainstorm destinations that are within driving rangeand hanging out. New York, San Diego, anywhere in a
and quite affordable.6 hour driving time to your home can be perfect.
1. Romantic Getaways: These are usually at the topJust write down a few places within that circle and
of the list. With anniversaries, holidays, romanticpick one.
events, and so on always around the corner, we6. Beaches: Unfortunately, we don't live within a few
need to be on our toes to come up with fresh ideashours of a beach, but many people do. A great
to sweep our significant others off their feet andweekend getaway to enjoy the walks on the beach,
keep the romance going. Rent out a bed anddinner overlooking the ocean, beachfront hotel or
breakfast in a small town, grab a hotel in a romanticvilla, and all a beach vacation has to offer.
city like Paris, head to Las Vegas and enjoy all it has7. Festivals, Events, Concerts: Is there a musician
to offer. Romantic spots are as creative as youplaying in a town not too far away? What about a
make them.major event or festival? Pack the bags and head out
2. Sporting Events: Big sporting events like Marchfor the weekend. Grab a hotel and head to this
Madness coming up is always fun. An example is twoevent. You'll have a great time. We have done this
of my best friends for Valentines Day are traveling amany times and always have a good time.
couple hours to our state capital to watch the stateThis is just a short list of ideas. Pack your bags and
high school basketball championships. Spring training isjust get away. You'll come back feeling refreshed and
coming up for baseball and is always in a warmready to plan your next weekend getaway.
location. You have racing, football, golf, the Olympics,Have fun and tell us how your trip was!