With summer heading into its final weeks you may be asking yourself, “What about my vacation?” While many Americans continue to opt for the staycation because of rising travel costs and stretched budgets, a recent USA Today Gallup poll indicates more than 6 of 10 Americans want to get away this year.
If you’re looking for a manageable roadtrip that offers family fun, outdoor adventure and city lights at a reasonable price, Columbus is just a hop, skip and a jump away from a corridor of fun. Choose your route and your adventure, and whether you prefer fine dining and shopping or Class V white water rapids, you can be sure to find deals and steals that will help you create a lifetime of memories with your kids.
Perfect for a fun-filled group family adventure or dad’s weekend getaway, take the four-hour drive to picturesque Friendsville, Maryland for some Class V white water rafting with Wilderness Voyagers. On the border of West Virginia and Pennsylvania, this town of about 600 offers more affordable lodging and meal options than the popular tourist destination Deep Creek Lake.
You can stay just a few blocks from Wilderness Voyagers at the Yough (pronounced YOCK) Valley Motel. While the motel may lack the frills of larger hotel chains, its impeccable cleanliness, Wi-Fi, and affordable rates ($65 for a double) definitely make it worth your while. So does Tina, the motel’s owner/operator. At check in you’ll notice a glass top filled with handwritten notes from previous guests thanking her for their wonderful stay. She’ll be sure you have what you need and makes every effort to ensure your visit to Friendsville is enjoyable and reflective of the small town’s laidback attitude. You can even bring your pet for an additional $15 a night.
If a jaunt to the big city seems more your style, you can visit historic Philadelphia. Before you head out, discover great deals offered to families in the Philadelphia area through online deal sites like Living Social. Plan your trip and save money on everything from lodging, local attractions and of course, food! If your trip includes a stop at Sesame Place, located just 30 minutes from Philadelphia, buy a season pass. It will save you money on your visit and get you discounts throughout the park, including wrist bands that allow you to skip to the front of the line on many park rides (definitely worth it). To avoid the sky-high costs of lowly park food, pack your nutritious lunch and enjoy a picnic just outside the park before the daily afternoon parade. Then, enjoy all the wet and dry fun of the park until sundown, when you’ll end your day with a grand fireworks display.
Your roadtrip will give you lots and lots of time to connect with your kids, explore the nooks and crannies of the region and get off the beaten path. With a little bit of planning and a sense of adventure, you’ll find yourself itching to hit the road again next year.
