Going Places: Spend your vacation at home

2008 is the year of the staycation. It's the hottest new trend in tourism - a low-stress, relaxing and cost-friendly vacation that lets you take time off to enjoy life close to home.

"One great thing, for us, about visiting attractions within the Sudbury area is the minimal planning involved," said Jessica Guenard-Valiquette, a Sudbury mother of two boys.

"No packing suitcases, no worrying about where to stay and what to eat, and best of all, you get to sleep in your own bed at the end of the day."

With fuel prices, air fare and food costs on the rise, many people feel that saving money and reducing stress with a staycation is a great option this summer. 

But sitting at home - where regular chores will continue to nag at you - doesn't cut it.

To really relax you have to get away from the house. 

When was the last time you were a tourist in your own city? A local destination vacation can create the same lasting memories for you and your family as any expensive, long trip does. 

Summer festivals, rock concerts, exotic culinary experiences, eco-travel adventure tours such as rock climbing, a game of mini-putt or paintball, or even a day at the beach - your vacation is what you make of it, whether you travel 10 km or 10,000 km. 

If your wallet is feeling lighter than that smart car you've had your eye on, remember that the city you live in has a lot to offer.

"Take Sudbury as a prime example," says Rob Skelly, manager of tourism, culture and marketing for the City of Greater Sudbury. 

"You can enjoy a great day in Bell Park, dine out and experience a meal to suit any taste, or instead of heading to St. Thomas to see the Thomas train, you can take your kids to Capreol and see the real locomotives and explore the Capreol Railway Museum. If you're looking for an activity that can take a few days, we have Science North and Dynamic Earth - two of the top ten Science Centres in Canada."

Many families have discovered the quality family getaways they can have by simply capitalizing on local tourist venues.

"Science North was beautiful. That place blows the Science Centre in Toronto away," said Kelly Waterhouse, a recent visitor to Science North and Dynamic Earth.

"I'm an avid photographer who actively explores the world around me," says Peter Noble, a Sudbury father of two young girls. "My girls and I really enjoy hiking at Onaping Falls.  We also have lots of fun taking part in local festivals, and often take walks along the boardwalk on Ramsey Lake."

Need a bit more time away from home to really unwind? Local hotel rates remain lower than the Ontario average, so why not book your family into a local hotel with a pool, explore local tourist attractions and experience a great local restaurant that your family hasn't tried before.

Remember, your vacation is all about the memories.

Have you been part of the staycation trend? Share your staycation ideas or stories and you could win one of four  Grand Prize Sudbury Family Getaway packages.

Each package includes two nights accommodation in one room at a participating Sudbury hotel for a family of four from City of Greater Sudbury Tourism; four Dynamic Duo Passports from Science North, a $75 Dining Passport from Respect is Burning Supperclub and a $50 gas card from the Canadian Tire Gas Bar in Hanmer.

Enter online at sciencenorth.ca/staycation by Sept. 10, 2008.  Prize packages are valued at $500 each.