Money fix: Tips for a great LI staycation
A cooling, comfortable seat in a hammock is a rewarding way have staycation at home on Long Island. (June 2001) Credit: AP
While surveys show that more consumers expect to pack their bags this year for summer getaways, don't write off the staycation yet, as plenty of people will balk at rising travel costs. Here are ideas for playing and replenishing while close to home.
The Neighborhood. "Long Island has some of the best beaches and most beautiful waterfronts," says Amy Platt, founder and president of Long Island Parents Source. She suggests getting creative, such as planning a late-in-the-day picnic dinner on the beach when crowds have left and entry/parking fees are waived. See family activities at Liparentsource.com. Also, Pick-A-Park is a new database of 700 parks in Nassau and Suffolk counties, launched by the Early Years Institute online at earlyyearsinstitute.org.
New York, New York. The top destination of choice for travelers using the site TripAdvisor.com? New York City, just a Long Island Rail Road trip away. Visit traditional tourist sites or for country-themed options, say, France, Italy, New Zealand, check the "staycations" selections at Newyork.timeout.com.
Mood. RealSimple.com has ideas on how to "transcend" your everyday home surroundings. Stop the mail; let phone calls go to voice mail; find a massage therapist who does home visits. How about devising an evening "turndown service" in which each night a different family member folds back the covers and leaves a delectable chocolate on the pillows? Search for "vacation at home" on realsimple.com to learn more.
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