Did you know that a vacation doesn’t have to be a long trip that requires a ton of planning? Some of my best family memories have been made on weekend getaways.
With kids and work, it can be tough to find time for an extended vacation. Have you ever considered planning a last-minute trip to a close-to-home destination? You don’t have to travel a long distance or spend a ton of money to plan a short family getaway.
I decided to start making weekend trips almost by accident. One day, when I was looking at my calendar, I just happened to notice that we had an upcoming free weekend. This is unusual, because my daughter is in a lot of extracurricular activities.
We had all been super busy with work, school and other activities and really needed a break. Since we live close to Galveston, Texas, I decided it would make an ideal vacation destination for my family.
Instead of making excuses or finding a reason not to go, we decided to take a much-needed quick family vacation. I was surprised that I was able to secure a pretty substantial discount on our hotel room because of our last-minute trip planning.
To add to the fun of our experience, we rented a convertible. My daughter thought this was one of the best parts of our trip. She really enjoyed the excitement of riding in a convertible at the beach.
I booked this trip with just a week’s notice. This was a little different for me, because I am a big advanced planner. However, there is something so fun about taking a spontaneous trip. While we all have responsibilities, it is so important to unplug and spend time together as a family.
For us, Galveston is only a short drive away, so it is an easy and accessible travel location. Plus, my daughter loves going to the beach and staying in hotels. So, for her, this short trip was a big adventure.
To maximize our vacation time, I chose a hotel that was part of a bigger attraction. Not only was Moody Gardens (a Galveston tourist hot spot) extremely accessible, the hotel also offered a lot of free activities for kids. So, we didn’t have to travel far for extra entertainment.
We also had the chance to experience a ride on the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat. My entire family enjoyed this boat trip.
We really enjoyed our spontaneous weekend vacation. It has since inspired several more last-minute getaways. As a result, I’ve learned that there are many unexpected benefits to taking weekend vacations.
If you think it is too overwhelming to plan a last-minute trip, I would encourage you to reconsider this mindset. You can visit a great resource – this Vacation Planning Toolkit from Alamo’s Scenic Route –to help you make all of your vacation plans.
Since I’ve planned several last-minute trips, I can offer you a few tips of my own. First and foremost, you need to decide to take action. This is perhaps the most difficult step. However, I encourage you to do so, because your family will benefit from the experience.
Tips for planning a last-minute trip:
- Find an open weekend and use it!
- When choosing a destination, let the entire family have input. Consider things your children are learning in school or focus on a favorite family activity.
- Make an itinerary and purchase attraction tickets in advance.
- Look for last minute discounts on hotel, rental cars and attractions.
- Pack your family’s favorite snacks and beverages.
- Pack fun activities for children to use in the car and at the hotel.
If you want to take a trip, but are having a tough time making it happen, here are a few ways to overcome barriers to your vacation planning.
So, the next time you have a break in your schedule, consider taking a weekend vacation. You may be surprised at the amazing destinations that surround your own hometown.
Leave a Reply