As we’re smack in the middle of summer, I know that a great deal of us are contemplating summer vacations.

Our family is a huge fan of travel, especially international, but I also know that sometimes travel can be difficult, whether due to finances, time, or even getting out of your own comfort zone.

But, none of those need to limit your opportunities to go beyond your own backyard. 

Staycations

Especially during the COVID pandemic, we began to see just easy it was to stay in our own area and explore the things we often take for granted.

Historic sites are wonderful opportunities to learn more about your local community.

Some of our favorites are lighthouses and homes that offer guided tours or visitor centers explaining how areas came to be on the map.

Your local chamber of commerce or visitors center can give ideas of things to check out close to home. 

State parks

Camping or spending a day near your home visiting a state park can be an awesome escape within a few hours’ drive that won’t break the bank.

There a variety of state park options, depending on your state, from beaches to backcountry areas, that make this an easily customizable outing. 

Check out your local library! Many libraries even offer state park passes for check out, making this a free or nearly free option!

We’re huge hikers, so we love to hit trails in the backcountry areas, but there are short nature trails at most parks to entice even non-hikers.

If hiking isn’t your speed, packing a picnic and hanging out near a creek or lake with books or frisbee can also be a fun option to unplug and reconnect as a family. 

Museums, and more!

The Blue Star Museums plan is also an awesome way to hit up museums, nature centers, children’s museums, zoos, and more!

Whether you’d looking for an escape close to home, or in the midst of a PCS and need a break from the drive, Blue Star Museums is the perfect program to get you out and exploring!

From Armed Forces Day to Labor Day, Blue Star Museums offers free admission to more than 2,000 locations across the country for active-duty, Reserve, and National Guard families, through a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and museums across America.

See the full details here. 

Last summer, I was able to take our daughter to one of the museums I visited each year during field trips while we were visiting my home town — absolutely free of charge!

Travel the world

Travelling internationally doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking if you plan ahead. Taking advantage of airline miles, credit card rewards, and even receipt-logging apps can add up to save you loads and allow you to travel internationally.

 There are also a variety of credit cards that offer sign-up bonuses and category spends that make points add up more quickly, and some offer credits for travel and travel-related expenses. 

Thanks to a combination of those, we’ve traveled internationally twice per year for the last several years, with little to no out of pocket. 

Also consider MWR resorts like Edelweiss and the Hale Koa to get a good bang for your buck.

Traveling off season, if possible for your family, can also make a difference, so use the summer season to plan and save up. 

No matter how you choose to travel this summer, whether locally, internationally, or enroute to a new duty station, get out and explore! Life is too short to stay home!