Daytrippin’

If you’re short on money or time, but you still want to take a vacation, why not try a day trip? There are plenty of mini-excursions you can take that are just as fun and relaxing as extended vacations.

Do a little research. Find out where the most interesting museums and attractions in your state are and plan accordingly. Seek out destinations you and your family have never been before. A good place to start is your state’s official tourism bureau website. Did you know that in St. Petersburg, Florida, you can visit the Salvador Dali Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of Salvador Dali works?  Or if you live in Nebraska, you can explore the world’s largest indoor rain forest, at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium?  There are thousands of unique places you can visit that won’t require a hotel reservation.

Check out your state and local parks. Venture to a few that are off the beaten path. In Rocky Hill, Conn., you can see 200-million-year-old dinosaur tracks at Dinosaur State Park. In Michigan, you can go back in time by visiting Mackinac Island, where only bicycles and carriages are allowed — no cars.

In the mood to sample some goodies? Take a trip to an iconic food factory. In Hershey, Pa., you can create your own candy bar at Hershey’s Chocolate World. Ice-cream lovers will scream for a visit to Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory in Waterbury, Vt.

No matter how long you’ve lived in your state, chances are, there are places you still haven’t seen, and what better way to see them than by taking a one-day trip? Reservations aren’t required — just a little imagination.