Last Minute Vacation Ideas - Take a Quick Break with Little Planning

These last minute vacation ideas can give you and your family a good holiday break without the need for much time and effort in planning.

Sometimes, you need to just get away. When the demands of life get too much or too difficult, you may want to head out for a weekend getaway.

What you don't want to do is spend a lot of time or money planning your outing. There are many last minute vacation ideas that can help you get away without stressing out over the details.

One option is to just get in the car, pick a direction and drive. Many areas have attractions within driving distance. Whether you are looking for a day trip or a weekend getaway, you can usually find one in any direction you travel. The key is to just get away from the routines of everyday life.

When traveling the highways and interstates, check out the road signs. Many attractions will have billboards or other notices they are coming up. When something catches your eye and interest, make that your first stop. If you are looking for something a bit quieter than the area attractions, look for bed and breakfast signs along the way. Most B&Bs are set in countryside settings away from the large crowds that usually gather around area attractions.

Camping is also a great last minute vacation idea; however, make sure that it's not going to create a financial burden (you don't want to plan a last minute camping trip only to find you don't have a tent, coolers, lanterns, etc.). Even if you don't own your own camping equipment, you can always find friends and family to loan you equipment.

Camping is a great way to get outdoors and forget the hassles of modern life. If you have children, it can also be an educational outing as they learn about nature.

Other great last minute vacation ideas in the great outdoors include hiking trips, biking excursions or white water rafting.

Consider sites such as Travelocity.com and Expedia.com to get discounted rates. When making last minute travel plans, you can find great deals on airfare, hotels, car rentals and other travel amenities at these and similar sites. Shop around for the best deals and you can see some wonderful places on a budget. Look at bundle packages such as airfare, hotel and rental car packages that offer you a discount when booked together.

Consider weekend housing swaps as an inexpensive, last minute vacation ideas. If you have friends in another city or state, talk to them about swapping houses one weekend. This will give each family the opportunity to see a new city without paying for hotel accommodations.

Plan a staycation. With the rising gas prices and the slow economy, many families are opting to stay home during vacations. When planning your family staycation, look at things you do at home that you would usually do on a vacation.

Perhaps you can camp out in the back yard. If you live in an area where you can have an outdoor fire, you can have a campfire party where you roast marshmallows and hotdogs over the fire while enjoying the beautiful night sky.

If you live in a cold climate, a winter staycation could include using a water hose to create your own ice skating rink in your back yard. All in all, use your creativity, and there is surely no simpler last minute vacation idea than a staycation.

The main purpose of a last minute vacation idea is to simply go. Get in the car and drive. Take your family on a fun filled adventure. If you opt to stay home and have a staycation, be creative. The point of the vacation is to have fun, relax and recharge.

Have a great time!

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