Cheap Vacation Strategies: Tourist In Your Own Town

That is a great way to vacation in this economy.

"IN" town we have literally nothing. However living just outside of Manhattan, we are a short bus or train ride away from a world of wonder.

I am constantly amazed at how many people here, have not seen the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, etc.

Historic sites, state parks, museums, parades, local festivals--anything we can find that is cheap and fun!

It's so funny that you're writing about being a tourist in your own town. Last month I wrote about a similar topic and coined this notion "locavacation"--you know, a play on the word locavore? Anyway, if you're interested in my take on this topic, here's a link to my post:

http://suddenlyfrugal.blogspot.com/2008/05/summer-...

Enjoy!

Leah

The Parthenon, at Centennial Park is pretty cool, lots of great Nashville history, also, the Frist is nice to visit and easy on the wallet. I always enjoy a trip out to the Natchez Trace Park

We like to road-test different parks that we haven't had a chance to get to or that friends and family have recommended. Sometimes they aren't exactly close (like maybe 45 minutes drive away) but half the fun is getting there, right?
It's a cheap excursion for us anyway. Pack a picnic, the camera (so you can come home and blog about your trip!) and some sporting equipment and away you go!

We're in the Capital city, so Parliment is free, and the view from the peace tower is awesome, and there are a myriad of museums in the city, and none are particularly expensive, but all also have free evenings of the week!! The kids dig it more than I ever thought possible!

Ivy, I have a list of Nashville fun that I share with guests that are visiting town. Lots of the ideas are free. It's nothing fancy - just a 2-3 page list of places we love to take friends. If you'd like a copy, feel free to email me at annsaylorATgmailDOTcom. :)

Wow...what a crazy coincidence. This is the second post about this very topic that I've read today! And I just finished a series about cool things to do where I live divided up by cost (which can be found at http://mrsnespysworld.blogspot.com/2008/06/savanna...)

Of course, I live in a touristy town, so I have yet to visit most of these myself!

Thanks!

I forgot to add touring factories. Nissan, Purity, Sunbeam Bread...

Tricia

We live in Smyrna and have lots of parks... believe it or not. I chose 1 park per week to visit. It was fun and found some new places to play.

We also visited the Tennessee Agriculture Museum last week and really enjoyed it. It is more for older children but my little ones still had fun. Admission was FREE.

Tricia

Hahaha, we lived in SE Idaho for over five years and never made it to Yellowstone National Park. I know we're losers. But I hate camping and we were poor students with no money for gas.

The zoo is always a cheap/free way to be a tourist and even enjoyable for adults.

In Houston we had some amazing museums and that was my favorite thing to do (at least once a year).

In Amarillo, I've not found it yet, though with four or five libraries, checking out a new one is exciting. Even if we just sit in the bathtub in one of the children's sections and read books.

In Rexburg, ID, it was Warm River just north of us for walking/hiking.

In Idaho Falls, ID, feeding the ducks by the green belt/water falls and going to the farmers market.

We've got Palo Duro Canyon here in Amarillo now so eventually we'll make our way out there.

We have a really clean, happy little zoo out here we belong to. About 10 min from my home. And there's a farm park- a huge walking/biking trail around a giant corn field and farm with various exhibits and playgrounds scattered about.

http://www.elmwoodparkzoo.org/

Fisk University has a great museum and then there is the Parthenon.
And Nash Trash tours, I don't know the cost, sounds fun to me and I'm thinking about doing that this summer. Here's the link:
http://www.nashtrash.com/