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Spring Break Staycation Ideas

Spring Break on a Budget

By Amanda Hollifield, Publisher/Editor tricities.macaronikid.com June 22, 2016

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Spring Break is around the corner for many of you and some are making plans to take a trip, but for many of us, traveling during the break is just not in the cards whether it costs or work obligations. But that doesn’t mean when Spring Break or vacation time rolls around and the kids are home from school that you can’t still have a great time! This year, why not plan a vacation in your own backyard? A true Staycation is more than just a week at home, it is an intentional time of fun and relaxation for your whole family. It does take a little effort to do it right, but can ultimately be just as satisfying as going somewhere far away.

A staycation (a portmanteau of "stay" and "vacation") is a period in which an individual or family stays home and participates in leisure activities within driving distance, sleeping in their own beds at night. They might make day trips to local tourist sites, swimming venues, or engage in fun activities such as horseback riding, paintball, hiking or visiting museums. Most of the time it involves dining out more frequently than usual and you can also plan and prep for those new recipes you have never had to try! 

Common activities of a staycation include the use of the backyard pool or waterpark (depending on how early/late your spring break is), visits to local parks and museums, and attendance at local festivals and amusement parks. 

The trick to enjoying a staycation is to deviate from daily routines and truly make it a vacation.  If you enjoy eating out on vacations, do the same on your staycation.  Don’t do the laundry or clean the garage, or other household projects.  Relax.  As odd as it sounds, bring discipline to the vacation by not allowing chores or drudgery to intercede and take away the fun.  Remind yourself that, while you are at home, you still are on vacation.  If you do so, a staycation can be more relaxing, fun, and certainly less costly than a big travel extravaganza.


GET CREATIVE

One great idea is to have each member of your family pick a day and on their day they get to choose the entire family's activities. 

Chances are there are dozens of fun things to do in our own hometown/communities that you either never have time for, or don’t even think about because they are so close by. Here are 25 fun and creative ideas to get you started:

Dollywood opens its 2020 season on Saturday, March 14 with rides, attractions, shows and more! Why not make it an overnight trip and enjoy the southern comfort and special offers from Dollywood DreamMore Resort and Spa and take in some shows (Hatfield and McCoys), great food and attractions in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.  I've been craving some Flapjack pancakes!  Do you have a preschooler born in 2015 or 2016? Don't forget about Dollywood's Pre-K Imagination Season Pass at no cost and it has been extended to March 15! 





Visit the history of our area at Birthplace of Country Music Museum and then head over to the Pinnacle for a bite, shopping or a movie.


Start your day with a fun, homemade breakfast, early afternoon jumping fun at Quantum Leap and an afternoon treat at Mimi's Cookies and Creamery truck. Mimi's plans on re-opening the end of March!  How about a virtual reality experience at the new hot spot in JC, Vision Quest VR. Follow them on Facebook to see all their amazing promotions!



Take a morning walk at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park, followed by lunch at Jiggy Ray's Pizzeria,  walk off lunch by strolling and shopping Downtown Elizabethton and finish with a sweet treat at Sweetsie Treatz!  



Don't forget about our March Fun Days Calendar and it can be a great resource for fun ideas too!  Did you know Friday, March 13 is #nationaldayofunplugging! Turn off the electronics, that's right all of it and head outdoors!


 

Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia have so many amazing State Parks and historic sites.  Many offer picnicking, hiking, nature, and living history programs for every age. Get out and enjoy one of your local parks and playgrounds from the Tweetsie Trail, Creeper's Trail, to the new inclusive playground at Rotary Park in Johnson City. Check out Tennessee State Parks and Virginia State Parks for more great events and activities.






Monday, March 23 is National Puppy Day.  Why not find ways to incorporate volunteer service in your Spring Break. A great way to teach your kids the value of volunteering and showing acts of kindness in their community, AND what better way than volunteering at your local animal shelter on National Puppy Day! Not into animals, there are several amazing non-profits in our area that are looking for volunteers. Did you know you can volunteer to provide a meal at your local Ronald McDonald House for families that are staying? Did you know we have one in Johnson City! 

St. Patrick's Day is around the corner and Main Street Jonesborough is celebrating with their annual St. Paddy's Weekend on Saturday, March 16. Check out more on our Event Calendar!

Our communities have so many wonderful small-town movie theatres.  Real to Reel Theatre in Johnson City has great children movies during the month of March.  The Bonnie Kate Theatre in Elizabethton will have upcoming shows and events to help support their restoration project. Take a trip to Abingdon, VA and experience Barter Theater and historic downtown!

Speaking of theatres, have you visited any of our amazing performing arts theatres.  Bristol Theatre's fourth River’s Way collaboration follows March 14 and 15 in the ARTspace, with “Real Heroes” written and directed by Dottie Havlik and performed by differently-abled young people and Theatre Bristol veterans. Weekends April 17-26, “Jack and the Beanstalk” directed by Cindi Brooks comes to the ARTspace stage. Auditions for men, women, and children are February 22, 23, 24, and 25. Paramount Center for the Arts is showing In My Life — A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles this upcoming Sunday, March 8. 

When is the last time you visited your local library? It's not just about storytime anymore. Our libraries are doing cool, unique events every week.

Don't forget about Groupon, Living Social and other online deals and coupons for restaurants, pampering and kid-friendly activities.  

The Macaroni Kid Tri-Cities Event Calendar has over 150 events for the month of March. Remember the basics to a successful staycation: don't overschedule, no household chores, splurge a little, but most importantly have fun with your family!


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