According to a recent study, Americans are terrible at taking time off. In fact, in 2016, 54 percent of all employees ended the year with unused vacation time. Collectively, that amounted to 662 million vacation days! Sound familiar? Don’t let yourself become one of the millions who have unused vacation time.

As the long days of summer begin to wind down, consider taking a vacation. This time of year, children and adults alike may start to become a bit restless. Whether you chose to stay nearby and “staycation” or want to head out-of-town for a night or two (or longer), here are some ways to beat the end-of-summer boredom.

Plan a Staycation

If you are looking for an easy, inexpensive, fun-filled way to spend a couple of days, plan a staycation. Staycations allow you to unplug from the mundane day-to-day routine. Washington DC and the surrounding area offer many activities for day trips, including museums, national parks, and small towns to explore. Here are some of the perks of staying local:

  • You can choose to avoid the crowds. As a local, you know the places to avoid if you wish to miss the crowds.
  • You don’t have to pack. Just open your closet and you can be ready for whatever the day brings.
  • You can be flexible. Enjoy a day full of adventure or stay home and relax. You get to make the final decision!
  • No recuperation time. Sometimes you need a vacation after your vacation. Not so with a staycation . . . readjusting to your “normal” life is easy.

Visit our recent blog post, Have Fun with Art this Summer in the DC Area, for some fun activities in the DC area.

Plan a Unique Local Getaway

Looking for a getaway, but have already visited the beach at Ocean City or the lake at Deep Creek? Luckily, the mid-Atlantic area has many noteworthy vacation spots. Consider one of the following:

  • Fulfill a childhood dream, and spend a night or two in a tree house! The Treehouse Camp at Maple Tree Campground (Rohrersville, MD) offers a variety of tree houses, tree cottages, and tent sites for rent. Nestled in the woods off the Appalachian Trail, the location offers excellent hiking and river rafting fun. Pets are welcome!
  • Red Caboose Motel (Ronks, PA) is a destination for train lovers! Located a short drive away in Lancaster County, PA, the motel features comfortable rooms in caboose cars that are equipped with all the comforts of home: refrigerators, microwaves, cable TV, and private bathrooms. The Red Caboose is located close to popular tourist locations such as the Pennsylvania Train Museum and Dutch Wonderland. If you are traveling with small children, there is an on-site petting zoo with sheep, goats, chickens, and ponies.
  • Caledonia Farm 1812 (Flint Hill, VA) is a working farm adjacent to Shenandoah National Park. Stay in the Federal style house while enjoying all the activities the area has to offer: canoeing, cave exploration, tennis, golf, and much more. Free on-site fishing and use of bikes.
  • Plan a romantic getaway to Hillbrook Inn & Spa (Charles Town, WV). Built on property once owned by George Washington, the Inn is a perfect weekend getaway to relax and recharge. While visiting, take a cooking class or pamper yourself with a massage at the Spa.