Dreaming of a family vacation and some time out? Think that it's going to be too expensive to take one this year with the economy going downhill? Well, you needn't rule out getting away this year, you may just need to change the plans a little. Rather than flying to the other side of the country or overseas it's time to enjoy the things closer to home and save some serious money. Often there are great places within a couple of hours drive but it's always the way that we ignore the things on our doorstep. Find out how to plan a holiday with all the fun but less of the cost.

Many states in the United States offer national and state parks that are easy to reach by highway, which are a great option for local vacations. Camping is often offered at these locations for inexpensive prices; activities at decent rates can usually be found at national and state parks as well. When camping in a national or state park, you can often travel just a bit to reach popular tourist attractions. Planning out and researching your trip in advance can help your money go the further on your vacation.

New York city is one of the world's major cities; near NYC are a plethora of options for local vacations. Riverbank State Park offers visitors numerous opportunities for recreation and amusement. A skating complex offers the best in ice skating activities, an aquatics complex offers summer fun, and the many sports areas allow active outdoor recreation. The fitness center, theater, amphitheater, and dock offer a vast array of activities for families. Another New York option is to visit the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, which winds through New York on its way from Georgia to Maine.

If you reside in Phoenix, Arizona, you can have a lovely local vacation by visiting the Grand Canyon, which can be reached by highway within two and a half hours. Grand Canyon National Park offers an array of camping sites, hotels, and holiday accommodations. Family vacations at the Grand Canyon are unlike any other. The Grand Canyon is one of the great natural wonders of the world; hiking, riding mules to the river, or animal-sighting are just some of the activities.

Los Angelenos and other middle-to-southern California residents can enjoy a wonderful local vacation by visiting Yosemite National Park. The famed giant sequoias make their home in Yosemite; spectacular waterfalls, valley vistas, and meadow land can be viewed in Yosemite as well. Hiking, camping, sight-seeing, and birding are just a few of the activities on can participate in at Yosemite. It will make for a special local vacation for the whole family.

Visiting places that do not require flight and a ton of driving limit the harsh effects of emissions on the environment. Another big benefit of local vacations is the reduction in pollution and carbon emissions that occur when taking flights. Whether you seek physical activity, natural wonders, or adventure, you can have an eco-friendly vacation.

As holidays always require much of your hard earned income, saving money where possible is essential. Taking local family vacations and finding local holiday accommodations can be one way to save money in these hard economic times. In addition to saving cash, local vacations also offer people the ability to help the environment. Since plane travel is not required for local vacations, emissions into the environment can be lowered by local vacations. A local vacation makes the most sense financially and ecologically.