Plan the Perfect Summer Getaway

By Amy Clark
Founder of MomAdvice.com and Kenmore Home Management Expert

Plan, plan, plan

Whether you’re thinking about a weekend road trip or a weeklong getaway, a little upfront planning will ensure you get the most from your vacation.

Choose a destination
Research family vacation destinations at the library or visit www.familyfun.com. Create a vacation file of magazine articles or printed Web pages for your next trip, or as inspiration for future trips. Other ways to pick a destination: have each family member write a location on a note, mix the notes together and choose from the bunch, or have older kids research destinations and present a report to the family.

Research accommodations
Look online for the best deals and most appropriate places with amenities that suit your family: fitness center, pool, laundry service, crib, etc. I try to find spots that offer in-room microwaves or mini-refrigerators for snacks. Check visitor comments on discount travel and community Web sites to gain a well-rounded perspective.

Determine transit
With high gas prices, consider alternatives like flying or taking the train. I try to estimate my family’s cost of travel by evaluating current gas prices, roundtrip mileage, meals, hotels and taxes. Hotel taxes vary greatly among cities and states, so check the rates at your destination before you book.

Identify activities
Put your family’s lifestyle first. If you have an active family, consider a hiking or camping vacation. Interested in the arts? Plan your vacation around museums and plays. Too scheduled at home? Take a week to relax and unwind at the beach. If you have little ones like I do, consider how your trip will impact their daily schedules. Interrupting naptime or eating later than usual can lead to an unpleasant trip.

Seek out deals
Web sites like Travelocity and Expedia can help you find great deals. Many discount travel sites offer better rates when you book a hotel and travel package, and have personal settings to alert you when fares for select destinations have dropped.

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Packing

Check the weather
I always check the traveler and extended forecasts on www.weather.com so we know what to pack. I bring clothing that layers well and pack an umbrella, too. Being wet or hot or cold on a day of sightseeing can hamper the experience.

Plan wardrobes
I pack complete outfits for my kids, from socks to sweatshirts, in individual plastic bags. This makes mornings easier for all of us. Later, they can toss and seal dirty clothes in the bags to prevent soiling unworn items. Bring a permanent marker to label each bag, like with the date or if the item is dirty.

Remember the essentials
Some of the things we use every day are often the easiest to forget. Here’s a packing reminder list that can help.

• Camera
• Chargers for electronics
• Extra batteries
• Sunglasses
• Cell phones
• Calling cards
• Bathing suits
• Maps
• Kids’ favorite toys or security blankets

A week before our vacation, I put a notepad on my nightstand to catch ideas that pop into my head as I fall asleep.

Rent bulky items there
Many resorts understand how difficult it is to travel with strollers, play pens and high chairs, and they are happy to rent them to you. Call ahead to check availability. Many travel Web sites note if these items are available to guests.

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Dining

Maintain your budget
Vacation meal costs can add up quickly. Keep snacks and bottled water in your hotel room. Look for Entertainment coupon books (www.entertainment.com) for the areas you are visiting. I’ve found significant discounts on sightseeing and dining in the summer months. Try www.restaurant.com for making reservations and checking pictures and menus. Check the area’s visitors bureau Web site for unique packages and event ideas.

Eat healthy
To balance indulgent meals out, come prepared with healthy snacks. I always bring trail mix, string cheese, crackers, granola bars, fruit, veggies and juice boxes to help stave off hunger pangs in the afternoon. Invest in a few hard-sided snack containers to keep foods from getting smashed in transit.

Dine locally
Ask the front desk for recommendations. Normally they have information on area restaurants. Don’t hesitate to ask the locals; they know the hidden gems.

Traveling on the road

Backseat entertainment
Keep a plastic crate stocked with toys, games and puzzles under a seat in the car. It’s a good place to store fast-food meal toys and little items from the dollar store.

Quick tip: Cookie sheets make great backseat surfaces for magnet play or drawing.

As you go
I create road trip scavenger hunts. Each child gets a list of items they might see on the road, like barns, billboards, animals or trees. The child that finds their items first gets first pick of a special treat. If kids are too young to read, use pictures cut from Web sites or magazines for their lists.

Make a moment
Enjoy a family moment in the car with a simple search or memory game.

• I spy
• I’m going on a trip and bringing... (work through the ABCs)
• Spot and note out-of-state license plates

In the air
Ask your airline if you can rent portable DVD players for children. If so, be sure to bring your own headphones to avoid extra costs. Quiet handheld games and coloring books are also great for keeping kids occupied.

Vacation for less

Be a tourist in your hometown
This year my family is taking a “stay-cation” to enjoy sights in our hometown. We’ll take a trip to the visitors bureau to find new events and activities.

Carpool
We recently teamed up with another family for a day trip to a nearby zoo. Carpooling saves us all money on gas and parking, and the kids were thrilled to be with friends.

Take advantage of freebies
Many museums offer free admission to residents or discounted visiting hours, so it pays to do research before paying full price. We pack lunches for museum trips so we can splurge on a special treat or souvenirs.

My favorites
Day trips are ideal because we can experience something new as a family and still sleep in our own beds at night. But for out-of-town trips, these are my top five family destinations.

• Boston, MA Museum of Fine Arts
• Indianapolis, IN Indianapolis Zoo
• Chicago, IL Museum of Science and Industry
• Orlando, FL Walt Disney World
• Maine Outlet shopping

After the trip
Savor great vacation moments and create new ones. Make a vacation scrapbook with your kids. Use ticket stubs, brochures, trinkets and photos. Teens can create a photo slideshow on the computer set to their favorite songs. Display these for family and friends.

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