Rev Up Your Wanderlust: Road and Day Trip Ideas

Summer brings sun and warm weather; kids are out of school and even adults may have a lighter than usual schedule. Traditionally, it is the time for vacations, but we don’t always have the free time or the funds to go on a week-long vacation. If that is the case, consider taking a day trip or two.

A day trip is defined as a journey to and from a destination in one day. There are a variety of activities to do, from a picnic in a park to spending a few hours at the beach. The spot chosen should be no further than two hours away since that is four hours in total there and back.

Day Trip Ideas

• If you live in or near a city, large or small, become a tourist for the day. Visit art galleries or museums, take a tour of a historic place or try a food tour of an ethnic neighborhood.
• Find a nearby lake, river or ocean. Bodies of water offer several types of activities. Spend the day fishing from the shore or on a boat. Go swimming or lie on the beach in the sun. Take a walk along the shore or on a designated walking trail. Try a lighthouse hop. Sometimes these areas even have a boardwalk.
• Chances are one of the nation’s 429 National Parks is not too far away from you. Sixty-three sites have the designation of National Park, while the rest fall under various categories such as National Historic Sites, National Battlefields, National Seashores, National Monuments and National Recreation Areas. These sites are perfect for hiking, flying a kite, or sitting to bird watch. State and county parks have a wide range of amenities including zoos, beaches, hiking trails, boating and other activities. In addition to providing things to do, these places may also be home to spectacular views and waterfalls.
• Spend the day at a state or county fair. These events often feature midway rides, live music performances, demonstrations, festival food, a variety of vendors and exhibits including an educational petting zoo, livestock and horse shows as well as pig races. If you want to spend more time in a farm environment, is there an animal sanctuary nearby? They are often looking for volunteers, even just for the day, to help with animal care.
• Lastly, consider taking a scenic drive that ends at a picnic location or favorite dinner spot.

Summertime fun can be found anywhere that makes you happy. It does not have to be time-consuming or cost a lot of money.