Think Ink: The Key To Staycation Success
One of the great selling points of the community which I call home is its proximity to New York City. The opportunity to live in suburban bliss but still pop into the city in no time flat sounds so great, doesn’t it? And it would be, if we actually took advantage of it more often. We’re always planning to enjoy all that the city has to offer, of course. You know… soon.
But every week there seems to be a reason to put off the (embarrassingly short) trip. Bad weather. A sick kid. A party. Visitors. General lethargy. Clearly our best intentions are never going to be enough. And so last month, I took a slightly radical step. Spurred on by a great hotel opportunity, I picked a random weekend on the calendar and wrote “New York” on it in indelible ink.
As the weekend approached, the conflicts began to roll in. First a birthday party invitation. Then a second. A major fundraiser at my son’s school. Friends who wanted to get together. But the weekend was marked off on our calendar. To my kids’ endless chagrin, I sent our regrets to all. “We could go to New York any old weekend…” they whined. But I held firm. We had plans.
There was more whining on the way to the city as Julia counted down the hours to the first party she would be missing. But she had to admit that South Street Seaport was pretty cool, and the sight of the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park wasn’t half bad either.
Evan was still disappointed about missing the big concert at his school… until we escorted him into Times Square’s ESPN Zone just in time for a Stanley Cup playoff game. By the time we’d done the NY Skyride, ascended to the top of the Empire State Building, caught a show at the Central Park Marionette Theater and gorged ourselves at Patsy’s Pizzeria, no one was whining anymore.
The staycation is a greatly hyped concept in this summer of cutting back. The problem with the scheme, however (at least for people like me), has always been that local trips can so easily be put off for a “better” day. But our New York City weekend taught me that it might all be easier than I’d ever realized. If I want to sightsee locally, maybe all that I really need is a good indelible pen.
Need a family friendly hotel in New York? Rebecca and family stayed at the Affinia Manhattan.
June 22nd, 2009 | by Rebecca Tompkins 8 comments
1. Sharlene on June 24th, 2009
It amazes me how many people live within two hours of a great city like NY but never go. Great message!
2. Amy @ The Q Family on June 25th, 2009
I love this post! I also live in the suburb of a great city – Atlanta. We tried to do a downtown/midtown trip once in a while just so we have different experience. I still regret we didn’t get to do that more when we live in South Florida and now I missed Miami beach.
3. Jamie Pearson on June 25th, 2009
Last year I was feeling overscheduled, so I took a Sharpie and drew a big X through one weekend day every month and resisted the temptation to white it out when the invitations came rolling in.
God, it was great to have days that simply evolved (errands were not permitted). We would actually wake up, decide what to do, and do it.
I should totally do that again.
4. Follow me Friday « SixSuitcaseTravel on June 26th, 2009
[...] Savvy Mom – Staycation Success – We live outside Denver, this has inspired me to actually plan a trip with the kids instead [...]
5. Mara on June 27th, 2009
I live in between Philly & Baltimore and am couple of hours from both DC and NYC – and yet it’s so easy to get caught up in the busyness that suburban life seems to generate so organically. I love the idea of marking this time on the calendar. You’ve given me new resolve to do so – thank you! And thanks also for the great NYC suggestions – we’ve got a weekend booked there in September.
6. New York Limousine on June 29th, 2009
Just wanted to give a quick shout out, this is my first time visiting here. I’m impressed so far, I’ll be reading more ! As a long time visitor of NY I thank you for the post !
Kenny
7. Alfred on July 9th, 2009
I lived in Westchester for 12 years and rarely visited the city unless it was to visit family. It’s just not very practical to think you can just cruise in there easily, even if you live close.
8. bella simmons on July 15th, 2009
great post! i have 2 kids and always end up putting small trip off for a “better day”. thank you for the idea :) also, if you are in search of travel buyers or travel leads, ive heard that http://imarketingdata.com/Travel-Leads.html is a very functional resource! take a looksee..
-bella
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