Somewhere between the simplicity of a staycation and the commitment of jet setting across the world for your next summer vacation is a satisfying micro vacation. Micro vacations, also termed “micro trips” or “micro tourism,” are an emerging travel option for busy travelers seeking to familiarize themselves with their region’s vacation destinations and attractions.
A micro vacation doesn’t mean a whirlwind but it does usually mean a condensed itinerary of just two to four days over a long weekend. Use the time wisely with an efficient travel plan that includes opportunities to linger in inspiring locations. Micro vacations can include both urban and small town getaways but are almost always a personalized experience featuring roads less traveled.
Want to try a micro vacation? The following options make for a short drive from regional urban centers and include off-the-beaten-path excursions. Each can be done over a long weekend mid-summer or during a late August scramble before school starts!
Micro vacations are growing in popularity for good reason, combining the best of recent travel trends like solo travel, local immersion, and sustainability. Design a custom condensed vacation itinerary focused on hitting all the best travel spots without wasting time or venturing too far from home.
New England Like You’ve Never Seen It
New England is a region ripe for exploration via micro vacation, with its coastal getaways, bustling cities, and mountain retreats all within easy reach. New Englanders are probably already familiar with Boston’s many charms but there are a few hidden gems perfect for a micro vacation.
Visit the revitalized Somerville, not far from Boston’s city center for easy-going date nights that make for a perfect couple’s micro vacation. Back in the city, grab a melty sandwich during the tongue-in-cheek North End Politically Correct Food Tour by day in Boston’s Little Italy. Then laugh the night away at a comedy club or express your creative side with a guided ‘paint and sip’ featuring local wines.
If you’d like your micro vacation to be a bit more low key, consider a rustic getaway. The region offers several coastal islands with the same colonial-era feel as the vaunted Martha’s Vineyard, but without the crowds or the price tag. From Boston, head a couple of hours over the Maine border to Chebeague Island, also just 10 miles from Portland. Or stay near the city with a ferry ride to Boston’s Harbor Islands for an urban escape featuring picnics, camping, and fishing.
What’s Great about the Great Lakes
The residents of the Great Lakes region have no shortage of things to do but an area that’s come into its own recently is Central Ohio. This includes the greater Columbus metro area. This often-overlooked American city has grown at a rapid clip in recent years and is easily accessed by residents in more than one surrounding state. Columbus is home to major professional sports teams that are in season virtually all year, a prospering tech scene, and more than a few family-friendly museums.
Micro vacationers in Columbus can also visit Sandusky just a couple of hours north of the city. Sandusky is the home of Cedar Point amusement park, one of the most highly rated in the world. If amusement parks aren’t your speed, Sandusky is also home to classic Great Lakes attractions, like outdoor sports, sightseeing, and specialty shops.
A Charming Southern Getaway
Residents of southern states have no shortage of micro vacation itineraries to choose from. Exploding in popularity over the years as a family-friendly alternative to other more adult-themed beach destinations, Virginia Beach is an ideal micro vacation destination. The rejuvenated oceanfront boardwalk scene features new boutique shops as well as cafes and art galleries for an upgraded beach experience. Kids and adults alike will be awed by the sea-themed statues lining nearby streets.
If you get a little too much sun early in your summer micro vacation, escape to nearby Williamsburg, famous for its colonial reenactments and architecture. Just outside of Williamsburg is the destination amusement park Busch Gardens, sure to please with its rides, shows, and seasonally themed events.
