Now that the kids are out of school for the summer, most families plan to take their vacations around this time of the year. We all need a break, right? Some people may choose to walk the Great Wall of China, whereas others may take shorter jaunts to a summer cottage. Whatever the case, when most people think about a vacation, they instinctively think that they have to leave their hometown.
With gas prices being the way that they are, many families are having a hard time coming up with enough money to fly half-way across the world for a holiday. For a more frugal getaway, don’t forget that there are plenty of tourist attractions right in your backyard. This past Wednesday, for example, I took a 40-minute drive to Aldergrove to visit the Greater Vancouver Zoo.
Think about some of the activities that you do when you go on vacation. When I was in San Diego, I wanted to go to the San Diego Zoo. Even so, it’s been ages since I visited my city’s zoo and I had a 2-for-1 coupon from the Entertainment Book. It was time to pay them another visit.
Be a tourist in your own town and not only can you save a lot of money, you can have just as much fun as when you’re on vacation away from home. You save on accommodation costs, travel insurance, and all those other expenses related to a holiday. And then you can save some more with coupons. You also don’t have to deal with customs and border security.
This summer, try being a local tourist. I know I had a lot of fun at the Greater Vancouver Zoo, checking out the black bear, bald eagle, giraffes, and so much more. Watch the video below to see what it’s like to “step into the wild” at the Greater Vancouver Zoo.
[Flash/Javascript needed. Go to Beyond the Rhetoric if you can’t see the video.]
I have been to an Aquarium once, but never a Zoo. I really want to go now.
Seriously? Never been to a zoo? Usually a bit drier than an aquarium, unless it rains. Although, some zoos have aquariums too. 🙂
Never been to a zoo? Wow! I can’t fathom that thought.
Aquariums are better because they give a certain sense of deeepness.
Does it take to have a Great Vancouver zoo for there to be a Greater Vancouver zoo?
The metropolitan area that surrounds Vancouver was once called Greater Vancouver or the Greater Vancouver Regional District. A short while back, they decided to rename the region Metro Vancouver for some reason or another.
lol Funny!
The nature seems to make one feel being too close to nature.
Some other benefits of being a tourist close to home is that you get to sleep in your own bed and don’t have to pack/unpack/etc and that you also become more knowledgeable about the area you live in as well as it’s history and such.