We are so excited. My husband and I just decided to take a mini get away this Spring Break.
On a whim last night we decided to get away a little this Spring Break! We leave tomorrow. It’s short notice we know especially for a Planny Pants like me but I’m super excited. Here’s a few tips on how you can plan a quick get-away with a short turnaround.
1.How Far?
Decided how far your willing to drive. We tossed around a few things and decided around 2 hours and no more than 3 is what we were willing to tolerate for our quick get-away. It really depends on how much time you have to kill. For us one overnight was it so the shorter the drive the better.
2.Budget!
This was a big one! We hadn’t been planning anything at all so therefore there weren’t funds set aside for any kind of trip. We paid all the bills and decided we had about $200 ish dollars plus gas. Which isn’t much but we do need to eat when we get back. So we needed to find something engaging for the kids, enjoyable and relaxing for us, and affordable.
3.Most Bang For The Buck:
We looked at local children’s museums (always a great idea) but they weren’t super cheap. It’s still a bit chilly here for outdoor activities and unleashing a toddler in the great outdoors (ie: chasing a toddler through the park) wasn’t going to work. We considered a movie and popcorn. We thought through it all. It was all going to be a more than we budgeted or under budget but not so impressive. We decided on a little town about 2 hours away with lots of free and niche things to do. There’s also some fun local shops that we’ll spend a little money to enjoy
4.Research Accommodations:
We started looking at hotels in the area. Most times we look for different types of things when we travel with the kids vs. traveling as a couple. This time though we decided to try and find something that would meet all of our needs. So for only a few dollars more we were able to find a suite that had 2 rooms. One with a pull out for the kids and a place for the pack and play. The other was a separate king room with a Jacuzzi tub. This particular hotel also has an indoor pool and free breakfast so that helped fill some time and save us some money. As a former hotelier I have a few tricks for getting the best pricing on hotel rooms. If you’re looking at a certain room in the book now screen, go ahead and leave the window. I know it seems counter intuitive but often you’ll find another box pop up that offers a discount on the recorded prices. They don’t want you to go so they’ll offer you a little extra savings to book now. Also, don’t consider the pricing on discount sites to be the lowest. Since a hotel pays a commission to these sites it’s always cheaper to call the hotel directly at their local number to get the best price. Quote the price you found online and ask if they can beat it locally. Removing the middle man saves them and you money in the long run.
5.Book It:
If you find the deal you love book it right then. Ask for the cancellation information and keep that in your pocket but don’t spend too much time obsessing over the decision. It’s a short get-away with a short turnaround you don’t need to stress to much. It’s only 1 or 2 nights. If you have to make reservations for your chosen activity do that too right away.
6.Pack:
Seriously keep it simple! It’s only a day or 2. You don’t need the kitchen sink. Throw the essentials into a bag and hit the road. Sometimes it feels so freeing to just not worry about grabbing every single thing and the kitchen sink. Live with what you have in that one bag! Just don’t forget the underwear!
7.Surprise the Kids!
We’re leaving after an appointment tomorrow! They have no idea! They’re going to love it!!! I’m so excited to relax and enjoy too!!
#sonottogether
P.S. Here’s a little info on where we decided to go! Columbus, Indiana. They’re mostly known for their architecture.
We’re staying at La Quinta in the Jacuzzi King Suite!
We’ll be going to Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlour for dinner! This place is awesome. It’s an ice cream parlour with food and a museum with a collection of beautiful old instruments! Seriously check it out.
Learn about soda fountains and mechanical music in the newest-and
oldest-part of Zaharakos.
The museum features rare
items from the 1800s: a restored
1870s orchestrion, syrup dispensers,
and the largest collection of pre-1900 marble soda fountains on public
display—one from the 1850s!
Then we’ll head back to swim. The next morning we’ll go to the free playground downtown called the Commons! This place is awesome and we’ll kill tons of time here! There’s little tables for mom and dad and free wi fi! And since we’ll be there during the week it’ll likely be totally dead!
Then onto a little popcorn shop that was featured on the Food Network- Not Just Popcorn. They make popcorn live in all different kinds of colors and flavors! Should be super fun for the kids and an affordable side excursion!
We’ll buy a bag to snack on for the ride home! All in all the trip is going to cost us around $230 dollars plus half a tank of gas. We could have done this a little cheaper if we’d opted for a more basic room but the suite with a Jacuzzi and husband wife time with a closing door was too much to resist! We are super looking forward to it and I can’t wait to share the pictures with you!
Where would you go for your Spring Break get away? Share it with us! Also follow our trip at http//www.instagram.com/sonottogether Share along with the fun!
