You don't have to travel to enjoy summer vacation.

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Diane Henry

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Times are tight for many people this summer as vacation planning peaks. More than 79 per cent of Canadians plan to take a summer vacation this year, with the majority opting to stay in the country, according to the Conference Board of Canada. This year more than ever, budget is a major factor for families and couples hoping to get away.

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That's why this may be the perfect time to try out a staycation. Vacationing at home has never been more appealing "" at least within the last 25 years or so.

"Staycations are becoming very popular," said Sean Payne, Information Centre Supervisor with Tourism Saint John. "People are realizing that they need not fret because they have a lot of options right here in the city."

Why spend thousands of dollars travelling far away to find relaxation, when you can find ways to recharge your batteries right here in Saint John and get a real bang for your buck?

"We have great shopping, wonderful dining and so many festivals and events throughout the summer," said Tammy LeBlanc, the General Manager of Hilton Saint John.

For many people in the region it's been a very long time since they came to Saint John to vacation, said LeBlanc. "We're a fun destination and we want to show what else there is to offer here."

First things first, just because you're not travelling to some far away land doesn't mean you're not on vacation, so plan for it the same way. Set aside so many days specifically for your staycation and set a budget. Then, to make your vacation at home more comfortable take care of chores such as laundry and vacuuming before your staycation officially begins. Finally, put home projects on hold or else designate an allotment of time to work on them and stick to it.

Staycationing can be as simple as ordering take-out, renting some movies, playing board games and lounging in the back yard while sipping beer and martinis. You can also have a little fun with it and pretend you're a tourist for a day or two. It's surprising how many Saint Johners have not actually taken the time to check out local sights and heritage spots.

Plus, by staying home you will help boost our local tourism industry, which contributes roughly $250 million dollars annually to the region.

Take advantage of hiking and walking trails, and lakes for swimming at Rockwood Park. "It's 2,200 acres of parkland in the middle of the city that people see every day and don't really think of as a place to go and visit," said Payne.

Operators within the park offer repelling, boat rentals, inline skate rentals, trail rides and horse drawn wagon rides. You could spend an entire day at the park which now even has its own cafe in the Lily Lake Pavilion. Lily's Cafe, featuring a cozy fire place, views over Lily Lake and a full bar, is a great new location to eat lunch or supper.

"Some people may even consider camping in the city, which would be a fun thing to do," said Payne, referring to the Rockwood Park Campground.

Saint Johners tend to take for granted the beauty of the uptown architecture, which is a tourist attraction in itself, said Payne. "I wholeheartedly recommend that every Saint Johner take the time to explore uptown Saint John. Even when we are uptown we tend to shuffle along, run our errands and go about our business, but we should take time to stop at a street corner and look up at the building facades."

Prince William Street was the first nationally designated historic streetscape in all of Canada, he said. It's now part of the Trinity Royal street preservation project, a 20-block zone in the uptown area that falls under street preservation standards.

In 1877, nearly all of the city centre burned to the ground and was quickly rebuilt in stone to adhere to new fire regulations. "They had architects brought in from all over the place including the Eastern Coast of the United States," said Payne, "and because of that there is a real coherence and consistency in the architectural style of the uptown.

"A lot of people from all over the world really value the experience of the uptown and because we live here it's a matter of taking time to explore it."

There are self-guided walking tours available at www.tourismsaintjohn.com

The Old Burial Ground between Carmarthen, Sydney, Union Streets and King Street East is the final resting place for many local historical figures with the oldest headstone dating July 13, 1784. Not only is it eerie and beautiful, it features a fountain and park benches.

The Loyalist House is the oldest building in Saint John, constructed in 1817. Recognized as a National Historic Site, the Loyalist House is a museum complete with an iron pressure cooker in the kitchen, piano-organ and original fireplaces.

Other sites to consider include the New Brunswick Museum, Reversing Falls, Martello Tower, Irving Nature Park, Cherry Brook Zoo and the Barbour General Store. There are also summer bus tours that will take you to all the major tourist attractions in Saint John for less than $20.

For an evening of music or entertainment check out the Uptown Car Cruise, a display of automobiles from the past to the present with shows every Tuesday nights. On Wednesday nights, head to the boardwalk for Saint John Idol and on Thursday's, Country Star.

For those looking for a real getaway, take a day trip to somewhere nearby. The small sea side village of St. Martin's is tucked away near amazing caves and cute boutiques, and is only about a 40 minute drive away. "It's a book town," said Payne. "There are several used book stores in the town, so that's an interesting destination."

St. Martin's is also home to the Fundy Trail Parkway, which offers 10 kilometres of trails, suspension bridges and magnificent views of the ocean.

So whether you spend an entire week in the comfort of your own home or head out and re-explore the city you live in, a staycation is the affordable alternative to spending hours at an airport or in a car travelling to a destination that offers little more attraction than what you can find in Saint John.