You don’t have to go far or spend a fortune to have the vacation of your dreams. One good side to this economically difficult time is that it can make us realize that real happiness can truly be found right in our backyard. If you look more closely, you’ll find out that there’s tons of R&R available for the whole family in your community. And the good news—you may not even have to spend a dime!
Picnic Pleasure
Load up the picnic basket with your favorite foods and take your family to the nearest public park. Play some Frisbee, breathe in the fresh air, and just lie on the grass all day, watching the kids play around. Or, if you have a huge backyard with a healthy patch of green, you might not even have to go away. Simply set up your picnic blanket under a shade and voila—instant alfresco feast!
Find out what's happening in Bloomfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Nearby Parks:
Find out what's happening in Bloomfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Bike & Hike
If you’re picnicking in the park, you might want to bring along your bicycle so you can ride around with the kids. Biking among the greenery always makes a fun memory for parents and children. Both Branch Brook and Nutley Memorial parks feature bike trails which offer wonderful experiences and discoveries along the way.
Catch an Outdoor Show
Bring your lawn chairs and catch a free live performance or movie under the stars at Branch Brook Park or at Church Street in Montclair. Come early to the Montclair venue and enjoy a full Church Street experience of dining and shopping, capped off with an outdoor movie. Check their respective websites for show schedules.
Outdoor Movie Schedules:
Montclair International Film Festival
Museum Hop
Take the kids on a museum-hop for some fun learning experience. The Montclair Art Museum offers a range of exhibitions and collections from Native American to modern and contemporary art. Or take the kids to see the planetarium in nearby Newark Museum or sign up for available family programs.
Nearby Museums:
Splish-Splash
Drive down the Shore and beat the heat with a cool dip in the blue waters. Check out Patch for an assortment of summer activities you can enjoy with the whole family by our famous coastlines. If you don’t want to leave home, take out your inflatable pool, fill it with water, and start splashing!
Go Yard Sale Shopping
Check out your neighborhood yard/garage sales and discover unique finds at really low prices. A whole weekend of bargain hunting with the whole family can be a delightful experience which would not cause a huge dent on your budget. Drive around to see available sales or check with Patch for a list of sellers.
Have a ‘You’ Time
Indulge in a spa day to get that much needed massage, rejuvenating facial and hair and nail treatments. Ask grandma to watch the kids so you can have a whole day of couple pampering, capped off with a romantic dinner date. Or do a movie marathon, have pizza delivered, take long afternoon naps, and just lay around all day doing nothing for the ultimate rest and relaxation.
Once you’ve decided on doing a staycation, start planning your itinerary so you can simply follow the list and not have to consult the Internet every once in a while. It is ideal to set an official start and end dates for your staycation to get you in the proper vacation mode at the appointed time. Prepare by cleaning the house ahead of time, so you’ll never have to lift a finger during your one- to two-week family holiday. Once you’re in the ‘zone,’ enjoy every minute of it.
