1. Take a locally departing short cruise

You'll eliminate airfare and/or the cost of a long drive.

TIP: To locate the embarkation port nearest you, go to the Cruise Line International Association's Web site: www.cruising.org. Click on "Vacation" and then on the red tab, "Plan Your Cruise." Then on the left side click on "Vacation Travel Resources" and finally on "North American Ports of Embarkation." There are 30 US and Canadian ports ranging from Baltimore, Bangor and Boston, Galveston, Jacksonville and LA, to San Diego, Seattle and Seward. 

2. Vacation in your own city

Cities have so much to offer and it's easy to overlook their greatness when living nearby or even right downtown. Because many empty out on Friday when business travelers head home, weekend rates are often much lower. Some city hotels offer special packages that include breakfast or free parking or passes to museums, local sports events and famous sites.

TIP: To find these packages, look at ads in your local newspaper (usually in the Sat or Sun travel section) and check postings made by the local C&V Bureau on its own website. To find a C&V Bureau: www.2chambers.com. (Site also has links to free Visitors Guides.)

For example, at the Hampton Inn (800-426-7866, www.hamptoninn.com ) on Race Street in Philadelphia, the "Al Capone Package" at $169/night includes 2 daytime tickets to the Eastern State Penitentiary, an Al Capone Mug and playing cards and other gifts.

Just outside Chicago, the charming Carleton of Oak Park at 1110 Pleasant Street, has 120 spacious old-fashioned rooms (all with kitchens) and 25 motor lodge rooms. The gracious dining room has entertainment and an outdoor cafe. A free shuttle takes you to Oak Park attractions, including Frank Lloyd Wright's Home & Studio, Hemingway's birthplace and the wonderful Public Library. Hop on/off at any of the 21 stops. Or take the fast commuter train to downtown Chicago. Hotel from $138; motor lodge from $113. (888-CARLETON, www.carletonhotel.com )

3. Take a day trip

Local public libraries, museums, historic societies, church and synagogue groups and other organizations run day trips to interesting places, generally by bus. Not too long ago, I took a New York Public Library trip to Edith Wharton's Massachusetts home, The Mount. It included a paper bag breakfast, lunch, a lecture, a tour of the mansion's gardens plus sherry and cheese sticks on the bus on the way home. And, we also stopped the beautiful Vanderbilt Mansion. I felt as if I had been on a true vacation, yet it only lasted from 8am to 6pm.

Costs vary, but generally range from $40 to $150.

4. Plan an outing to a nearby theme park

Buying tickets online is often cheaper than at the park gate. And, some have lower rates for evening visits. For example, after 4pm on certain days, Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park (CA) charges $24.99/adult rather than the usual $49.99.

Hotels and motels near the major theme parks have special packages which they advertise on the park's Web site. For example, the Lithia Springs Courtyard Marriott, 3 mi from Six Flags Over Georgia, provides 2-4 tickets, a room for 1 weekend night and breakfast; from $168-$198. Weekdays it's $218-$248/night. (888-236-2427, www.marriott.com)

$Tip: It may be cheaper to purchase a season pass if you will be going 2 or more times during the year. Look for discount coupons in the paper, on milk and juice cartons and other food items. Members of the military, automobile clubs, AAA, AARP and other groups often get discounted tickets.

5. Head for a state or national park

Most have excellent camping and/or inexpensive lodging. The National Park Service has information on all our parks as well as details about in-park lodging and educational programs. (877-444-6777, www.nps.gov)

Or, find inexpensive accommodations near a park. For example, just outside California's Joshua Tree National Park in the Mojave Desert is 29 Palms. Its 23 cabins and bungalows start at $70. Built in 1928, they surround the Faultline Pond, home of great wildlife. The Inn serves vegetables from its own gardens. Rate include morning juice, coffee and muffins by the pool. (760-367-3505, www.29palmsinn.com )

The Yellowstone Association has fascinating 1-5 day "Lodging & Learning Vacations" all year round. They include accommodations, breakfast, box lunch, lectures and guides. "Trails Through Yellowstone," for example, is $639/double and includes 2 nights at Mammoth Hot Springs and 2 at Grant Village; $838/single; minimum age, 12. Day activities (fly fishing, hiking, birding, history), average $50. (Reservations: 307-344-5566. The Association: 307-344-2293, www.yellowstoneassociation.org/institute )

TIP: For lodging information in your state's parks, check with your local travel agent or go to www.google.com and simply type in "state parks" followed by the name of your state.

6. Travel in a group

Hotels regularly give discounts when you book a number of rooms, say 5 to 10. Plan a family/friends reunion to take advantage of these lower rates. And, ask the hotel for use of the free community room with breakfast for everyone.

For example, at most Hawthorn Suites, book 10 rooms and you'll get a discount, usually 10%. (877-663-8737, www.hawthorn.com .)

Some properties in the chain also have weekend (Thurs-Sun) rates from just $79 that include a studio suite or a 1-bedroom and breakfast.

At Days Inn (800-241-2340, www.daysinn.com ) discounts range from 10% to 20% and at Motel 6 (800-544-4866, www.motel6.com ) the discount is set by the manager. With Choice Hotels (800-544-4444, www.choicehotels.com ) it also varies from property to property, ranging from 5% to 25%.

7. Pick a "kids eat & sleep free" deal

This popular special is offered by many of the chains. The best known is Holiday Inn's "Kids Eat Free" in which those 12 and under eat free at almost 900 properties...from the Kids' Menu with a paying adult. Limit is 4 kids/family. (888-HOLIDAY, www.holidayinn.com )

A number of Marriotts (incl Courtyard, Residence Inn, Renaissance & Marriott Resorts), periodically offer an "Escape! Family Time Package" that enables kids 12 and under to dine free at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Also included, a free pizza party with in-room movie, pizza and beverages. (888-236-2427, www.marriott.com )

Starwood Hotels has a "Love Your Family Program" at 29 properties, including some Sheraton, Le Meridien and Westin resorts in AZ, CA, FL, GA, HI, Canada and the Caribbean. Kids 5 and under eat free using the children's menu, while kids 6 to 12 eat for half price from the regular menu. It also comes with a $100 resort credit or a $35/day villa credit and a souvenir cup that's refillable with unlimited soft drinks, juices and milk. (888-625-5144, www.familyfunspecials.com )

8. Sleep in a B&B instead of a hotel

They are less expensive and always include breakfast and often, afternoon tea and cookies and/or evening cheese and wine.

In New Orleans, The Chimes in the historic Garden District (1100 Block of Constantinople St) is 3 blocks from the streetcar which takes you downtown in less than 10 min. The 5 spacious rooms have private entrances with French doors opening onto a shaded brick courtyard. Rates from $130. (504-899-2621, www.chimesneworleans.com )

Continually check with BedandBreakfast.com. Members offer a wide range of discounts and specials. The group has B&Bs in 40+ states, Canada and the Caribbean. (800-462-2632).

9. Book a package that includes air and hotel and, ideally, a rental car

It's almost always cheaper than putting the individual pieces together. Check the vacation division of the major airlines flying to your destination or ask your travel agent.

United, for example, regularly has excellent packages -- such as free Universal Theme Park tickets, special rates at the Universal Orlando Resort and other goodies. And, it periodically offers 2-3 night packages to Las Vegas, staying at the Mirage, with air for under $800. United's vacations change almost weekly, so call or check the Web site on a regular basis. (888-854-3899, www.unitedvacations.com)

10 Take an Amtrak vacation

It has rail & hotel packages for 25+ US and Canadian cities plus Niagara Falls, Glacier National Park and Grand Canyon. Packages also include free admission to at least one attraction (800-268-7252, www.amtrakvacations.com ).  Here are 2 that run thru March 2009:

[] The "Philadelphia Vacation" comes with 2 nights at the Holiday Inn Historic District and admission to the Independence Seaport Museum, with r/t rail. It starts at $240 from Washington (DC), $262 from NYC and $235 from Pittsburgh.

[] On the 2-night "Orlando Vacation" you'll stay at the Quality Inn and get free breakfast, admission to Seaworld and a compact rental car. It's $292 from Jacksonville, $318 from Miami, $436 from Washington (DC) and $474 from NYC.

11. Go camping with your kids

Check with your local YM/YWCA, Boy/Girl Scout group or look for ads in your newspaper. These camps are often held on a lake within your home state, are easy to reach and ALWAYS inexpensive. Some are for parents and children; some are children only; some are adults only.

12. Do a farm stay

These are available around the country with Pennsylvania (888-856-6622, www.pafarmstay.com ) and Vermont (866-348-FARM, www.vtfarms.org ) having the most. They invite guests to learn about farming and share in doing chores. Great for kids. Many are all-inclusive. PA getaways start at $85/night for a family of 4 and VT's at $150 for 4 people.

For example, the Hollister Hill Farm in Marshfield (VT), has a family suite with fireplace, private bath and adjoining from for children. Rate for 2 adults & 3 kids is $150-$165. (802-454-7725, www.hollisterhillfarm.com )

13. Call a retreat

Reduce stress and catch up on your reading. Your local church, synagogue or Y may sponsor its own retreats. You'll sleep in basic but clean rooms. Most have hiking trails, nature walks, swimming and sometimes tennis.

For example, Angel Valley Institute in Sedona (AZ) is located on 70 acres surrounded by the Coconino National Forest. Meditate, swim, hike. Shared cabin is $70 per person for 3 people; $83 for 2 people. Includes breakfast. (800-393-6308, www.angelvalley.org )

Green Gulch Farm Zen Center near Mill Valley (CA) is on a 115-acre farm and within a short walk of Muir Beach. Vegetarian meals, meditation, gardening, hiking, sauna, Buddhist classes. $85 to $175/night; workshop fees: $45-$245. (415-383-3134, www.sfzc.org/ggf )

NEXT SUMMER

14. Attend Chautauqua

If you're thinking about next summer, look into this 130+ year old institution. On a picturesque lake of the same name in the SW part of New York state, it's 160 miles from Pittsburgh and 75 from Buffalo. It has 9 weeks of programs: foreign languages, painting, bird watching, science, literature, etc. Days are filled with lectures by noted specialists, author readings, film discussions, concerts. No alcohol or cars permitted on the 750-acre campus. From $325 for a 1-week gate pass. Classes from $60. (800-836-ARTS, www.ciweb.org )

15. Go to camp

Why should kids have all the fun? There are a growing number of camps around the country just for adults. Some are learning camps (cooking, sailing, photography, music). Others are fantasy camps focusing on sports, space & aviation. You'll find 50+ listed at:  www.grownupcamps.com ; or call 866-665-2904.

Camp Cheerio in Roaring Gap (NC), 1 hour NW of Winston-Salem, is designed for people 55+ and has fishing, guided morning walks, swimming, canoeing, archery, skeet shooting, tennis. It's $210-$260 for 5 days. (800-226-7496, www.campcheerio.org .)