While getting away on a vacation this year may sound desirable, sometimes we just need to find the best places for a staycation instead.
Uncle Fred said Don, “most days are sunny and hardly ever hotter than 80.” My wife Debbie has an aunt and uncle that live in Honolulu, Hawaii. We both spent a week in paradise a few years ago and like uncle Fred said, every day was full of sunshine and blue skies and no matter where you are on the island of Oahu, the tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean are only a few minutes away. Those seven days were some of our best days ever.
Recently, our good friends at Wallethub released its annual survey of the Best Places for a Staycation. Results of the survey were based on attractions, food, entertainment, rest and relaxation, spas, museums, zoos, aquariums, swimming pools, tennis courts, golf courses, ice cream shops and coffee shops per capita.
If you happen to be a local living in any of the top areas on the list, consider yourself lucky. But don’t fret for those of you on the bottom of the list, there’s still hope if you’re creative and find ways to make the most of your staycation.
Oh, and if you’re around the Fayetteville area, we came in at No. 131 on this list.
Check the list below and see how many of the locations that you have visited. We’ve also added all the North Carolina cities appearing on the list, so you can see where we rank.
More from Beasley Media…
Is North Carolina One of the Most Patriotic States in the Country?
1. Alaska
U.S. flag flying in front of Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska. (Sherri Cassel / Getty Images)
Total Score: 65.57
Military Engagement: 1
Civic Engagement: 12
11. Washington
Fireworks as seen from across Elliott Bay at Seacrest Park in West Seattle, WA. (paulacobleigh / Getty Images)
Total Score: 52.46
Military Engagement: 14
Civic Engagement: 14
17. North Carolina
It does not get much more patriotic than Major League Baseball being played at Fort Bragg. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Total Score: 46.98
Military Engagement: 6
Civic Engagement: 32
21. Arizona
Veterans Day memorial in Tempe, AZ. (John James / Getty Images)
Total Score: 45.09
Military Engagement: 17
Civic Engagement: 23
31. Texas
Everything is bigger in Texas. (Smederevac / Getty Images)
Total Score: 38.51
Military Engagement: 9
Civic Engagement: 46
41. Louisiana
Flag of the United States at the Parade Ground at Louisiana State University. (Roberto Michel / Getty Images)
Total Score: 35.15
Military Engagement: 27
Civic Engagement: 44