How to Plan Your Perfect Getaway

There's an old saying that there's no work without vacation. That's to say, to be productive, you must take time away from work to rest. As such, it's important to plan a getaway every now and then to refresh and replenish your productivity. To give you some extra help in accomplishing that goal, we're providing tips on planning your trip. Check them out and start thinking about your next adventure!

7 Steps to Plan a Getaway

1. Decide on a Destination

Let's get down to brass tacks. You can't go on a vacation without choosing a destination. Thus, the first step in planning a getaway is to pick a destination. Think about a region you've always wanted to visit, like the Pacific Northwest, Florida's Gulf Coast, or California Wine Country. Then, look for resorts near those destinations that will give you easy access to the local attractions. Is this a road trip or a relaxing stay?

2. Pick a Time to Travel

The change of seasons will influence how you plan a getaway. Are you in search of snow-free Southern stay during winter? Or are you looking for mild summer temperatures and ample swimming opportunities in the Great Lakes State? (That's Michigan, by the way.)

Just as important as where you travel is when you travel. The seasons will change the opportunities. Use the tips below as a rough guide for choosing:

• Spring: flowers, milder weather, spring break, potential for rain showers.
• Summer: warm/hot weather, swimming opportunities, summer break, potential for crowds.
• Autumn: leaf peeping, cooler weather, fewer crowds, Halloween and Thanksgiving, potential for rain.
• Winter: mild weather in Southern and Western climates, seasonal resorts closed, Christmastime, snowbird season, potential for snow.

3. Look for Stops Along the Way

The journey doesn't have to be wasted time. Instead, turn your drive into part of the vacation. Look for great stops along the way, such as historical towns and national parks. You might also consider spending a night at one of our other resorts along the way if you have a long drive. 

4. Set a Budget

You have your destination, you have your time to travel, now it's time to see how you can make it happen. This is where you can put high school math to good use. Create a budget and estimate the costs for your trip. Costs could include, but aren't limited to, the following:

• Fuel for RV or plane tickets
• Food, both on the drive and while you vacation
• Tent site, RV site, or vacation rental
• Tickets and admission to local attractions
• National and state park entrance fees (try an Annual Pass if you visit a lot of national parks)
• Premium amenities, outings, and classes
• Any equipment you may not already have

If you're handy in Excel, you can create a spreadsheet to estimate your costs and split the total between all those paying for the trip. If Excel isn't your jam, a pen and paper will get the job done just as well.

5. Check for Special Offers

This could be part of planning a budget, but it's important enough to be separated. You should always check for special offers when you plan a getaway. Depending on what's available, you could find significant savings. There are often winter specials, especially for long-term stays in snowbird states. And summer sees deals at our seasonal resorts in cooler climates. 

6. Work Ahead and Save Up

Now that you have your trip planned and budgeted, it's time to prepare. But before you start packing, it's important to work ahead and save up. By ensuring that you're caught up on work and secure in your finances, you'll be able to thoroughly relax during your getaway. And isn't that what vacation is all about?

7. Enjoy the Activities and Amenities at Your Resort

Last, but certainly not least, is to enjoy your trip! You've done a lot of work to plan a getaway, now is the time to kick back and rejuvenate. Take advantage of the activities and amenities offered at our resorts across the U.S. and Canada. Whether it be kayaking, swimming, mini golfing, taking a hayride, or something else, there's an option for you to enjoy.  

And that's all there is to it. It's not difficult to plan a getaway and we promise the payoff is worth it. The next step is to share this post with a fellow traveler and begin planning your own vacation. Happy trails!  

Sample Road Trip Itineraries

• Gulf Coast
• Michigan
• California
• New Jersey