Trends: Staycations On or Near the First Coast

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Budgets are tight this summer for many families. But you can still take a break with a staycation (a vacation close to home).

The City of St. Marys, Georgia has taken notice of the fact that this year people need vacations close to home. That's why the city is planning "Staycation Weekends".

"The idea for St. Marys' staycations actually came after researching ways to bring people to our downtown," says Alyce Thornhill, the Director of Economic Development for the City of St. Marys. "With the rising price of gas people don't seem to be traveling as much. So we wanted to not only educate our residents that live here about what's available in their own backyard but also regionally what was available for staycations."

Even though St. Marys & Kingsland, GA are just about an hour from Jacksonville, many First Coast residents have not explored the areas.

The waterfront in St. Marys has a wide variety of options.

"You can come down here and park your car and you don't have to get back in it," says Thornhill. "We have lodging, restaurants, boating and kayaking." They also have golf cart and bike companies that will deliver the wheels right to you.

Up The Creek Xpeditiions offers guided kayak trips up the river or even kayak over to Cumberland Island or the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge.

You can also explore the shores of Georgia under the water.

"We are the only charter on the East Coast of Georgia right now that is doing dives," says Chris Whitlock of South Georgia Dive Charters.Whitlock says a guy from the Florida Keys went spear fishing with them in Georgia and was surprised by all he found.

"As soon as he got off the boat he called his buddies in the Keys and said 'they've got world class spear fishing right here in Georgia,'" recalls Whitlock.

Visitors in St. Marys can also catch a ferry to Cumberland Island National Seashore.

You can explore maritime forest, undeveloped beaches and wide marshes. People can even bring their camping gear on the ferry and stay overnight on the island.

Thornhill says another popular spot in St. Marys is Gilligans Island. It's a area that was only recently turned into a family spot. There is a large lake to swim in and an island area to explore. There are built in BBQs and picnic tables.

The best part, no admission cost. But you won't see a sign on the road for this watering hole. To get to Gilligans Island take Exit 3 off I-95. Follow the signs to St. Marys. Then at the Hippo Storage location make a U-turn and look to the right for a dirt road where the trees part. Right behind the trees you'll find Gilligans' Island.

For people who aren't familiar with South Georgia they can stop by the Kingsland Vistor and Welcome Center on Exit 3 off I-95. The staff can give you tips and directions on the best places to visit.

"One of our most popular locations is the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge," says Tonya Rosado, the Executive Director of the Kingsland Visitor and Welcome Center. "You can take a guided boat trip. They also have a great visitor center with alot of interactive games."

A day trips, even a visit to a museum or a class can give you the summer break you need without costing too much. There are several options on the First Coast.

The Cummer Museum of Arts & Gardens offers free admission on Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. The museum is located at 829 Riverside Avenue in Jacksonville.

The Castaway Island Preserve offers canoing, kayak launch, nature trails and interpretive trails where kids can match tracks to different types of animals. The preserve is located right on the Intracoastal Waterway at 2885 San Pablo Road S. in Jacksonville.

For skateboarders there is the free skate park at Cuba Hunter Park. It's located at 4380 Bedford Road in Jacksonville.

The city also opened a new skate park at Austin Regional Park at 11751 McCormick Road. It features skater-friendly benches, stairs, planters and railings.

Austin Regional Park also has a spot for Frisbee disc-golf for all ages.

Families or individuals can go horseback riding at the Sawgrass Stables in Saint Augustine, Palm Valley Ranch or ride on the beach in Amelia Island at the Kelly Seahose Ranch.

You can also take a free tour or class. The Sally Corporation, maker of animatronics for rides for theme parks, offers tours of their production facility in Jacksonville.

Home Depot and Lowe's both offer, free hands-on project workshops once a month for children.

Families can get information about over 300 destinations and events on the First Coast by buying the"Family Fun on Florida's First Coast" guide. Check it out by clicking here.

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