Since most of us travelers do so to "see the sights" of another locale, I'm wondering if anyone takes stay-at-home vacations and, if so, what does your family like to do?

It's interesting to get a hometown perspective, and most times winds up being a great vacation. Of course, it's purely a subjective question, and many different opinions will surface. For example, I'm in the Chicago area, and a stay-at-home vacation for me would include a trip to the waterpark in Rockford, Chicago Botanical Gardens, an evening at Ravinia (an outside concert venue which frequently features the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, a stroll through Long Grove, shopping at Woodfield and a dinner cruise on Lake Michigan. Dinner choices might include Francesca's on the River (in St. Charles), the Biloxi Grill (in Wauconda), Ambrogio's (FABULOUS homemade Italian food, in Chicago) and the Water Tower Place Food Court.

If you were hosting people from out of town who wanted to visit interesting, off the beaten track places that the locals enjoy, where would you send them? Of course, you must actually live in the locale you are spotlighting.

What a fun idea!

I live in San Clemente, CA, at the very southern end of Orange County. We are close to a number of theme parks, and not too far from LA, but if it were up to me, I would favor local color. The town of San Clemente is charming and old-fashioned. I would take visitors to the pier and a walk on the beach, then back into town for wonderful mediterranean food at The Village Cafe.
We might do an overnight to San Diego (about an hour south) and go to Balboa Park or the Gas Lamp district. Before leaving San Diego county, a wonderful outdoor lunch in Del Mar or Cardiff might be fun. Another great place to wander, eat and enjoy the ocean is Laguna Beach, where I love everything in the Pacific Edge Gallery. Right next door to the gallery Cafe Panini has good sandwiches and Aegean cafe has good Greek. (There's also Dizz's, Ti Amo, Splashes, Las Brisas, Five Feet, etc. etc...)

Okay, I'll stop. I'm starting to feel like I'm composing the perfect date for a personal ad!!!

We live in Palo Alto, CA. Just 45 miles north of us is San Francisco so we go up there often for a daytrip on a weekend. But, if we really stayed down here at home I would head to the Santa Cruz Mtns. for some wine tasting at Bonny Doon and Ridge, maybe Thomas Fogarty or Cinnabar if they're open. A visit to Big Basin State Redwood Preserve and then down over the hill to the coast and a drive back north to Half Moon Bay and then back to Palo Alto. For sure would buy crabs if it's that season in HMB and certainly pick up some beautiful roses. Filoli Mansion is close to here and if the season is right would want to visit there. We can be in Ano Nuevo elephant seal preserve fairly quickly so would visit there. Have breakfast up at Alice's in Woodside, Tapas at Iberia in Portola Valley, and in PA meals at L'Amie Donia,Empire Tap Room on the patio, MacArthur Park for ribs, the Left Bank in Menlo Park, Palo Alto Del Sol, Pisces in Burlingame, the Hong Kong Flower Garden Lounge either in PA or Millbrae--I think a bit better in Millbrae, but a longer drive. A favorite place we take visitors from out of town is over to the East Bay town of Livermore to Wente Bros. Winery and their lovely restaurant, stopping at Mission San Jose in Fremont along the way if they want. Good wine tasting there and at Concannon, but summer gets very hot.There are special events for 4th of July weekend at both wineries. Also like to take them down to San Juan Batista mission and have a Mexican meal there in town. Pumpkin Festival in October in Half Moon Bay is fun as is the Gilroy Garlic Festival, the last weekend of July. And, we're 1 1/2 hours from Carmel so can do that as a day trip although it's really hard to leave once there! So much to do in this area, we are fortunate.

I live in San Diego. We often play tourist in our own area. After all, I live in Paradise so why waste my time traveling elsewhere. I own a timeshare in downtown San Diego and often use it for bonus time stays.

We reside in the San Francisco Bay area. We often take daytrips to various spots in the area. Sometimes my wife and I just hop on BART to downtown San Francisco and stay the weekend at one of the hotels. This is such a wonderful area to live in with so much to do and see. We really prefer to spend most of our leisure time right here in our own area. The only exceptions are numerous trips to San Diego, Las Vegas, and Reno. We also throw a few in to Lake Tahoe.

We live in a small college town over 100 miles from a middle-sized city. Stay-at-home vacations mean either cleaning the attic or renting a lot of videos.

I moved to New Orleans a few years ago and am still living somewhat as a tourist - experiencing the attractions and sights at a leisurely pace.

I'd suggest a visitor start their first day off with beignets and cafe au lait at Cafe du Monde before spending a morning strolling the Quarter - Jackson Square, the shops on Royal Street and the lower French Quarter - or joining in a morning walking tour of the cemetaries. For lunch, I'd recommend stopping by Central Grocery for a muffaletta and heading down to the Moon Walk along the river to eat it there. I'd spend the afternoon at the Aquarium of the Americas. A Pimm's Cup at the Napoleon House prior to a dinner at any number of fantastic places would be a must.

The next day, I'd start the morning off with a streetcar ride uptown to see the great homes along St. Charles. I'd get off in the Garden District and wander toward Magazine Street for shopping and checking out all the great antique shops and funky places there. For lunch, I'd stop at Joey K's for rice and beans, onion rings and a cold beer. Walking tours of the Garden District are also offered. Anne Rice's homes are uptown (one on St. Charles, one on First Street, and her orphanage is located on Napoleon) and make interesting stops. I'd ride the streetcar all the way up to the riverbend before turning around and heading back to the Quarter. Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop would be an interesting place for afternoon drinks. For dinner, I'd choose another great restaurant.

The next day, I'd suggest getting out of town - maybe a swamp tour or a visit to some of the antebellum mansions. I personally still want to visit Avery Island - home of Tabasco.

Or, if you'd rather spend another day in town. Check out the warehouse district with "Gallery Row" on Julia Street - art galleries abound. The Contemporary Arts Center on Camp Street usually has an interesting exhibit. The D-Day Museum is in the same area on Magazine Street. Or - take the free ferry across the river from the Aquarium to Algiers to see the Mardi Gras Museum. The Cabildo and Presbytere at Jackson Square also offer history and a great Mardi Gras exhibit.

I've intentionally avoided mentioning Bourbon Street. Most people want to see it at least once. The first 8 blocks of Bourbon Street are the ones everyone has heard of - and these are my least favorite. Some people love it and spend all their time here in those 8 blocks. Others see it and hate New Orleans forever because of it. It's your call. I enjoy the other part of Bourbon very much and frequent bars and restaurants on that end quite often. If you want some nighttime activities, I'd suggest jazz at Preservation Hall or Snug Harbor in the Marigny. The Marigny is an interesting neighborhood just across Esplanade from the Quarter. Pat O'Brien's is another popular tourist spot that locals rarely frequent. I do go occasionally with an out-of-town guest who wants to see it and must admit that we usually have a good time in the piano bar. For those of you who enjoy the outdoors, I'd suggest visiting City Park and the Art Museum (there's a great Gordon Parks exhibit right now) or Audubon Park with the zoo.

There's a lot to do here other than drink and go to bars. I guess that's really what I want people to realize.