Staycation Directory

Winter Vacation and Staycation Must See Alaska Zoo

January 29th, 2010

If you’ve missed seeing Arctic wildlife on your Alaskan adventure, you’ll find it at this small zoo, where all the animals have names. You’ll see moose, caribou, sheep, wolves, musk oxen, mountain goats and several different types of bears, including polar, grizzly and black bears.

If you are traveling with children or just taking the kids out on a staycation for a fun filled day the Alaska Zoo is perfect. They have all kind of activities from Sing-a-longs for Kids, to Storytime for Kids! You can even take your valentines.
Find the perfect gift for your valentine at the Alaska Zoo’s Craft Fair! Visit our Gateway Building at the new zoo entrance and shop from booths displaying unique craft items. Admission to the fair is free, standard admission rates to the zoo still apply. Contact Eileen Floyd at efloyd@alaskazoo.org for more information.

StaycationDirectory

Staycation Definition and History
A staycation (also spelled stay-cation, stacation, or staykation) is a neologism for a period of time in which an individual or family stays at home and relaxes at home or takes day trips from their home to area attractions. Staycations have achieved high popularity in the US during the financial crisis of 2007–2009 in which unemployment levels and gas prices were high.Staycations also became a popular phenomenon in the UK in 2009 as a weak pound made overseas holidays significantly more expensive.The term was added to the 2009 version of the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. Common activities of a staycation include use of the backyard pool, visits to local parks and museums, and attendance at local festivals. Some staycationers also like to follow a set of rules, such as setting a start and end date, planning ahead, and avoiding routine, with the goal of creating the feel of a traditional vacation.
Benefits of a staycation
Staycations are far less costly than a vacation involving traveling. There are no lodging costs and travel expenses are minimal. Costs may include transportation for local trips, dining, and local attractions. “The American Automobile Association said the average North American vacation will cost $244 per day for two people for lodging and meals… Add some kids and airfare, and a 10-day vacation could top $10,000″. Staycations do not have the stress associated with travel, such as packing, long drives, or waits at airports. Staycations may be of economic benefit to some local businesses, who get customers from the area providing them with business. In 2008, the tourism bureaus of many U.S. cities also began promoting staycations for their residents to help replace the tourism dollars lost from a drop in out-of-town visitors.