informing us that there are currently 959 options nationwide through the site. All we had to do is click on the part of the U.S. where we live to view the local listings. “Family Fun” is one of the interest groups listed at the site. We clicked on it and got this fantastic directory of ideas and attractions for our staycation. It lists everything from cheese farms to children’s museums to ice cream shops to places to pick your own fruit or vegetables. It’s not hard to find classes within driving distance of where you live. In addition to searching the Internet, you can ask at your favorite shops or peruse the bulletin boards at bakeries, grocery stores and in your city’s free weekly paper.

Get Out of Town and Visit a Farm

You may not realize the abundance of locally grown produce and other items available just outside your community. With the cost of fuel driving up the price of food shipped from afar, not to mention the growing health risks associated with vegetables and meat produced for mass consumption, we suggest a trip to some farms that are within an easy drive of your home.  Meet the farmers, sample the freshness and visual beauty of food grown on a small scale, and maybe get a chance to pick your own fruit and vegetables (if they’ll let you). Kids love seeing chickens and other farm animals; this is a great way to start them eating right at an early age. To find a farm in your area, visit Pick Your Own and click on your state. The site also offers picking tips and a directory for pumpkin patches, corn mazes and more. Other helpful sites for finding a farm in your area are Local Harvest and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Supported Agriculture page. Remember to bring eco-friendly, reusable shopping bags along. We particularly like the beauty of Envirosax’s Ultra-Compact Flora red and Mikado prints ($8). Too bad they don’t come with a shoulder strap. Ecobags makes a cotton string shoulder bag ($8) that holds up to 40 pounds of food and features a wide comfort strap.

Pamper Yourself: Create Your Own Spa Getaway

While you’re eating healthier, thanks to your visit to a local farm, why not continue your staycation with a variety of spa treatments to rejuvenate your body and soul? Not versed on the spa trend? Visit Spa Magazine’s site for a complete tutorial. There’s a spa glossary where you can read about the many treatments and services spas offer. There are dozens of recipes for spa meals, and there are articles to get you up to speed on spa culture. If there is a spa or two in your city, sign up for a new kind of massage or other interesting-sounding treatment. Perhaps they’re offering a Thai massage (developed by Buddhist monks 2,500 years ago) or watsu, where you don a swimsuit and float in a large warm tub while a massage therapist twirls you around. No lavish trendy spas in your hometown? You can get a lot of the same feeling at home by trying some new creams, hair products or scents you’ve been craving. At Kiehl’s, a company known for its exceptional products and service, you can create a personal profile to receive free advice on the products best suited to your skin and hair type. Visit the customer favorites page to learn about products such as anti-aging Abyssine cream + ($42 for 50 ml), which is made with a survival

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