Although gas prices are trickling down a bit, Central Texans are still feeling the pinch from just under four dollars a gallon. High gas prices not only effect business decisions, they're effecting where people vacation this summer. A round trip from Central Texas to Orlando Florida will costs just over $300 if you drove a 2005 Honda CRV-2WD vehicle, according to AAA Fuel Cost Calculator. If you are driving a 2005 Chevy Suburban, count on paying more than twice as much.

If the estimated cost of your vacation has doubled due to the increased cost of gasoline, you may want to stay put and vacation at home. After all, 18.9 million visitors came to Austin in 2006 and spent over 3.5 billion dollars. In 2007, Travel + Leisure Magazine ranked Austin number two (overall) most popular destination in the country, competing against cities such as Honolulu, New York, San Diego, Portland and San Francisco. So even if you've lived here all your life, you can bet there's still plenty to do that you haven't seen or done before.

"We find people are still taking trips this summer, but they're taking fewer of them," says Jennifer Walker, Director of Marketing Communications, Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Families are also staying closer to home, exploring other Texas cities such as Houston, Dallas or San Antonio." Big cities are not the only travel destination spots. Fredericksburg, Johnson City, Marble Falls, La Grange and many others are all within an hour or two drive. Central Texas has plenty of smaller towns that are rich in history and hospitality.

Tips to Get Away

Your vacation should be a vacation wherever you go. The purpose is to give you some rest and relaxation time. Here are some tips to make it restful.

• Leave the electronic gadgets at home. There's plenty of time to catch up when you get back. It's better to fully get away than whittle at the slew of daily emails. Job insecurity keeps many people focusing on work instead of the family or occasion. If you must check the email or phone, set limits on it.
  
  
• Spend at least one night away from home. Even if it's the hotel down the street, part of a vacation is getting away from your normal surroundings. There's something about living out of a suitcase for a few days that makes you appreciate your home when you return.
  
  
• Have someone else do the driving. Whether it's by taxi, horse-drawn carriage or by bicycle, use alternative transportation to change things up.
  
  
• Pamper yourself. After all, one purpose of the vacation is to wind down. Shop, get a haircut, massage or a manicure.
  
  
• Let others wait on you. Austin employs over 50,000 people in the tourism industry. Let a few of them take care of you.
  
  
• Eat well. If you are constantly on a diet, this would be the time to take a break for day or two. The increased calories can always be worked off when you get back.
  
  
• Let someone else do all the cooking. Eat out and try restaurants you've never been to.
  
  
• Take a news break. Slowing the constant media message stream to a trickle will do wonders for your stress. It's okay not knowing which celebrity checked themselves into a clinic this week.
  
  

What to Do

Live Music

While big music events like SXSW (March) and the Austin City Limits Music Festival (September) occur during non-summer months, there are plenty of music venues in the The Live Music Capital of the World. If you've experienced sixth street entertainment and think that's all Austin has to offer, it's time to think again. There are more than 200 live music venues located in Austin with many in new entertainment districts such as Red River, the Warehouse Districts, the East Side, South Lamar and SoCo or South Congress.

Classical Music

If classical music is more your style be sure to The Austin Symphony Orchestra presents a Wind Ensemble concert for its Hartman "Concerts in the Park," held every Sunday evening at the Hartman Concert Park on the front lawn of the Long Center for the Performing Arts. Or you can experience the Live at the Lake Concert Series at Lakeway Resort and Spa. Free Shows on Sundays throughout the summer. Bands play by a 3-tiered pool with swim-up bar, overlooking Lake Travis.

Theater

Whether in Las Vegas or New York, visitors often take in at least one show while there. Austin celebrates it's 50th annual Zilker Summer Musical with Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Enjoy a unique experience sitting on the lawn in the outdoor theater Thursdays through Sundays at sunset. For something a little more adult-oriented, ZACH Theatre presents the Austin premiere of The Clean House. The 2005 Pulitzer Prize winner is a quirky and moving comedy about love, loss and the power of a good joke.

Art

For the art lover, the new Blanton Museum of Art is a must see destination. Housing over 17,000 works of art in 180,000 square feet of exhibition space. The Blanton is the newest museum to join what's now called the "museum district." Located near the Blanton are Texas Memorial Museum, which chronicles the natural history of the state, the Harry Ransom Center, one of the worlds great cultural archives, the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum documents the American experience under Johnsons presidency. Across the street from the Blanton, The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum showcases Texas diverse history.

Outdoors

If the weather is too hot to walk from your car to the museum, then you may want to experience something refreshing. A pool with 68-degree water would be sure to get your attention. Rated one of the top five natural swimming locations in the world, Barton Springs Pool is one destination every person should experience at least once in their lifetime. If you're wanting to experience the beach without driving to the Gulf Coast, then Volente Beach may just be the ticket. Located on the north shore of Lake Travis, Volente Beach offers a sandy beach as well as rides for the kids.

"Americans are notorious for taking fewer vacation days than citizens of other countries." says Jennifer. Many people don't take vacation days earned for fear of getting behind at work. With a slouching economy and gas prices higher than they've ever been, many will forgo the summer vacation. This would be a mistake as rested, rejuvenated employees are more productive than stressed, over-worked employees.

Vacationing locally may not be your first choice, but if given the alternative of no vacation, it's the best choice and with everything Central Texas has to offer, it'll be a great choice. Get out there. There are people to see and things to do.