Summer’s the perfect time to go out of town and escape the stifling heat of the city, and we’re really lucky that traveling has never been cheaper and easier than ever before. But if you don’t have the time or the budget to splurge on an out-of-town getaway, don’t fret: there are still so many ways you can have a fun-filled vacation without even leaving your hometown.

That's the idea behind the increasingly popular staycation concept: instead of plunking down a lot of cash for a few days' stay at a pricey resort, you can save a lot by doing activities that are within driving distance and by going back to your own home at night. This might sound a bit boring for some, but if planned properly, a staycation can be just as fun as a traditional vacation, minus the stress and spending associated with a trip abroad. Scroll through the gallery below for a few things you should remember in order to have a staycation to remember!

(Photo by Petras Gagilas via Flickr Creative Commons)