Now is the time to plan out your 2023 vacation days – and travel, according to advocates for time off and tourism.
Today, Jan. 31, is National Plan for Vacation Day. The day aims to “encourage Americans to plan their vacation days for the whole year at the start of the year—and inspire them to use those days to explore the USA,” according to the U.S. Travel Association.
Taking time off benefits both personal wellbeing and the economic prosperity of the country, according to organizers.
“Planning travel in advance ensures other things don’t get in the way, you will actually take your time off, and you will visit the place you want to visit and do what you actually want to do,” said Dave Lorenz, vice president of Travel Michigan, the team behind the state’s Pure Michigan campaign.
Another good reason to plan ahead is “dynamic pricing,” he said.
Hotels, airlines, car rental services and other travel sector businesses often raise prices as availability tightens, Lorenz said.
“The early bird gets the deals when it comes to travel,” he said.
For Michiganders planning their vacations, there’s no need to go far. The state has the nation’,s longest freshwater coastline, 11,000 inland lakes and 36,000 miles of rivers to enjoy.
“If you’re in Michigan, you’re never more than six miles from a major water system,” said Lorenz who lives in the Muskegon area near Lake Michigan.
P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, Pere Marquette Park, Grand Haven State Park and the dog beach at Kruse Park are some of his favorite places to visit near home. He also suggests visiting the charming downtowns in Holland, Grand Haven, South Haven and Rockford.
Some indoor spots include West Michigan’s Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum in Portage, the Gilmore Car Museum near Kalamazoo, the Muskegon Museum of Art, the Grand Rapids Public Museum, the USS Silversides Submarine Museum in Muskegon, and the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids.
“The list of activities to pursue your pure are endless in Pure Michigan!” Lorenz said.
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