Planning a "Staycation?"

With these tough economic times many families are planning "Staycations."

We did this a couple of years ago. We didn't have it in our budget to go on our annual Disney vacation so we stayed in SLC. It was SOOO much fun. The kids had a blast and it still felt like a vacation.

We did about 7 things in SLC and the Heber Valley Railroad. We stayed 2 nights at a Best Western with free breakfast and of course the kids favorite part was the pool! For all three days including food we spent about $300 and made some great memories.

I recently found out about the SLC Connect Pass which is a killer deal especially if you have younger children because children 6 and under are FREE!

The Salt Lake Connect Pass allows you up to 3 days (price for the pass increases depending on how many days you choose) to enjoy 12 attractions in SLC and surrounding areas.

Attractions Available with the Salt Lake Connect Pass

Clark Planetarium (good for one Star Theater AND one IMAX Theater admission)
Discovery Gateway (good for one admission)
The Lion House Pantry Restaurant (good for one pioneer meal)
The Living Planet Aquarium (good for one admission)
Red Butte Garden (good for one admission)
Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort (good for one scenic foot passenger tram ride)
Thanksgiving Point Gardens & Museum of Ancient Life (good for one Gardens admission and one Museum of Ancient Life admission)
This Is The Place Heritage Park (good for one admission)
Utah Museum of Fine Arts (good for one admission)
Utah Museum of Natural History (good for one admission)
Utah Olympic Park (good for one admission and one guided tour)
Utah's Hogle Zoo (good for one admission)

I haven't priced them all out but I know Discovery Gateway alone is $8.50/person 12 months and up, Hogle Zoo is $9 (adults) & $7 (children) and the meal at the Lion House is $9/person.

I know people who have used these passes for family reunions and when family visits from out of town.

Brandon and I figure we could do 9 of the activities plus the Lion House dinner over 3 days and the whole thing would cost $135.85 for our family of 5. That's $9.05 per person per day for our family.

Check it out here:

http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/SaltLakeCityAreaUT/activity/VisitSaltLakeConnectPass.cfm