Last spring, my family and I took a quick trip to Philadelphia to see the rock band Metallica in concert. Tickets were reasonably priced, timing worked well for all four of us, and arrangements were workable. New York City is less than a two-hour drive from our home, and we were able to book a rental car and hotel on short notice. We had a blast at concerts, visited some of Philadelphia’s most famous historical sites (hello, Liberty Bell!), and ate lots of delicious food. When we got home, we all felt refreshed and talked about our best songs and favorite parts of our trip. And we were gone for 32 hours straight.
Over the years, we have come to embrace these family “micro” vacations. There was also a two-day trip to Philadelphia in 2019, a long holiday weekend in Washington, D.C., and more recently a two-day trip to Boston when my younger son went on spring break. We realized that we had nothing planned but were itching to go somewhere. Not that long-planned vacations aren’t fun, but there’s something about the spontaneity and ease of truncated travel that speaks to us.
What is a microcation?
It turns out we are not alone. In fact, we have done so. very They were the first to embrace the latest hot travel trend: microcations. Micro-cations, or micro-vacations, defined by Allianz Partners USA as quick one- to four-day trips more than 100 miles from home, give you all the thrills of a fun trip (and the social media content to prove it) with less hassle, less money, and, of course, less time. Allianz’s 2025 Vacation Confidence Index survey reveals that 73% of respondents plan to travel for four nights or less per year, and 34% plan to travel for two nights or less. A 2026 study by Talker Research also found that “micro-breaks” or “micro-cheerfulness” are the top trends for summer travel, with 22% of respondents anticipating short trips.
With affordability being a top priority for so many families right now, and fuel prices rising (the national average price for a gallon of gas is currently around $4.50, and airfares already up more than 20%), it’s no wonder that short-haul travel is becoming more and more appealing to many people these days. Of course, shorter doesn’t necessarily mean cheaper, but spreading your travel budget over multiple microcations can make your vacation feel like you’re getting more for your money. And if your travel budget is low to begin with, even one micro-location can give your family a vacation feel without adding to your debt.
It’s also easier to plan. Mini-trips closer to home mean less time away from work, less chance of flight hiccups, and less stress when it comes to planning and booking all the elements (which, as our family’s resident travel organizers, we really appreciate!).
Sarah Wilcox, a Dallas-based Fora travel advisor who specializes in family vacations, still has many clients looking to vacation in Europe this summer, but she’s also seeing more clients come to her to plan micro-cations that are quick and short drives away. Currently, both the cost and the fear of traveling abroad are having an impact. “I think people want to stay in the country because they can trust that there won’t be as much disruption,” she says. “Rising fuel costs are definitely a factor too, so people are just playing it safe with more local destinations and shorter trips.”
How to plan microcations
If all of this sounds good to you and you’re ready to take the stress out of a week of packing this summer, Wilcox has some advice for making your family’s next microcation a success. I have also picked up some tips over the years.
Select your anchor activity. It’s not like a must-see trip to Rome or Paris. all Microcation is not the time to fit in with all the activities a destination has to offer. Back in 2019, my oldest son was deep into his superhero phase when he saw the Marvel exhibit being held at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. It was a great anchor activity for a quick trip and a fun surprise for both of our kids. Most recently, our anchor was the aforementioned Metallica concert. Wilcox recently booked a trip for a client’s son’s birthday that centered around a Houston Astros baseball game. Having just one anchor activity doesn’t mean you can’t participate in other fun activities, but it takes away the pressure you feel from cramming everything into a short trip. you are giving yourself permission do not have Please do everything.
Choose your hotel wisely. A hotel, depending on your subjectivity, can become an important part of a micro-convivial life or simply a place to lay your head at night. I fall into the previous camp. On our first trip to Philadelphia, since our kids were young, we spent a little more money and booked a hotel with an indoor pool. The kids loved swimming after dinner and knew they would take the plunge again in the morning. If your kids are also pool enthusiasts, I would recommend 10/10. I recently stayed at a hotel in Old City, Philadelphia’s historic district, to make the most of my sightseeing time. Wilcox points out that many hotels are increasing their family-friendly offerings, so it’s worth comparing services. “Many of these facilities are getting used to having young children and short weekend trips, so they often have fun programming,” she says.
Consider using a travel advisor. It’s no surprise that Wilcox offers this tip, but Trip Advisor can Help you maximize your experience. “If you’re planning to travel somewhere and want to book in a few days, inventory is low so you can find the hotel options most likely to offer upgrades and additional benefits,” she explains.
Please feel free to use our concierge. “If you’re only traveling for three or four nights, you might want to rely on your concierge a little more, even on arrival,” says Wilcox. In fact, that’s what she did recently when she and her kids enjoyed a microcation in Cabo over the weekend. “We didn’t make dinner reservations[in advance]. When we arrived, there were three restaurants on site, we chose where we would eat each night and told the concierge. That’s all the planning we did.”
That kind of spontaneity may not work for everyone, but my kids were 7 and 12 when we started Microcation, so some flexibility worked well for us. And for me, the planning, packing, and logistics that come with short trips have always felt much more doable. For some reason, just thinking about the legwork that comes with a week off is stressful. (Is that about me? Yes? Have I ever turned down my husband’s offer to take over travel planning? That too.)
Wilcox understands that, and adds her own perspective. “If you’re going to be away from home for an extended period of time, you may need someone to take care of your home, get your mail, or take care of your pets,” she says. “But for faster trips, you don’t necessarily need all these additional services, so it’s easier.
It will be easier to get home. “When I went on a trip recently, I told my kids to pack their own bags. I thought it wasn’t the end of the world if I forgot something on a three-night trip. On the other hand, if I was going to Italy for two weeks, I would make sure I didn’t forget my boyfriend or my medication. And I have to make a huge list and triple-check it. When I got home, it was a big deal. So I just think, logistically, it’s much easier.”
Honestly, one of the things I look for when traveling is ease. Don’t you feel like you need vacation after vacation? Well, it can feel like a vacation in itself.
