If you don't have the time or the money for a vacation this summer, maybe you can take a daycation.

After two years of decline, the number of domestic leisure trips is expected to edge up just over 1 percent in 2010, according to a study by Euromonitor, a market research company. "People are expected to get back on the road, although they will remain extremely cost-conscious," says Michelle Grant, the company's travel and tourism research manager.

Many travelers are opting for day trips.

Kathryn Watson counts herself among them. A business analyst with a health systems company who lives in Jefferson, La., she's visiting nearby New Orleans this year instead of taking an overnight trip. "I plan to picnic in beautiful Audubon Park with my dog and a great book, treat myself to lunch, dinner and drinks at some of my favorite places throughout the city, stroll the French Quarter, and shop Magazine Street's vintage and antique shops," she says.

What makes a successful "daycation"? Here are a few tips:

1. NOT TOO FAR

If you feel trapped in the city or suburbs, get out of town, but not so far that you have to spend the night. That's the strategy of Christine Louise Hohlbaum, author of "The Power of Slow: 101 Ways to Save Time in Our 24/7 World."

"We prefer to pay off some of our mortgage, invest in a new porch and enjoy the summer program that our town offers the kids," she says. "We might venture off to the mountains or some such, but we are staying put."

2. THINK LIKE A TOURIST

Lara Clayton is taking a series of daycations with her boyfriend in their hometown of Miami. They plan to attend wine tastings, take a salsa dancing class, go jet skiing, visit a museum and go to a spa. "The list is nearly endless," she says.

3. ASK THE PROFESSIONALS

Your local convention and visitors bureau has a wealth of information. (Explorestlouis.com, the website of the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission, includes a list of 25 things to do.)

4. VISIT A PARK

State parks across the country are pushing the concept of daycations with a new advocacy group called America's State Parks (americasstateparks.org). The organization is promoting state parks as the 'smart vacation" because close-to-home getaways cut down on vehicle emissions and save you money.

5. CRANK UP THE CULTURE

Scott McKain is taking his family to Indianapolis this summer. He lives in Indianapolis. "When we realized here in Indianapolis we could visit the NCAA Hall of Champions, the largest children's museum in the nation, a great zoo, a brand-new State Historical Museum, and more … well, there's no beach, but there is plenty to do," he says. You can find out more at the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association's website (visitindy.com).

6. DON'T BLOW YOUR BUDGET

Just because you're staying home doesn't mean you have to forsake the fun. Heather Sokol, a mother of three and a blogger in Westfield, Ind., is planning to spend her vacation at a local arcade, an amusement park and a Dave & Buster's. The kids will "have a blast," she says, "but I won't have to spend a fortune."

One final thought as you plan your daycation: Pack your phone and share what you find. I've been using Foursquare.com, a service that lets you trade location-based tips with people around you. Think of it as a personalized guidebook for your own neighborhood.

Christopher Elliott is the ombudsman for National Geographic Traveler magazine. You can read more travel tips on his blog, elliott.org, or e-mail him at celliott@ngs.org.