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New words seem to pop up overnight these days, but here's one that is resonating with lots of us this summer of the $4-plus gallon of gas: staycation. Lylah Alphonse writes about how her family has been ahead of the staycation curve, but more families will be looking to chill closer to home this summer. Half of U.S. travelers say high fuel prices will affect their travel plans this summer, but 52 percent say they will take half of their annual vacation during the summer, according to a TripAdvisor survey.

Not to worry. There are lots of things to do close to most of our homes that can turn staying home into a great vacation. "Anyplace can be a vacation destination," says Pauline Frommer in this CNN segment. In the U.S., many of us are within two or three hours of some wonderful tourist destinations. Often less. So if you're planning a staycation this summer, start with these ideas:

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Be a (local) tourist. I live less than an hour from New York City and far closer to the Statue of Liberty, but the first time I took my kids to see the statue up close and to Ellis Island was when my nephew visited from Georgia. Look at where you live as if you've never been there before. Check out travel guides like TripAdvisor, Yahoo! Travel and Frommers and plan some day trips to see local sites as if you've never been a local.

Check out local museums. You don't have to live in a big city to have some really good museums nearby. Be surprised by the wonderful exhibits at a museum you've never ventured inside. When you find a museum you like, big or small, join so you'll learn about the latest exhibits and events and discounts available through membership.

Pitch a tent in the backyard. My kids have always loved a couple of nights of "camping" in the backyard. Pitch a tent, make it cozy, tell scary stories and, if possible, have a campfire to make it all seem so very far away. (Don't forget the S'mores)

Set dates. Set a beginning and an end to the staycation just as you would a vacation, this ABCNews piece suggests. Schedule daily activities that take you out of the house each day. Don't do chores. Don't make beds. After all, you are on vacation.

Plan movie nights. But don't succumb to screens. It's easy to wake up go on the Internet or tap into your DVR menu and suddenly realize six hours have gone by. Get a list of the movies everyone has wanted to see, pop the popcorn, and settle in for some movie fun. If you want take it a little farther, check out Charlene's post on how to have a backyard movie night.

Eat well. You have time to plan meals, grill, experiment. Approach your market as if you're on vacation with some new recipes and plan and enjoy a few feasts at home. Share the cleanup so it doesn't fall to one person. It's everyone's vacation.

And don't forget to take photos of the special things you've done from your home base camp. Just because you didn't travel hundreds of miles away to do them doesn't mean they are not worth recording. There are so many more staycation ideas, so please share yours.

More summer on a budget ideas on Shine:
Staycation, all I ever wanted....
Family summer day trips under $50
Summer Survival: Backyard movie night
Summer Survival: Sidewalk chalk labyrinths
The ultimate picnic gear for a staycation