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Tips to turn a staycation into a real vacation without blowing your budget
Summary by The Nashville Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Rachel DePompa , WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 20, 2026
· 2 min read
( InvestigateTV ) — A new WalletHub survey finds high gas prices are reshaping summer travel for a majority of Americans, with 59 percent saying transportation costs have affected their plans and 51 percent planning to spend less than last year. John Kiernan, managing editor at WalletHub, said th...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Nashville Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Rachel DePompa, WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 20, 2026 Indexed here Jul 20, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway John Kiernan, managing editor at WalletHub, said the three biggest vacation expenses — lodging, travel and dining out — can largely be eliminated by staying closer to home.
Why this matters in The Nashville
For Nashville residents, a staycation can be a great way to explore the city's hidden gems without breaking the bank. By adopting the mindset of a traditional vacation, individuals can discover new local spots and events that they may have otherwise overlooked. This could mean visiting the city's many parks and green spaces, attending free concerts or festivals, or trying out new restaurants and cafes. With a little research, families can find activities that fit their budget and make the most of their staycation. In fact, Nashville's vibrant community events calendar offers a wide range of free or low-cost activities, from outdoor movie screenings to live music performances. By taking advantage of these local offerings, Nashville residents can create a memorable and enjoyable staycation experience without sacrificing their budget.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 20, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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What is this story about? ( InvestigateTV ) — A new WalletHub survey finds high gas prices are reshaping summer travel for a majority of Americans, with 59 percent saying transportation costs have affected their plans and 51 percent planning to spend less than last year. John Kiernan, managing editor at WalletHub, said th...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 20, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Rachel DePompa at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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