MNN - Mother Nature Network

Sadly, Labor Day Weekend -- aka the last official hurrah of the summer season --  is right 'round the corner. With the economy in its current slump, many familes are planning to stay close to home to celebrate the end of summer while others are throwing caution (and cash) to the wind to send the summer off with a bang. Whether you plan to stay home or hit the road, it’s easy to make your trip a little greener. Here’s how:

 

Staying home? That doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Invite the neighbors over for a 100-mile pot luck or a great green barbecue. Pitch a tent in the backyard for a weekend campout or take a closer look at nearby attractions like children’s museums, parks, art shows or concerts. For tons of staycation ideas, check out The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Backyard Adventures.  

 

If you're heading out of town for the weekend, try to reduce the impact of your travels. Travel by train to your destination and you’ll save money on gas while reducing your carbon footprint. If that’s not feasible (a long train ride can go bad quickly when little kids are in tow), give your car a gas saving tune-up to maximize your fuel economy. If you need a place to stay, look for an eco-savvy hotel that aims to minimize its impact on the planet. Ease any remaining eco-guilt from your travels by offsetting your whole trip with carbon credits from CarbonFund, TerraPass or Green-e.