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Staycations -- Vacation Right Here

Governor calls for a second year of backyard breaks

Friday, May 22, 2009 | Updated 9:16 AM EST

http://www.mysticseaport.org

Lobster Days at the Mystic Seaport are just one of the plethora of events happing this Memorial Day Weekend in Connecticut.

Last year it was gas prices, this year's it's the economy, so Gov. M. Jodi Rell is promoting "Staycations" in Connecticut.

"And I don't care where you are in Connecticut," she said. "If you're in the Litchfield Hills or out in the Quiet Corner or near the water, we have the most beautiful state."

She spoke at the Lutz Children Museum, one of more than 140 venues planning to participate in the state government's program, a museum recently renovated with aid from taxpayers.

"So it's your tax dollars at work," Rell said. "Take advantage of now being able to come in and see how well that money has been spent."

She said the program offers discounts of from 5 to 10 percent to visitors at these attractions through Labor Day.

"All the research is telling us that people are staying closer to home and doing things in their own backyard, because of the economy and everything related to the economy," said Randy Fiveash, director of tourism for Connecticut.

The plan is to list the sites participating in Staycations at ctvisit.com.