Summer Vacation Alternatives to Avoid the BP Oil Spill

So you scraped and saved for months, dreaming of sunny Gulf Coast beaches and pristine turquoise waters. You've eaten cardboard since Christmas so you could fit into that one-size-too-small bikini. You even enrolled in a strategic packing course to learn how to get all those souvenirs into your luggage.

And then the BP oil spill came along. Even experts aren't sure about the final impact the leak will have on Gulf Coast, or even East Coast, beaches. To get an idea about where it's headed, take a look at USA Today's oil spill tracking, which graphs daily observations as ocean currents move the spill.

While it may seem selfish to think about oneself when lives have been lost and an environmental disaster looms, our lives do go on. Those summer vacation days you put in for so long ago still have to be used.

Here are some inland alternatives for vacationers who are considering retreating from the beaches this year.

Orlando, FL: The Orlando area is a hot spot for tourists any time of year. Choose from numerous Disney World attractions, Universal Studios, SeaWorld and nearby Kennedy Space Center. For the royal treatment, check out the large resorts in the Orlando/Kissimmee-St.Cloud region that offer fine dining, spa services, and well-appointed guest rooms.

Atlanta, GA: You'll have plenty to do in this Southern town, even if you plan to stay several days. Visit the Coca-Cola museum, the renowned Georgia Aquarium, the Atlanta Zoo, and Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Culture buffs can take advantage of several museums featuring fine art, history, and science.

Asheville, NC: The Obamas loved their spring 2010 trip to Asheville, which is known for farm-to-table dining, art and antique galleries, and the Biltmore Estate, America's largest home. To fully appreciate the natural beauty of the area, take a scenic train tour or hot air balloon ride through the mountains.

Birmingham/Huntsville, AL: These two destinations are about 90 minutes apart in northern Alabama, making it easy to spend a few days in each city. In Birmingham, sports fans can visit Rickwood Field Park, America's oldest baseball park. The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute chronicle important movements in American history. In Huntsville, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center is a must-see, and nearby botanical gardens and a state park show Alabama's greener side.

Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, TN: This Eastern Tennessee region is known for southern food, variety shows, craft boutiques, and mountain air. Reserve a luxury cabin near town or in the mountainside for a rustic but romantic getaway in the clouds. Families will enjoy the live music and thrill rides at Dollywood. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a nature lover's paradise with hiking trails, waterfalls, and wildlife encounters.

Though your itinerary may not include exactly the same types of activities that come along with beachfront hotel rooms, try to keep things in perspective. Unforeseeable events sometimes happen, and how we deal with them determines our quality of life. If you're on the fence about a new destination, consider this: Within the budget of your original travel plans, use Savings.com to find a great travel deal and donate the savings to the National Wildlife Federation Gulf oil spill initiative, the Oiled Wildlife Care Network, or the International Bird Rescue Research Center.

Rebecca Dale is a business teacher, avid couponer, and mom to two little boys. Her goal is to continually reduce household expenses using those savings to invest in family fun and save for the future. Savings.com lets her share deals with others as well as find deals for herself and family.