KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) --- The recession's forced some East Tennesseans to vacation across town instead of across country.

Families say tight budgets have them taking "stay-cations."

And some tourist spots say that's already helped boost business.

In between shopping for clothes, Kevin Giger shops for where he can afford to go this summer.

"No vacation this year. The economy is too tight," Giger said.

The father of two says cut backs at work have cut down his vacation options.

"I haven't worked any Fridays so far this whole year. So I'm short about twenty percent on paychecks. So there's really no money to go anywhere," Giger said.

Or so he thought.

"We want to show people there are sorts of things to do in the Knoxville and surrounding areas," Executive Director of the Knoxville Tourism Alliance Jill Thompson said.

The Knoxville Tourism Alliance says it's heard from more families wanting to take "stay-cations"--enjoying all that East Tennessee has to offer.

"Parents with kids wanting to know how to keep them entertained this summer. They've already done vacation bible schools or camps. Now, they're having to entertain them the rest of the summer," Thompson said.

The non-profit organization pitched everything from Smokies baseball games and Pigeon Forge shows to free activities in downtown Knoxville at the first "Stay-cation Expo" in West Town Mall Saturday.

"It's just some stuff you never ever know it was there," Giger said.

Some East Tennessee Tourists spots have already cashed in on the "stay-cationers."

Managers at the Guinness Book of World Records Museum in Gatlinburg say sales have increased more than 10 percent compared to this time last year.

They say attendance is up at all Ripley's attractions in Sevier County.

"Rather than hopping on a plane, going to the beach, or a big distance, people are just staying and doing day tripping," Ripley's spokesperson Karl Thomas said.

The Knoxville Zoo says it's seen about 7,000 more visitors this year compared to the same time last year. Families staying around town have helped.

"I think it's a combination of that and the fact that the freeway's opening back up for the tourists and folks that are coming through on I-40. It's much easier to get to us now," Knoxville Zoo spokeswoman Alison Swank said.

The Knoxville Tourism Alliance says it's also hearing from more out-of-state families wanting to make the day's drive to East Tennessee.

The organization says it likely will hold the expo again next year.