Staycation can be just as much fun as a vacation.
Who wants to go on a vacation?
I thought I heard you jumping up and down when I said that, I know I was.
Exploring the world all the time would be amazing but I also know that it’s not always possible. One thing you can do to curve your travel appetite is to go on some staycations.
What is a staycation you ask?
A staycation is a vacation/holiday that doesn’t require you to travel far from home. Anything under two hours away by car or public transit is fair game.
Anything farther than that, and you’re crossing into vacation territory.
I would like tell you how a staycation can be just as rewarding.
My budget is somewhat limited for travel at times. Therefore, I cannot afford or have the time to travel far and wide very often. But what I can do, and so can you, is to take some carefully coordinated staycations.
Here are my top staycation ideas and tips to help you make the most of your next break near your hometown.
But first, let’s talk about some of the benefits.
Benefits of a Staycation
It’s cheaper. You spend less money if you skip the train ride, plane ticket, etc. that comes with traveling far.
Less travel time. You are staying local.
More energy. No jetlag, maybe you’ll sleep in.
You know the traffic and weather, you can easily plan and work around those pesky bumps.
Staycations can sometimes be more fun than a vacation,
Do your homework
The same with any vacation, you need to start off with a little research.
Having a love for travel, you may have a large list of places that you would like to visit. But with this list you often forget to include ones in your own backyard.
First, you will need to plan a budget. There is only one question to ask yourself, ‘how much are you willing to spend’? Then work within that budget.
If you would like a budget timeline to color your way to savings, click the photo below. It’s FREE.
The best way to stay within your budget after picking out what you can do is to find the best possible prices available. Some sites that I find useful are: Groupon, Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates), CityPASS, and Hilton Rewards.
Make sure that you set some rules:
- No checking emails
- Don’t open the mail
- No cleaning
These items will all be waiting for you when your staycation is over.
Set a schedule
It’s easier to go if your trip is already pre-planned.
Start your planning by looking for some inspiration to see what is out there. You may find some unexpected gems that you didn’t know existed.
With the right amount of creativity and preparation, you can have an epic adventure in your own backyard.
Be a Tourist in Your Own Town
Looking for unique staycation ideas? You might surprise yourself that you don’t have to look much further than your own doorstep.
Everyone dreams of exotic, faraway locations while taking for granted the towns and cities we live in day-to-day.
Go out and see your hometown through the eyes of a tourist, it’s a great experience and helps you to appreciate home in a different way.
It’s also incredibly easy to do; all you have to do is head to a search engine or your local tourist information and search as you would if you were planning a travel itinerary.
A great place to check out what to do in your area is through google maps and becoming a google local guide.
Learn what there is to do in and around your area from other locals. Also, another great resource is Finding the Best Local Places In Your Area.
Wondering where to start looking for a staycation?
A good place to start is around town or neighboring cities such as, tourist spots, spa, ‘best of’ in the area, factory tours, local museums, and parks or gardens.
If you are going to stay at home have a pool day, movie day, read a book, create crafts, turn up the music and create some artwork.
Asking friends and family members that live in the area is also a great way to find interesting things. You might be surprised by what you find.
You’ll be surprised how much of your hometown you’ve been missing out on.
Seek the Unusual
Here is your chance to take the opportunity to try something crazy.
Get crazy!
I know traveling to somewhere unknown can be unnerving as it takes you out of your comfort zone.
Buuutttttt….
When you are staying near your home, why not find something unique to push those boundaries while still having the security of your home comforts?
Take the opportunity to try several different things while on staycation because you may feel more comfortable going a little off the beaten path than you would in a different country.
If you are an adventure seeker and want a heart-pumping staycation try a new activity like kayaking, zip lining, or snowboarding.
Splurge on Luxury
Sometimes the decision to opt for a staycation is financial and is a great way of traveling on a budget.
However, if your motivation isn’t money a staycation can be a good excuse to splurge a little.
You deserve a little TLC too!
Instead of using that money on airfare, you could book a luxury accommodation that you normally wouldn’t spend the money on.
Booking somewhere different or a little more upscale than your usual accommodation is a great way of making your staycation special and gives you that ‘vacation’ feel, even if you’ve only traveled down the road.
Make it an Educational Staycation
How much do you really know about the area that you live in?
One of the most rewarding staycation ideas is to spend a day or so immersing yourself in your town’s history.
Learning the history of your travel destination can give you a better perspective of the place, and you might be surprised by some of the local history you learn about.
Take Time to Unwind
The most important staycation idea is to take time to unwind.
I know, sometimes it can be tempting to ditch the idea of local travel and use the time to do chores you keep putting off around the house instead.
Don’t do that!
Instead take time to switch off those never-ending tasks and go someplace new and exciting.
Even if it’s for one day or half a day.
Go experience new things that excite you, it helps to divert your mind’s attention from the many thoughts that run through it every day.
Next time a long holiday isn’t in the cards (or pocketbook), remember that you can have a great time close to home.
I hope you feel inspired to explore more of what your home area has to offer so you can see it through new eyes.
The idea behind a staycation is to take a break from the everyday routine.
You get the excitement and release of a vacation without having to travel very far, if at all.
Take some needed time away from the day-to-day responsibilities of life and escape for a week for some fun, at home?
Today the cost of a vacation whether it’s in the Spring, Summer, or Winter can be expensive and sadly can exclude a lot of people from the relaxation time that they need.
Let’s tweak the way we think about vacationing and turn the ‘getaway’ into a staycation instead.
Now go out and excite your sense of adventure and make wonderful memories with your spouse and/or family with a staycation instead.
If you need some ideas on where to start looking, check out how to find the best local places in your area.
Or simply travel the world without leaving home.
But if you’re ready to get out, travel the USA for cheap and save money.
