Staycations get a bad rap as the “also-rans” of the vacation world. But it’s not a fair assessment: A vacation at home can be even better than a trip around the world, if it helps you to appreciate your hometown — a place where you spend almost every day of your life, after all — in a whole new way.
So, if you’re taking your vacation without leaving town, here’s how you can make it the trip of a lifetime.
Plan Your Itinerary
Creating an itinerary is even more important for a vacation at home than it is for a trip out of town.
Why? Because it’s shockingly easy when you’re in familiar surroundings to lose track of your time and drift, slipping into a week-long routine of sleeping in and not doing much of anything. Before your staycation starts, list the things you’d like to do, and establish a rough schedule to ensure that your experiences are worthy of those precious vacation days.
Set the Scene
It’s your house, but you can make it feel special for a more vacation-friendly vibe. In the week before your staycation, give it a good cleaning and prep it as if you have company coming to stay. Break out the “special” dishes, sheets, or towels that you save for guests so you can enjoy them during your vacation at home.
Hit the store for a few extras to enhance your home’s vacation ambiance. Get a scented candle or incense or pick up cut flowers to create a “welcome to the lobby” vibe.
Be a Tourist
If you haven’t visited the top tourist attractions in your area since you first moved in — or ever — now’s the time to join the lines so you can experience your hometown the way visitors do. Here are just a few things to do on a staycation: Hit the local museum, make reservations at the hot restaurant everyone is talking about (try lunch or breakfast if dinner’s too pricey), and take in your hometown like a newbie.
Try something you wouldn’t normally be interested in to create more once-in-a-lifetime experiences. If you never go to concerts in the park or there’s a museum that’s not your usual style, toss away your expectations for a few hours and check it out. Doing something that’s not your usual style will be memorable and create a great story, even if it’s not something you choose to do again.
Enjoy the Great Outdoors
No matter where you live, you’re close to beautiful nature, and taking in the great outdoors is a big part of most vacations. So, when looking for things to do on a staycation, add a little outdoors to the agenda. You can see the scenery on land via a stroll, hike, or bike ride or explore by water and rent a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard.
What you do doesn’t matter, the key here is the chance to take a deep breath and experience the beauty of your everyday surroundings, without the stress and distraction of a typical workday schedule.
Say “Ahhhh”
For that deep-down relaxation that most people associate with a getaway, you can’t beat a little time at the spa. Book some time at a day spa for a massage, facial or mani-pedi, or light some candles at home and enjoy a DIY spa treatment. Taking the time to indulge in a little pampering will help you create your own post-vacation glow.
Have an Adventure
Tourists love to get the adrenaline pumping, and you will too. Try a local zipline excursion, go to a stable and ride a horse, give hang gliding a whirl, experience white-water rafting, or just jump from the high-dive at your local pool — if it’s in your area code and outside your comfort zone, now is the time to try it.
Zazzle’s Lifestyle Expert is here to help create life’s best & most important moments. Discover unique ideas and endless inspiration to create meaningful memories with family, friends and your community.
