When thinking about what to do on your next vacation, give some thought to staying home. While a traditional vacation set in a far-away destination can be a grand adventure, another idea is to plan to spend that time at a nearby destination or even at home.
The idea of a staycation may seem like a dull way to spend time off, but with a bit of imagination, it can actually be an epic experience. While many cities have a wide selection of world-class hotels and resorts, chances are they typically aren’t considered by local residents planning a vacation. Adding these close-to-home options to the list of possible vacation locations just might result in an exciting time and one that requires a lot less effort.
Be a Tourist in Your Own Town
Getting started is as easy as doing an online search of attractions, hotels, and resorts near a specific ZIP code or city. Another search could be for “10 Best Things to Do” in any given area. It isn’t uncommon to be pleasantly surprised to realize there may be many intriguing places to stay or things to see close to home.It’s easy to lose sight of local or state parks and recreational facilities, especially those that are small and/or off the beaten path. Several of these parks may offer amenities such as bike paths, canoe rentals, or nature walks that are appealing but have remained unvisited because of there simply not being time to utilize them during a normal work schedule. Local museums and galleries are another source of potentially interesting attractions.
The trick is to see your city or town through the eyes of a tourist, considering what attributes of the area draw them in. Make a list of these attractions and consider exploring them firsthand. It can be fun to stay at a local five-star resort just minutes from home, letting someone else take care of making the bed each day while spending time reveling in the services offered, dining adventures, and amenities.
On a similar note, think about conducting a tour of local restaurants that have been on the “someday” list, perhaps grouping them by cuisine, with Mexican one day, Italian the next, and French another. A little bit of research and a few phone calls may be rewarded by significant discounts, as some hotels, restaurants, resorts, and attractions offer “locals only” deals to develop a year-round clientele.
Megamalls are another source of entertainment, as quite a few offer a broad array of dining establishments from casual to five-star, in addition to retail outlets, not to mention outstanding people-watching opportunities. Many folks who live very close to beaches that draw throngs of tourists from far and wide rarely visit them for a variety of reasons—having the luxury of time granted by a staycation, a trip to the beach may suddenly be very attainable and fun.
Enjoying Home
Another way to enjoy a staycation is to stay home, catch up on neglected chores, or make capital improvements such as adding a vegetable garden or a koi pond or painting the exterior. Garage reorganization projects tend to take longer than anticipated, making them a good subject for at least part of a staycation.But be careful to set aside time from home improvement activities to relax and refresh—all work is nobody’s idea of a fun vacation. Consider taking a class to learn how to make beer, paint landscapes, or one that expands culinary skills. Those who have been wanting to start a new hobby can use the staycation to learn how to play tennis or brush up on nature photography skills. There are no rules for staycations, meaning that each day can have its own theme or destination.
Spend a day—or three—on local golf courses, exploring nearby mountain bike trails or visiting a theme park or museum a few hours away. Those who are a bit more adventurous may consider renting a motorcycle to see the sights up close and personal. Waterfront communities often have boat rental facilities that provide mesmerizing perspectives that are available only from the vantage point of the water.
Who knew staying home could be so much fun?
