The idea that all vacations must be for weeks at a time, in exotic international destinations is pretty much unrealistic – if you’re like me, you’re likely just looking to enjoy time away from work with family and friends.
Just know that the idea of vacations do not always have to mean you’re going to drop a boat load of money. There are financially savvy ways to go about it. (If you can afford to take fancy vacations all the time, more power to you! This article might not be for you.)
A staycation is a great way to take time off from your busy schedule and hectic life while not breaking the bank. Staycations save much of the cost and headaches of arranging long distance travel.
Also, if you are not able to travel too far due to work commitments, a staycation will come to the rescue. Staycation is a great way to move away from the hustle and bustle of daily life by enjoying your time off close your hometown.
Check out our list of 6 inexpensive staycation ideas and know that getting in the right mindset can go a long way to helping you unwind. While you are enjoying your staycation, try to cut yourself off from the outside world including smartphones, emails, and daily news.
Staycations fit great into the ideal household budget.
- Visit a nearby National Park
National Parks are an ideal destination to spend time with family while enjoying the beauty of nature. Some of the popular activities that people do at National Parks include camping, photography, Day Hiking and taking part in ranger programs. It’s a great way to take a well-deserved break from daily routine and spend time with your friends and family while being close to home.
- Visit your local museum
To enjoy your staycation, you can take a trip to the local museum which may include natural, history or a cultural museum. You can plan your trip by visiting their website and checking out their collections and visiting hours.
Make notes of where you want to go first based on your interest. Some museums even offer daily shows in their auditoriums so you can plan your visit accordingly. While at the museum, you can join a guided tour or read the narratives below the items. There might be audio recordings as well, playing sounds related to the showpiece.
- Become your hometown tourist
Even if you have been living in your hometown for many years, there might be places that you have never visited in all these years. These places might include some famous tourist spots too. I know some people who have lived in Orlando all their lives, but have yet to be to Disney World, wow.
Staycation gives you a chance for you to explore your town as a tourist. Take a tourist map of your hometown and visit places that interest you such as the downtown library, famous café or your local zoo. You can even take pictures of the famous spots.
- Host a family board game tournament
A normal weekday is usually very busy, and people don’t get time to spend with friends and family. When the weekend arrives, there are house chores to do or everyone is too tired to make the effort to organize activities. Staycations lets you spend more quality time with the family. Consider playing a board game or become a host to a board game tournament. It will give everyone a chance to get together and enjoy a good game.
- Stay at your favorite local hotel
Enjoying a relaxing stay at a local hotel is a great idea for a staycation. It gives you a retreat from your normal schedule and helps you feel like you are light years away from reality. The ambiance is soothing, and you have all the amenities available to sit back, relax and enjoy a good movie, read an interesting book or even meditate. You don’t have to worry about preparing food, cleaning dishes or doing the laundry. Remember, you do not have to break the bank to get some quality R&R at your local hotel.
- Enjoy a major or minor league event
Although major league events might not be common in every city, minor league sporting events happen quite often. You can enjoy your staycation at the nearest stadium watching a ball game. Minor league events are relatively cheap and give you access to live action.
Every stadium has its unique blend of food stalls so you can take a break and have something to eat. Many minor league players go on to become superstars in major league baseball. You never know, the autograph you get at the minor league event might be worth $$$ in the future.
Staycation, just do it! 🙂
Staycations are a great way to take a retreat from your daily life. They cost less and are a lot of fun if you plan properly. The best way to enjoy your staycation is to cut yourself out from your daily routine including work and house chores, and spend time in your favorite part of the town with family and friends.
What are some of your staycation experiences??