Staycation ideas if you’re staying home this summer
In recent times, staycations have become a popular alternative to traditional vacations. Staying close to home can offer just as much excitement and relaxation as traveling abroad, if you know where to look.
What do you love about vacation? It might be a change of scenery or a new adventure. Or maybe it’s the mental relief of really living in the moment or being away from all the things you usually feel the need to do.
The good news is that there are ways to get a taste of these experiences at home practically in your own backyard — without having to leave the comfort of your own bed or pay the price of a plane ticket. If you’re not leaving home this summer, here are some ways to change things up anyway and refresh your mind.
Here are some creative staycation ideas to help you make the most of your time off without venturing far from your doorstep.
First, Why Staycation?
In recent years, staycations have emerged as a popular alternative to traditional travel, offering a wide range of benefits without the need to venture far from home.
One of the most significant advantages is the opportunity to save money. By forgoing flights, hotels, and other travel-related expenses, families can allocate their budget towards local attractions, dining, and experiences they might have otherwise overlooked.
Additionally, staycations eliminate the stress and hassle associated with extensive travel, such as long flights, jet lag, and navigating unfamiliar areas. This allows for a more relaxed and rejuvenating break, as people can spend their time truly unwinding and enjoying their immediate surroundings.
Staycations also present an excellent opportunity to explore and appreciate your local area or region. Residents can discover hidden gems in their cities, support local businesses, and contribute to the local economy.
Ultimately, staycations provide a convenient and economically friendly way to experience the joys of a vacation while maintaining a sense of familiarity and comfort.
Protect Your Vacation Time 100%
When you decide to take a staycation, first commit to taking an actual break from needing to feel productive. If you’re lucky enough to work from home, the downside is that you’re always at work (maybe while also trying to educate and entertain kids and do useful things at home). Take some time to truly relax.
Working at home, especially with children, means struggling with divided focus and competing responsibilities. Make a conscious plan to distance yourself from all of your normal work and home responsibilities for a while.
If you’re a couple with children, schedule time for each parent to be off duty. Our brains become stressed by constant interruptions. When you’re off duty, go somewhere else with a door between yourself and the family and focus on something you enjoy, whether it’s a craft or reading or exercise. Do this all summer. And the parent with the kids—take that time to do something special with them. The change of pace will help everyone will come out of these experiences refreshed.
Take a Class
Summer is the perfect time to explore a new hobby or interest by enrolling in local classes. Whether you’re looking to learn a new language, hone your cooking skills, or dive into a creative art form, your community likely offers a variety of options.
Start by checking out community centers and local libraries, which often host summer programs at affordable rates. Don’t forget to explore local colleges and universities, many of which open their doors to the public for special summer courses.
Additionally, online platforms like Meetup can connect you with groups and classes in your area that match your interests. Embracing these opportunities not only enriches your summer but also helps you connect with like-minded individuals in your community.
A summer class is a great way to leave your normal routine and refresh your mind. Search up something you’ve always wanted to try and go for it.
Take a Taste Tour of Your Town
Embarking on a food tour of your town can be an exhilarating and delicious adventure.
Start your food tour by looking for hidden gems in your area. Perhaps you will find a neighborhood bakery for freshly baked pastries. Find a farmer’s market where you can sample artisanal cheeses, fresh fruits, and homemade jams. Take a few minutes to search for a hidden gem of a local coffee shop. And finally, of course, look up recommendations for top picks or new restaurants in your area and knock them out one by one.
Travelers often have to watch their dining budget because of the cost of airfare or hotel rooms. By staying home, you can splurge a little on the dining instead. And you just might find a new favorite restaurant.
Host a Family Game Tournament or Film Festival
Give everyone something to look forward to with a regular game night. Ban devices and get out some special snacks. Plan prizes for winners to raise the anticipation level. If you’re not into games, you could make it a regular film festival instead, with a different theme for each movie marathon.
More fun activities to plan at home for the whole family to enjoy: a scavenger hunt, lawn games, and excursions to the local library.
Be a Tourist in Your Own City
Often, we miss out on the attractions that are right under our noses — attractions that other people are traveling to our area to visit! Look for a local museum, art gallery, historical landmark, and other touristic spots you may have overlooked in your town or the nearest major city. You might discover fascinating tidbits of history, art, and culture that you never knew existed.
Gather Friends at an Escape Room
One of the attractions in your town just might be an escape rooms. Escape rooms are growing in popularity, and they can be an exhilarating adventure that combines problem-solving, teamwork, and a bit of adrenaline rush.
Escape rooms typically cultivate a particular ambiance to immerse participants into the room’s storyline. Each puzzle presented is a unique challenge, requiring keen observation, logical reasoning, and effective communication with teammates. You typically have one hour to solve the mystery, and the clock ticking down adds an extra layer of excitement, making every clue discovered and lock opened feel like a small victory.
Not only is it a fantastic bonding activity with friends, colleagues, or maybe extended family during their visit, but it’s also a great way to hone critical thinking skills in an entertaining environment. If you haven’t tried an escape room yet, it’s worth stepping out of your comfort zone for this thrilling experience.
Plan a Gourmet Cooking Session
Channel your inner chef by cooking a gourmet meal or host a themed dinner night. Experiment with new recipes or recreate dishes from your favorite travel destinations. For an international flair, choose one country at a time, look up recipes, and make a special meal. If you want to get extra creative, look for ways bring the ambience of each country into your house to complement the good food.
Enjoy a Spa Day
Creating a spa day at home is a wonderful way to relax and rejuvenate without leaving the comfort of your home. A successful at-home spa day begins with setting the right atmosphere. Start by decluttering the area you’ll be using and dimming the lights to create a serene environment. Light some scented candles or use an essential oil diffuser with calming scents like lavender or eucalyptus. Soft, soothing music can further enhance the ambiance.
Next, prepare your spa treatments. Begin with a warm bath enriched with bath salts, bubbles, or bath bombs to soften your skin and relax your muscles. While soaking, treat yourself to a face mask suited to your skin type. For an added touch of luxury, use a body scrub to exfoliate your skin, leaving it smooth and refreshed. Don’t forget to have a fluffy towel and cozy robe handy for after your bath.
To complete the self-care experience, pamper yourself with a manicure and pedicure. Use a nail file and buffer to shape your nails, soak them in warm water, and then apply your favorite nail polish. Remember to drink plenty of water or herbal tea throughout the day to stay hydrated. Finally, spend some time indulging in a good book or meditating to fully relax your mind.
Explore Local Parks and Nature Reserves
Take advantage of nearby green spaces by planning a series of day trips to local parks and nature reserves. Enjoy leisurely walks, brisk hikes, or peaceful picnics in a local park surrounded by natural beauty. You may even find lesser known national parks that are closer than you might think. Many parks also offer activities such as kayaking, bird watching, or guided nature tours. Enjoy peace and fresh air this summer.
Change the Scenery at Home
Changing up the scenery at home can have a profound impact on your mood and overall well-being. Simple changes can make a big difference.
Start with something as basic as rearranging your furniture. This can open up new pathways and create a sense of novelty without spending any money. Adding new art, photos, or wall hangings can also infuse your space with fresh energy. Don’t underestimate the power of plants either; they not only bring a touch of nature indoors but also purify the air and can boost your mood.
Even small changes like switching out throw pillows, updating your lighting, or incorporating new scents with candles or diffusers can make your home feel entirely new and invigorating.
Camp In Instead of Out
If you long for the camping experience but prefer to stay close to home, set up a tent in your backyard or pile sleeping bags in the living room. Roast marshmallows over a fire pit, tell ghost stories, and stargaze from the comfort of your own property. It’s a fun way to enjoy the great outdoors with the convenience of modern amenities nearby.
Have Letter-Themed Days for Young Children
On A day, eat apples and asparagus, learn how airplanes fly, and draw and color an aardvark. (No judging if it comes out looking like an armadillo.) On S day, slurp spaghetti and soar past the stars into outer space in a homemade rocket ship.
Put Yourself in the Mindset of a Traveler
Half of travel is about our mindset rather than any particular place. When we take a walk at home, we often zip around our familiar route, our minds on something else. When we take a walk on vacation, we look around, enjoy what we’re seeing, and absorb the sights, smells, and sounds around us.
Take a different route and really look around you. Listen to the animals, really look at the plants, soak in the world around you. Add a sprinkle of adventure by walking down different streets or paths and see where you end up. (Keep your phone with GPS in your pocket just in case!)
Whether you end up staying at home or you venture out and about, make a plan to change your routine and give yourself a break this summer and enjoy a great staycation. We hope you find joy in unexpected places.
Looking for a New Home for Your Staycation?
Buying a home is one of the most important decisions you will make. Know that the team at Guidance Residential is here for you every step of the way from pre-qualification and pre-approval on through to finding the right real estate agent for you and your family. We invite you to explore the home buying process with Guidance Residential today.
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Your Guidance Residential Account Executive is here to help with any questions. Looking to refinance or purchase? Have a friend or family member who is looking for a home? Call 1.866.Guidance, or start an application today.
Originally published September 2020, updated June 2024.
