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Can’t go abroad? No problem! Get inspired to take a much-needed break a little closer to home with these fun and affordable staycation ideas for when you can’t travel.
Fun doesn’t just have to happen in exotic countries. With a little planning and creativity, you can have a much-needed getaway out in the country, in nearby places, and even your own home.
Get inspired for a much-needed vacation with these staycation ideas that are fun, affordable, and perfect for families, romantic getaways, or for yourself.
Host a Potluck
Let your staycation be the time when you get together with your friends while enjoying a nice dinner and sipping a cocktail or two.
Don’t let this be a lot of work on your end. Make it a potluck, and ask all your friends to bring their favorite dishes.
Go for a Hike
One of the cheapest ways to have fun is to go outside and go for a hike. You can look for trails in your area or do some online search where you’ll find everything about trails, from photos and comments to length and difficulty.
Check Out a Special Event in Your Town
Find out if your town is hosting any concerts, musical festivals, fairs, art exhibits, or outdoor plays while you’re on staycation.
The Internet and local newspapers are great places to start your search. Pick the events that interest you, and make sure you don’t miss them.
Go to The Lake
Find a lake in your area and spend your day enjoying the scenery, swimming, soaking up some sun, or renting a small boat. Let yourself relax by getting some fresh air and enjoying nature.
Go Camping
Try camping in your backyard or for those more adventurous, along a river or lake or somewhere off-the-beaten-track. Don’t forget to bring your camera.
Be a Kid Once Again
Bring out the inner child and go rock climbing, indoor mini-golf, laser tag, escape rooms, roller rinks, arcades, bowling alleys, and so many other activities.
Spend the entire day without worrying about anything and doing fun activities just like when you were a kid.
Volunteer
Find some cause or event that interests you and volunteer. Who knows, maybe the work will be so fun and refreshing for you that you’ll start volunteering more often.
Take a Day for Self Care
Make sure you enjoy a day of pampering during your staycation. You can have a relaxing massage, a spa day, time spent in saunas and steam rooms, a facial, or all of the above.
A day for self-care would be really nice to have, especially after planning and managing so many events during your staycation.
Book a Quick Stay
Find some hotel, bed & breakfast, resort, or casino within a short driving distance for a one-night break.
You can choose the countryside for an idyllic retreat, or a stylish hotel in the city. You deserve the comfort and peace of mind offered by these places, even if it’s for one day.
Go for a Picnic
Plan the perfect-weather day of your staycation for a picnic with a basket of goodies and a blanket.
If you don’t want to prepare a basket full of crackers, meats, cheeses, and jams, you can always bring a sandwich and a good book.
Visit a Park
Parks have trails to walk or bike, playground equipment, and practice space for your Frisbee. So, take advantage of everything parks offer, even if that means taking a walk in nature or flying your kite.
Take an Art or Cooking Class
If you’ve always been interested in an activity like cooking or pottery, your staycation is the time to try it.
You can take a class and learn how to cook a delicious dessert or a four-course meal or make a nice piece of pottery you’ll keep in your home.
Read a New Book
Go to that library you never had time to visit and find the books and magazines you’d enjoy reading.
Use your staycation to catch up on reading. You can always go to your local library and find plenty of books to read.
Have a Movie Marathon
Get enough popcorn and get ready for a movie marathon at your house. Is there anything more relaxing than spending the entire day binge-watching in your pajamas
We don’t think so! Order a pizza or make yourself a sandwich, and you’re ready for your movie marathon.
Have a Day Free of Social media
Take a day where you disconnect from the world and enjoy peace and quiet for at least a day, or even more.
Use this time to reconnect with your inner self. Relax, take time to be present, and try to spend a little time doing things you love that you have recently neglected.
If you can’t take a vacation to exotic places far and wide, don’t let that stop you from taking the break you sorely need, be it on your own, with family, or with friends.
Use these staycation ideas to inspire a much-needed getaway a little closer to home, and still feel recharged and thankful at the end of it all.
Need to get away and unwind? Keep these staycation ideas for safekeeping to help you plan a future trip, by saving this article to one of your Pinterest boards.
