9 Staycation Ideas

If you are like me, I’m sure you are anxious to go on vacation. Between the shutdown causing trip cancellations and no options to go anywhere else for months, I have been counting down until I can take a vacation again.

Now that things are starting to open up again why not plan a little staycation? If you’re not comfortable traveling far yet or want to simply help out your local community, a staycation is a great option. Here are some of my favorite options for a local staycation.

1. Take a Day Trip

Taking a day trip is one of the best staycation ideas out there. Find a nearby city that is within driving distance and make a day of it. Come up with places you want to visit there and then spend the day there exploring. One of my favorite staycations was a day trip we took to Raleigh, NC which was about a two and a half-hour car drive from our home.

2. Book a Local Hotel

Want to get away but can’t afford a long stay or don’t want to be gone long? Book a local hotel, Bed & Breakfast, or Airbnb for a night. It will give you a taste of a little vacay. We got a hotel room about 20 minutes from our house when we went to a convention and it was fun staying there even for one night. We have been talking about doing it again because we live near the beach and would love to get a hotel room on the beach just for one night for a staycation.

3. Spa Day

Is there a local spa near you? Make some reservations and go. Spend the day relaxing, sit in a sauna, enjoy a massage, etc. If you don’t have a spa nearby, try getting your hair done, treat yourself to a mani/pedi, or find a hot tub to soak in. Take a day and pamper yourself any way you can with what you have nearby.

4. Camp Out

Do you have a nature lover in your family or want to explore the outdoors some more? Find a nearby campground or camp outside in your own backyard. You can spend the day in nature exploring, hiking, etc.

5. Create Themed Rooms in Your House

I have seen so many creative ideas to turn your home into a new location. Pick a country or city you want to visit and decorate a room in our house to reflect that place. A friend of mine also suggested decorating each room in your house as a different country and have a Passport party where you go around “traveling” to each country going from room to room. I am so excited to try this one out!

6. Find a Newly Opened Business

Is there a new business, shop, or attraction in your town? Try it out. Is there a new aquarium, trampoline park, museum, etc? Look around online and see what is new around you and then check it out. There are always new places opening up you just have to look around.

7. Try a New Restaurant

Along the lines of trying new places, try a new restaurant. It doesn’t have to be a brand new restaurant but just somewhere new to you. We often stick to what we know and love (which is fine) but by doing that you could miss out on finding a new favorite place. Pick a restaurant you haven’t been to before and give it a try.

8. Go for a Drive

Want to just get out of the house but don’t know where to go? Throw the planning out and go for a drive. One of our family’s favorite staycation ideas is to go for a drive. We love driving around and just exploring new places near us. It has been such a fun way for us to discover new places, restaurants and get to know our new cities whenever we move.

9. Visit Local Attractions

Do you have a local aquarium, putt-putt place, arcade, theme park, etc? Take a trip there for the day. These are many fun activities that you often take advantage of during vacation but don’t think to do during times at home. We personally love going to the beach and aquarium that are local to us. Take advantage of any local attractions you have for a fun staycation.

With a little creativity and exploration, you can create a fun staycation wherever you are. You don’t have to go far or spend a fortune to have a great vacation. What is your favorite type of staycation? Share in the comments below.