The idea of the staycation developed a couple
years back when the economy forced people to look more closely at their
household budgets. Many households were forced to cut their vacation
budget. So, instead of paying for an exorbitantly expensive hotel room
and sky-high travel fare, people of all ages turned to more economically
friendly forms of rest and relaxation. In turn, the staycation, short
for stay-at-home-vacation, inspired a new kind of holiday.
Whether vacationers chose activities close to home or just a hop,
skip and a jump away, the staycation made it possible to save on the
costs of traveling. So, if you're in need of a vacation but don't want
the added stress of making huge cost cuts in your daily life to do so,
consider any of the following activities for your staycation:1 - Explore a local museum or historical site: Just about every city or town is home to a museum. So, if you haven’t enjoyed this pursuit in your own area yet, you might want to include this activity on your staycation itinerary. No matter where you go in the U.S., you can find a museum or a home that is registered with the National Register of Historic Places, some of which, like colonial Williamsburg and Renaissance fairs everywhere, encourage you to get dressed up in festive historical costume.
2 – Visit a botanical garden or the local zoo: Some cities even have wildlife centers in conjunction with botanical gardens where visitors can see animals up close and interact with them. Whether you choose to view flora or fauna, you’ll no doubt be rewarded with a fun and entertaining experience.
3 – Splash around at the beach or water park: Over 50 percent of the people in the U.S. live close to a shoreline, whether they’re a short distance from a lake or the ocean. If a beach isn’t close by, consider visiting the local community pool or a nearby water-park.
4 – Ride a bike: Find a bike trail or path and go on a family bike ride for a fun, free, and healthy way to relax. You might even think about taking your bike to a nearby state park for a change of scenery.
6 – Spend the day at a mall: Take a day trip to a mall in a nearby town or city – one that is not familiar to you. Spend the day browsing through the stores and savoring the cuisine at one of the eateries.
7 – Read a book: Not every day has to be a flurry of activity. You can travel away from your environs simply by reading a good book. Take your book to the local coffee house and sip on a cappuccino while you read.
8 – Take a siesta: Make your staycation a reason for getting some added rest. Set up a hammock in your backyard, and enjoy a siesta and a cool drink in the shade of a tree.
9 – Take part in an exercise class: You don’t have to visit a resort to take part in an exercise class. Instead, schedule a time during your staycation, to visit a yoga studio or join the fun in a spinning or Pilates class. Most gyms will offer one free class before asking you to sign up for membership- take advantage of this!
10 – Enjoy a ball game: It’s fun to see a sporting event just about any time, however, you can really get into the spirit of the event when you don’t have other obligations weighing on your mind. Make sure to schedule your staycation so you can watch a game, whether it’s a major or minor league event, or sports at the local college or high school.
Make the Time Spent a Bona Fide Vacation
If you deviate from the normal routine during your staycation, you’ll make the time spent a true vacation. Avoid doing mundane daily tasks and put other at-home projects on hold. Save on the costs associated with renting a car or booking accommodations by staying close to home; travel can be exhausting as it is, so don’t let it drain you of your money, too.5 Tips for Saving on Your Staycation
#1 – When you set up your budget, decide how much you’ll be able to spend. Then, plan your staycation activities around that established amount.#2- Check to see if you can obtain discounts when visiting a local attraction, as many locations offer discounts for students, children, senior citizens, and military veterans.
#3 – If you’re going on a day trip, pack some snacks for your journey instead of wasting the money in the park or at restaurants along the way. Resist the urge to purchase junk food. Instead, bring some healthful substitutes such as trail mix, or pack yogurt and juice in a cooler.
#4 – Search your local stores for coupons for entry to water parks or amusement parks before you plan your trip.
#5 – Set up a rewards account with your local grocery store. Groceries are every-day items, and many grocers will offer you discounts at gas pumps relative to your monthly grocery store spend.