Staycations are fun, affordable, and environmentally friendly! Here’s everything you need to know to make the most out of your staycation.

I am a big fan of staycations. Maybe it’s because I live in a beautiful part of the world. But honestly, I think there is interest and beauty to be found in everyone’s hometown.
It’s just that we forget to look at it when we get caught up in our daily grind of work, laundry, and groceries.
That is where the beauty of the staycation comes in! It’s a chance to rediscover what we already have around us.
Why consider taking a Staycation?
I’m pretty sure that most people know what a staycation is. However, it’s not as simple as taking time off from work to stay home and repair your fence.
Here are a few reasons why you might consider taking a staycation:
- It’s the perfect holiday option when there’s a global pandemic. Not only do you get the joyful feeling of helping out local businesses, but you also don’t have to take a plane ride to get to your destination.
- Environmentally friendly: There’s no carbon footprint when you walk or bike to your staycation destination.
- Affordable: Staycations are much cheaper than typical vacations allowing you to splurge on luxuries that might not normally fit into your budget like dinner at a trendy restaurant or a day at the spa. Mumm…
- Easy: After having kids I realized that vacations are a WHOLE LOT of work. It’s just like being at home, except you don’t have any of the conveniences. It’s hard to find food that they’ll enjoy, get them to sleep in a new bed, and manage the nonstop complaining that comes with long car rides.
I am a SERIOUS fan of staycations. In fact, the decision to avoid any long-distance travel until everyone was old enough to manage their own luggage was one of the main reasons we decided to buy a very local piece of vacation property.
Staycation Ground Rules
If you are thinking of a staycation, here are a few ground rules that I recommend as a starting point:
- It is a vacation: Treat it just like you were on vacation. Get yourself in the vacation headspace and stay there.
- Digital vacation: Don’t check your work email or work phone. Imagine you are on the beach that is 8 timezones away. No one would expect you to answer your phone during business hours. So don’t answer your phone! If you absolutely must stay in contact, then set limits around it.
- Don’t worry about chores: Don’t view a staycation as a chance to paint the bathroom or repair the fence. That is not a vacation.
- Plan ahead: Come up with things to do. Sights you want to see. Neighborhoods you want to explore. Museums and art galleries. Just like you would do if you were visiting a new city.
- Friends and family: You can totally meet up with friends and family during your staycation. Better yet, take them with you on your staycation!
Types of Staycations
There are a bunch of different types of staycations, and really it’s all about personal preference and budget.
1. Cheap and cheerful
Stay home, sleep in your own bed, and enjoy breakfast on your patio. This type of staycation is PERFECT for families or for anyone who truly loves hugging their own pillow. It’s super affordable and quite literally offers all the comforts of home.
Here are a few tips to make this type of non-travel a success:
- Start with a clean house. A day or two before your vacation officially starts, vacuum the floors, clean the bathrooms and do the laundry. A clean house is the best way to relax.
- Start and end your day by getting out of the house, otherwise, you might be tempted to just do that one little niggling chore.
- Splurge on meals out or buy fancy ingredients to cook at home.
- Treat yourself to a few little indulgences that feel fun and vacation-y. Get a pedicure, buy a new book, or an expensive bottle of wine. At least that’s what I dream of! Brad would probably like a new board game and fancy beer.
2. Indulgent Relaxation
The goal of this type of staycation is to relax. So unplug your computer, turn your phone on silent. Lazy in bed, enjoy the spa, take long walks, spread out a blanket in the park, and spend a few hours reading.
- Taking an indulgently relaxing staycation is definitely easier if you don’t have kids. Or better yet, do what Brad and I have done in the past, get a relative to look after the kids while you check yourself into a local hotel.
- Look for deals. Many resort-like hotels will offer packages that include visits to the spa, breakfast, or dinner.
3. Exploring Somewhere New
It is possible to explore somewhere new without going very far! While we often visit other neighborhoods or nearby towns for something specific, we seldom spend time exploring like we would if we were visiting somewhere new.
- Exploring somewhere new can be a micro-staycation, starting first thing in the morning with breakfast out and coming home after dinner.
- Alternatively, stay in a hotel or bed and breakfast in the neighborhood for a real immersive experience.
- Plan your staycation around a community event, concert or festival. It will save you from having to drive home at the end of the day.
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