How many people visit your hometown every year? Have you ever explored your own city? Here are 5 indispensable tips to keep in mind when planning the perfect Staycation.
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Several years ago some of my kids had a couple days off school. But, since they weren’t all off, we couldn’t go away. So, we decided to play tourist in our own city(before the term “staycation” was popularized).
One day we did a downtown walking tour guided by a volunteer from the local historical society. It was midweek and ended up being just us, so it was able to be geared towards my kids. We had a great time, learned a lot, and still talk about it. (Even found a great kosher food experience while there.)
I’ve lived here for most of my life and can probably count on one hand how many times I’ve been downtown–and one of those times was on a 3rd grade fieldtrip!
Reasons for a Staycation
There are many reasons you may be thinking of a staycation. Here are just a few.
Pandemic
The last few years have seen many people going the staycation route due pandemic. This could be because you simply were not allowed to leave your house so you were stuck home getting creative.
Things loosened up a bit, but some locales continued to require/encourage people to stay local. Or, even if you could leave you home, there wasn’t anywhere that would let you in.
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Now, as travel is open again, for the most part, some people may still be wary to travel. The pandemic has really taken a toll not only on the travel industry, but on the travel mindset.
Expense
Let’s face it, usually the biggest expenses associated with travel are airfare and accommodations. By planning a staycation, you’ve eliminated those expenses. (You may still want to spend on accommodations, but more on that later.)
Time Constraints
Maybe you only have a day or two and you want to make the most of it. So the idea of using precious time to get there (and get back) is not so appealing.
Logistic Considerations
Perhaps you have an elderly parent who lives with or near you. You don’t need to provide 24/7 care, but you also don’t feel comfortable being several hours by plane away (nor unreachable during travel time).
Bonus Kosher Consideration: Unless you travel to a location with a considerable Jewish population, you’ll have to bring your own food with you. By going the staycation route, you’ll have your whole kitchen available. Or, if you live in an area with kosher restaurants, even better! (And minyanim too.)
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What is a “Staycation”?
A “staycation” is exactly what it sounds like. You stay in place for your vacation. There are various versions of a staycation. Most commonly, you would go on day trips in close enough proximity to your home so that you sleep at home each night.
Another option, is to stay in a hotel or vacation rental near your home. You are essentially in the same city (or greater metro area), but not actually at home.
A version that became more commonplace in recent years, is where your home is actually the destination. You don’t actually venture out and go anywhere (not even the downtown walking tour).
Planning
Whatever version of the staycation you choose, the most important–and most often overlooked–part is making a plan. We often feel like we can just wing it when we’re in our own backyard, However, whatever type of vacation planner you are, that’s the type of staycation planner you should be.
I know people whose vacation itineraries are planned out to the minute. I’ve seen their schedules (and gotten some activity ideas from them), but it’s not me. It wouldn’t work for my family to have our bathroom breaks planned weeks in advance.
Other people pick a place and go with no plans–sometimes not even a place to stay. They wing the whole thing. Also, zero plans wouldn’t work for my family either.
Know your family; know your style; and know what works for you. You can tweak it a little and try something new, since you’d rather try a new style in a more familiar environment, but don’t go crazy.
Budget
One crucial component of planning is budgeting. Whether you’re staying home to save money or not, you should set a budget and stick to it. You can find plenty of free or really inexpensive things to do almost anywhere. Even if you’re not staying home to save money, adding in some free activities will allow you to splurge on others.
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Dates
Your staycation should have a start and end date. Even though you don’t have to be home by a certain date and time because you’re already there, you don’t want ambiguity. You want to have definite parameters. It also adds to the excitement.
Schedule
After you figure out how much you have to spend, how much time you have, and what you want to do, make a basic (or detailed) schedule. Remember, it’s vacation. So plan to sleep in, lounge around with a good book, take a relaxing bath, etc. Unless you’re the go-go-go type of vacationer…then do that.
But don’t run so hard that you need a vacation from the staycation. The main purpose of the schedule is so that there’s an excitement that you’re actually doing something not just “staying home”. Even of all the somethings are actually at home. (You don’t want your staycation companions to feel that it was a cop-out.)
Prepare
Destination
If you’re going to be staying home, then you should prepare your home as much as possible for vacation mode.
Clean it well (or get it cleaned). Make sure all the laundry is done. If you’re planning to cook on your staycation, make sure your fridge is stocked (unless the local farmers markets or something of the sort is part of your plan). Pick up some special snacks and treats and lay them out nicely. Freshen up the linens. Even add some nice flowers, scented candles, and travel size (aka “hotel style”) toiletries.
And, plan to NOT do any cleaning or other chores during your staycation. If you want to use your vacation days to “get things done around the house”, that’s NOT a staycation. Would you mop the floor in your hotel room? Or even a vacation rental?
There are several advantages of a staycation if you plan to stay in a hotel or vacation rental. First of all, you’re familiar with the area. So, you don’t have to be concerned that you picked a place in a sketchy part of town. You’ll know the exact proximity and transportation options to the attractions you plan to visit. Also, if you want to, you can check it out ahead of time. Go take a walk around. Check out the spa, the lobby, the pool and other amenities. You can even check out the actual rooms and probably even request a specific room (view, street noise, proximity to the elevator, etc.).
Whatever you choose, be sure to prepare the destination ahead of time.
People
What would you do to get ready for a vacation? Budget permitting, you should do the same for a staycation. Get your nails done? Buy a new outfit? Find a great book?
Since you’re saving on airfare (and possibly accommodations), you could even splurge in some of the prep areas: get some extra cleaning help before and after (even during if you want). Order take-out for while you’re “packing”. Get your sheitel done.
Tips to Make it Real
I know that a staycation will still feel like you’re staying home. But, here a few things that you should be sure to do in order to really get into vacation mode.
Disconnect
I know that most people don’t really ever completely unplug. But, think about the last time you had no reception. Wasn’t it a welcome break? For the duration of your staycation, be as disconnected as you would be on a “regular” vacation. If that means not responding to texts and e-mails, so be it. Set an away notification and be done. If it means just responding at set times once or twice a day, then plan for that. I understand there are exceptions. But try and be on vacation mode.
Another vacation mode use of technology, though, is to use your phone to look up stuff just as you would in an unfamiliar place.
Take Pictures
Vacation pictures are different than every day pictures. On vacation, we tend to notice a beautiful sunset or flower. We ask someone to take pictures of the whole family out to dinner. And we take pictures of some monument, fountain, or art installation. We don’t tend to do this in our everyday life.
Everyday pictures are things like our toddler with chocolate all over his face. Our daughter’s matching hairstyles. Some class project our kid made and the dinner we made that was just right.
Make sure to take vacation pictures during your staycation. You’ll see your home, your town, and your family through a different lens. No pun intended.
Then whatever you usually do with vacation pictures, do the same with these. We have a digital photo frame on our kitchen counter. I will usually upload our travel pictures before we even get home. It’s exciting to walk in and have the recent memories playing.
Souvenirs
Don’t overlook the power of a good souvenir to make the best of your staycation memories. If you’re going out on the town, you can get something real touristy or do a project of some sort that can be a keepsake.
I would also recommend as part of the family staycation experience that you get some sort of personalized swag to build the excitement. This can be something for each family member, like a water bottle, hat, or sweatshirt. Or, something for the entire family to share and use, like a chess set, family photo puzzle, or personalized pizza serving board. Get inspired at Etsy.
Suggestions for At Home
During lockdown, we all had to get creative. Some people decorated different parts of their houses to resemble different exotic locations, others made fancy coffees and sourdough. My kids pitched a tent in our backyard and camped out for weeks! I think my son might have even earned his camping merit badge.
Here are a few suggestions of things you can do if you don’t want to leave your house:
- backyard campout (complete with barbecue, smores, and campfire stories)
- family game night (check out Amazing Lasting Family Memories Game to make your own game)
- pool day (find a neighbor if you don’t have your own)
- backyard DIY slip n slide
- water balloon fight (or a snow ball fight if that’s the weather)
- room service (aka order food delivery–this credit card comes with free DoorDash membership for free deliveries)
- take out from a place you haven’t tried before
- spa day (this can be anything from a luxurious bubble bath to having a manicurist and/or masseuse come to your house)
Suggestions for Out on the Town
I lived in New York for 12 years, several of which I spent living within 2 blocks of the Empire State Building. But I never went there until I moved back to LA! On a visit to NY, we took our kids on the subway (super exciting for LA kids) to the city and went out on the observation deck. We realized that we had missed out by avoiding the “touristy things”. So, the next visit brought us out the the Statue of Liberty.
Pro Tips: Many tourist attractions offer discounts for locals. Some advertise and some don’t. It doesn’t hurt to ask. I know we have local museums that even have free membership for local kids (and they get to bring their grown-ups for free).
- National or State parks (you might be surprised what’s not too far away–do you know how many years we kept saying Yosemite is so close)
- bowling (for some reason ALL my kids always ask to go bowling)
- pottery painting (can get pricey, but you’ll have nice souvenirs and you’ll still be in town when it’s time to pick it up)
- beach (clearly not an option for all)
- local festival
- museums
- what do the tourists do (you may think you live in the most boring place, but you’d be surprised what you find when you google)
- take a class/workshop (we’ve done glass art, candle making, cooking and compass skills)
- sign up for a tour (check out Viator and Get Your Guide for ideas)
- go out to eat a restaurant you haven’t tried before
- local destination of historic significance
Whatever you do and wherever you go (or don’t), be sure to have a great time. Make a plan and carry it out. I’d love to hear some of your ideas for what to do on a staycation. Share tips on your town!
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