First, get in staycation mode

Before your staycation officially begins, you need to get in the right headspace! Get excited to treat yourself to a little fun and a little rest. You wouldn’t want to clean or pay the bills during a vacation, right? So do your errands, grocery shop, and tidy up your home beforehand. Pick up some little luxury items like a nicer-than-usual bottle of wine or some fun snacks you don’t usually eat. Make a loose plan of what you hope to do each day— but that’s optional! If you’d rather be spontaneous, then go for it!

2. Check out the local sights

Some people live in a city for years but never see the sights that tourists usually go to. So be a tourist in your own town. There may be lots of cool things to do and see, right in your own “backyard.” What is your area known for? When is the last time you visited the zoo or the museum near you? Think about the things you might want to check out in a town you’ve never been to before, and see what you could do like that in your own locale. Which spot has the best view of the cityscape from up high? It may be nice to see your city from a new perspective. Take time to explore as if you were a tourist and have a local adventure.

3. Read a good book

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Something that is always enjoyable on a vacation is when you get to crack open a new book on the plane or drive. But just because you aren’t traveling doesn’t mean you can’t still escape in a book! Pick up that novel you’ve been meaning to read or revisit an old favorite. Sit outside on a cozy chair on your patio and get lost in another world. Accompany with snacks, of course.

4. Eat some new foods

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It’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of eating the same foods all the time. During your staycation, challenge yourself to try a new restaurant in your area, or maybe even a new cuisine you’ve never eaten before! When you go on a trip you usually feel brave and try new foods that are specialties of the area. Embrace that adventurous spirit and give your tastebuds a holiday, too!

5. Take a swim

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What says “vacation” more than lounging poolside? Though you may not be at a resort, find a chance to take a dip in the water on your staycation. If you have a pool, great! If not, see if you can swim in a friend’s pool or visit your local pool. If you’re lucky to live close enough, take a trip to the beach or the lake. If all else fails, hey, that’s what they make inflatable pools for. You can listen to a summer playlist, sip a tropical drink, and maybe even get a tan! Doesn’t that sound like a little slice of paradise?

6. Treat yourself to an at-home spa day

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If you really want to unwind, pamper yourself with some DIY spa treatments. Play some relaxing music, diffuse some essential oils to calm you, and indulge. Try an easy at-home facial, soak your feet in the tub, and do the cucumbers-on-the-eyes trick. Maybe your family can take turns giving each other backrubs, too! However you like to do your self-care, a staycation is a perfect opportunity to make time for that.

7. Paint or craft

Sometimes when we take a trip, we get to try new activities or take a fun class that we normally wouldn’t do. There’s no reason you can’t still do that on your staycation! Perhaps you can have some creative fun with a wine & paint night. There are plenty of easy painting tutorials on YouTube, or you could always follow along with everyone’s favorite artist, Bob Ross. If painting isn’t your thing, you could try a fun new craft you’ve been wanting to do. If you have kids, get them involved too, and make memories while you’re making art.

8. Movie night

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Pop some popcorn, grab your coziest blanket, and snuggle up for a movie night. Whether it’s a new blockbuster (like these summer movies we look forward to seeing) or a classic favorite, it’s always fun and relaxing to watch a movie. Pick a family movie if you want to invite the kids to join, or wait until after their bedtime if you want to watch something they wouldn’t enjoy. You could also go to the movie theater, too, if you feel like getting out of the house!

9. Sleep under the stars

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Who needs to go camping to sleep under the stars? You can set up a tent in your own backyard. Even if you don’t have a yard, you can still make a blanket fort on your balcony, or in your living room with twinkle lights! This will really help you feel a sense of relaxation and as if you were able to “get away” when you don’t sleep in your regular spot. Wear warm PJs, make a wish on a star, and don’t forget the marshmallows.

We hope these effortless ways to enjoy your staycation help you plan a restful break this summer! It goes to show that you don’t need to get on a plane to find renewed energy within yourself. Just taking some dedicated time, and maybe stepping outside your comfort zone a little will do the trick. If your staycation gets you thinking about a vacation home check out our list of the top vacation home cities in 2021. Don’t forget to take plenty of pictures of your memorable staycation! Send us a postcard.