15 Ideas for a Mini-Vacation or Staycation

Sometimes life can get in the way of vacation plans and the only option is a staycation or mini-vacation. In this post, I’ll share 15 helpful ideas for your next staycation. What to do when you can’t go on a traditional vacation and a staycation or mini-vacation is the only way to take a break from your normal routines.

Not sure about you, but in most years, as soon as the holidays are over at the beginning of the year, I start thinking beyond spring to “vacation season”. Usually, by April my husband and I have already decided on our destination and have our accommodations booked. Travel guides have been purchased and we spend our free minutes perusing books and the web and asking friends for ideas and tips on what to do and see while we’re at our next destination.

Sadly, sometimes a traditional vacation just isn’t in the cards and we need to go with a Plan B.

Make a Getaway a Priority

Travel has always been a priority for me. I’d rather spend time and money on an adventure than almost anything else. Wanderlust is in my soul. I never feel more alive than when I’m breathing the crisp morning air of a magnificent new vista or focusing my lens on a fabulous locale.

There have been years though when things were very different.  For one reason or another, I wasn’t able to take off even a week of vacation, which made me a bit melancholy. Maybe you’re stuck in the same situation. It could be because of health issues, finances, or for any number of reasons, but you still find yourself unable to embark on your next big adventure.

So what can you do now besides moping around? How can you get through the “travel season” and survive the boredom you might be feeling? How can you fill those longings without hitting the open road for a week or more?  Here are a few ideas for mini-vacations and staycations that I’ve found to be helpful.

If You Can’t Take an Extended Vacation, Take a Weekend

I find it amazing how much benefit comes from a night or two away. There’s just something rejuvenating about a change of scenery, waking up in a different room with a new view of the world. Depending on your budget it can be down to earth or extravagant, backpacking in the mountains, or being pampered at a 5-star resort. Even visiting family a few hours away can be a low-cost break. Do whatever it takes to clear your head, relax your body, unplug, and unwind. I’m so thankful and excited that we’ll have a chance to get away for a weekend in the coming weeks. I can’t wait!

If You Can’t Take a Weekend, Take a Day

I remember the times when it was tough getting away overnight either because of budget or babysitter shortage or whatever. A day trip staycation can still give the refreshment and dose of adventure that’s needed to feel renewed and ready to take on real life when you return. If possible, make it somewhere with a distinct change of scenery. Get to the country, if you live in the city. If you’re in the desert go to the ocean or the mountains. Anywhere that wakes up your senses and alerts your mind to its new surroundings.

If You Can’t Take a Day Trip, Take a Few Hours

Find a place closer to home that provides a break from the routine for your staycation. If you still have little ones at home try visiting a local resort or park while your children are in school or with a sitter. Pack a fancy picnic lunch, a bottle of wine and invite a friend, or just relax alone at a park or a cozy restaurant in peaceful solitude.

Visit a Nice Resort Nearby

Oftentimes resorts have gorgeous public areas just for relaxing. And the good news is that you don’t have to book a night to enjoy them. A staycation can be as simple as grabbing a cup of coffee and reading your favorite travel novel in one of the cushy chairs in the lobby, or strolling with your sweetie in the gardens. If you feel guilty about using the resort without staying there, buy lunch or a couple of drinks, so you’ll feel more like you belong.

Some resorts with extensive amenities offer day passes for sale so you can use their pool, slide, towels, or lazy river (with or without the kids). Stay as long as your schedule allows and before you know it, you’ll feel like a tourist, even though home is just minutes away.

What if (God forbid) you can’t even get away for a few hours?

Maybe your situation has restricted you to home and/or work only. While I hope that it’s only temporary, I understand that we all go through seasons like this. If you’re not able to get out of the house physically, you can at least get away mentally.

Pick up a Travel Book or Magazine

During your staycation visit a local bookstore and pick up a travel magazine like “Travel and Leisure”, “National Geographic” or “Conde Nast Traveler” to see gorgeous destination stories and images to help you start dreaming about your next destination. If you have more time, check out the bookstore’s “Travel” section for novels about a destination you love or go to your local library. Ask the librarian for suggestions for a novel, set in a unique or exotic location to transport you to a new world.

Learn About New Travel Destinations

Lonely Planet is a great source of travel inspiration, travel guides, and travel-related books for kids and adults. Click the link to get 10% off travel-inspired books.

Surf the Web for Travel-inspired Stories

Maybe you have a place in mind for your next trip. While you enjoy a staycation do a Google search or check out travel sites like Trip Advisor, Frommers, Fodors, or a myriad of others to help you dream or research questions about your next destination.

Create a Mood Board on Pinterest

Pinterest is another excellent site for travel inspiration. It works a lot like a search engine where you can type in a destination or a travel question and pins linking to all kinds of content comes up. You can create your own account to set up Mood Boards to save your inspiration and travel tips, and then come back later when you need the information to start the trip planning process.

Work on a Project From a Previous Vacation

Do you have a trip that you’d like to re-live? Take some time during your staycation to write or share what you loved about it. Create a scrapbook, photo album, or vacation book with pictures from the trip. If you’re looking for unique and personalized journaling supplies you can find them on Etsy.

It’s always fun to help others plan their next vacation by sharing your experiences and/or photos on forums or writing reviews for the places you visited, stayed, or ate at TripAdvisor, Yelp, or Google. There are dozens of Facebook Travel Groups where folks are asking questions about destinations that you may have visited. They always welcome great tips from those who’ve been there.

Help a Friend Plan Their Vacation

If you enjoy the process of planning almost as much as you enjoy the trip, see if there’s a friend or family member who has a trip coming up that you can help with. If so, you can help with researching things to do and create a list of ideas for them. Then live vicariously through their vacation.

Enjoy a “Vacation” Day at Home

Whether it’s just you and a friend or significant other or the whole family. Plan a culturally-themed picnic or elegant meal for your staycation. Set the stage inside or out. Create the mood with themed décor and place settings. Everyone can contribute with decorations, food, activities, movies, or games to create the illusion that you’re somewhere exotic. The Oriental Trading Company is a fun and inexpensive place to find travel-themed décor, party favors, etc.

Plan a Staycation

If you’re stuck in town, but have time to do some local exploring; why not plan an in-town staycation or mini-vacation? In most cities, there are activities and attractions that you may not have taken advantage of. The best way to start is by searching online for “things to do in [your city]”.

Or if you have specific interests you can search for things like “art museums near me” or “walking tours near me”. Then ask for suggestions from friends, family, and co-workers and make a list of things to do. Facebook groups are another great place to get ideas. If school-age children are involved, ask their teachers if they have recommendations that are age-appropriate and may even tie in with what they’re learning.

• Consider tours of local factories, breweries, wineries, farms, government or sports venues.
• Many destinations have unique walking or driving tours of the area.
• Visit a zoo, museum, gallery, library, historical site, or park.
• Go hiking, biking, or boating.
• Enjoy a new restaurant or shop.
• Some resorts and hotels offer day passes for the use of their amenities like a fancy pool, fitness center, etc.
• Check for free or low-cost concerts in the area.
• Learn something new like tennis, cooking, or oil painting
• Enjoy a movie night and sleep over in the backyard complete with hot dogs and s’mores cooked over a campfire.
• Take a telescope or binoculars out in the backyard or drive as far as you can from the city lights and do some star-gazing.

What Ideas Do You Have For a Staycation?

Whatever you do, be sure to treat it like a “real” vacation. No trips to the office, try to avoid chores as much as possible, and take pictures along the way, just as you would if you were out of town.

What do you do when you can’t travel as much as you’d like? This post about how to avoid feeling isolated when you have to be at home might be helpful too. If money is keeping you at home, check out “Where to Search for Unclaimed Money and Property for Free“.

I’d love to hear your ideas and questions about staycations on my Facebook Page.

Photo credits – top to bottom: Picnic Photo by britt gaiser on Unsplash, Reading Photo by iam Se7en on Unsplash, Pool Photo by Joe Pizzio on Unsplash