15 Ideas for a Mini-Vacation or Staycation
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Sometimes life can get in the way of vacation plans and the only option is a staycation. Not sure about you, but 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.
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. Could be because of COVID, or finances or for different reasons, but you still find yourself unable to embark on your next big adventure.
So what can you do now besides mope around? How can you get through the “travel season” and survive the boredom of summer? 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 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. 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 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. Grab a cup of coffee and read your favorite travel novel in one of the cushy chairs in the lobby, or stroll 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
Read a novel set in a unique location
Learn about new possibilities – Lonely Planet is a great source for travel inspiration and books.
Surf the web for travel-related stories and photos – maybe you have a place in mind for your next trip. Do a Google search or check out travel sites like Frommers, Fodors, Trip Advisor, or a myriad of other travel sites to help you dream or research questions you have about that next destination.
Work on a Project From a Previous Vacation
Do you have a trip that you’d like to re-live? Take some time to write or share what you loved about it. Create a scrapbook, photo album, or vacation book with pictures from the trip. Hopefully, you did some journaling while you were on the road to include as well.
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 Google, TripAdvisor, Yelp or Facebook Travel Groups.
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. 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 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 solicit suggestions from friends, family and co-workers and make a list of things to do. 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.
- 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 back yard 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? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments.
This post may contain affiliate links which allow me to earn a small commission if you place an order, but don’t add anything to your costs.
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
Category: Travel Tips, Logistics, On the Home Front, Saving Money, Travel Inspiration, Travel-themed Crafts
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Fabulous post! I really like how you seriously thought about people stuck with limited hours and how you found so many great suggestions!
Thanks Gabby! I think most of us have been in that situation before. It really is amazing how much we miss in our own backyard.