35 Fun Staycation Ideas You Can Use This Summer

35 Fun Staycation Ideas You Can Use This Summer Have some time off but dont want to spend the time or energy traveling? Stay at home and relax Have yourself a staycation.What is a Staycation Holiday?Staycation ideas are important for those summers when you cant either take the time or money to spend on lavish out-of-town trips. Maybe you have family obligations that keep you in town, or perhaps you just are overworked and cant get away. Either way, you still need to take care of yourself, and there are easyselfcareactivities you can do on a staycation.What Do You Do on Vacation at Home?Staycation ideas are at-home vacation ideas for families that need not be code for staycation ideas for kids. The whole family can obviously be harder to please when you have parents interested in adult activities (read relaxing and doing minimal childcare) and children who are more interested in age-appropriate activities (read doing anything but whats relaxing for the adults). That said, dont despair if youre not headed to an all-inclusive vacation complete with a kids club on hand to drop your little ones off for the afternoon (or day). There are tons of ideas that will both entertain the children as well as offer some relaxation time for the parents.What Do You Do on a Winter Staycation?Winter staycation ideas are plentiful. After all, who wants to venture out into the elements? A winter staycation might include activities that span reading, journaling, cooking and family chats by the fire to movie nights, television series marathons, arts and crafts and more.What Should I Do on My Staycation?If you need some inspiration for your next staycation, weve got 35 ideas for fun staycation day trips and weeks worth of great activities to keep you relaxed and entertained without the need to travel far.1. Go to the ParkIf youre like many of us, you dont get around that much to the local park. Life can get busy and sometimes our closest parks are the ones we think of least. A staycatio n is a perfect time to get re-connected with your local park. Walk the new trails or simply take a book with you and settle in for a few hours on a blanket or park bench. With your phone turned off, youre bound to return home feeling rejuvenated and relaxed.2. Wander the Farmers MarketShopping online may be convenient for your everyday life but theres a certain undeniable, old-fashioned pleasure in taking your wicker basket or canvas totes along to the local farmers market to peruse the fresh fruits and vegetables on display from your areas farmers. Sample local honey and just seeing those chunks of cheese and fresh flowers will bring a guaranteed smile to your face. Bring along a friend and stop off for lunch afterward in town and youll be feeling refreshed in no time.3. Hit the SpaIt doesnt take a long time at a spa to feel like youre in a different world hitting the spa is quite the self-care strategy. While spa days can be pricey, they can also help you decompress physically an d emotionally from your everyday life. Whether youre in steam rooms and saunas or want to dive straight into deep tissue massages and facials, a spa day wipes away your worries like few other things can. The best part of a spa day during your staycation? You can make it a solo excursion, a couples romantic retreat or a girls-outing with just a few little tweaks to the agenda.4. Go out on the Town in the Big CityIf youre mostly suburban or rural, it can be exciting and fun to spend a day or two in your local big city. Drive into town, rent anAirbnb and go out until the wee hours. Explore the culture, shopping, and nightlife in the big city and soak it all up, big-city style.5. Invite Your Girlfriends over for a Girls-Only WeekendSometimes nothing is as relaxing as simply turning your home into the venue for a big, grown-up sleepover party. Stock up on wine and ice cream, and good movies. Getting together with your best girlfriends can instantly improve your mood and make you feel con nected to the people who make you feel centered. Maintaining adult friendships can be hard when life (read work and family obligations) are always rearing their heads but laughing the night away with your girlfriends is an important salve for stress.6. Throw a Pool Party and BarbequeIf you have a pool or just access to a borrowed pool throw yourself and your friends a barbeque pool party. Nothing screams staycation like fruity drinks with umbrellas next to the pool while the smell of burgers on the grill fills the air. Turn on the party music and treat yourself to a night under the stars.7. wartesaal on the BeachParticularly in the summer, but even at other times of the year like spring break, theres sometimes nothing more relaxing than heading towards the sand and surf. You need a break from work to have a healthy work-life balance, and the whole family can have a lot of fun playing in the waves, enjoying frisbeeor a game of volleyball, and simply vegging out on a towel under an umbrella.8. Take an Art ClassCreative outlets are important at any age and you can try to find family-friendly options that allow you to work on ceramics or painting in a setting that allows the kids, as well as mom and dad to get their hands dirty (literally). Creating art together as a family can be a fantastic bonding activity and relaxing, to boot.9. Visit the Local MuseumIf youre less into creating the art and more into appreciation, take a guided tour or two some local museums. Or visit a child-friendly museum focused on history or science museum with some interactive exhibits and activities to entertain -- as well as educate -- the little ones. Even mom and dad can learn something on ansicht outings.10. Visit the Local Amusement ParkUnless you live in Los Angeles or Orlando, you may not have Disneyland or Disneyworld in your backyard. But that doesnt mean there isnt a local water park or amusement park or even visiting fairground for you and the whole family to enjoy. Pack th e sunblock and get ready to play games and ride the roller-coasters. Throw in some cotton candy to make the visit to the amusement park even sweeter.11. Take the Whole Family for a Farm-Day OutingSometimes theres nothing like a working farm with a petting farm component to keep everyone happy on a family vacation. Foodies can sample farm-fresh goodies while the children get to pet the sheep or feed the rabbits. Everyone loves a hayride and picking berries together can be a real family bonding experience. Youll feel like an awesome parent after such a fun day, too.12. Visit a Lake and Rent Kayaks or SwimIf you have access to a body of water, youre looking at an opportunity for a fun day trip for the family filled with water activities. Bring kayaks and canoes (dont forget the life jackets) or just your swimming suits for some good old-fashioned lakeside fun. A picnic and cold drinks packed into the cooler can make for a very relaxing day at the lake or river.13. Set up a Sports Gamin g Tournament Involving FamilyWhether your family is into bowling or actual ball sports, you can set up a day of laser tag, softball, and bowling, all in one The kids get to run off their energy and parents can get some healthy exercise on a family sporting day. While it may sound like a lot of physical exertion for a vacation, youll be surprised at how much family fun there is in breaking out of your sedentary ways.14. Tour a Local Winery or Ice Cream FactoryA great way to support local businesses as well as to educate the family on how things are actually still made is to visit some local wineries, distilleries or factories. Sometimes local facilities give structured tours and other venues are more casual in terms of accommodating interested guests and potential customers.15. Enjoy a Movie MarathonThe Netflix binge doesnt take on the same unhealthy tone as a too-late-night Friday evening session when its a daytime marathon session punctuated by warm cookie dough and different frien ds or family members taking turns with the remote, or playing games to decide which movie or show will play next. This is a fun way for friends or the family to spend time together indoors when the weather is badeanstalt -- a particularly nice thing to do during a winter staycation.16. Pack a Gourmet Picnic LunchNothing says romance like a well-packed picnic lunch thoughtfully prepared to include your favorite foods, a nice blanket and a bottle of chilled wine. While the afternoon away nibbling on delicious morsels with your loved one -- something that will rekindle even the oldest of romances17. Take a Cooking ClassSomething about food never fails to bring people together. If youre too busy during your normal weeks to cook dinner -- and certainly cook it together -- take the chance to learn some new recipes and skilled with your partner. This is a fun way to increase your knowledge of food, kitchen techniques and also just spend time together doing something new.18. Go Antiquing or Gallery HoppingSometimes shopping for art or furniture (even window-shopping) can be romantic since youre picking out items to share or enjoy together. If youre a new couple moving in together, this kind of shopping can be especially poignant but even if youve been married for ages, theres still something comforting and happy about continuing to stockpile for your nest at home.19. Check into a B-and-B for a Romantic StaycationSometimes a staycation calls for moving out of your place...at least just a little bit. You typically dont have to go far to find a romantic bed and breakfast inn. But its amazing what a change of scene, a home-cooked breakfast and coffee (that someone else had to make) and clean, crisp sheets in a new environment can do to relax you and help you bond as a couple.20. Soak in Some TheaterSometimes you just want to go to a pre-theater meal and head to a musical or play to escape from your everyday realities. Well-staged acting and dramatic storytelling can bring out the edges or new meanings to situations and relationships and will give you and your partner plenty of food for thought and fodder for discussion on your staycation.21. Get a Couples Massage and Dinner at a RestaurantSometimes all you need is to physically relax together and get away for a nice meal. Simple as it sounds, many neglect to take care of ourselves in this way and a staycation is a perfect opportunity to invest in some TLC and time with a loved one.22. Go Hiking.Nature is abundant and generous even when you cant afford a lot. So put on your hiking boots, and get some fresh air and exercise on some hiking trails near you. Youll be guaranteed to feel rejuvenated and relaxed after meandering outdoors. Best of all for your budget free admission Here are some of the best trails in the country to get you departureed.23. Go Camping.Theres nothing like campfires and roasted marsh-mellows under the stars to relax you and make you put your life into more context. Camping is a great and affordable way for couples or whole families to enjoy a staycation on the cheap. If you are far from appropriate campgrounds, you can even set up a tent in your own backyard for a treat24. Get CraftyWhether youre a knitter, a scrapbook maker or simply love to paint or draw, arts and crafts are good ways to give yourself a creative release and can be a good way for the whole family to get involved. Turn on some good tunes at home and get everyones hands busy together.25. Book a Cabin at Your Local National ParkA week-long cabin stay can be very economical and enjoyable. Take in several hikes over the course of a few days and enjoy the great outdoors in different ways by taking drives, napping in an outdoor hammock or just sitting under the trees or in a meadow with a good book or two.Longer Term Staycation Ideas Is a staycation compatible with a longer term holiday off? It can be if you get creative. While its obviously easier to kill time with a longer itinerary somewhere completely new, doing so closer to home can be more challenging. Often, for longer staycations, the idea is more important than the location. Staying at home doesnt have to mean doing the same old thing. Commit to a home-improvement project, camp nearby for an extended period, or even volunteer to do something in a new place every day in order to bring some of that holiday feeling to your longer staycations.26. Rent an RV and Take a Road TripJust because its called a staycation doesnt mean you literally have to stay put. You also dont have to go on months-long, cross-country trip in order to make good use of an RV. Just hitting the road with your possessions gives you a great sense of adventure and fun and you can easily do it on a travelbudget, since youll be living out of the RV. You can make a plan or you can play each day by ear.27. Tackle a DIY Project at HomeDo-it-yourself projects might not seem like the stuff of vacations but for some of us, getting crafty and using our han ds is a very relaxing way to spend a staycation. Whether its painting rooms in the house different colors or building something like a treehouse from scratch, you may find that staying home and working on these improvement projects is both fun and more relaxing than you would have imagined.28. Do a House Swap with Another FamilyIf you live in the city, look for a home thats in a more rural environment. If you live in the country, try to find someone with a city dwelling to swap residences with. Changing up your immediate scenery is a great way to unwind. Doing this via a house swap is an affordable way to stay at home but also get a little bit of an escape into someone elses life and reality. Even better if you can find a home or apartment to swap thats in a different kind of environment than youre used to living in daily.29. VolunteerIt is both satisfying and rejuvenating to spend time giving to others and helping those out who are less fortunate. Sometimes the best way to feel goo d on a vacation or staycation is to do something for someone else. Whether this is a neighborhood clean-up project, planting trees or30. Go on a Yoga or Meditation RetreatSometimes you just need to unplug and unwind and perhaps practice meditation. A staycation that involves yoga practice or mediation whether in your home under guidance or at an organized retreat is a great way to transport your mind while your body remains physically at home or near home. With todays hectic lifestyles, meditation and yoga are sometimes just what the doctor ordered.Its the start of summer and many of you, so no doubt many of you are starting to make summer vacation plans. If it looks like a staycation is in your future, you now have a lot of different ideas on how to spend it31. See Live MusicHow often do you go to concerts or even go see a live band at your local bar? If its not very often, treat yourself to seeing a band or performer that you love. Get a crew together and make a night out of it w ith dinner beforehand if you want.32. Lay by Your Pool or the Community PoolIf you dont have a pool, find out where your closest community pool is located. Spend the day soaking up the sun and swimming, just as you would if youd gone away on some tropical vacation.33. Go to a PlayAre you hugely into the theater? Treat yourself to a local play or a show on Broadway youve been meaning to see. Make a day trip out of it by booking lunch or dinner reservations before or after the show, too.34. Take a Day CruiseMost lakes and rivers in big cities offer dinner or sightseeing cruises. Consider taking a day or evening cruise to enjoy an exciting activity that youd usually only do on vacation.35. Go to a GameIf youre a sports fan, go watch your favorite team play live. Get your friends and family together and pick up some food to barbeque in the parking lot beforehand, as no game is really complete without some good old tailgating.Fairygodboss is committed to improving the workplace and lives of women.Join us by reviewing your employer