21 Relaxing & Affordable Staycation Ideas

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This blog post is all about staycation ideas.

Statistics show that since the global recession, many families have significantly cut down on the amount of money that they spend on vacations. They no longer want to pay for expensive flights or hotel stays. Instead, people are constantly looking for less expensive options.

Staycation Ideas

The great news is you don’t have to spend too much to enjoy a vacation. There are lots of staycation ideas that you can practice whether you just want to stay at home or visit some places in your neighborhood. I’m actually planning a staycation this summer with a few of my closest friends and we plan to make the most of it.

What Can You Do During A Staycation?

There are lots of things to do on a staycation and I list a lot good ideas below. The great thing about it is that you don’t have to go far to enjoy a getaway with friends, family, a significant other or alone. In fact, when I decided to do a staycation for the first time, I booked a hotel for the weekend in one of my favorite Los Angeles neighborhoods: Koreatown. I enjoyed it a lot because I don’t often spend time in this area. I had fun exploring Koreatown, experiencing the food, cafes, activities and of course shopping!

How Do I Plan A Cheap Staycation?

Most people don’t travel often because of finances which is all the reason why a staycation can be a great alternative. You can definitely plan a cheap staycation that still feels experience. You can stay at home and center your activities around or near your home so you don’t spend too much on gas. Several of my staycation ideas don’t cost you anything!

If you want to explore a different town, you can skip the hotel and look for an Airbnb instead and plan for a 1 or 2 day trip. If you do prefer to stay in hotel and have some money to spend, there are cheap budget hotel options out there and you can use a hotel aggregator like TripAdvisor to compare prices.

Here are some of the best staycation ideas that you can engage in without having to pay an arm and a leg:

1. Bike ride in the countryside

Get on the bike and enjoy riding on a country road with little traffic or near state park to enjoy the scenery. You will not only relax your mind and pass some time, but you also get physically fit in the process.

2. Watch a Movie

You can rent a movie from Redbox, Hulu, Amazon Prime or Netflix and invite some of your friends over for movie night or just visit the cinema. Even better, an outdoor cinema! Either way, make sure that it is a movie that really tickles you. Don’t forget the popcorn.

3. See a show

Visit some a local show and have a good time. You can watch some arts, music shows, or just anything that is on display. You might also want to see if there are new performances lined up.

4. Shop ’til you Drop

This is the perfect time for you to visit some of the leading stores in your area that you just never had the time to explore because you’re always held up at work. If you don’t want to leave the house, pop open your laptop and shop online.

5. Take a nap

It might sound funny, but it is as important as the others. The fact that you haven’t had any time to enjoy an afternoon nap means that you should use the vacation to do so. You definitely will miss it when the vacation is finally over.

6. Go Water Cruising

Find a good water sports joint in your area and rent a boat. Enjoy the thrill of the speed as you have fun with the water. You can do this alone, with your partner or with anyone else you wish. Be sure to choose good boats.

READ: A Guide To Travel Exotic Destinations

7. Play Tennis

Playing tennis is another one of my favorite staycation ideas you should consider. Leading hotels often emphasize on playing tennis. You can also head to your nearest park and try to get access to play.

8. Go on a Hike

Walking is a perfect way to enjoy your vacation. Put on your best walking shoes and find a park with hiking trails. You should even ask a friend to join you. Be sure to carry some drinking water to stay hydrated.

9. Read a book

Find that book that you have always wanted to read but never found the time to do so. If you visit a local library, you will find lots of books to read or search online for a list of popular summer books to read and purchase one.

10. Take an exercise class

Join a gym or form a group with your friends so that you can exercise at given times. You can try yoga, pilates, zumba, spinning, and etc. There are also many online and virtual fitness classes too if you prefer not to leave the house. Sites like Gaia have classes for yoga enthusiasts and you can find over 1,000 workouts taught by certified trainers on Daily Burn.

11. Go to a Sports Game

There are definitely many teams that play in your area. Whether you like soccer, rugby or any other type of sport, you can always find a team to watch. You should also develop some support for your favorite teams so that you can always cheer them on when they play.

12. Have a Barbecue Party

Ask your friends over for a barbeque party or anything similar. You can make it more fun by asking each one of them to come with something so that you can share. You will be surprised at how much enjoyable this can get.

13. Go Golfing

Whether you are a professional golfer or without any golfing skills, you still can enjoy your vacation if you give it a try. This is a universal game and once you try it, there is no doubt that you will want to do it over and over again.

14. Enjoy Time With Your Kids

The fact that you are on a vacation means that you now have the time to spend with your kids. Play some games with them, take photographs, go to the beach, or just do anything that all of you will enjoy.

15. Try Volunteering

There are thousands of volunteering opportunities that you can choose from. It all depends on what you are passionate about. For instance, if you enjoy helping those that are disadvantaged, you can find a children’s home nearby and assist where you can.

READ: 14 Travel Destinations For People On A Budget

16. Go Camping in your own backyard

Going camping will always be a fun summer vacation for families. This summer, instead of going to a camping site,  get creative and have a camping spot in your own backyard. Your kids will love it. Make sure to buy or rent a tent; pack drinks and snacks; bring sleeping bags, a flashlight, first-aid kit, and bug repellent spray for everyone.

17. Visit The Lake

Another one of my favorite staycation ideas if you live close to a lake within your city. There are many amazing things that you can do at the lake. Whether you want to swim, see some marine life, or just enjoy the soothing environment, you will find all of that at the lakeside.

18. Local Tourism

Identify some of the top attractions in your area and arrange to visit them. Think of museums, amusement parks, or historical landmarks.

19. Visit A Friend Or Relative

You can always share amazing times with your friends and family if you choose to visit them one day. Find the time to visit people you have not seen for years and turn that into a vacation.

20. Picnic at the Park

Spend special time with your partner by taking a picnic at the park. Grab a blanket for two, a bottle of wine, a book, and a cheese and fruit sampler. Keep it romantic by not talking about kids or work.

21. Dine out (or In)

This is the classic way to spend time with your spouse. Make it more interesting by trying a new restaurant or eat a dish you’ve never tried before. If you prefer not to leave the house, dine in instead. There are so many food delivery options that can have your meals come to you. Some of my favorites include Doordash, Postmates, Grubhub and UberEats.

Of course, there are many other staycation ideas, especially for people who want to spend less. All you need to do is find an activity that best suits you.

Liked this post? Then Check out: The Ultimate Guide To A Self-Distancing Staycation

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