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How to Make the Most of Your Staycation

June 30, 2020 by Rachel 35 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links

Let’s face it, this summer has been weird. Normally this is the time of year when we would be taking vacations, but most of us are stuck at home. My family and I were bummed when we realized we had to cancel our vacation. After being in lock-down, we were itching to get out of the house, so I developed a plan to make a memorable staycation. Here are four tips I used to make the most of our staycation. 

Unplug

First and foremost – unplug. This should go without saying, but I know how easy it can be to check emails even when you are miles and miles away on vacation. It will be doubly tempting when you are on vacation, but close to home. Make a vow to yourself that you are going to unplug during your staycation. If you must check-in, designate one or two times a day that you get in touch, and then don’t worry about it for the rest of the day. 

girl riding a bike on staycation

Plan Your Perfect Day

What is your perfect day? My perfect day would be sleeping in, eating brunch at a quaint restaurant that has excellent coffee, followed by browsing small shops, taking a walk in a nice park, eating dinner somewhere unique, and ending the day by watching a movie in my PJs. If I were on vacation anywhere, that is how I would spend at least one of my days, so I looked for a cool town within a reasonable driving distance and planned my perfect day there. It matters more that you are doing what you love, rather than where you are doing it. Let each person in your family plan their perfect day during your memorable staycation and you are sure to make some great memories.

Think Adjacent

You may be thinking, “but my perfect day looks like getting up and going to the beach, reading a book all day by the ocean, followed by seafood for dinner.” If you are like me and don’t live anywhere near a beach – your perfect day seems impossible. Instead of the beach, start thinking adjacent. What could you do that is similar to the beach, but within reasonable driving distance? Maybe there is a lake close by or maybe you have a family friend with a pool? Follow your day on the water by trying out a new seafood restaurant or maybe make your own seafood boil. It won’t be the same, but it will still be relaxing and a break from routine.  

staycation or travel map

Create the Atmosphere

The road trip is part of the adventure when it comes to vacations. I have certain road trip snacks that I will only eat while on long car rides. Think about that snack you grab in the gas station in the middle of your trip. While you are driving to the next stop on your staycation, eat and enjoy it. My dad always blared Jimmy Buffett on the way to the beach. It was annoying, but it also made our trip special. What would be on your vacation playlist? Make a staycation playlist and blare it as you drive from place to place. Don’t forget the road trip games! Regardless of how long you are in the car, play one. Your kids will love it! 

staycation in cleveland

Making the most of your staycation isn’t difficult. You only need to do what you love, with the people you love! That’s what you really need to make a memorable staycation.

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Filed Under: children, Family Travel, parenthood, tips + tricks, vacation Tagged With: Family Travel, parenthood, tips + tricks, vacation

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. GiGi Eats

    June 30, 2020 at 1:03 pm

    I really need an UNPLUG staycation. That sounds lovely. I hate being soooo plugged in sometimes.

    Reply
  2. Marlynn

    June 30, 2020 at 1:18 pm

    I am dreaming of an unplugged staycation!! That would be amazing.

    Reply
  3. Monica

    June 30, 2020 at 8:53 pm

    I hate that unplugging is so hard for me sometimes. I love taking a trip up to my parents lake house in WI because they don’t have a good internet signal there. It forces me to actually relax and enjoy the moments!

    Reply
  4. Kristyn

    June 30, 2020 at 11:11 pm

    The unplugging part would be hardest for me for sure! It would be necessary, but hard!

    Reply
  5. Doibedouin

    July 1, 2020 at 4:54 am

    Well right now, it is indeed a movie watching week in my pjs. Next week I will be delving into books. So even if it is an unwanted vacation now, I am trying to make it a hopeful staycation at our most charmed stay. Home. But soon the break from this break will also be needed. ☺

    Reply
  6. Tami Qualls

    July 1, 2020 at 6:22 am

    A staycation sounds most desirable after reading your tips. I would love to sit by the pool and read my newest book.

    Reply
  7. Rhonda Albom

    July 1, 2020 at 7:04 am

    Unplugging is so difficult. Technology and social media touch every part of our lives and keep us connected. But, we all need to reset sometime.

    Reply
  8. Sundeep

    July 1, 2020 at 7:27 am

    Thanks for sharing this I really want unplugged staycation. And I am waiting for the time when this pandemic is over.

    Reply
  9. Mary

    July 1, 2020 at 9:59 am

    From all your points, I think creating the atmosphere really stands out to me. Thanks for the tips.

    Reply
  10. Amber Myers

    July 1, 2020 at 10:50 am

    We don’t stay unplugged since we use phones for photos. But we still have a good time! We’ve gone to some local spots and had a blast.

    Reply
  11. Cristina Petrini

    July 1, 2020 at 11:36 am

    Definitely disconnecting from the world and staying in a place to enjoy its atmospheres and vibrations is my definition of vacation.

    Reply
  12. Monidipa

    July 1, 2020 at 11:54 am

    After all this covid-19 gets over and I get to get back from my home I really need a unplugged staycation with my guy. It actually helps..

    Reply
  13. Tisha

    July 1, 2020 at 12:11 pm

    I need a staycation…. I think I’d probably do a lot of re-organizing and purging of things in my house.

    Reply
  14. joanna

    July 1, 2020 at 12:20 pm

    I will be doing quite a few road trips this summer, in my own country. I am looking forward to them, staycations can be as nice as trips abroad if you approach them with the same enthusiasm.

    Reply
  15. Marie Phillips

    July 1, 2020 at 12:23 pm

    I definitely can’t unplug right now but I am planning a trip to the mountains with my kids. We are excited to be going anywhere after all these months.

    Reply
  16. Fabulous Perks

    July 1, 2020 at 12:49 pm

    Unplugging is the first thing I do. These are all amazing tips. I can’t wait to go on my next staycation, I need it.

    Reply
  17. Natalia

    July 1, 2020 at 3:18 pm

    My staycation was filled with work! Now I try to go out as much as possible, hope that the pandemic situation won’t get worse here in Poland. 🙂

    Reply
  18. Kathleen Cregg

    July 1, 2020 at 4:57 pm

    Great tips for a staycation! I have a list of ice cream places I am dying to try, I want to knock those out this month!

    Reply
  19. tweenselmom

    July 1, 2020 at 9:32 pm

    These tips are surely helpful! Glad you shared this with us, thank you!

    Reply
  20. solrazo.com

    July 2, 2020 at 6:04 am

    Nice tips! Staycations are usually short so making the most out of your sked will be great!

    Reply
  21. Ana De Jesus

    July 2, 2020 at 7:11 am

    I agree that this summer is definitely shaping up differently to how I was expecting it to be but a staycation is a good idea. It definitely is important to unplug.

    Reply
  22. Latte Lindsay

    July 2, 2020 at 8:20 am

    I would love to have a staycation right now, anything to get out of the house after being lockdown for 3 months!

    Reply
  23. Razena

    July 2, 2020 at 12:29 pm

    This article is perfectly timed! I had to cancel two trips abroad since the lockdown started and self-isolation is starting to wear on my last nerve. I have a staycation planned for the end of this month and will definitely use your tips to make it more memorable.

    Reply
  24. Bella

    July 2, 2020 at 1:02 pm

    Staycations are always fun to do, I try and do camping close to home when I can so i can get outside and enjoy the weather.

    Reply
  25. norma

    July 2, 2020 at 1:41 pm

    I have never been to a staycation but would love to go one day. Ps thanks for such interesting info

    Reply
  26. brandy toenges

    July 2, 2020 at 3:15 pm

    Unplugging is so hard to do when you are at home.

    Reply
  27. CA

    July 2, 2020 at 10:10 pm

    I love the advise of creating my atmosphere. It is very important that we surround ourselves with inspiration, motivation, beauty, and peace. Life is not a walk in the park.

    Reply
  28. Jasmine M

    July 3, 2020 at 12:30 am

    Unplugging is for sure a must whether you’re doing a staycation or away from home on an actual vacation. It’s better to be able to have time to yourself or whoever you’re with instead of focusing on work or social media.

    Reply
  29. Britt K

    July 3, 2020 at 1:39 pm

    As someone who runs her own business, it’s almost impossible to completely unplug. However, as you suggested, I have learned that designating specific times to check in allows me to still stay on top of what is going on without sacrificing that feeling of being free from the stresses of work while on vacation. I am getting ready right now to head off on a camping trip this weekend and have already discussed my ‘work times’ with my husband so that he can hold me accountable for it.

    Reply
  30. Bree

    July 4, 2020 at 4:03 pm

    My family loves to take staycations, and unplugging is always important. Thanks for the tips!

    Reply
  31. Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen

    July 4, 2020 at 6:22 pm

    Now I am wishing we could do staycation now. We can only do a staycation at home and I think I can also unplug… for a day, why not? Thanks for the tips.

    Reply
  32. Trisha Mishra

    July 7, 2020 at 6:42 am

    I have always been baffled by the concept of staycation but you have made some great points in favour of it! I will give it a shot soon.

    Reply
  33. Celebrate Woman Today

    July 7, 2020 at 6:25 pm

    Planning for vacation and then within each day truly add to the memories and the effect each staycation can have on us.

    Reply

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