What’s a staycation?
A staycation is for those who love all the thrills of “doing something” this summer without the hassles of “going somewhere”.
…And when we say “homebound”, we don’t mean locking yourself at home 24/7.
Instead of travelling to a different city or country, you can spend your staycation at home or somewhere nearby doing activities you normally don’t have time for. Think of the saying, “Be a tourist in your own hometown”.
Staycation activities can be strictly indoor, like a movie marathon, or outdoorsy, like going on a day hike. You can enjoy your staycation alone or with your friends and family. Here are some of our best picks for what to do on your staycation.
Why Is Staycation Good For You?
A staycation is as good as any time to enjoy summertime fun. IG: @katrinivanova
Is a staycation worth it? People prefer to spend their summer at or near home over some places far away for lots of reasons. Is the timetable a bit full this summer, and there isn’t much space to squeeze in a long trip? Sometimes, the wallet at the moment doesn’t really allow grander adventures.
Well, that’s what a staycation is here for! You can just jump right into the best bits without all the stress. You don’t have to deal with flight chaos, delayed luggage, or absurd summer holiday booking fees.
Other than that, many people adore staycation because they need to detach themselves from the pressure of having to go somewhere far from home to be considered “properly holidaying”.
Staycation Ideas For A Weekend Out
is a staycation a stay-at-home holiday? Not quite. A staycation is a great opportunity to unwind both at home and/or in the local areas. When was the last time you actually appreciated the beauty of your town? Here are some ideas for short adventures you can fit into a 1-day trip right where you live.
1. Rent A Room In A Local Luxury Accommodation
Book a stay somewhere downtown to enjoy the luxury and experience.
Since you don’t have to spend money on flights, you can also try a luxury suite in a fancy hotel. The change of scenery can be very refreshing. Many accommodations have their own unique themes - romantic, chic, modern, vintage, and even cultural. The change of scenery from your bedroom can be very refreshing, especially for your sleep quality.
2. Go On A Day Hike
Day hikes are perfect staycation activities because not only do you get to escape the bustling life for a while, but you also exercise your body. If there is no nature where you live, you can look for green space with walking paths that can also substitute for hiking trails. Beaches are also great for hiking. Preparing for a day hike is no big deal, even for newbies. Good walking shoes, a nice multipurpose backpack, and some protective clothing are good enough for a full day out.
3. Have A Picnic In The Park
Grab a blanket, any food you like from your fridge or the store, some books, and a speaker. Head to the local park and have a wonderful day eating and soaking in the natural Vitamin D.
4. Go On An Attraction Tour Around The City
Have you ever thought about hopping onto a sightseeing open-deck bus to admire London in a new light? Another great way to feel the holiday vibe without going somewhere foreign is to go on an attraction tour to famous landmarks in your local area. All the local charms you’ve not noticed before may inspire your future trip.
5. Check Out Local Museums And Galleries
There is a reason people travelling to your city love to visit them. So, why shouldn’t you? It depends on where you’re from, but most local museums are often affordable. Some are even free to locals. It’s a chance to learn about the area, appreciate its cultural heritage, and support local artists without straining your budget.
6. Take A Trip To A Nearby Beach
There’s no better way to relax than by the sea, on the sand and under the sun.
Going to a local beach is a quick getaway without travelling too far. Spending a few hours or days near the water is a breath of fresh air to your usual routine. If you're feeling adventurous, try your hand at surfing, boogie boarding, or kayaking. What if you’re living somewhere without a beach nearby? Head to a local lake or treat yourself to a staycation at a hotel with a pool and spa.
7. Stay In A Bed And Breakfast By The Beach
If water activities are not your cup of tea, you can still enjoy your beachy staycation by spending time in a bed and breakfast. You can still feel the sea breeze and the warm sun without getting in the water.
8. Attend A Workshop
A staycation is a great time to learn something new. Choose a workshop on a topic that interests you, such as pottery, painting, photography, and cooking. You can meet people, and, who knows, maybe you will come out of your staycation with a brand new hobby (and friends!).
9. Watch A Performance
Tired of browsing through movie lists for something new? Try watching a different genre of art, like a ballet, an opera, a play or an interactive art show. Tickets may not be affordable and easy to snatch during peak season, but you can try an attraction package that includes a show and other attractions for a discounted price on sites such as Klook and Viator.
10. Go On A Food Tour
Save this activity for when you don’t feel like cooking this staycation and want to expand your palate. You can choose a specific type of food to try, from cheesy dishes to unique foreign dishes and even wine and beer.
11. Throw A Private Pool Party
You and your friends can rent a hotel suite with a private pool to throw a little pool party on the weekend. Bring floats, wear your best swimsuits, and lots and lots of poolside snacks.
12. Join A Music Event
It can be a jazz night, a techno party, a concert of a band, or a rock-n-roll festival. You can unwind and support local artists at the same time. If your budget is a concern, try a music night at a local bar. Tickets usually include a drink and are fairly cheaper than a festival.
13. Make A Photography Journal Of Local Places
Taking a journey log gives insights into your thoughts and feelings.
Make a list of places you haven’t been to around the city, such as a beautiful cafe or a gorgeous antique store. As you visit them, take a photo and jot down what you love about them and how you feel. Multiply the fun by inviting friends or family to join you.
14. Visit A Local Zoo Or Aquarium
Can’t go diving in the ocean or going on a safari tour this summer? You can still watch the animals at a local zoo and aquarium. An alternative to a zoo is an open-for-visit farm, where you can watch how farm animals get taken care of, fed and petted.
15. Go Somewhere Alone
This applies to every activity we suggest in this post. Sometimes, all you need is some quality time with yourself. How about going to a movie theatre or spending the sunset in the park alone? It can do wonders for your mental health and overall well-being.
Staycation Activities To Do At Home
Don’t fancy stepping outside this summer? These easy-breezy staycation ideas can help you relax and rejuvenate in the comfort of your home.
16. Have A Themed Staycation
Pick a theme, like a tropical getaway or a Parisian weekend, and plan your activities and meals around it. Decorate your home, cook food from the chosen region, watch movies set in that location, or learn a few language phrases. It’s a fun way to immerse and educate yourself in the culture before actually going there.
17. Binge Anything On Your Watch-Later List
A staycation is a great occasion to watch all the movies and shows you wish you had time to enjoy earlier. Now that you’re not bothered by anyone or anything, grab your favourite snacks, wear your comfiest pyjamas and just immerse yourself. How about a travel show for some inspiration for your next trip?
18. Pamper Yourself With A DIY Spa Day
Run a bath with your favourite essential oil, or use shower steamers. Treat yourself to a face mask and body scrub. Make some delicious spa food like veggie wraps or salads to enjoy along.
19. Declutter Your Space
Decluttering means downsizing your collection of stuff and cleaning your space. It can be your wardrobe, pantry, condiment cabinet, bookshelf or desk. It might sound like a chore, but it can be rewarding afterwards. Imagine it as giving yourself a fresh start once the holiday ends.
20. Camp In Your Backyard
Turn your backyard into a cosy camping spot. Photo by chokniti - stock.adobe.com
This one is definitely a classic. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the fresh summer air. Set up a tent, make a space to sit, snack, and chat away with some nice music on.
If you don’t have a tent, you can make a makeshift shelter with a tarp or large sheet with the ends tied to posts, fences, or trees. Then lay out a picnic sheet to lie on, or use sleeping bags if you have some. Hammocks are also a great alternative when the weather is nice enough.
You’re only one fire, some marshmallows and a ghost story away from a perfect staycation at home.
21. Try A New Recipe Or Host A Bake-Off With Friends
This one is not only fun. It’s also quite literally delicious. Have a theme or give each friend one theme to bake and decorate their dish to. Be sure to have enough ingredients and supplies to use.
22. Organise A Costume Party
Like a regular party, but with a twist! Some go-to themes include fictional characters and fashion of past decades. Since we’re on the topic of travel, it can be a wonderful experience to ask your guests to wear their culture’s traditional costume or an attire for a specific type of trip, like a safari tour and a beach getaway.
23. Murder Mystery Games For A Thrilling Night
Gather around, look through the magnifying glass and rack your brains trying to piece together the clues to find the culprit. Some popular game titles are Hunt A Killer, Unsolved Case Files, and Finders Seekers. If you and your staycation partners prefer hanging out online, try Inquest Murder Mystery.
24. Host A Reading Night
One of the best ways to spend time is to read. It’s low-cost and stress-free, and there are plenty of other smaller activities you can squeeze in, such as reading aloud everyone’s favourite paragraphs, discussing books, and snacking.
25. Play A Team Sport
Team sports that are easy to set up and play, such as volleyball, badminton, and football, make for a refreshing and energetic staycation idea. Don’t worry too much about the rules. It’s all about having fun with your friends and getting your body to stay active after hours of cooping up in the house.
26. Karaoke The Boredom Away
This staycation can’t go wrong with some classic karaoke fun. Photo by chika_milan on Adobe Stock.
Singing together is a fantastic way to bond with friends and destress this staycation. Make sure you’re mindful of your neighbours with the noise you’ll be making.
How To Plan A Staycation?
A staycation doesn’t need much planning because that’s how it’s supposed to be. But there are tips and tricks to help you fully relax and stay completely hassle-free. Here’s how to make the most out of your homebound vacation.
How Do You Set Up A Staycation?
The first step to setting up a perfect staycation is to block your staycation dates off from other businesses. Since you’ll be close to or right at home, it’s easy to fall back into your usual routine without you knowing.
As mentioned above, staycation is about unwind and relax from the routie of daily life. Choose one fun thing you want to do for a week.
After you choose your dates, pick the activities and set a budget. Then plan an itinerary. This can help you avoid feeling burnout, distracted or get too hyperfixated on one activity. Make sure you have a plan B in case some things don’t work out as planned.
Tips For A Successful Staycation
Unplug if you can. A detox from the Internet is another trick to keep your staycation centring around your relaxation only. A good trick is to make reservations before your staycation starts to avoid last-minute surprises.
And last but not least, don’t stress yourself out. Do things at your own pace and enjoy the little moments. It’s important to get into the mindset that a staycation is to make you feel good, not feeling guilty or like you’re missing out “the fun” of travelling.
CabinZero’s advice: Remind yourself to pay your bills and do the necessary chores before your staycation to save time. Also, inform people that even though you’re not going anywhere far away, it’s still technically your vacation time.
What To Pack For A Staycation
Packing for a staycation is simpler than for a vacation abroad, but it’s still quite similar in the sense that you have to keep the 5 travel essential categories in mind. They are: clothing, toiletries, important personal documents (including money), technological devices, and emergency items.
- For clothing: opt for lightweight items and keep things activity-focused to avoid overpacking
- For toiletries: bring only essentials. If you can use alternatives provided at your accommodation, consider leaving some unnecessary items at home.
- IDs, house keys, and money (cash or cards) are a must for personal items and documents. The rest can depend on what your accommodation or activities require, such as a membership card or proof of reservation.
- For technological devices, the trick is to remember that each item has to have its charger. Finish packing [an item + its charger] before moving on to others.
- For emergency items, a first-aid kit, personal medication, and emergency cash are essential.
- Learn a few efficient packing tips, such as rolling clothes instead of folding then and utilising packing cubes.
The Right Bag For Your Dream Staycation
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The most efficient way to pack for a staycation is with a multi-purpose backpack aka a backpack that is good for packing, playing, and working. Since you’re not going too far away and for a long period of time, big suitcases might be underused and hard to move around with.
With a multi-purpose backpack, you can use it to pack things before leaving the house. Then, once you arrive at your destination and are ready for your planned activities, you can use it as a regular carrier instead of a purse or a satchel. Packing for a staycation is a piece of cake with the right backpack.
An Amazing Staycation Awaits
With plenty of staycation ideas to fill your lovely little homebound vacation this summer already, the only thing left to do is to enjoy yourself. Make sure you pack lightly and efficiently to keep things truly stress-free.
If you find this article useful, don’t forget to leave us a comment or reach out to us via social media. We’d be more than thrilled to hear your wonderful staycation stories.
Nguyen Tran Gia Khanh
