Sometimes, crossing exotic destinations off your travel bucket list just isn’t in the cards. Whether your jet-set plans are derailed by circumstance or you’re simply trying to save a buck, you still want to make the most of those vacation days before they expire!
In cases like these, a staycation is a great way to unwind and recharge. It can help you reconnect with yourself and discover new local gems.
What do you need for the perfect staycation? Take inspiration from the list below to experience fine dining, natural wonders, and of course a little R&R—all from the comfort of your home base.
1. Cocktail Ingredients
Ready to kick off your staycation? After you clock out of work, make a drink that screams “relaxation.” Even if you can’t make it to Maui this year, a tropical smoothie can help you to get into your vacation groove. All you need is:
- Your favorite smoothie recipe
- 1-2 shots rum or cachaca
- A squeeze of lemon or lime
Not one for sweet, sugary cocktails? Treat yourself to a bottle of an amazing whiskey to enjoy during your staycation. There’s nothing wrong with a little self-indulgence!
2. At-Home Spa Essentials
Make your staycation reflect your dream travel itinerary. If you look forward to hotel spa treatments and massages, create a self-care day in the comfort of your home.
You’ll need:
- A luxe face mask
- Bubble bath
- Candles
- Body oil
Light the candles, put on your facemask, and soak in the bathtub to your heart’s content. After you get out, use body oil to hydrate and moisten your skin.
3. Supplies for a Picnic
Get out of the house—even if that just means dining al fresco in your own backyard. No green space in your building? Take the following to a local park:
- A travel cooler stocked with sandwiches and snacks
- Utensils
- An easy-to-carry blanket
- Water bottles
- A spare bag for clean-up
- Bug spray
If you’re not in the mood for meal prep, swing by a local cafe to make life easier.
4. A Good Book
There’s nothing like enjoying a beach read on the actual beach. However, with the right book, your sofa or picnic blanket can turn into an oasis.
Use your vacation to get started on modern classics like:
- K. Jemisin’sBroken Earth series
- Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels
- Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy
Not much for reading? A good audiobook or TV marathon can do the trick, too!
5. Upgraded Entertainment System
If you’re binge-watching TV, do it in style. Take the money that you’re saving on your flight and invest in improvements like the following:
- A projector
- An HD TV screen
- Serious speakers
- A receiver
You’ll enjoy it so much more than you would be sitting hunched over your laptop!
6. A Bike
When you’ve had enough of nesting, get out, and explore your local area on your two-wheeler.
There may be spots of natural wonder and beauty within biking distance. If not, there’s almost definitely a restaurant on your to-try list!
Use your time off to work to explore new neighborhoods, cafes, and scenic vistas.
7. Museum Pass
Do you live in a city with great cultural institutions? When was the last time you took advantage of them?
Visiting an exhibition during the off-peak hours makes for an infinitely more enjoyable viewing experience.
If your city has a “museum pass” that enables you to visit a few local attractions at a discounted admission price, play tourist in your own city. Without the crowds, you’ll have plenty of time and space to contemplate the art and artifacts.
8. Gourmet Dinner Ingredients
After you’ve spent the day following your whims, treat yourself to a delicious meal.
Whether you’re a skilled chef or your favorite appliance is the microwave, find the solution that’s right for you:
- Kitchen whizzes – Buy indulgent ingredients like truffles, oysters, or saffron to assemble a meal to remember.
- Curious chefs – Take advantage of a meal-kit to assemble a delicious meal from pre-apportioned ingredients. Your favorite local restaurant may carry one!
- Kitchen illiterate – Don’t add stress to your staycation. Get takeout!
Staying in is the New Going Out
Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have discovered the joys available in our own homes and communities.
On a typical vacation, you follow your heart’s desires while supporting the local economy. On a staycation, the same principle applies. If you’re missing days scuba diving, sunbathing, or hiking, consider small ways to recreate that same joy. You may not have a coral reef around the corner, but your local botanic garden is full of wonders, too!
We hope these tips help inspire your staycation and your daily life at home.
