7 Easy Tricks To Make Your Staycation Feel Like A Vacation
One of the biggest hurdles in finding the fun in your own home is changing your perspective. When you go on vacation someplace, everything looks and feels very different. When you stay home, things feel comfortable but all too familiar. You can do so many easy things to make your home feel less like the place you spend all your non-work hours and feel more like a place you want to vacation in. By doing these seven easy things that don’t break the bank, you can trick yourself into imagining your home as a luxurious resort. The best part is, when your staycation is over, you get to continue enjoying all the things you bought and did to prepare your home. By following these simple steps and planning just a little ahead of time, you can make the most of your time off.
1. List restaurants and bars you’ve never tried but always wanted to.
Just because you don’t leave your hometown doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of everything your city has to offer. Have you always wanted to try West Indies cuisine? How about that dive bar down the street you secretly wanted to dip into? Have you always wanted to get dressed up and try a Michelin-star restaurant but never had the time? That’s what vacation is for, and just because you chose a staycation doesn’t mean you have to be stuck at home. Every city has hidden gems and new places that open. So do a little research before and make plans for every night you have off.
Go the easy route and get takeout if you are doing a movie night, but avoid the kitchen, clean up, and let the professionals do it. That way you can relax and enjoy your time with your family and friends. Themed pop-up bars are a fun way to spice things up, and you could make it fully immersive by dressing in costume. There is no shortage of ways to take advantage of your town, whether small or large. If staying home is more your thing, purchase different kinds of wine, bourbon, or tequila and do a tasting from the comfort of your own kitchen. Put down a nice white tablecloth and purchase nice glasses to complete the experience. Food is where the heart is, so allow it to be an integral part of your vacation.
2. Take ride-shares everywhere to have a drink or two and not worry about driving or parking.
This one goes hand in hand with the first suggestion. When we are on vacation, we often take an Uber or Lift from our hotel to dinner or attractions. It allows everyone to enjoy the trip and the experience without worrying about being a sober driver or finding parking. It makes the entire experience easier for everyone. No more circling the parking lot or parking blocks away from the bar. You are dropped off right at the door and picked back up when it is time to go to your next destination. It costs a little, but the piece of mind is worth it. Plus, you are saving a ton on airfare and hotel, so splurge on something that will make a huge difference. If you really want to make your night memorable, hire a limo and make a night of it. Invite some friends who can share the costs and travel in style. Making things feel special is the key to having them be special.
3. Book a night in a local hotel like Great Wolf Lodge if you have kids or a boutique hotel in a part of the city you have always wanted to explore.
You can enjoy the city like a tourist by staying a night or two in a local hotel or resort. If you like gambling, try a hotel and casino for a high or low-stakes gaming night. If spa treatments are more your speed, book a room and spa package and enjoy a couples massage or pedicure. All kids love Great Wolf Lodge’s indoor water park and interactive magical scavenger hunt that can fill hours of hun. There are usually bars and restaurants on-site, so you never have to leave, and the rooms are all spacious and designed for the entire family to have their space. After enjoying the day in the water, bring some board games and play in your room before winding down before bedtime.
If you have never spent much time in a part of your city, find a hotel there and build a few days around that unexplored area. Try new restaurants and museums or attractions close to the place you are staying. Sometimes a change of view can bring a change of attitude. Staying in town doesn’t have to be boring. You feel like you are on a trip somewhere else by linking your stay and your activities. Most cities have easy-to-navigate sites with attractions and tourist ideas. You can find lots of ideas and hidden gems from every city here.
4. Do all those things you never thought you had time for.
There never seems to be enough time to do everything. Work, family commitments, school, and chores suck up all our time. It’s hard to carve out a few hours to enjoy ourselves. Vacations are the answer to that. If you treat your staycation like a traditional trip, you can have all the benefits of staying home with all the pleasures of a vacation. There are always new places to try. Museums that you meant to explore, wineries you meant to visit, and parks you wanted to picnic at. Depending on the time of year, you could hike a trail, do a pub crawl, have fun at a local fest, or take a tour. There are no limits, and everything should be catered to what you enjoy.
Take a chance on an experience. It’s easy to stay the course, but sometimes taking a chance brings the most significant rewards. If you are more of an inside cat, take a nature walk in an arboretum. Maybe you have always wanted to take a cooking class or learn to make chocolate. You could stomp grapes during harvest at a winery or sing karaoke like a rock star. Look for opportunities to be an extra in a movie or take a hot air balloon ride. Ride a horse, go to the rodeo. You could even go to a demolition derby. If you think outside the box a little, there is no shortage of things to do. Local live music venues like Knuckleheads or Grinders in Kansas City, Missouri, offer a variety of music. The tickets are inexpensive, and the drinks are cheap.
5. Hire a chef.
If you want to enjoy great food like a restaurant but don’t want to hassle with going out, hire a private chef for a night. It’s as easy as a Google search for personal chefs in your area and reserving one for a night of decadence on a primarily reasonable budget. Coordinate with them about food restrictions or allergies, then sit back and enjoy the meal. Depending on the chef, it could double as a cooking lesson making it two events in one. Nothing makes you feel fancier than having your own private chef prepare dishes specifically for you in your own home. It doesn’t have to be too wild, either. If you are a picky eater, try an elevated version of comfort food, and if you like things on the wilder side, give your chef permission to let their imagination run wild. You can invite friends or family over to share this one-of-a-kind experience.
6. Buy new linens and towels to make it seem like you are in a luxurious resort.
This one is as easy as pulling up your Amazon app. Look for the highest thread count and the plushest towels to get the most out of your purchases. Add a few extra pillows to your bed and a padded liner for a comfortable night’s sleep. You could even add an air-conditioned or heated sheet to keep things toasty warm or cool as a cucumber. A new sheet makes everything nicer. You can’t compete with the beautiful feeling of fresh sheets out of the dryer. Brand new high-quality sheets are even better. Nothing says a four-star resort like soft cushy towels and the silkiest sheets.
You can complete the experience by grabbing some of your favorite scented candles and bath salts for a relaxing soak in the tub. Turn your shower into a spa by using aromatherapy coins. If you are handy, install a new rain soaker showerhead or a shower infuser. Bring portable speakers into the bathroom to make it a full sensory experience. The best part is that you get to keep everything after your time off is over. Add a cozy robe and slippers to indulge yourself like you would if staying at an expensive resort. Buy new shampoo, shower gel, and conditioner for the hotel experience. You can buy many hotel products through their stores, so if there is one you like, buy it, close your eyes, and dream of vacation days gone by. You would be surprised how much scent affects memory and mood. The Ritz Carlton’s Asprey Purple Water hair and body line is my favorite. It combines strong citrus notes with a spicy undertone. You can purchase all of their line on Amazon right now.
Have your house professionally cleaned right before your staycation begins.
A clean house sets the tone for everything. Having someone else do it for you is next level. Start your time off with an immaculate space that doesn’t require picking up a duster or mop. This is an easy hack that anyone can do with very little money. A one-time cleaning service ranges from $50 to $200 or more, depending on the size of your home. Compared to airfare, gasoline, hotel, and attraction tickets, a cleaning service is dirt cheap(again, pun intended). It’s an excellent way to begin your time off with a clean slate(pun intended). When everything is tidy and smells good, enjoying being there is more effortless.
If you intend to spend time in your backyard, hire a landscaper to do a small garden or prune existing overgrown plantings. If you have a green thumb, do the work yourself to create a backyard oasis with sweet-smelling flowers, butterfly attractors, and herb gardens. Cater the work you do to the house to the spaces you plan on spending the most time in. Spend a little money to glam up those spaces for very little money, and you will enjoy it the entire staycation.
Whether you stay home or venture out, follow these 7 Easy Tricks to make your staycation the best vacation you have ever had.
