7 Budget-Friendly Staycation Ideas

 

For most people, life has slowed down significantly in 2020. We’re all spending more time at home than ever, and travel is pretty much non-existent as we try to stop the spread of COVID.

There are certain benefits to the way we’ve all been forced to slow down and do less over the past ten months. It’s good to take a break from being busy and enjoy a slower pace for a while. But I’m guessing many of us are starting to go a little stir crazy as well.

If you find yourself wishing you could take a vacation and have a break from your day-to-day life, all hope is not lost. It’s entirely possible to plan a luxurious and affordable staycation. 

Taking a luxurious staycation will allow you to stay safe while still getting the break you need. Here are seven ideas to get you started:

1. Go Outside and Enjoy Nature

Getting outside and enjoying nature is probably the easiest and most affordable way to entertain yourself. And odds are, there are tons of local parks, camping spots, and trails you never knew about.

Do a little online research and find a nearby hiking spot to visit. You can also see if there are any nearby national parks you can explore. 

And if you’re up for the challenge, camping can be a great way to stretch yourself and have a new experience. And you don’t necessarily have to travel anywhere to camp outdoors — you can camp out in the comfort of your own backyard. 

2. Be a Tourist in Your City

There are probably lots of safe and affordable ways for you to sightsee in your city. Try visiting an outdoor farmer’s market, the local zoo, or a nearby art museum.

If you live near certain major cities across the U.S., you may be able to participate in a tour hosted by Free Tours by Foot. These walking tours are completely free and generally last less than three hours. Some tour guides accept tips, so if you want to tip, don’t forget to bring an extra few dollars. 

3. Check Out the Movies

If you’re comfortable participating in indoor activities, you could try visiting a local theater to see a movie. Local businesses are following CDC cleaning guidelines and ensuring all movie-goers are socially distanced in the theater.  

And let’s face it, some movies are just better on the big screen. There aren’t any new release movies, but most theatres show old movies at a discounted price. 

If you go in the afternoon, your tickets will be discounted even further. This could be a fun and affordable way to get out of the house and support a local business in your area. 

4. Have a Movie Marathon at Home

If seeing a movie in the theater isn’t up your alley right now, you can plan your own movie marathon at home. Or you could take the weekend to binge-watch your favorite Netflix series.

After all, movie marathons at home have their advantages. You can pause the movie to take breaks whenever you feel like and tune in at your own pace.  

So pick up some popcorn and other snack foods and set up an inviting area at home. Here are a few movie marathon ideas that sound fun:

• The Harry Potter series
• The Marvel series (You may have to plan several weekends for this one!)
• Star Wars
• Jurassic Park
• Emily in Paris — it’s a new show on Netflix and really fun to watch!

5. Make an Elaborate Meal at Home

If you enjoy cooking, why not plan an elaborate meal you can make at home? Find a recipe that you want to try, pick up the ingredients at the grocery store, and make yourself a nice meal at home.

And if you’re wanting to splurge, you can pick up a nice bottle of wine and a dessert to go along with it. After all, you are on “vacation”!

6. Take a Virtual Tour

If you’re looking for a change of scenery, you can take a virtual tour of a well-known museum or art gallery in another state. Many museums, zoos, galleries, and historical sites offer free virtual tours. 

You can visit places like the Colosseum, the Louvre, explore the White House, and see the Museum of Modern Art. And you can do it from the comfort of your own home. 

7. Create an Oasis at Home

You know that experience you get when you visit a really nice hotel? Well, why not try recreating that same experience at home? 

Buy a set of really nice bedsheets, pick up some flowers at the store, light a candle, and put on some nice music. Create a really enjoyable and relaxing experience for yourself at home. 

And you can extend the luxurious experience to your outdoors as well. Setting up some bistro lights and using a firepit can go a long way toward making your backyard feel cozier. 

Planning For Your Staycation

It’ll be nice when we can all go on a vacation again without having to worry about the health repercussions. But in the meantime, taking a relaxing staycation from home can be a nice substitute as well. And with a little planning, you can create something that feels luxurious and fits within your budget.

• Read More: How to Live Within Your Means Without FOMO