You don’t need to book a flight or spend a fortune to have an incredible vacation. A staycation—where you explore your own city or create a unique experience at home—can be just as thrilling as any getaway. But instead of the usual movie marathons and spa days, why not make your staycation an adventure to remember? Here are five creative ways to turn your time off into an extraordinary experience.
Be a Traveler in Your Home Town
You don’t even have to travel outside of your home town or city to have a staycation, so why not explore it as if it’s your first time there? Think of the places you know are attractions, do a quick Google search for activities in your area and spend a few days (or weeks, depending on your timeframe) exploring your home city. You’ll be surprised at how much of your town you hadn’t seen! This way, you can also keep an eye on how much you’re spending and only visit attractions that are within your budget. Alternatively, if your children are a little older and more adventurous, research and book local adventure packages, which often include kayak, canoe, tandem bike and boat rentals.
Urban Treasure Hunt
Remember the childhood thrill of a scavenger hunt? Bring that excitement back with a city-wide treasure hunt. You can either create your own clues leading to hidden gems around your city or use apps like Geocaching to hunt for real-world treasures. Get your friends or family involved, set a theme (pirate adventure, historical mystery, or even a futuristic mission), and make a day of solving clues and uncovering hidden surprises.
Create Your Own Epic Quest
Turn your staycation into a personal journey by designing a themed quest. Whether it’s finding the best street food in town, visiting every bookstore within a five-mile radius, or tracking down the best latte art, set yourself an exciting challenge. Give yourself a map, set rules (like no using Google Maps for directions), and turn your city into your own adventure game.
Secret Supper Club Experience
Elevate your dining experience by creating a secret supper club—right at home. Choose a unique theme (such as ‘Midnight in Paris,’ ‘Speakeasy Soirée,’ or ‘Around the World in Five Courses’), invite friends or family, and prepare a multi-course meal that matches the theme. Add music, decorations, and even a dress code for full immersion. Want to take it up a notch? Pair up with local home chefs who host underground dining experiences or find pop-up restaurants happening in your city.
Event-Hunting
Cities are packed with events you may not even know exist, from underground comedy shows to unusual workshops. Challenge yourself to attend at least one event every day of your staycation—bonus points if it’s something totally out of your comfort zone. Ever tried an improv class? Salsa dancing? A cheese-making workshop? Dive in, meet new people, and make unforgettable memories in places you never thought you’d go.
Camping Next Doors
If you’re looking for a vacation for the family that’s super budgeted, then why not consider camping (roughing it up)? It’s a fantastic way of getting away from home for a couple of days and being at one with nature. Camping equipment doesn’t cost the earth and once you have it, you’ll have the chance to jump in the car and spend a weekend away whenever you feel like it!
If you’re not too keen on the idea of camping, or perhaps your children are too small for it at the moment, then why not consider an RV park? Renting an RV for your family gives you the ability to take advantage of the amenities around you as well as what the resort offers. Many RV parks have facilities such as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis, table tennis, clubhouses, children’s parks, lakes with pedalos, and much more. Signing yourself up to services such as Groupon will help with even more money off your family holiday.
Concerts Slightly out of Town
A fantastic way of turning something cool into a mini staycation is by going to a concert slightly out of town. Look online for band tickets at your chosen venue and turn it into a weekend away by booking into a hotel and exploring this new location. Now all you need to decide is who you’re seeing and when! The great thing about this idea is that it can be done at any time of the year, as many times as you can afford, and you get the chance to see your favourite musicians playing!
Hiking with a picnic
Finally, if you’re lucky enough to live somewhere with plenty of beautiful scenery, then take advantage of it! Pack a picnic, put on some comfortable shoes and take long hikes with your family! It’s a wonderful way of wearing off energy (mostly for the children) and soaking up some much needed fresh air.
Neighborhood Storytelling Walk
Turn your neighborhood into a storytelling adventure. Research local legends, historical events, or interesting architecture, and craft your own walking tour with a narrative twist. You can make it a mystery, a fantasy tale, or even a time-travel experience. Invite friends to join and take turns being the tour guide, bringing your surroundings to life in an imaginative way.
A staycation doesn’t have to mean lounging at home in pajamas (unless that’s your goal). With a little creativity, you can turn your city into an adventure playground and rediscover the excitement hiding right in your backyard.
