You’ve got some much needed vacation time just around the corner, and you’re looking forward to relaxing and taking a break. But, you’re not exactly sure what it is you want to do over your holiday. You don’t really want to spend all of your savings on a destination trip, but you also don’t want to just stay at home either.
Try exploring your backyard—not your literal back yard of course (that is unless you live in a national park or nature preserve), but your city and the surrounding area. You’ll most likely be surprised at the various options available to you in your own neighborhood.
Another added bonus to doing vacation nearby: when you become, you’ll put money back into your own community and reduce your own carbon footprint with the little to no fuel/energy costs related to short distance travel.
How to make the most of your ‘suSTAYnable’ vacation
On average, a seven-day, six-night trip for a family of four can cost more than $4000. You can eliminate almost all of those costs and have a positive impact on your community by traveling close to home. Here area few ideas to get your started on planning your vacation as a local tourist.
- Book a weekend at that local B&B you pass everyday.
You have them in your city—you know those little idyllic Bed and Breakfasts that always look so welcoming. Everyday you pass the B&B, you wonder what it might be like to stay, but it’s so close to home it never made sense to book a night or two. Well, your vacation near home is the perfect time to find out what you’ve been missing!
You’ll get to enjoy the comforts of feeling like you are a million miles away, while getting to know your city from a different point-of-view. Your host, like any great B&B, will also be able to point you in the direction of cultural gems for you to discover right around the corner. You may even be able to save on last minute deals on sites like Booking.com or Agoda because you’re so close.
- Explore the historic sites in your area.
Of course, whether you stay at a local hotel for the weekend or remain at home, you can still discover and learn all of the interesting stories behind your community’s history. Every city has a story to tell, and while you are on your ‘suSTAYnable’ vacation, take the opportunity to fall in love with the heritage and legacy of the place you call home. Try using the History Channel App to grab some interesting tidbits, wherever you’re located.
- Get lost in nature nearby.
If you’re lucky enough to live near a nature conservancy or park, you could even make a camping trip or hiking excursion part of your holiday. It’ll be a great way to get away from the buzz of everyday life and revitalize yourself. You can also check out Traillink to see what kind of routes are available to you in your area—hiking, biking or waterways—all at your fingertips.
It’s also a good idea to keep in mind how the benefits of outdoor physical activity (even non-strenuous). Hiking, alone, can improve cardio-respiratory fitness, and you’ll burn up to 370 calories for just one hour. You can’t beat that when it’s mixed with beautiful scenery!
- Tailor an itinerary around local gigs and openings.
Check out the nightlife and event scene happening in your neighborhood during your vacation time as well. Chances are, there are a number of exciting things happening not too far away. All you have to do is visit sites like Eventbrite to check out what is going on in your area. They even have a mobile app, so you can stay connected for any updates or changes that might happen. If you’re exploring the local scene as a New Orleans local, for example, you are sure to find something memorable and entertaining—as well as lots of great coupons and deals that will allow you to help support some 70,000 inhabitants working in the hospitality industry. It’ll also make those cab rides home late at night a little less intimidating because you know the area so well.
- Treat yourself to a spa getaway.
You probably don’t need to be told twice, but a little R&R with the help of a massage and spa treatment is sure to do a body good after all of your hard work. Consider trying a spa retreat/weekend in your area. Often times, people don’t quite do the spa staycation just right. Make sure that you still give yourself an itinerary and book the treatments.
You can decide to stay overnight, or simply spend each day being pampered. The choice is yours. For example, in the St. Louis area, a weeklong spa staycation with eight massages, three facials, daily yoga, four personal training sessions and a silent meditation weekend, will run you a little less than $1,000. Not necessarily cheap, but the ultimate stress-reliever.
To find the best price, check out Groupon. There are always spa deals and specials offered through the site, and they are always tailored to the zip code that you supply when you sign up with your email. You’ll find great options available to you that are close to home, and the best part is that you’ll come back to work completely refreshed, the same as if you’d spent a week on the beach.
There are so many options out there for you to create a ‘suSTAYnable’ vacation that doesn’t feel like you’re simply staying at home. The five above suggestions are just to get you started. Think about what you would really like out of your holiday, and how exactly you want to take advantage of putting your money to work for the community you live in. You’ll feel great about helping support the local economy, and you’ll have a spectacular time doing it.
Author: Kacey Mya Bradley is a lifestyle blogger for “The Drifter Collective.” Throughout her life, she has found excitement in the world around her. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations, cultures, and styles, while communicating these endeavors through her passion for writing and expression. Her love for the world around her is portrayed through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts. The Drifter Collective is an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us.