Here in middle Tennessee spring break is just around the corner and, while many families will try to escape the gloom and bad weather to some nice, warm beach, a lot of us will not be venturing that far from home. Whether it be for work reasons or financial or something else, taking a spring break trip is not always an option. That is one of the reasons that “staycations” have become so popular. Here are the benefits of staycation this spring break!
What Is A Staycation? They are a simple and a much less expensive alternative to traveling far away. A Staycation is when you don’t leave your city but you plan to do fun things and and enjoy the place where you are. It is a great opportunity to stay in your local area and experience things that you haven’t tried yet or a chance to do things you are normally to busy to do.
The Benefits Of Staycation
A staycation can leave you relaxed and refreshed because you don’t have all the hassles of traveling! You can do day trips where you plan to enjoy local attractions. Explore new places to eat or visit old favorite haunts. You can even book a hotel in your own city and enjoy it as a tourist would.
Staycations have become very popular in the last few years as money is tight and people have got on the “buy local” bandwagon. The word staycation was even added to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary back in 2009. So if you don’t have big plans this year to head to a tropical locale, here are a few reasons why it is cool to stay at home and make best of it!
SAVE MONEY
No airfare, hotel, or rental car costs. A lot of the stress of travel comes from feeling that you are overspending. While you may still spend money on your staycation, you can usually get away with a much smaller budget and avoid unexpected travel expenses.
SPEND MORE TIME RELAXING
The point of a vacation is to relax, and staying at home cuts down on your travel time so you can spend more of your time off relaxing and enjoying your surroundings and your family. There are no wasted travel days on the front and back end of your vacation, so you usually get two more extra days for relaxation and fun!
LESS STRESS AND STRAIN
Travel can be exciting and an adventure but it can also be exhausting and stressful. Dealing with traffic, booking hotels, making reservations, getting through airport security lines, making connecting flights, getting to the gate on time, getting the rental car, navigating an unfamiliar place, the list goes on and on. It can add up to more stress than fun. Who needs it!? On a staycation you avoid travel related stress and can be more flexible. Plus, every night after you’ve explored your city or town, you can come home to your own comfy bed.
SUPPORT THE LOCAL ECONOMY
The money that you spend while exploring your own area will go to support the local economy. You can make an extra effort to try locally owned, non-chain restaurants, shop at out of the way boutiques and visit local shops, attractions, and towns. Find spots that you have never experienced. You will be amazed at all the great things that are probably just around the corner.
AVOID TRAVEL PROBLEMS
Lost luggage, delayed flights, bad service, broken electronics, over-priced food, over-priced tourist traps, and the always possible bad weather that can ruin any trip. These are only a few possible travel mishaps. A staycation gives you more hands-on control and offers less opportunity for things to go terribly wrong. If something happens at home it is much easier to adjust your plans.
SKIP LONG LINES
If you enjoy waiting in seemingly endless lines, then maybe a trip to Disney or another tourist destination is in order. But a staycation gives you the opportunity to try out fun local activities during off-peak hours, when everyone else is at work. Skip the long lines and spend more time having fun. Everyone else will be leaving town so you can pick and choose your spots.
MAKE RECURRING MEMORIES
One of the best things about staying local is that you can find favorite new restatements, attractions, and locations that you can visit again and again. Some of the best times I have had with my son have been discovering hole in the wall joints that we now eat at regularly. They have become “our” places and have given us great, lasting memories. Look up the touristy things you have never done in your area and do them! Find nature hikes you haven’t been on. Try new restaurants. Do something you don’t normally do- like go dancing or listen to live music! Have some fun!
If you need ideas for what to do on staycation, check out these fun staycation ideas.
Stay local this spring break and I bet you that you still have a great time while saving money, time, and stress! Let us know what other great staycation ideas you might have to make a staycation fantastic and fun.
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Terri Oliver Steffes says
My family is all grown up but we did some staycations from time to time and these tips would have been very helpful! Hopefully I will have grandkids some day and I will get to try some of these!
Liz Mays says
I’ve been enjoying this kind of thing from time to time and it really is fun! It’s all about what you make it!
Katie @ Pick Any Two says
I’m a big fan of the staycation, for all of these reasons you point out! My biggest tip is just to avoid the temptation to spend the time doing chores or work around the house. It still needs to be relaxing!
Tammy @ creativekkids says
We usually do staycations and switch to spring clothing over the spring vacation. This year we are driving to see my grandma in the nursing home. It is colder there with nothing to do; but family is important!