Why Staycations Are on the Rise: Affordable, Fun, and Stress-Free Getaways

When’s the last time you had a chance to play tourist in your own city or explored a new pocket of your home state? A staycation, or close-to-home vacation, may be calling.

While tourism has fully rebounded since the pandemic, and travel restrictions that kept people closer to home have lifted, the allure of a staycation still remains popular. According to Google, searches for staycations are at the second highest point since 2020.

Spring is also a fantastic time to plan a staycation because lots of hotels and day spas will extend shoulder season discounts to locals, with deals especially competitive if you’re booking a midweek stay. You could also peruse ResortPass and get access to some local pools and spas without being an overnight guest.

If you need a low-lift but still restorative getaway, here’s some reasons why a staycation may be appealing.

What Is A Staycation?

Staycations are close-to-home or even at-home vacations. Of course, the ideal staycation will vary by traveler.

Instead of using a vacation day to catch up on chores around the house, an at-home staycation might include dining al fresco on your patio or deck, popping up tents in the backyard and making s’mores or watching an outdoor movie, or simply eating breakfast in bed and then putting on a face mask.

Or, a staycation could be a vacation in your own city or an easy-to-reach destination. It could involve booking an overnight stay at a luxury staycation hotel and enjoying the amenities, like lounging at the resort pool, popping into the spa for a treatment or to use the steam room and sauna, or borrowing the courtesy bikes to explore the area on two wheels.

During the summer, several destinations offer staycation packages and deals for locals like resorts in Scottsdale that invite residents to come hang by the pool and crank up the AC in their rooms on hot summer days. (Arizona, according to Google, is the top state that’s searching for staycations).

Differences Between A Staycation And A Vacation

Think of it this way: All staycations are vacations but not all vacations are staycations.

A staycation usually stops short of a road trip and doesn’t require any flights. It’s a chance to check out new restaurants that have opened in your city, see a theater performance while it’s on tour, or book a hotel that’s getting a lot of buzz. For those who want to get out of town, it could be a day trip or an overnight stay in a nearby mountain, lake, or beach town.

No matter the itinerary, the idea is that you adopt a vacation mindset while on a staycation.

Staycation Ideas

Need some inspiration for your staycation itinerary planning? Here are some staycation ideas that you can find in most cities:

• Go on a brewery or wine tour

• Sign up for a food tour and sample cuisine from a variety of restaurants

• Go to a sporting event. Minor league baseball stadiums are especially fun. Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport has a Ferris wheel and Frisco RoughRiders fans can watch a game from a lazy river.

• Sign up for a history tour. Or, check with your local historical society because they may have a free audio walking tour.

• Book a spa treatment at a local hotel and enjoy lunch by the pool

• Enjoy afternoon tea service at a local hotel

• Take a class. From floral arranging to sushi making, lots of local boutiques and restaurants offer in-person classes so you can learn a new skill.

• Attend a concert. Check your city’s events calendar. They often have free concerts in parks or public squares.

• Sign up for a local cooking or baking class to learn something new. It could be making gourmet pizzas, learning how to bake French pastries, or cooking a multi-course meal.

• Go for a hike or a bike ride.

• Shop a local farmers or makers market.

• Take a local train ride or scenic drive. Explore the scenic routes around your city or state by train or car. Pick a route known for stunning views and pack a picnic to make the journey even more enjoyable. Here’s some ideas for bucketlist road trips.

Staycation Tip: For those who like outdoor adventures, consider a local hiking trail, or rent bikes to explore your area in a new way. It’s a low-cost option that still offers relaxation and a sense of exploration.

Consider Time And Money When Planning A Staycation

NerdWallet’s Travel Price Index shows that the cost of travel is up 4% over last year, which is higher than the inflation rate. Airfares in January were up 7.1% compared to the same time last year.

The average one-week vacation costs nearly $1,991, according to Bankrate, but a staycation eliminates many of the standard vacation costs. Some of the perks of a staycation vs. a vacation is your budget could stretch even further since you’re not booking flights and you probably won’t need a rental car, two of the biggest expense lines on a vacation. Also, check in with the hotel to see if they offer any locals discounts.

Another perk of staycations is you can hit the ground running and don’t have to make room in your itinerary for travel days and potential delays at the airport that could cut into your vacation time. If you do a short staycation over the weekend, you may not even have to cut into your PTO bank.

Planning staycations can also be a breeze since you don’t have to worry about tasks like renewing your passport, booking flights, and arranging for transportation. Since you’re a local, you may already have a good feel for what attractions you want to see and where you want to dine, so that insider knowledge can also help cut down on the time it takes you to map out a staycation.