Imagine you’re sitting at the beach—novel in hand and the sound of gentle waves meeting the shore in the background. Or maybe you’re more of a city girl like me and nothing makes you smile quicker than walking the crowded streets of New York while a street artist creates a live soundtrack to your adventure. No matter where, there is nothing like a good vacation—a time to step out of the mundane to rest and explore. But what do you do when you need time away but don’t quite have the means or time to travel out of state? Maybe you can’t take a vacation somewhere else, but you can have a staycation in your own city!
A staycation is a wonderful way to take a break from the daily busyness, enjoy some much-needed downtime, and have some fun without breaking the bank or spending too much time on travel. Whether you’re looking to relax, explore your city, or get away to pray and spend intentional time with the Lord, a staycation can be an excellent way to recharge and refresh.
Here are ten tips for planning a good staycation:
- Set a budget. Before you start planning your staycation, it’s important to set a budget. This will help you stay on track and make sure you don’t overspend on activities or accommodations. Consider what you can afford and then stick to that budget, whether it’s a few hundred dollars or just a few meals out.
- Choose your activities. Once you have a budget in place, start planning the activities you want to enjoy during your staycation. If you’re looking for some relaxation, consider booking a spa day or visiting a local museum. If you’re looking for something more adventurous, plan a day trip to a nearby city or a hike in the great outdoors. My dad used to also plan a staycation as a personal prayer retreat. If you’re doing that, you can find new routes for prayer walks or a coffee shop to sit and read the Word in.
- Plan your meals. As a self-certified foodie, I would say that meals are one of the most important parts of any staycation, so take some time to plan your meals. If you’re looking to save money, consider choosing a couple of new casual restaurants to try. If you’re looking for a more indulgent experience, book a reservation at a fancy restaurant or try some new cuisine. My biggest encouragement is to try something new. Social media and travel blogs are the perfect places to find hidden gems in your own city that you’ve never been to.
- Create a schedule. Once you have your activities and meals planned, create a schedule for your staycation. This will help you make the most of your time away. Make sure to include time for relaxation and rest, as well as time for exploring and trying new things. If this is a prayer retreat for you, make a list of things you want to be praying for and block out certain hours of the day to pray specifically for them.
- Get good rest. It’s easy to pack so much in a staycation that you return home feeling like you need another staycation to recover. Whether you’re taking a nap during the day or simply getting a good night’s sleep, make sure you’re getting enough rest to feel refreshed and rejuvenated.
The most important thing to remember when planning a staycation is to have fun. This is your time to relax and recharge and explore your city in a new way. You may not be headed to the beach or New York City, but a staycation can be just what you need to come back home refreshed and ready for your daily activities.
Ravin McKelvy is a copywriter at Lifeway and graduated with a degree in communications from Moody Bible Institute. She is passionate about the intersection of art and theology and sharing the daily realities of Christian living through poetry.
