Ready? Set… Stay. Bear with us, here. If the pressures of everyday life are starting to wear a little thin, getting out to some beach and sucking down a couple mai tais is a great idea. But it’s not the only one. Take some time off — or even just a weekend — to make the familiar unfamiliar and get the most out of your staycation.
We’ve got a few great tips to start out. Turn off your work email (and maybe your regular email), grab your camera, and start making some memories!
Plan, but don’t overplan.
Step one is to make a plan — but don’t go overboard. Start up a Bookmark Collection in Yelp with some of the spots you’re looking to hit — or borrow someone else’s! Just take it from us: Don’t overbook yourself. Your staycation is time for you to chill out, and leave yourself plenty of time to get a little lost along the way (or time to sneak in a nap or two).
Forget about your usual haunts.
You know all of those tried and true places that you love to head over to again and again and again? Delete them from your memory banks. Not forever — just for your staycation! It’s time to see home in a whole new light. It’s a great time to experiment with cuisines and activities. Looking for a place to start? Sort by Hot & New to find out what’s making a big splash nearby.
Be kind; unwind.
There’ll never be a better time to try out some creature comforts than your staycation. The earlier, the better, too — book a long massage or a morning at the spa to get relaxed and comfortable before setting off. You’ll worry less and enjoy more of your adventures if you start your journey with that painful kink worked out of your spine (trust us on this one).
Don’t be afraid of the Tourist Trap.
If you live in a tourist-friendly town, you probably have a love/hate relationship with some of the most popular attractions nearby. It’s not uncommon for lifelong citydwellers to go their whole lives without ever checking out the Alcatrazes and Empire State Buildings of their metro. Consider changing that! La Brea Tar Pits? Hollywood Walk of Fame? Keep an open mind. A really open mind — if you’ve ever been skeptical of taking a Segway tour or a jetski trip, remember: This is a no judgement zone. Check Local Flavor on Yelp and Active Life for more ideas!
Get a taste of luxury. (A small taste.)
The quickest way to feel like you’re away from home is to actually get away! It’s not crucial and it can take a big chunk out of your budget, but if you can swing the splurge, consider booking a hotel or bed and breakfast. It’s a fantastic way to get into that vacation state of mind. Check Yelp for top-rated hotels to suit (almost) any budget.
Or literally get a taste of luxury.
Speaking of budget: Maybe you deserve a treat for your staycation. Consider cranking the cost filter on your next Yelp search up a couple of notches and dine in style. Fine dining often requires a little bit of foresight — and we’ve got you covered there, too! You can make reservations at tons of high-end restaurants without ever leaving the Yelp app.
Elevate happy hour.
A staycation day is a long day but it’s going to get dark sooner or later — if you’re one for local haunts, think about tackling some fresh new cocktails. Otherwise, Yelpers near you have the inside scoop on what’s great on the mixology front. Dressing up is optional. Search for cocktail spots near you!
Alternately? If you’ve got the DIY spirit, make some of your own! We’ve got a few tips to help you out.
Learn something new.
Museums, art galleries, and other cultural activities can be a hard fit into your day-to-day. We get it: You want to spend more time than a lunch break, but they close shop by the time you get out of work. Now’s the time! Check Yelp for the most interesting and enriching (and fun) spots in town to give your mind a workout. Bonus points for finding some deep cuts — we guarantee there are niche museums near you that you’ve never even heard of.
Take a hike.
Whether you’re in a small town or a big city, we bet there’s some nature closer than you think — yes, even for city-dwellers! Odds are you don’t have to travel much more than an hour to find great spots to hike, raft, or even climb. Zoom that map out a little and check out what’s waiting for you just beyond the city limits. It’s a big world out there!
Ready to take the plunge? Download the Yelp App or visit Yelp.com to see for yourself what’s waiting for you right around the corner.
