With travel costs rising, planning a vacation can seem more stressful. An estimated 35% of Americans are likely to go into credit card debt for the sake of a vacation, but avoiding this unnecessary debt could be as simple as staying at or close to home.
A well-planned, budget-friendly staycation can give you a break from your day-to-day life without breaking your budget. Here are a few suggestions for how to make a staycation every bit as exciting as a destination vacation!
Make the Most Out of Home
The first and most obvious way that a staycation saves you money is in the word—staycation. By staying home or close to home you can save hundreds of dollars on travel and lodging. This doesn’t mean that your “vacation” must be spent staring at the same four walls!
Get creative by converting your home into the destination of your dreams. Redecorating your living space to reflect a theme can make your staycation feel like a destination of its own.
Love camping? Set up a cozy camping experience to gaze at the stars by pitching a tent and making s’mores in your backyard. Craving something exotic? Create a culinary adventure by decorating your home in the style of a specific country and cooking dishes from there.
Find History in Town
Just because you’re planning a staycation doesn’t mean you have to stay home. There are plenty of things to do near you if you look at your town through the eyes of a tourist.
Take a trip into the past by researching your town’s history and visiting a local museum or archive. Check out the present and future by visiting a local art exhibit to discover current and upcoming artists.
If museums are not your style, libraries and local calendars are the perfect places to find free activities and events in your area. Libraries host events, conventions, and exhibits spanning diverse interests while local listing websites and your local paper can show upcoming shows, music festivals, and craft fairs.
If you’re more thrifty, swap meets and flea markets are great places to visit and stretch your dollar, and you’ll often find people selling crafts and foods that cannot be found anywhere else!
Seek Adventure Nearby
If you live in the United States, then you know that it is vast and culturally diverse! Every state has its unique food, sites, and other offerings, so a day trip in the state you live in is a great option for the budget-conscious staycationer.
In Louisiana, you don’t have to go far to find an incredible example of this! There is so much culture and natural beauty to partake in.
If you don’t want to visit a museum in your town, you can always visit a museum, cultural center, or attraction in a different part of the state. You can also expand your palate by visiting towns with restaurants that serve different cultural foods.
If you’re more nature-oriented, take time to appreciate Louisiana’s natural beauty by visiting one of our many state parks. Take a hike or bike ride through some of the nature trails found throughout the state. You also can always visit one of Louisiana’s many beautiful rivers or lakes.
Whether you decide to take a staycation to save some money, or you’d rather stay close to family and friends, you don’t have to miss the fun and relaxation you expect out of a vacation. With just a little bit of planning, your staycation can be the rest that you need!
Do you have any favorite staycation tips? Let us know in the comments!
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