Everyone is buzzing these days about staycations — most of my friends have taken at least one this year, and used the time to catch up on reading, sleep, and home related projects. Though staycations can be great for saving money and catching up on just about anything related to your home, sometimes even those of us who love our homes need to escape from their tyranny! If you're in the mood for a break, but not in the mood for travel, consider a escaping from your home but not your hometown by booking into a local hotel and playing tourist for a few days.
Aim for a hotel outside of your neighborhood or area of the city — if you live in the suburbs, definitely pick a place downtown in the heart of all the action. Play tourist — ask the concierge for restaurant recommendations and ideas for how to spend your days. Avoid your local haunts and steer clear of your friends — the key goal here is to rediscover all there is to love about your hometown by viewing it through the eyes of a visitor.
I discovered how fun this could be purely by accident. Before I left for Kuwait a few years ago, I found myself at loose ends when all my stuff was packed and shipped — but I still had a week left in DC. My employer paid for a hotel for that week, and I found that just staying in a hotel, even in my hometown, made me feel like a tourist. I spent my days wandering the city, rediscovering the joys of the Smithsonian, grabbing a bite in restaurants that caught my eye, and generally playing a stranger in the city of my birth. I loved every minute of it!
Even if you don't have plans to move, taking a break from your home without leaving your hometown can be an excellent way to recharge your batteries and to help you learn more about where you live. Even just a weekend in a hotel can leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed, and leaving home pulls you out of your normal routine, giving you the chance to discover new and wonderful ways to spend time in your hometown.
Have any readers tried my staycation variation in the past? What did you did you learn during your escape from home? Would you recommend it to a friend?
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We've done something like this twice now - the first one we called a Ferris Bueller day - we went to Seattle and played tourists - it was so much fun! We went to the toy store, music stores, tallest building, poked around unfinished buildings, ate where ever we ended up. We also took our time which was awesome.
The second was during the heat wave last summer; we stayed in a resort that was across town. It was heavenly - room service was such a treat, even with a 6 month old, it felt like a vacation.
That sounds like a good idea braveangel2, I need to explore more of Seattle.
I live in downtown Chicago & I take a week off every year & just wander around with a book in my bag. I check out various ethnic festivals & street fairs, hang out in the Art Institute & the Museum of Contemporary Art, and strike up conversations with people who are visiting my awesome city. Whenever my feet get tired, I stop at whatever cafe or restaurant looks interesting, have lunch & read awhile. I think it is a great treat!
...or doing a house trade with someone in an opposite living situation from yours. Trade urban for suburban, woods for lake, etc. I did it once and would love to try again, just haven't gotten around to it. Craigslist supplied my house trade.
I totally agree with this concept. It came to my mind recently because there are a couple of swanky lookin hotels in denver, and Id love to see the rooms, do the pool, dress up and have a drink at the hotel bar. Fabulous idea!!!!
Besides I cant afford a real awaycation right now.
OT, but that stack of old suitcases is fabulous. I love that look, hmmm.
I love staycations. Sometimes you don't need exotic locations or action packed days to unwind.
I also cat sit. It doesn't sound very exciting, but I'm currently cat sitting for friends who have two hilarious cats, a beautiful large house, a large backyard (herbs, flowers, etc. included), an amazing kitchen, cable (with "videos on demand"), and quiet neighbors. This is like staying in a 5 star mansion compared to my tiny dungeon (basement apartment) in a noisy building. I'm still working each day, but it feels like a mini vacation every evening.
Playing tourist can be pleasant here, too. I'd sleep at home to save money, time, and packing, taking day trips to local fun places that ordinarily I was too busy to visit. I'd enjoy spontaneous windowshopping and leisurely light lunches in unfamiliar casual restaurants.
For some reason, we all feel that we need to be traveling to vacation. I love love love my home and love being home on vacation. I can cook what I want and there is nothing like sleeping in my own bed and my own coffee too.
pve