If you know me, you know I’m all about the travel. Unfortunately, that’s not always possible, so Staycations are where it’s at! Wether it be due to finances, work, prior obligations, the weather, whatever. So I’m basically a pro at planning both staycations, and day trips! This post will guide you on how to plan the best staycation ever!
Decide how far you wanna drive…
This can change based on SO many factors. Are you going for a day trip? How many kids do you have with you and how old are they? I like to start with about an hour in any direction and then go from there. But seriously, adding 30 minutes really broadens your horizons on things to do and places to go. ALSO remember your drive home. In my case, more than once it’s been with over exhausted kids and at rush hour. Bad plan. Trust.
Consider investing in a hotel for the night!
If you are on a budget, this might be the last thing on your list or the first thing you want to cut, but hear me out. If you are going somewhere with a water park, or have little ones, highly recommend splurging for a room for the night. It doesn’t have to be expensive, especially with bed sharing like a slumber party and deals online. If you get a hotel for the night it also opens up your travel capacity since you don’t have to worry about the drive home. A hotel will also make it feel a bit more like a vacation versus a staycation.
Post in Town Specific Facebook groups!
Search the name of the town or towns you have decided to travel to. Search the specific town name, the towns around it, and the county names. More often than not there are Facebook groups associated with the specific places and you can get tons of information there on local hidden gems. Ask what the best parts of their area are, the best places to eat, where they like to go for day trips, etc. You will get so much more information this way versus a random Google search.
Check TONS of Travel Sites.
You’d do this when going further away, check it for local places as well! Places like Trip Advisor, Yelp, Facebook ratings, Open Table (for restaurants) and straight up Google Reviews are the way to go. But please, do yourself a favor and read the reviews. I’ve seen great places be discounted because it rained that day. Or because a person wasn’t a senior and couldn’t get the senior discount. Read MANY reviews, on MANY sites! keep your options open!
Make a List with Multiple Options!
Will the weather change that day? Will your kids suddenly hate water? Will it take way longer than you anticipated or way less? Will the food be awful? Will it actually be lame? Who knows. Have multiple options of where you can go, and also jot down a small note of how are apart they are from both your original location and your home! Also write down the hours that they are open! On this list I also like to write down the addresses of any restaurants I want to try, and places where I can get things quick, like CVS/Walmart/etc.
Pack and Plan like You’re Really Going on a Vacation!
ESPECIALLY if you have kiddos with you. Extra outfits? Check. Snacks? Check. Lovey for the way home? Check. All of it. Way better to be over prepared than under prepared, trust me on this one. Plan your trip, truly plan your trip! This will ensure for a way easy, fun day.
So where are you going?! I want to hear all about it!
Want more travel tips? Go here!
