Written by Carolyn Scott-Hamilton.
It’s here, it’s here!! Summer is here!! Time for a staycation?
Yep, after a brutal winter, for many, summer is here and it’s time to get the heck out of town.
However, many might still have school through June, jobs that don’t give you much time off or perhaps you have a big trip planned for later this year and just can’t take off.
Well, I’ve got the next best thing! You can still enjoy all that summer and a vacation have to offer with a fun, budget-friendly summer staycation!
I talked about staycations recently with Green Diva Meg in this Travelin’ Green Divas episode:
LISTEN:
Yep, staying local can keep things cheap and time conscious while still giving you that “getaway” feeling. It might be just what you need to recharge your batteries, enjoy the first holiday weekend of summer and keep you going till the next vacation time!
Here are some of my staycation faves!
1. Be a hometown tourist
Many residents don’t take the time to visit all the landmarks and attractions that their hometown is famous for. Make like a tourist and visit a popular monument, a local museum or attend a hockey game. Sometimes a stay-cation is all you need to recharge…
2. Theme park it!
Be a kid again. Gather some friends and spend a few hours at a nearby theme park. Let loose and ride the roller coasters. Look out for resident deals to save you some cash. If you’re afraid of what to chow on while you’re there, check out my healthy theme parks article! Summer time brings out the kid in all of us so a theme park suits the mood.
3. Sleep away
Go online and find a reasonably priced hotel in your own city, book a room for a night or two and go. Since your stay will be short, you can even splurge and go for that five star hotel that you have always wanted to visit.
Enjoy the luxuries of room service and all the amenities, such as the pool and jacuzzi. This provides the feeling of being away without the mileage or the airfare. Take the night to just relax by yourself or with someone special. If you have kids, find a hotel with fun activities or a neat pool while you take time to chillax!
4. Take a hike!
Find a nearby nature preserve or mountain with marked hiking trails. Grab your boots, backpack and water bottle and get moving. Make the most of the sun and warm weather by taking in all that nature has to offer. Pack a lunch and make a day out of it with pals.
5. Day tripping
Plan to do something fun for the day. Look up towns and landmarks that are up to 2 hours away so you can make it up and back comfortably with time to explore. You’d be surprised how even being 30 minutes outside of the city can feel like being a world away.
6. Weekend getaway
Plan ahead to take the whole weekend off and devote it to yourself, your friends or your family. Find good last minute deals for spas, hotels and even flights. For us Southern Californians, Vegas is a quick and inexpensive getaway if you know where to look. For Floridians, Orlando. Explore as far as you can for as long as you can.
Camping is also a great, affordable weekend trip that gets you away from the big city stress and in touch with nature.
7. Get creative
No matter what you do this Labor Day, get out there and do something! Whether you need some time to yourself to prepare for school or a new job or have a family and want to make some final summer memories, explore your world and enjoy it while you can.
Bonus:
If you decide to actually get away, listen to this Travelin’ Green Divas podcast for a green travel checklist…
Tune in to The Green Divas Radio Show—and other green and healthy living podcasts—daily on GDGDRadio.com (or get the GDGD Radio app)!
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Carolyn Scott-Hamilton is the creator and host of The Healthy Voyager web series, site, and overall brand. An award winning healthy, special diet and green living and travel expert, holistic nutritionist, plant based vegan chef, best-selling cookbook author, media spokesperson, sought after speaker, consultant and television personality, she is a respected figure in the world of healthy lifestyle and travel as well as special diet cooking and nutrition. The Healthy Voyager aims to help people live well, one veggie at a time! Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.
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