Embrace Your Hometown: How to Truly Enjoy Your Staycation.

By Jolene Nannette

Staying local during the summer can be just as exciting as traveling abroad if you approach it with intention. There are many things you may never experience right outside your own front door! Organizing your time and schedule to explore your hometown can unveil hidden gems and new experiences. Here’s how to make the most of a staycation summer by being a tourist in your own city.

1. Set Your Intentions. 

Before diving into activities, take a moment to reflect on what you want out of your staycation.  What do you enjoy doing on vacation with your family?  Do you like checking out new restaurants?  Do you enjoy exploring local or national parks?  Take a moment to inventory the activities you enjoy when you travel and make a list. 

2. Research Local Activities

Many communities have a “community event” calendar full of experiences you may not know about.  Especially during the summer, there are local concerts in the park, food events, fun runs that support local charities, etc.  Consider checking out TripAdvisor for your hometown!  Chances are, many people have visited your location and can provide insights on your area that you may have never considered.

3. Make a Summer Bucket List Poster.

Sit down with your family and have everyone participate in creating the summer bucket list.  Include everyone’s input and put empty checkmark boxes next to each idea to see your progress!  Consider setting aside one to two days each week of summer to do something off the list. 

4. Create a Calendar.

Once you have your bucket list, organize these events into a calendar. Some activities have dates already set (such as a local concert or festival) and others are just waiting to be scheduled at your availability.  Alternate between relaxing days and action-packed outings. For example, pair a day at a local museum with a picnic at a nearby park the next day. Also remember that life can be unpredictable; allow some wiggle room for spontaneous adventures or to reschedule if necessary.  

5. Engage with Local Experiences.

Being a tourist means fully immersing yourself in local culture. What is your hometown and surrounding area known for?  Many towns and cities have museums displaying local heritage and folklore; consider making that an excursion.  When looking at the community calendar, perhaps choose the most random activity you can find and participate in that.  Try something new in your community!

6.  Have a DIY Restaurant Week. 

Choose a food type (italian, burgers, asian-inspired, etc.) and search out the best three restaurants in that genre within a thirty mile radius.  Try each one during the week and rate your favorites!  Be creative about it; one year we did all the best hot dog spots in our county, which made for such a fun, unique endeavor. 

7.  Include “At Home” Days. 

Some of our favorite moments when we are on vacation are the times we all sit down together and play a game, puzzle, or simply just abandon our screens for the day.  Be intentional about having “vacation at home days”.  Turn off your phones, put them to the side, postpone the chores for the day, and do activities we rarely take time to do.  

8. Stay Flexible. 

At the end of each week, take time to reflect on your experiences. Think about what you enjoyed the most and if there was anything that you thought you would enjoy, but really wasn’t worth the effort.  Think through the upcoming week and see if any adjustments need to be made.  This is also a great time to reflect on any activities that you would like to incorporate into your normal routines!  

This summer, take time to engage in the community you live in and get to know your local area as a tourist.  By intentionally organizing your time, you’ll not only enjoy your surroundings but may also develop a renewed appreciation for the place you call home. 

By Jolene Nannette

Home by Jolene

Specialist in home efficiency