Try a Holiday #Staycation

October 15, 2016      |      Posted on Posted in Total Well-Being
Try a Holiday #Staycation

By Deanna Smith, ACI Content Contributor

Getting away for a long weekend can be expensive and stressful, from long drives and fighting crowds at the beach to high-priced hotels and flights, pet boarding and house sitting expenses. For your next holiday, why not avoid all that and have a great “staycation” in your own hometown instead?

Use the money you would have spent going away to make your long weekend something really special. No doubt there are plenty of unexplored corners of your city to explore. Get inspired by the ideas below!

Discover a New Restaurant
Head to the renowned BBQ joint, the chic French cafe, that trendy tapas bar, or the rustic pizza place around the corner that you’ve been meaning to try. Go to Localflavor.com, Restaurant.com or Groupon to find discounts at restaurants in your area. Just make sure they are good to use on a holiday weekend.

Try a New Course
If you play golf, play a really nice course you’ve always wanted to play. Golfnow.com has great discounted rates on courses you’ll want to try, often at 40-60% off the standard rate. If you are a disc golfer, play a new course on the other side of town. If you’re a hiker, try a new trail. Take the family to a new public park to play or walk.

Museums
Chances are, you probably have museums in your area that you’ve never been to. Pick your interest– art, natural history, gems and geology, science, aviation or a children’s museum. Include breakfast or lunch someplace fun!

Amusement Parks, Zoos and Aquariums
Bring back your childhood love of animals with a trip to the zoo or aquarium. Spend a little extra for a true hands-on VIP experience, and swim with the dolphins, or have a close encounter with real wildlife. Even your local Dave & Buster’s or family fun center can be a special treat, no matter what your age.

Concerts, Shows and Festivals
Concerts in the park and food festivals can be great family activities. See what shows are playing in town, including Broadway productions, local community theater plays, or comedy shows.

Sporting Events
Football, basketball, hockey, soccer- take your pick! Professional or college sports are fun for the whole family. Make a day of it by tailgating before the game with plenty of party food.

Adventure Sports
There may be local extreme sports in your area that you might not have considered trying, such as hang gliding, paragliding, skydiving, snorkeling, helicopter rides, flyboarding, or jet-skiing. Take a deep breath and book it! You won’t regret it.

The point of a staycation is to spend a weekend in your own city as if you were a tourist. Take a look at your city with new eyes. Explore new areas of your town. Push the envelope, get out of your comfort zone, take a leap of faith, and in the end, your family will have a great vacation story to tell, without ever leaving home.

ACI’s EAP provides referrals and information for family life and personal services.
Contact 800.932.0034 or eapinfo@acispecialtybenefits.com to start planning your next staycation!

Español