9 Reasons a Staycation Just Might Be the New Vacation

Staycations generally don’t require early morning flights, long travel days or complicated trip logistics. With a staycation, the only thing standing between you and #staycationmode is an out-of-office reply (or perhaps just a short drive). In contrast, vacations often have a lot of hoops to get through before you can actually kick back and relax. And who wants to spend their precious vacation time jumping through hoops? According to the U.S. Travel Association, the average American worker earned 23.9 days of paid time off in 2018 but used just 17.4 days. Planning a staycation may help you make the most of the paid time off you do earn.

Now that we live in an era of contact tracing and social distancing, it’s important to minimize the number of places we visit on a single trip. Vacation itineraries are often jam-packed with dozens of things to do and places to go, but a staycation itinerary can be blissfully simple. If you’ve ever needed a reason to sit by the pool all day or relax in a comfy hotel bed with no other plans, a staycation may be just the ticket.

Think about your average vacation budget and how much you spend on flights and baggage fees. With a staycation, you skip most of the transportation costs, which allows you to stretch your travel budget even further. Put that extra money toward an upgraded hotel room, a nice spa treatment or possibly an additional staycation later in the year. If weather isn’t an issue, plan your staycation for an off-season when hotel rates are lower.

The beauty of a staycation is that you can tailor its purpose to your needs. Have you been spending too much time on the computer and your smartphone? Make the theme of your staycation a digital detox, with plenty of soul-nourishing activities and time spent outdoors. Is there a hobby you’ve been wanting to try? Bring supplies and use the change of scenery as inspiration to really dig in. Just remember: Laundry and other chores can wait until after your staycation ends.

Hotels are typically just a means to an end on a busy vacation, but on staycations, you can put more importance on the place you stay. Whether your accommodations are a local resort with an amazing pool or a tent in your own backyard, consider a stay somewhere outside the norm. To take your staycation to another level, consider booking a secluded cabin at a luxury resort like the FivePine Lodge & Spa in Oregon or the Vista Verde Guest Ranch in Colorado.

Tip: Check the AAA Diamond designation to find the right hotel for your expectations and budget.

Treat yourself to a nice meal and avoid the additional social contact by ordering room service instead of dining out. Many hotels are revamping their in-room dining menus or extending room service hours in response to COVID-19, so the experience may be different than you’re used to. If you’re staycationing at home, splurge on a fancy takeout meal from a local restaurant. To-go menus may look different now, too. D.C. diners who order paella from Jaleo by José Andrés, for example, get to keep the enameled pan it comes in.

Consider starting a new family tradition by hosting a backyard staycation. Invest in some camping gear, a fire pit and s’mores supplies, then pitch your tent out back. It’s a good way to practice setting up your equipment without the pressure of being far from home and forgetting something crucial. Plus, you’ll have all your creature comforts nearby.

If you haven’t camped before but want to get started, check out Planning Your First Family Camping Trip.

If saying the word “vacation” in your household is associated with a trip to the dog kennel, your four-legged family member will definitely appreciate a staycation where they can come along. Find a pet-friendly hotel or campground near you with the AAA Pet Travel website. Many nice resorts have pet-friendly rooms, so you can relax at the pool and know that your pet is safe and sound nearby.

Busy schedules and daily routines don’t leave much time for exploring new places or businesses around our own hometowns. A staycation is as good an excuse as any to finally check things off your tourist to-do list. Wander a nearby historic district, visit local parks, ride your bike somewhere you’ve never been before, visit a U-Pick farm or try out a new yoga studio. Brainstorming staycation ideas can be as simple as opening a map and seeing what’s nearby.

AAA Travel provides peace of mind when you travel — before, during and after your vacation! Members enjoy the advantages of membership including exclusive benefits, map routing, savings with the AAA Discounts & Rewards® program as well as recommendations for AAA Diamond-designated hotels and restaurants across the U.S. and Canada. Let AAA provide the rest of your travel needs with AAA Travel Guides, TourBook® guides, access to travel agents and counselors and travel insurance. Your next vacation starts with AAA — your complete travel solution. Visit AAA.com/Travel.