It is unfortunate, but staycations tend to get a bad rap. Too often staycations turn in to an opportunity to get through a "honey-do" or plain old to-do list. Paint the door, move the furniture, launder the drapes all important but not what you would be doing if you were on vacation somewhere else. The most important part of the staycation - is the vacation part.
Now sitting by the pool and swimming or sunning yourself is just fine - but you can do that any weekend.
Every village, town and city have something interesting to see or do. When was the last time that you played tourist at home? So many people who live in cities never do the tourist things that are there so here is my tip for a better staycation experience.
1 - Plan your staycation - as well as you would plan a vacation. Have the places you want to go and see each day just as if you had a travel itinerary - but don't over schedule - they joy of vacations is the relaxation factor.
2 - Buy a guidebook - for anywhere nearby you can go and visit. Many NYC residents only go to museums infrequently, and then it tends to be the Met, the MOMA or the Museum of Natural History or the Guggenheim. They are all great museums, but there are so many others: American Folk Art, Merchant's House, Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum.
3 - Find Free things to do "in the Park" - Plays, Shakespeare, Movies and live music, many towns offer free things to do "in the park" so that your staycations does not have to cost a lot of money. A simple internet search will give provide suggestions.
A few sample sites to get you started:
I Love NY - list of Free or almost Free things to do this summer.
Chicago Free things to do
Fun and Cheap San Francisco
Now go have a super staycation!
