Staycation couple

Let’s face it – sometimes you don’t have the cash to spend on jetting off to some exotic locale (or even to a city in a neighboring state). Pesky things like rent and gas and food can get in the way and eat up (no pun intended) any disposable income coming your way.

So what do you do when you can’t get out of town, but need to get away? Take a peek outside your window. It’s time to discover the wonders of your own backyard.

I’m not a big fan of the word “staycation”. It always struck me as an attempt to put a cutesy name to an awful prospect. How much fun could it really be to explore the town you see all the time? And I was right – it’s not fun to visit the same old places you see every day. That’s why, in order for a staycation to work, you have to seek out those local places you’ve never been before. What about that artsy neighborhood you’ve heard about but never visited? Or the restaurant that was hot a few years ago but you never got to? Check them out!

I’m the type of girl who lived in London and never visited Buckingham Palace (see also: working a few blocks from the Liberty Bell and never swinging by to take a look and having yet to explore the Rock Hall in Cleveland). And it’s not because I wasn’t interested, but because they were so available. I knew that I could see them any time I wanted, so there was no urgency and I ended up never getting there.

But as I’ve discovered recently, staycations can actually be pretty awesome. All of the elements of a great getaway are there (exploring new territory, taking a break from your daily grind). It’s the best of both worlds: a vacation where you get to go home and sleep in your own bed every night.

And it’s fun to play the tourist. I’ve hiked to a waterfall, visited a working 19^th century farm, gone on a ghost hunt and took a scenic train ride all within 30 miles of my house.

So, while you can’t beat the excitement and adventure of an epic journey, sometimes it’s nice to leave your passport at home, grab your camera, and lose yourself locally.

What’s a sight you’ve been meaning to see?

Image by graur razvan ionut via FreeDigitalPhotos.net