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6 Things You Need For Your Perfect Summer Staycation

What Is a Staycation?

6 Things You Need For Your Perfect Summer Staycation

What Is a Staycation?
Image Source: Flickr user nickharris1

If you are really itching for a Summer getaway but don't want to stray too far from home for whatever reason, let me suggest a staycation to you. A staycation — where you stay home for vacation — can be just as thrilling as a vacation that takes you miles and miles away if you do it right. One option is to literally just lounge around your house and relax, and that is an absolutely amazing idea. But another, more adventurous option is to go out and explore your town or city and find things you never realized were there. I recently took myself on a staycation of New York City to mix some of my favorite things with some new things I'd never seen. I decided there are six key things that make a great staycation, and the best part is that each of these six things translates to wherever you live. Just because you aren't in a metro area doesn't mean you can't enjoy your staycation just as much as I did.

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Stay in a hotel near your home

Stay in a hotel near your home
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Hedy Phillips

It's great to get out of the house for a weekend even if you don't go far. For my staycation, I spent two nights at The Renwick in downtown New York just for a change of scenery and to make myself really feel like I was on vacation. No matter where you live, there's probably a hotel, B&B, or something similar within a reasonable distance to enjoy your staycation.

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Eat at one of your favorite places — inside the restaurant

Eat at one of your favorite places — inside the restaurant
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Hedy Phillips

Because your staycation is a mix of the comforts of home and a vacation with new things, I recommend going to one of your favorite takeout spots and ordering a meal to eat in. I, of course, chose Shake Shack, which is something I like to grab when I'm in a hurry and eat on the run.

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Take a new mode of transportation

Take a new mode of transportation
Image Source: Flickr user mishagl

If you always drive everywhere or take a bus or train, consider renting a bike or walking around for a bit during your staycation. You'll get new views of where you live. I grabbed a Citi Bike for a bit of my weekend, which allowed me to see the streets I'm normally traveling underneath on the subway.

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Go to a neighborhood you've never been to

Go to a neighborhood you've never been to
Image Source: Flickr user shinyasuzuki

Chances are, even if you think you've experienced everything your city, town, or county has to offer, there's probably a neighborhood tucked away somewhere that is yet to be explored. Find it and roam around like I did in the Chelsea area (including Chelsea Market!) in New York.

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Do something really touristy

Do something really touristy
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Hedy Phillips

You're still technically on vacation, so you should do something as touristy as possible that you've never done before. For me, it was finally walking on the Brooklyn Bridge, but it can be something small and simple, just as long as it's new.

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Buy a souvenir to commemorate it

Buy a souvenir to commemorate it
Image Source: Flickr user nickharris1

Just like any other getaway, you'll want to commemorate it. You don't have to bring home something extravagant or outlandish, just something to remind yourself of the amazing time you had right in your own backyard.

Hotel accommodations provided by Hilton for the purpose of writing this post.

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6 Things You Need For Your Perfect Summer Staycation originally posted on POPSUGAR Smart Living
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