The Stay-cation...

[mousehockey37]

Sounds like you want to try to spend no money or very little. If that's the case you need to become a "freebie" detective. I'd check your local newspaper/TV community calendars for events that are free or very cheap. Our park district does free summer concerts, movies in the park, free museum days, discount pool days, etc... I bet if you look at community calendars, the visitor's and convention bureau, Chamber of Commerce and the public library you'll find several options.
Also, be willing to try new things, especially if they are free. Maybe you aren't the classical music type, but the local symphony gives a free summer concert--give it a try!

Check out Pinterest for backyard party, games and carnival ideas. Try to incorporate them without spending a lot of money. Even inviting friends over for a movie you've seen a bunch can be fun, if you make it a theme night.

Have fun!

Ok... I'll let everyone in on some more info..

1. I'm a guy. So whoever suggested Lifetime movies... yeah, thanks, I'll pass, lol...
2. For the quoted post, I'm a professional musician in my spare time. So all the free concerts and stuff, yeah, I'm the entertainment.
3. The area I'm in is one that it's a major tourist trap. A trap that even if you go outside the area a decent ways, prices are still touristy. There are no things in or around town that are free.

The area I'm in doesn't really offer much. Nearby go karting and mini golf is that of prices of epic proportions.

So it's really hard to find things to do for a stay-cation.

I do like to disc golf and we have a few courses, that's free, but ultimately, I'm not going to spend a week doing just that. Movies are creeping up in price, I don't have any of the streaming services and regular cable tv just stinks anymore (especially now that hockey season is winding down).

 

[lauradis]

Ok... I'll let everyone in on some more info..

1. I'm a guy. So whoever suggested Lifetime movies... yeah, thanks, I'll pass, lol...
2. For the quoted post, I'm a professional musician in my spare time. So all the free concerts and stuff, yeah, I'm the entertainment.
3. The area I'm in is one that it's a major tourist trap. A trap that even if you go outside the area a decent ways, prices are still touristy. There are no things in or around town that are free.

The area I'm in doesn't really offer much. Nearby go karting and mini golf is that of prices of epic proportions.

So it's really hard to find things to do for a stay-cation.

I do like to disc golf and we have a few courses, that's free, but ultimately, I'm not going to spend a week doing just that. Movies are creeping up in price, I don't have any of the streaming services and regular cable tv just stinks anymore (especially now that hockey season is winding down).

You can keep your man card and not watch lifetime movies.

 

[eliza61]

I live in a major city so stay cations are a bit easier. some of the things I like to do.

First, go to groupon. usually tons of discounts on things. One thing I like about groupon that it some times forces me to do things I wouldn't think of doing just because I have a coupon for it. LOL.

If you have a major newspaper, the friday edition usually has stuff that is going on over the weekend.

Are there Little league baseball games. LOL believe it or not, dh and I enjoyed just chilling and watching the local kids play

In philly this is a big time for street fairs. open air art fairs, flee markets, stuff like that.

Do you have any projects that you've been putting off. for me some times a staycation is not just about doing nothing. I've got quite a few "projects" that I wish I had time to do. doesn't have to be super intense like remodel the kitchen, it could be some thing as simple as investigating a new place to kayak.

For example I've always wanted to start my own gift shop. some thing quirky and funky, one year I took a few days off and investigated business real estate, something I couldn't find the time to do while working. it was fun.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Fairs & festivals
Museums
Zoos/Aquariums
Picnics
State parks
Canoeing/rafting
Hiking/biking
Camping
Fishing
Swimming

 

[MAO]

You might check the local community college, if you have one. They often offer classes for a pretty reasonable price that meet just once or a few times - cooking, needle arts, photography, meditation, etc. If you like to cook, some of the large grocery stores also have one-class offerings. Large chain hardware stores do, as well.

A new hobby, such as photography or genealogy, would be relatively cheap to start. Get out and learn the neighborhood - and the neighbors. It's really hard to believe that a tourist trap area has *nothing* cheap to offer - but perhaps you could spend the money for some 'touristy' thing that would last all day. Good luck!

 

[HM]

EDITING SINCE OP UPDATED INFO BELOW__

Sounds like you have very little money to put toward your Staycation. I'm going to suggest things that cost very little.

Get movies you haven't seen yet at Redbox or your public Library and make popcorn and treats to eat while watching in the evenings.

Find a place to take a picnic lunch. Bring along a book and relax.

Put together a puzzle or two on a table in the house. You can work at this all week. Some libraries carry puzzles or check out a local thrift shop or dollar store for cheap ones.

Put together meals that you've wanted to try but have never had the time. Look for recipes online, shop, and cook....then eat a fabulous meal at well under the price to eat out.

Hike somewhere nearby. Volunteer somewhere.

 

[Narnia_girl]

Ok... I'll let everyone in on some more info..

1. I'm a guy. So whoever suggested Lifetime movies... yeah, thanks, I'll pass, lol...
2. For the quoted post, I'm a professional musician in my spare time. So all the free concerts and stuff, yeah, I'm the entertainment.
3. The area I'm in is one that it's a major tourist trap. A trap that even if you go outside the area a decent ways, prices are still touristy. There are no things in or around town that are free.

The area I'm in doesn't really offer much. Nearby go karting and mini golf is that of prices of epic proportions.

So it's really hard to find things to do for a stay-cation.

I do like to disc golf and we have a few courses, that's free, but ultimately, I'm not going to spend a week doing just that. Movies are creeping up in price, I don't have any of the streaming services and regular cable tv just stinks anymore (especially now that hockey season is winding down).

I understand being the entertainment (I work for a symphony orchestra), so being in the audience without having to "work" a concert is a real treat for me. Maybe you aren't into that, but I still think it's a good idea--find a free concert that you don't have to perform and sit and enjoy.

Go carts and mini golf--wondering if you are in Branson, Gatlinburg or Wisconsin Dells?

 

[HM]

updated my post above yours OP, since we now know you are a single guy

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I understand being the entertainment (I work for a symphony orchestra), so being in the audience without having to "work" a concert is a real treat for me. Maybe you aren't into that, but I still think it's a good idea--find a free concert that you don't have to perform and sit and enjoy.

Go carts and mini golf--wondering if you are in Branson, Gatlinburg or Wisconsin Dells?

Probably not Branson as there are tons of cheap/free things to do nearby. I wondered maybe Niagra Falls or Vegas LOL

 

[Kbee]

For me a stay-cation would include
Taking a hike in one of the local parks/picnic
Visiting local art galleries
Visiting local mansions/picnic on the grounds
Driving an hour to the beach for the day

When we feel we need to get away on the cheap, we go camping

 

[threeboysmom]

Last year was stressful and we just needed extra down time so we actually built a huge sandbox, got a kiddie pool and started hanging out in the backyard beach. We contacted a landscape company to just dump a truck of sand in the backyard so we essentially built a 8'x20' beach for just over $150. We also picked up a $50 fire pit. It was nice to get home some days and think "today sucked, I'm going back to the beach" and just walk out the back door. I hate grass so it made yard maintenance that much less annoying for most of the year. I realize that is not an option for a lot of people because of HOA's and such but we don't have one.

Gosh, I LOVE this idea!!! I want a backyard beach now, lol!

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Go visit parks. Go to the movies out to eat. Get together with friends. Sit outside and have a cool drink and relax. Ride a bike around the neighborhood. Go skating. Go to a pool. Do the things that make you happy.

 

[xlsm]

I lived in Branson, the ultimate tourist trap, so I understand about the cost of things in a town like that.
The perk was, if you live or work in an area like that, you can score local discounts on a lot of things. We'd often pay less than half price for many of the local fun spots. Plus, we had our pick of lakes to choose from to visit as well.
So, first, if you like outdoor activities, check out local state parks, lakes, rivers, mountains, etc...
Second, see if you get any discounts for living/working in/near your TouristLandVille.

Even just hanging out with friends and sleeping in late can seem really decadent if you put yourself in the right frame of mind.
Good luck and have fun!

 

[FINFAN]

offer up your services to house sit for a friend or neighbor , whatever they pay will go toward your real vaca fund and you will be removed from your own place making it feel a smidge like you got away

do you have a bike? try new trails or just bike everywhere for a day. P

People watch. hit one of those tourist spots, offer to be the guy who takes their pictures etc, make a game of guessing where they are from , back story etc. I do that at WDW a lot, find a bench and just people watch.

volunteer at a food kitchen or anywhere, it can really be a mood booster and rewarding

 

[Narnia_girl]

Have you ever tried Letterboxing or Geocaching? There are probably some hidden boxes in your area.

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

Our new hobby is kayaking. It is so fun, relaxing & inexpensive. If there is a place close by to rent a kayak for the day it is a enjoyable outing. Pack a picnic & have fun.

 

[kristinradico]

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I'll ask anyway.

I'm in a non-Disney year or two (just went last fall) and I'm coming into a need for a break from work. I live in a tourist trap town, so to go anywhere will be outside the spending limits, and to do anything close to home, yeah, outside the spending limits...

So what do you do for a "Stay-cation" on years when you can't afford to really go anywhere to "get away"?

We do a lot of "day" things. We buy season passes to things near by when they are on sale. Theme parks/ Zoos/Museums, etc. Maybe a day trip to a lake/beach if you have one within a few hours. We LOVE to spend the night at the Drive In movies. We get there at opening and really enjoy the relaxation/tailgating until movie time. Also it is almost summer time. I know places like the bowling alley/movie theater will have specials for very cheap deals!!

 

[buckirj1]

The important thing is that you don't work. You don't HAVE to do stuff, unless not working isn't enough. If you want to do stuff, then I don't think you're trying hard enough unless you live someplace like Gatlinburg or Dollywood. In which case you have my deepest sympathies, because that truly is the only game in town. Do you get a kick out of people watching, or do you get all of the human race you can stand in your line of work?

I can't extol the virtues of Pricelining hotels enough, especially if you're solo. Are you living in the kind of tourist area that doesn't get good Priceline hotel deals? Have you tried? Are you living in the kind of tourist area that doesn't offer much in the way of free cultural stuff, cf: the Gatlinburg and Dollywood thing? Is there decent public transportation in your area?

I'd be pretty happy with a staycation that involved going to bed when I felt like it, getting up when I felt like it, eating when I felt like it, taking copious naps, sitting around in my underwear, and not having to talk to ANYBODY. But you need to decide what would make YOU happy. I hope we've given you some good ideas.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I do more stay-cations than travel. I use the time to do things that work gets in the way of. For me, that's: cooking and baking, re-organizing and re-decorating things in my house, reading, and spending time with friends and family. Those things do more to relax me than most trips would. You need to figure out what does that for you. I also like the idea of sitting around in my underwear, napping when I want to and not talking to anyone.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Do the things that make you happy.

This is the right answer for a staycation.