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During the summer we love to plan weekend staycations close to home. This summer we want to take advantage of Florida’s natural beauty and gorgeous beaches. We’re excited to explore our own back yard and save money at the same time. Whether you’re staying at a local hotel, driving a couple of hours to a nearby destination or exploring attractions close to home you can have a fantastic vacation without traveling far or spending too much.
Tips For Planning A Fantastic Family Staycation
Get into vacation mode. Even if you’re staying at home schedule your staycation just like you would any other vacation. Clear your calendar of any chores, errands or appointments during your staycation. I do what I usually to before leaving for a trip: I clean and do the laundry before the start of our staycation and keep housework to a minimum during our scheduled summer break.
You can hover over the photo to purchase Healthy Choice Café Steamers.
To make mealtime easy and hassle-free so we can spend more time doing fun activities and enjoying our staycation we rely on Healthy Choice® Café Steamers. Healthy Choice Café Steamers are healthy, wholesome frozen meals with crisp veggies, tender proteins, and flavorful sauces in every bite. You just pop them in the microwave and they’re ready in minutes and there’s no mess or clean up afterward. Healthy Choice Café Steamers are our go-to option for a quick meal that is delicious and that we can feel great about eating.
Make a plan. Create a list with fun things you can do close to home and get everyone involved. Maybe there’s a museum you’ve been wanting to go back to or a beach or park you’ve been wanting to explore. Doing new things will ensure that your staycation is exciting and memorable.
Make it an overnight affair. If your budget allows it, book an overnight stay at a hotel or vacation rental nearby. Even if your staycation destination is close by being away from home will help eliminate any distractions like work and chores so you can really relax and take a break from the everyday routine. Look for last minute deals or weekday deals to save on your accommodations and look for options that provide you with extras like included breakfast, a pool on site or kids activities.
No matter if we’re traveling near or far we usually book a vacation rental or a hotel with a kitchenette or full kitchen. Having enough space for everyone helps to make the vacation more relaxing and having a full kitchen lets us save on meals. Before arriving at our hotel or vacation rental we stop at Walmart and stock up on Healthy Choice Café Steamers.
For this beach weekend staycation, we grabbed a variety of Healthy Choice Café Steamers at Walmart including : Beef Teriyaki, Beef Merlot ,Chicken Marinara and Chicken Margherita. My husband loved the beef dishes while my daughter and I where We loved all of them and they all tasted freshly made and were delicious and filling.
Everyone got to eat their favorites so everyone was excited come mealtime and we all got to enjoy delicious restaurant quality food without the spending and with zero work. All of it with an amazing view of the ocean.
When we’re on vacation we want to make things as easy as possible. I love how convenient shopping at Walmart is. You can shop in store, or you can take advantage of Walmart’s Online Grocery Service. All you have to do is order online and pick up your groceries and you’re ready for a stress-free weekend getaway!
Be a tourist in your own town. No matter where you live there are great places to explore close to home. Check out tourist-friendly activities close to you and you’re sure to find something fun and exciting you’ve never done.
Some ideas for fun things to do in close to home include:
- do a walking tour of your city or town
- do a scavenger hunt in your staycation destination (there’s an app for that)
- check out a new beach, park, hiking trail or even a new restaurant in your area
- visit a new museum exhibit
- book a popular tourist tour or activity
On our recent staycation in Fort Myers Beach, we booked a dolphin tour. It was one of the most fun activities we’ve done on any trip and it was only 45min from home! We have lived here for over 10 years and we had never done a dolphin tour. It is now one of our favorite things we’ve ever done as a family.
Your staycation can be just as fun and as memorable as any vacation. The key to having an awesome staycation is to find ways to break the routine, try new experiences and relax.
Paula studied architecture and now makes a living as a freelance writer,traveler and amateur photographer.She started her writing & publishing career as the editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala.She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www.365thingsswfl.com and writes articles in Spanish and English for both magazines and the web on travel,food and bicultural and bilingual parenting .
When she is not on a plane or road trip she likes to create recipes inspired in the flavors of her native Guatemala.
- Guatemalan Dulce de Chilacayote Recipe (Crystalized Chilacayote Candy) - February 26, 2024
- Guatemalan Naranjas en Miel Recipe (Candied Oranges Recipe) - February 25, 2024
- Traditional Guatemalan Candy - February 25, 2024
Oh yum, these meals are so tasty! I usually always have some in the freezer. We’ll be doing a staycation this summer.
yessss!!! I love a good staycation and you’re right, you don’t always need to travel far to have fun. Thanks a lot for sharing.
Paula, you’re a genius. Love all your pics and that food looks so yo yummy!
These are wonderful tips for staycations. I haven’t thought of pre planning for meals. I’ll definitely use that for the future!
I think this year I will be doing a staycation too. There are so many cool places to explore in and around my city!
What a nice weekend in the company of delicious healthy food! You’re right sometimes you don’t need big journeys and great distances to spend wonderful time!
Love your hat and your bathing suit. I agree we don’t need to travel far, a staycation is as good. Sun tanning in the pool and having good foods are some of the things I love to do on my staycation.
I am in dire need of a staycation somewhere. True that sometimes the best time is one we have closer to home; Those meals look amazing!
This is a genius idea. Why spend money on restaurant food when you don’t have to do it. The options look delicious and nutritious. I wonder if there are vegetarian options as well?
I’ve never tried Healthy Choice meals before, they look like they have good tasty food to eat… I need a staycation right about now, this came in good timing ; )
This is nice idea. I haven’t done it before. I will do this in my next trip.
This is a great idea. We don’t need to travel far away for fun. I prefer a Staycation, it also costs you cheap.
I love just heading to a hotel not too far. It is a pretty nice way to reset mentally!
I love a good staycation. My next year is pretty busy with work and conferences so leisure travel isn’t much on the cards. Having a staycation will definitely help!
Staycation sounds like a great idea. sometimes just a break from everyday routine is what we all need to recharge. Having those ready meals sound great.