Affordable staycation ideas for any season

A staycation is a vacation from your usual routine that doesn't involve much (or any) travel. Staycations can be a great way to avoid the stress and cost of a travel vacation while still enjoying the rewards that come from taking a break. If you're not sure what to do, here are some budget staycation ideas for families, couples, and friends. 

Family (and budget) friendly staycation ideas 

Whether your kids are still in diapers or they're rolling their teenage eyes at your dad or mom jokes, here are some inexpensive staycation ideas to help improve your family bond—and live within your means. 

1. Set up a home theater 

The average cost of a movie ticket is $10.78, according to Nash Information Services, which translates to nearly $45 for a family of four, and that's not including concessions. In some cities, the cost is much higher.   

To save some money, set up a theater in your home. You can do this by blacking out your windows, setting up comfortable seating with pillows and blankets, and cooking your favorite style of popcorn on the stove.  

2. Camp out in the backyard 

If you have a backyard, set up a tent and spend the night together. You can even come up with some fun camping activities, such as telling stories and roasting marshmallows over a small fire, stargazing, or playing flashlight tag.  

Then, you can spend the night together in the tent or, if your kids are old enough to stay out on their own, let them finish the night with a slumber party. 

3. Take a day trip 

Taking a staycation doesn't mean you can't leave your house. Consider taking a day trip to a local landmark, national park, or another nearby place you've never been before. You can pack lunches, play car games, and take turns choosing your music playlist.  

If your kids are younger, potential activities may include taking them to a new indoor playground, park, or planetarium.  

Inexpensive staycations for couples 

If you're looking for a local getaway for just you and your partner, there may be several opportunities to try something new without leaving city limits. Here are just a few.  

1. Sample the local restaurants  

If you and your partner love to dine out, use websites like Yelp, Eater, or local foodie blogs to find some of the best-kept secrets in your area.  

If you live in a bigger city, you can search for restaurant week events where you can enjoy discounts on lunch and dinner menus—even at high-end eateries. Since the first restaurant week was established in New York City in 1992, it's become a popular trend nationwide.   

2. Stay overnight at a local hotel 

Look for hotel options in an area of town you're unfamiliar with, so it still feels like a getaway. If you want a full night-on-the-town experience, consider going out for dinner and an activity.  

Some ideas include visiting a new museum, figuring your way out of an escape room, and taking a tour of a local brewery or distillery. Alternatively, you can stay in your hotel room, order room service, share a bottle of wine, and enjoy a night in together. 

3. Swap houses with friends 

If you can't afford to stay at a local hotel, an alternative is to ask another couple to swap homes with you for a night or even a full weekend. Whether they live in another city or across the street, a change of scenery may be all you need to relax and enjoy yourselves.  

Cheap staycation ideas for you and your friends 

Whether you're single or coupled, here are some staycation ideas for you and a group of friends to consider.  

1. Stay at a unique rental home 

Vacation rentals can be pricey, but sharing the cost of an Airbnb can make it much more affordable for everyone involved. To make it special, look for vacation rentals with unique features, such as a cabin, houseboat, or treehouse.   

Some websites make it easy to find local privately owned campsites near national or state parks and national forests, giving you a chance to enjoy the outdoors. 

2. Host a movie marathon 

Invite your friends over for a double feature or even a movie marathon of a popular film franchise. Alternatively, you could ask each friend to pick one of their favorite movies, so you can get to know each other a little better.   You can even pick a theme based on a favorite actor, director, or genre and have your guests rate and discuss each film. Just make sure you have enough snacks and drinks to get everyone through the day. 

3. Organize a tournament 

A little healthy competition never hurt anyone, and in some cases, it can bring you and your friends closer together. Create teams and set up different events throughout the day or evening. Potential ideas include board or video games, pool, table tennis, foosball, and outdoor events.   

You can ask everyone to bring food and drinks to share and even pool some money together to provide prizes for the winning team. 

The bottom line 

A staycation won't feel like getting away unless you're truly able to break from your everyday routine. So set an out-of-office message on your email, silence your phone, stay up past your bedtime, and plan to treat yourself. Just like you would an out-of-town vacation, allow yourself a few splurges within your budget.¹  

While you can easily take a last-minute staycation, taking the time to plan can help you get creative in developing a lasting memory for you and your loved ones.      

1. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “Budgeting: How to create a budget and stick with it.”