How To Take A Proper Staycation

Swimsuit: Solid and Striped ℅ South Moon Under | Hat: Similar | Bag: South Moon Under | Sandals: ℅ Altar’d State

Even though I love to travel, I’ve learned to enjoy a good staycation over the years. Let’s face it: traveling can be exhausting, and sometimes you end up feeling like you need a vacation after your vacation. It also doesn’t help that I don’t typically opt for any super relaxing vacations either: I love to explore other major cities across the U.S. rather than the beach since I’m used to the hustle and bustle.

Staycations help me relax on the next level. Since I’m staying in-town I don’t have to hop on a flight, a bus, or a train, and I can really decompress. I especially love that the city is a little quieter in the summer on the weekends, and I can use the time to get some rest. Here are a few tips and tricks that have helped me perfect the staycation over the last few years!

1. Don’t be afraid to take PTO

   Sometimes, weekends just aren’t enough! If you’re extra stressed out and have some PTO to burn, don’t hesitate to take a Monday or a Friday off of work to decompress. At my last full-time job, my old boss was a firm believer of the “personal day” — as long as I gave enough notice, they were cool with me just taking a day for myself!

2. Put down your phone and stop working

   This part is super hard for me as an entrepreneur, but sometimes you have to just put your phone down, not answer any emails, and focus on yourself. When I’m on vacations I turn off any email notifications so I won’t know if any emails hit my inbox unless I open up the mail app on my phone. I also like take a breather and ignore the group chats and DMs I get for a couple of days when I’m extra stressed out!

3. Head to the pool/river

   Don’t sit in traffic going to the beach! I like to head to my nearest pool or enjoy a day at the river whenever I’m staying in town. I have a few friends who are lucky enough to have rooftop pools in the city, and there are also fun cruises/paddleboarding options available along the river that will give you an awesome view of the Philly skyline.

4. Book a room at a local hotel

   I’ve done this a few times before on the blog, but booking a room at a local hotel is a great way to relax when you can’t leave town. Sometimes when I’m stuck inside my apartment for several days I get the urge to clean/rearrange/scrub down all the things, so a local hotel is a great way to get peace of mind. Some hotels might offer discounts during the week or for locals, so definitely check on that!

5. No beach? Opt for a tropical beverage instead!

   When I’m lounging outdoors in my city, I love to grab a drink that’s light and refreshing — especially since it’s super hot outside. My drink of choice lately is Seagram’s Escapes Jamaican Me Happy. I love how it makes me feel like I’m on a tropical island, when I’m actually in the middle of Philly. This delicious malt beverage features the tropically refreshing flavors of strawberry, watermelon, lemon and guava. 

6. Head to a ball game

   Whether its major league or minor league, nothing quite screams summer like a ball game! This is actually on my bucket list for the end of summer to do with friends since I have yet to go to a Phillies game this season! Tickets for baseball games are pretty affordable, and I love going whenever they have specials (ex. Dollar Dog Night).

7. Play tourist in your own city

   If you take off on a weekday, that’s a great time to explore some touristy spots in the city and avoid the crowds! When I lived in D.C., I loved hitting up the museums on weekdays because they’re not only free, but they’re pretty quality as well. It’s been years since I’ve been to the Art Museum and Please Touch Museum in Philly, but that’s for sure on my list for my next staycation!

Have you ever taken a staycation?

Photos by Anna Meyer

Thank you to Seagram’s Escapes for partnering with me for today’s post! All thoughts and opinions are my own.