Making the Most of Staycations and Saving Big

Not every vacation requires a plane ticket or a passport. In fact, some of the most restorative, creative, and affordable getaways happen right where you already live. Staycations — vacations taken close to home — are gaining popularity across the U.S. as families, couples, and solo travelers look for meaningful experiences without the high costs of flights, hotels, or long itineraries.

But a staycation isn’t just about “staying home.” Done right, it’s about reimagining your surroundings, treating yourself with the same excitement as a trip abroad, and finding adventure in the familiar. Best of all, staycations can cost a fraction of traditional vacations, freeing up your budget for other goals.

Here’s a full guide on making the most of staycations and saving big while doing it.

Why Staycations Save Big

Traditional vacations often come with the “big three” expenses: airfare, hotels, and dining out. A family of four might spend $3,000–$4,000 on a weeklong trip, before adding tickets to attractions, souvenirs, or car rentals. Staycations strip away most of these costs.

• No flights: Eliminates hundreds (or thousands) of dollars.
  
• No hotels: Sleep in your own bed or swap homes with friends.
  
• Flexible food: Mix local dining with home-cooked meals.
  

Instead of returning home with a credit card bill, you finish refreshed and financially intact.

Staycations in 2025: A Growing Trend

Staycations aren’t just personal hacks — they’re a cultural shift. Rising airfare, inflation, and climate concerns are making people rethink long-haul trips. A 2024 AAA survey found that 41% of Americans planned at least one staycation, citing affordability and convenience.

Cities are responding. More municipalities now offer resident passes to museums, “locals’ nights” at attractions, and discounts for community events. Even hotels are pivoting, offering “daycation” packages for locals who want pool access or spa treatments without overnight stays.

In 2025, staycations are no longer a fallback option. They’re becoming mainstream. And with tools like Beem to help plan, budget, and track savings, the trend will only grow stronger.

Micro-Staycations: The Power of 24 Hours

Not everyone has a week to spare. Enter the micro-staycation: a single 24-hour reset that packs in the joy of a vacation without major disruption.

Take a Friday off, start the day with a hike, enjoy a long lunch at a new restaurant, nap in the afternoon, and finish with a movie marathon or backyard firepit. Sleep in, have brunch, and you’re back to normal life by Saturday night. Read on How to Get Cheap Hotels.

These bite-sized breaks are especially powerful for parents, students, or busy professionals. You don’t need seven days to feel restored — sometimes, 24 intentional hours are enough.

How Staycations Help with Burnout

Burnout is real and rising. Nearly 3 in 5 U.S. workers report feeling emotionally exhausted, according to the American Psychological Association. While traditional vacations help, they come with their own stress: planning, packing, traveling, and financial strain.

Staycations remove that barrier. No airport stress, no timezone fatigue. Instead, they allow true recovery: sleeping in, relaxing at home, connecting with loved ones, and doing activities you actually enjoy.

By lowering barriers and costs, staycations become more accessible, making it easier for people to take regular breaks, not just one annual vacation. This frequency is key to sustainable mental health.

Treat It Like a Real Vacation

The danger of a staycation is that it can blur into “just another weekend at home.” To avoid that, set the stage:

• Pick dates and block them off: No work emails, no errands. Commit fully.
  
• Set a budget: Even though you’re saving, give yourself a budget for fun — meals out, day passes, or events.
  
• Make an itinerary: Build a loose plan like you would for a trip abroad. That helps avoid wasting days wondering “what should we do?”
  

The mindset shift is key: a staycation only feels like a vacation if you treat it like one.

Read: How To Save Money For A Vacation In 6 Months

Rediscovering Your Own City

How many people live near world-class attractions they’ve never visited? Museums, art galleries, botanical gardens, and even quirky roadside landmarks often go ignored by locals. A staycation is your chance to play tourist in your own city.

• City passes: Many cities sell discount cards for unlimited museum or transit access.
  
• Neighborhood explorations: Spend a day in a part of town you rarely visit.
  
• Guided tours: Walking or food tours reveal history and hidden gems.
  

Sometimes the best surprises are right next door.

Outdoor Adventures Without Leaving Town

Nature is one of the cheapest (and healthiest) ways to spend your time. A staycation is the perfect excuse to explore local outdoor spaces:

• Hiking trails: Even urban areas often have scenic trails within 30–60 minutes.
  
• Camping at home: Pitch a tent in the backyard, roast marshmallows, and stargaze. Kids especially love the novelty.
  
• Local parks or lakes: Kayaking, paddleboarding, or picnics turn a simple day into an event.
  

You don’t have to drive cross-country for fresh air; it’s usually closer than you think. Discover How To Save Money Over The Holidays.

Culinary Travel at Home

Food is often the highlight of vacations. Staycations let you replicate that joy without airfare.

• International cooking nights: Pick a country, cook its signature dishes, and pair with music or movies from that culture.
  
• Restaurant hopping: Try new spots in your city instead of your regular go-tos.
  
• Farmers’ markets: Build a meal from local ingredients, supporting small businesses while creating a fresh dining experience.
  

Exploring the world through your taste buds can be as memorable as dining in another country.

Low-Cost Luxury: Splurging Without Overspending

One advantage of staying home is that you can afford to “upgrade” little things without blowing the budget.

• Spa day at home: DIY facials, long baths, or booking a single massage at a local spa.
  
• Home cinema night: Projector + popcorn = movie theater feel for a fraction of the price.
  
• Hotel night in town: Instead of seven nights at $200 each, splurge on one luxury night in your own city.
  

When you’re not spending thousands on travel, small luxuries feel indulgent but still cost-effective. Here’s more on Leveraging Layovers to Stretch Your Vacation Budget.

Family Fun on a Staycation

Staycations can be especially rewarding for families with kids:

• Theme days: Pirate day, space day, or sports day at home.
  
• Scavenger hunts: Hide clues around the house, yard, or neighborhood.
  
• Local attractions: Zoos, science centers, or amusement parks may feel ordinary to locals but magical to kids.
  

Family memories don’t require airfare; they require creativity.

Staycations for Couples

For couples, a staycation can be a chance to reconnect without logistical stress.

• Romantic dinners: Cook together or book a local fine-dining restaurant.
  
• Tech-free day: No phones, just presence.
  
• Mini road trip: Drive one or two hours for a change of scenery, then return home at night. Learn about Road Trip vs Train Travel: Which Saves More?
  

The intimacy of a staycation often outweighs the chaos of a long trip.

Staycations for Solo Travelers

Solo staycations are underrated. Instead of juggling group schedules, you can focus on yourself.

• Creative projects: Write, paint, or tackle that “someday” hobby.
  
• Personal wellness: Yoga, meditation, or spa rituals without rushing.
  
• Solo adventures: Explore local trails, cafés, or exhibits on your terms.
  

Solo staycations combine rest with self-discovery.

Budgeting a Staycation vs. Vacation

Expense Category	Typical Vacation (1 Week, Family of 4)	Staycation Equivalent	Savings
Flights	$1,600	$0	$1,600
Hotels	$1,400	$0	$1,400
Dining	$800	$400 (mix of eating out + home meals)	$400
Attractions	$600	$250 (local events, passes)	$350
Transport	$400	$100 (gas/public transit)	$300
Total	$4,800	$750	$4,050

Staycations can save families over 80% of typical vacation costs, without sacrificing fun.

Creative Themes for Staycations

Want to elevate your staycation? Build a theme:

• World tour: Each day, cook meals and watch movies from a different country.
  
• Adventure week: Hiking, kayaking, or biking every day.
  
• Cultural immersion: Local museum tours, concerts, and markets.
  
• Relaxation retreat: Daily yoga, meditation, and spa rituals.
  

Themes keep staycations fresh and memorable.

Hidden Costs of Vacations That Staycations Avoid

The true cost of a vacation is rarely visible in the brochure. Beyond airfare and hotels, travelers often get blindsided by extras: baggage fees ($30–$60 per bag), airport meals ($15–$25 each), resort fees ($20–$50 per night), rideshares, tips, and mandatory travel insurance. NerdWallet estimates these hidden expenses can inflate a trip’s cost by 20–30%.

Staycations sidestep nearly all of this. Sleeping in your own bed eliminates resort fees. Driving locally instead of flying avoids baggage charges. Cooking at home for part of the week halves your dining costs. You can reallocate these savings toward more meaningful experiences — a special dinner, a spa visit, or simply into your savings account.

When you strip away hidden costs, you realize just how much “vacations” tax you for the privilege of leaving home. Staycations keep the fun, but cut the fat.

Digital Detox Staycations

In a hyperconnected world, real rest is rare. Studies show that even on traditional vacations, most Americans check email daily and spend hours scrolling on social media. That means they never fully “switch off.”

A digital detox staycation flips the script. Commit to two or three days without screens: no email, no social media, no Netflix binges. Replace them with analog activities, like journaling, cooking, long walks, puzzles, or face-to-face conversations.

The benefits are striking. Short breaks from devices improve sleep, reduce anxiety, and boost creativity. A weekend without screens can leave you more recharged than a week abroad with your laptop in tow.

Staycation Savings Goals: Travel Later, Smarter

One of the smartest ways to make staycations work for you is financially. Redirect the money you would have spent on airfare or hotels into a dedicated savings account. A family skipping a $4,000 trip in favor of a $750 staycation can bank $3,250 toward a dream trip later.

Apps like Beem make this process tangible by tracking “saved vs. spent” and setting visual milestones. Over time, you can build a travel fund without sacrificing present joy. In this way, staycations don’t replace big trips; they empower them, letting you enjoy both short-term fun and long-term goals. Moreover, Beem’s Instant Cash helps cover the gaps in your financial plans, offering cash for emergencies with no interest, no credit checks, and no income restrictions, giving you seamless access to cash when you need it the most. 

Top 10 Staycation Ideas by Personality Type

Personality Type	Staycation Approach	How to Make It Memorable	Budget-Friendly Twist
Foodie	Build a “restaurant passport” with 5–10 local spots you’ve never tried. Host international cooking nights at home — Italian pasta one night, Ethiopian injera the next. Pair meals with cultural music or films.	Don’t just eat — make it an experience. Create a photo diary of your food journey and treat it like you’re traveling abroad.	Use food trucks, happy-hour deals, or farmers’ market ingredients to keep costs low while still indulging.
Adventurer	Seek out local hikes, kayak rentals, indoor climbing gyms, or day trips to nearby parks. Challenge yourself with activities you’ve “never had time for.”	Treat each day like a micro-expedition: map routes, pack snacks, and push yourself outside your comfort zone.	Rent gear instead of buying. Many cities have free or donation-based adventure groups.
Introvert	Transform your home into a retreat. Light candles, read, journal, or try guided meditation. Dedicate one full day to silence and reflection.	Add rituals like long baths or sunrise yoga. Create cozy reading corners or a “no-phone zone.”	Use your library for free audiobooks or meditation apps. No need to spend on fancy retreats.
Extrovert	Plan a “local festival” with friends: backyard karaoke, board game nights, or potluck dinners. Explore live events in your city.	Turn your staycation into a week of shared memories. Invite different friends each day to keep energy flowing.	Use community calendars to find free concerts, art walks, and comedy nights.
Family Planner	Build themed days (pirate day, space day, scavenger hunt). Visit local zoos, aquariums, or amusement parks.	Create photo albums and themed snacks to deepen the experience. Backyard camping makes kids feel like explorers.	Take advantage of library passes or discount family day tickets. DIY scavenger hunts are nearly free.
Budget Hawk	Challenge yourself to see how much fun you can have for $50–$100 total. Track savings versus a “real” vacation.	Document your challenge on social media or in a journal to inspire others.	Use free days at museums, bring picnics to parks, and track every dollar with Beem.
Wellness Seeker	Build a DIY spa retreat: yoga mornings, long walks, healthy cooking, and one splurge massage.	Focus on daily wellness rituals: meditation, journaling, herbal teas.	Use YouTube yoga sessions, free meditation apps, and DIY facials with pantry ingredients.
Culture Enthusiast	Spend days exploring local galleries, museums, or indie theaters. Dedicate evenings to foreign films or cultural cooking.	Choose one theme (French, Japanese, African) and immerse yourself in its food, music, and art for a whole day.	Look for free museum nights or outdoor art installations. Borrow international films from your library.
Romantic	Plan candlelit dinners, stargazing nights, or one boutique hotel splurge in town.	Add surprise touches: handwritten notes, playlists of shared songs, or a scenic drive to a nearby vineyard.	Picnic at sunset instead of a pricey dinner. DIY spa nights for two.
Learner	Dedicate time to mastering a new skill: cooking, photography, painting, coding, or dancing.	Structure your staycation into “workshops” — one skill per day.	Use free online platforms (Coursera, YouTube) or library workshops instead of paid classes.

FAQs on Making the Most of Staycations

Saving Big With Staycations

A staycation isn’t a consolation prize; it’s a different kind of vacation. It’s about slowing down, savoring your surroundings, and using creativity to turn the ordinary into extraordinary. And the best part? Instead of returning home with debt, you return home with more savings and more energy.

With the Beem app as your financial guide, you’ll see just how rewarding staycations can be, not just for your wallet, but for your wellbeing. Because sometimes the best escape doesn’t require a plane ticket at all. Check out Beem for on-point financial insights and recommendations to spend, save, plan and protect your money like an expert. Download the Beem app today.