1. Plan an at-home spa day

While spending the day at a spa could set you back several hundred dollars, an at-home spa retreat can bring you nearly all the benefits at a fraction of the cost. Create fun baskets for you and your friends filled with whatever theme you choose for your spa day. For a traditional self care day, your baskets could include terry-cloth slippers, skin-soothing masks, hydrating hand creams and bright nail polish. Looking for more of a hands-on experience? Stock your baskets with art supplies, crafting materials, or bright and colorful yarns with knitting needles. Have a squad of foodie friends? Load up baskets with gourmet goodies and stage a celebrity-style cook-off or bake-off—best of all, you can eat the results!

2. Play tourist in your own town

Chances are, between work and life and keeping up with your friends and responsibilities, you haven’t taken the time to enjoy the museums and cultural attractions in your own home town. Now’s the time to fix that! Search online for “things to do” in your city or neighborhood—you may be surprised at the local events and attractions that you never realized were right around the corner. Looking to avoid the crowds? Search for hiking trails in your area and hit them with friends during off hours—a great time to enjoy nature while getting fresh air.

3. Take a class, any class

We all have those thoughts of “one day, I’ll take that yoga class”—or painting class, or exercise boot camp. A staycation is a great opportunity to explore an interest that you may not have ever had time to pursue. Not sure what’s available for an in-person experience? Go online! There are more possibilities than ever for online learning, and you never know what might ignite a new passion.

4. Donate your time

If you’re looking to give back as well as refill your well, donating your time to a charity that speaks to you could be just the ticket. Especially during these chaotic times, charitable organizations need more help than ever. Whether it’s volunteering at a soup kitchen or delivering meals, helping to build homes, cleaning up the neighborhoods or simply checking in on people in the community, the gift you give of your time will be repaid ten-fold to you in the grace you’ll receive.

5. Enjoy nature

One of the best ways you can spend any vacation is to get back in touch with nature, either at a downtown metro park, at a nearby lake or river, or simply getting out into the fresh air. Lace up your walking shoes and explore the great outdoors!

Whether you’re looking for ideas to enjoy your staycation with friends or are going it solo, the lack of crazy logistics and hectic travel of this type of retreat can help you truly unwind and reconnect with yourself. So start dreaming up the perfect summer experience, and here’s wishing you a staycation for the ages!

The post Planning the perfect staycation appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

A staycation is exactly what it sounds like: a vacation where you stay at home. And if you think that doesn’t sound too exciting, read on for some ideas to make your next staycation unforgettable.

1. Check out the local attractions

We’re used to doing all the touristy things when we travel—visiting the zoo, checking out cool downtown areas, going to museums—but we often don’t take the time to get to know our own communities. Act like a tourist in your hometown and see what new places you can discover!

To take this idea to the next level, recruit your friends to join you on a round-the-town tournament—play all the local miniature golf courses or bowling alleys, with a prize for each day’s winner and a grand prize overall. Have fun with it!

2. Get your zen on

Consider unplugging from all technology and going media-free for your staycation—and maybe double down by signing up for yoga classes or spiritual meditation sessions. A pure zen retreat doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, it just takes time and focus…and a willingness to separate yourself from your cell phone for longer than five minutes. (You can do it!)

3. Become a Geocacher!

Imagine yourself on a treasure hunt requiring only your cell phone (or other GPS-enabled device), some gas in your tank, and a mind for adventure. Google “geocaching” and check out the apps and sites to get started. You’ll be directed to “buried treasure” located in your own area, and can set out by yourself or with friends to find where X marks the spot!

4. Restaurant Hop, Pub Crawl, or Breakfast Bounce

It seems like new restaurants open up every week in some cities, and who has time to try them all? You do, on your staycation! Celebrate how much money you’re saving by staying home by taking yourself out to several new restaurants, brewpubs, cafes, diners or dives to get to know all the fresh tastes in your own backyard.

5. Take up a new hobby

Sometimes getting started on a new hobby can seem incredibly daunting, but there’s no better time than a staycation to dedicate yourself to your craft—literally. Use the precious days of your staycation as an incubator to get a jump start on your newest business idea, project, hobby or goal…or maybe take one of those classes you’ve been meaning to start for the past several months. You’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish in a short time.

Vacations are all about relaxing, and your staycation should definitely include lots and lots of naps…but once you get up and are ready to embrace your staycation fully, there are lots of options for you to make it one of the best breaks ever from work. So relax and enjoy your custom-tailored staycation…we’ll leave a light on for you!

The post The art of the staycation appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.