5 Stay-cationing For Beginners Summer is right around the corner. Even though most of us no longer get the joy of a summer break, the middle of the year remains a popular time for vacations. But, many people don’t have the opportunity to take a lengthy and expensive trip, especially during the hottest time of the year. This has led to the growing popularity of “stay-cationing,” where you simply take a day or two to enjoy your area from a perspective you don’t often get to see. Here are three tips for first-timers to make the most out of a little (local) summer adventure. 1. Start with some research. Maybe you want to check out something you’ve never had the chance to, or maybe you want to revisit somewhere you haven’t been in a while. Get online or ask around for suggestions. Be sure to get info on travel distance, food, and lodging. Check out websites (or apps) like AXS Maps and AccessibleGO that can help you plan. 2. Set a budget and plan out at least a day of activities. If you live somewhere with a notable tourist scene, your getaway might be just living as a tourist for a day. Or, you may want to plan your trip around an event, like a concert or a show. Maybe you’ll be happy to stay the night at a hotel and splurge on a spa day. Some people can get a lot of enjoyment out of simply camping in the backyard for a night. Whatever you choose, try to spend a day and a night out, that will make the stay-cation feel more like a special event, and not simply a day trip. 3. Prepare a backup plan. The best laid plans fall through for a variety of reasons, so it never hurts to be prepared for the unexpected. A backup plan can be anything from being able to shuffle your plans around to account for inclement weather or some other delay, to actually planning out a separate event, or even cancelling your plans and doing something special at home. Whatever activity you choose, make it outside of your ordinary routine.