50 Little Ways to Take a Vacation (Without Actually Going Anywhere)

Set up a stock tank pool

And spend the day lounging around in your backyard.

Make skewers for dinner (and dessert)

Fact: Food is more fun when it’s served on a stick.

Host a cozy movie night in the backyard

Rent a projector and set up an impromptu drive-in.

12 Ways to Watch Movies Together Online (It’s Easier Than You Think)

Go on a long local hike

And pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in nature.

Put an “out of office” autoreply on your email

And fight the urge to check your inbox.

Mute your phone and notifications

Commit to this whole “do not disturb” thing.

Skip the news

The world’s ills can wait until Monday.

Hire a personal chef for the evening

Go ahead, splurge a little.

Make a staycation playlist

With all your favorite feel-good jams.

Go to sleep early and sleep in late

Bring on the beauty rest.

Spend the majority of the day in bed with your partner

Staycation laziness is best when shared.

Go au naturel

No one needs full-face makeup and a flatiron on vacation.

Treat yourself to a stack of glossies

And make that your only afternoon plan.

Eat breakfast in bed

And pay extra attention to pretty presentation.

Have a fancy picnic in the park

Chilled rosé non-optional.

Rent a convertible for the day

And go for a top-down cruise.

See a historic landmark in your town

Touristing is fun.

Go skinny-dipping

Whether that means your local watering hole or calling your friend with a pool.

Play an outdoor sport

Tennis, anyone?

Drink spa water

Stay hydrated, fancy-lady style.

Hire a house-call masseuse

Ahhhhh.

Set up yard games

And invite the neighbors over.   

Go to a hotel in your hometown for the night

If you really need a change of scenery.

Hit the town for a night of dancing

Or throw a dance party in your living room.

Have a cocktail (or two) at lunch

Because it’s vacation, dammit.

Turn off Google Maps

And get lost in your own city.

Hang a hammock in the backyard

And lose yourself (and the day) in a great book.

Go for a long, leisurely bike ride

No destination necessary.

Nap to your heart’s content

Morning, noon and night. (Heck, you’ve got nowhere to be.)

Read a breezy beach book

The fluffier (and more scandalous), the better.

Build a fire pit and make s’mores

Three cheers for nostalgia.

Make your home smell like a fancy spa

All you need to do is simmer lemon water.

Make your bed like the pros do

Crisp corners = hotel polish.

Set a fancy table al fresco

And opt for open air dining for every meal.

Then dine by candlelight

The more votives, the better.

Spend an evening playing cards and board games

No sore losers allowed.

Stargaze

And see how many constellations you can spot.

Go out for ice cream after dinner

And spring for the waffle cone.

Go berry picking

Hit up your local farm (or blueberry patch) and bring home a bounty.

Spend an afternoon at a local winery

Or a brewery, if you’re more of a beer gal.

Make a batch of fruity frozen drinks

Preferably one that tastes like the beach.  

Spend all day in your bikini

And sunbathe in the backyard/roof/deck.

Or just get a spray tan

Fooled ya.

Go to the nearest Chinatown

Or another new neighborhood, and try a dish you've never had before.

Do an outdoor yoga session

Better yet, invite some friends to join too.

Take a touristy boat tour of your city

For a pretty new perspective.

Take a “culinary vacation”

And make a night of it (think: a classic Italian meal, Italian wine and an Italian movie afterward).

Spend a day museum hopping

Get your culture fix.

Take a zillion photos.

#Shameless and proud.

Pitch a tent

And camp in your backyard like you used to as a kid.