Everyone is talking about the current gas prices and how it will impact your plans. Trying to decide whether to keep on track and traveling how you normally do, or keeping closer to a home base. A staycation in your hometown can not only save you money, but can also help you fall in love again with your little slice of the world.
Let’s break this down a little bit.
Why A Staycation:
We all know that staying close to your home base can save you money and travel time. It also can save your energy – taking the pressure off of planning long and elaborate routes packed into a specific timeline. Staying local also helps you maximize your vacation by ditching long travel days and of course, saving the pocketbook by not using as much fuel.
RV Rentals
For those who haven’t taken up RV travel as an option, there are still options. RV travel gives you the feel of a home residence without the larger size to clean or reminders of projects to be done. When you have your own RV, you can decorate it as you please. You can leave items specific for your RV inside when not using it, leaving less to pack for next time. You can also move it from place to place or keep it stationary like visiting a cottage.
If you don’t want to commit to purchasing an RV, the option to rent one is a growing industry. Rentals can happen through a resort, service or even privately. Some camping resorts have always had cabins, now some offer RVs as a more affordable option. RV rentals at resorts will include your site, RV and sometimes some kitchen supplies. You will need to pack all your own food, kitchen supplies (if not included) and bedding (don’t forget the toilet paper).
RV rentals through a service business, you can look for two options available: you drive or they deliver. Both these options come with very different price tags.
“You Drive”
You Drive options, will need to have auto insurance added on and provide certain liability amounts. It will need to have the proper vehicle for towing and sometimes provide your own hitch and accessories.
“They Deliver”
They Deliver options, are similar to resort rentals but you’ll need to book your campsite, they deliver and you show up.
Some delivery services include the items needed inside the RV, such as dishes, bedding and bbq – make sure to confirm with the service you’re using. This option doesn’t require extra insurance, but depending how far the RV will need to be towed, the expense can add up.
Private
The last option is private. There are plenty of services out there that offer direct rentals through an app or website to rent an RV from a private citizen, not a business. You can also look up listings on services like CraigsList (US) and Kijiji (CDN). Please make sure to do as much research and sign some form of contract before entering into an agreement.
Do a pre-check inspection with the owner to confirm everything is in working order to then return it in the same working order. Another option would be to rent from a friend. It’s always worth a shot as most RV’ers are looking to get their friends hooked too.
Whatever option you choose for a rental, there is no wrong option but the one that doesn’t feel right. This is a great way to test RV travel and see if it’s something you enjoy. Just remember, when it’s yours, you can have it just the way you like it. A rental RV is essentially a hotel room – you can’t change it, but it’s functional.
Planning The Perfect RV Staycation
Rental or owned, planning is the most important part to make your staycation perfect. Let’s start breaking down some tips to maximize your RV staycation.
Plan Ahead
Your hometown, it’s familiar and you know it all, right? If you’re planning a staycation, you’re going to want to dig around more to find those hidden gems you don’t know about. Part of having a staycation is to maximize your time. To alleviate wasted time, you’ll need to plan ahead to pin point items and plan out an itinerary.
What You’ll Need
Let’s start with some of the non-sightseeing options, like planning your meals. You’ll want to plan your meals and pick up or order your groceries ahead of time. Have your purchased groceries already packed and ready to go or a delivery date selected for a time your RV will be delivered and set up.
What You’ll Wear
Next you’ll want to plan out what wardrobe you and your family will need. Planning this ahead of time will decrease the chance something is forgotten. Pack all the items into your RV before departure day or into your suitcases if you’re using a rental.
What You’ll Do
Finally, you’ll want to schedule your activities you plan to do while on your staycation. This can be activities from campfires to campground activities, to offsite activities like sight-seeing or hiking. Schedule these into your days as this will also help with your meal prep and clothing planning.
Of course, you will need to make sure that your campsite is booked. If there are special events you would like to attend, ensure tickets are purchased in advance and parking is arranged (or shuttle/taxi services).
How Long Till You Leave
Our family loves something visual to see how quickly the vacation is approaching, even staycations. Create a countdown calendar or what we love – a paper chain – to visually see each day passing and how close it is to staycation time! This also helps set reminders for any checklists you may have created for tasks to be completed ahead of time. These checklists are great for not just you, but also the kids to help or gain independence as the trip approaches.
Staycation Theme
Just like in the any vacation, there’s always at least one large theme to the vacation. Whether that’s visiting Disney World, Touring Route 66, or a destination theme of California. There’s always a theme to your vacation, your staycation is no different. Plan an overall theme like exploring or food or relaxation, then plan around that.
Are you planning to explore? Look for some hiking trails in your All Trails App. This might just give you places you’ve not seen and in your own backyard. Are you planning to indulge and dine around? Open up Yelp and check for places you haven’t tried. Search for special food truck events or small town cook-offs and fairs. Are you planning to just relax away from your house? Find some great podcasts, relaxing exercise videos or just some really good binge-worthy shows.
There are no rules to this staycation. It is whatever you make it. Set the theme and tone early, so you can start planning around it or even completely flip the script and change it as everyone has changed their mind.
When you have picked a theme and are sticking with it, start to build around the theme. If you’re traveling with kids, it’s always a lot of fun to hit up the dollar store or craft some special items around the theme. You can add things like glow sticks, themed board games, special food items and themed crafts.
There is no limit to how themed out this staycation can get. The best part is, it only adds to the fun and the memories.
Choosing The Spot
Based on your theme and planning, is there a spot that fits just right? Is there a place in your area you haven’t been before? Or maybe a spot that will keep the kids busy so mom and dad can relax?
Whatever you choose, pick somewhere that is far enough from home to feel like you got away. Try to go to the other side of town, or maybe one town over. It’s not really a vacation away if you can walk to your house.
Also try to change up what your surroundings look like. If you live in a suburb surrounded by grass, maybe pick a waterfront park. Condo life is yours, maybe try to find something with lots of trees. If you live in the country, maybe swap it up for a city campground getaway.
Live Like A Tourist
So you’ve lived in this town or city your whole life, you know it through and through. There will always be something you haven’t experienced. Maybe it’s been places or spots you always recommend to others but have never jumped in to do yourself – do it!
Act like a tourist. Buy the t-shirt, splurge on dessert, get the silly souvenir. Most importantly, document it all with pictures and videos.
So you’ve saved plenty on gas to stay close to home, now you can splurge on those extras, like a tourist. Treat yourself to a night out (or every night out). Go to the spa, do the whole round of golf at the perfect hour. Take the kids to the amusement park and let them play the carnival games.
Vacations are never the time to get pent up about where every dollar is spent. Go with a budget (and that plan we talked about). Plan on what you’re going to splurge on. Write out what you’re plans are that have a cost and allow room for the spontaneous stuff like a double scoop ice cream.
Disconnect
It’s so easy to just check your phone, its just one email or one text message. Quick run home and tinker with that project because you’re so close. That’s not the point of the staycation. It was to get MORE vacation out of the days you have. Leave the social connections for another weekend. Disconnect and spend this time fully immersed into your vacation with your family. Turn the out of office to ON, put your phone on SILENT (give yourself a timer if you have to check) and just enjoy this disconnect from the outside and reconnect with your family.
We really hope you take the extra time to treat your staycation like a full getaway. This will allow you to fully maximize your time off, save some fuel and add to the memories.
To find out what you might need, if this is your first trip, check this article for the basics and some extras. Or head over to the the MSP Storefront for a full collection.
If you’ve discovered something new while on a staycation, tell us about it below. We love to share experiences and what worked (and didn’t work) for you while on a staycation.
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