25 Fun Staycation Ideas That Won't Break the Bank
It’s no secret that planning a staycation instead of a vacation is a money-saving move.
You don’t have to shell out money for plane tickets and a rental car. You can sleep in your own bed rather than book a stay at a hotel or Airbnb. You can avoid the expensive tourist traps.
Best of all, you can still have fun. Having a staycation doesn’t mean just lounging around at home feeling bored.
Here are 25 fun — but inexpensive — staycation ideas.
No matter what type of vacation you tend to gravitate toward — one where you indulge in the culinary scene, enjoy adventurous thrills, find your restful zen or take in cultural experiences — there are ways to recreate what you love while staying local.
Planning what you’d like to do during your staycation — and budgeting for it — will allow you to have an awesome escape from everyday life without any financial regrets.
Planning a staycation is a great way to save some money. But if you’re looking for more ways to save, we’ve got some ideas for you. From saving on credit card interest to car insurance, these are some of our favorite ways to save.
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| The Penny Hoarder Auto Insurance Tool | Save ~$500 per year | Provide some basic information | |
| AmOne | Save on interest payments with a personal loan | Answer a 10 quick qualifying questions | |
| Balance Transfer Credit Cards* | Cancel Your Interest Payments Until 2026 | Apply for a 0% Interest Credit Card | |
| Upside | Save $40/month on Gas | Download this free app |
If You Seek a Cultural Experience
- Attend a community festival. Local festivals can be great venues to experience music, art and food from multiple cultures. And they usually have low-cost admission.
- Check out public art. Be a tourist in your own city, exploring the different sculptures, murals and architecture around town. You may even learn a little more about the place where you live.
- Take a dance class. Dancing is a great way to immerse yourself in another culture — whether you’re interested in African dance, Cuban salsa, German polka or country western line dancing. Look for local organizations offering lessons or search for free dance tutorials online.
Nicole Dow is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
