10 Unique Solo Staycation Ideas on a Budget
Photo Credit: Vladimir Yelizarov
10 Unique Solo Staycation Ideas on a Budget
These solo staycation ideas are set to entertain, relax and stimulate your body and mind. To find the perfect fit, you may need to go on a couple of solo staycations or combine different ideas for a long staycation.
You are in control, so you are free to personalize them as much as you’d like.
Create a Zen Den
A Zen den can be anything you want it to be. It could be the zone you go to for creativity, relaxation, reflection, creation, study, or meditation. To create a Zen den, you would first need to reserve a room in the house. You can use a spare room, a study room, or the garage.
Next up is decluttering and decorations. Move out any unwanted furniture and items, and paint the room with warm neutral colors. For lighting, it would be great to have as much sunlight as possible entering the room during the day and dim, zen lights or candle lights at night.
Finally, you have to bring in everything that makes you calm, happy, and productive. This may include a yoga mat, aromatherapy candles, plants, a music player or karaoke machine, painting supplies, a sewing machine, etc.
Doing all this might be stressful, but we promise it will be worthwhile. When your stress levels shoot up, you can always take a solo staycation by locking yourself in your zen den and interacting with things that help calm you.
And if you live in a small apartment with no extra rooms to spare, consider dedicating a small area in the house as your Zen corner.
Note: We advise against taking televisions and electronic devices into your Zen den as they may distract you from having a relaxing staycation.
2. Book A Short Stay at a Local Hotel or Bed & Breakfast
This staycation idea is perfect if you live with a large family and find it nearly impossible to have some me-time. Also, if you have grown so fond of housekeeping that you’d pause your staycation to tend to chores or mom duties, you need to book yourself a room at a local hotel or bed & breakfast.
Checking into your hotel may make you feel like you are on an actual vacation. And while you are there, take full advantage of the hotel amenities, including a pool, spa, gym, and sauna.
3. Turn Your Room Into a Hotel
If you can’t make it out to a local hotel or B&B, you can always recreate the luxurious feel in your room.
First, create a list of the things you need — Think fluffy robes, silky sheets, lovely scented toiletries, snacks, wine, and other hotel amenities you enjoy using. You can order them online or buy them at low prices at a Dollar Tree store.
Now, you don’t want to be binge-watching a thriller show on Netflix with a wine glass in one hand and snacks in the other and have to step out to cook dinner when you get hungry. Order your cravings online and use food delivery apps as room service.
4. Get Some Pampering at a Local Spa (Or at Home)
A spa day is arguably one of the best solo staycation ideas ever! This list would be incomplete without it.
You can always trust a good spa day to help you relieve pent-up stress and tiredness, improve your skin health, and even boost your confidence.
You can recreate a spa environment and pamper yourself at home if you feel like going to a nearby spa would be too much for your budget.
Buy some personal care products, ingredients for a homemade face mask or scrub, and aromatherapy products like scented candles, bath bombs, and essential oils. Get a massage gun, foam roller, or massage ball if you can afford to.
Get in the zen mood by dimming the lights, wearing a fluffy robe, and playing a relaxing YouTube Music or Spotify playlist.
5. Tour Your City
What do you do when you are vacationing? You roam the new city, taking photos and inquiring about the country’s history from the tour guide or native people. Isn’t it?
Well, this solo staycation idea requires that you do the same.
Take a solo or guided bus tour or walking tour of your city. The goal is to explore your city like a tourist would so that you can see familiar places with a fresh set of eyes, learn about the history of your community, and appreciate your surroundings better.
We guarantee that your solo staycation will be much more interesting if you explore parts of your neighborhood or city that you haven’t visited or don’t normally visit.
6. Travel to a Nearby Town/City
If you don’t think you would get much mental or physical stimulation in your town, you can travel to a nearby town or city to explore new foods and famous hotspots and learn about their unique culture.
Find out how much it would cost to commute to and fro the destination. Also, come up with a list of places and activities you would love to see and do when you arrive there and check that they are within your budget.
Searching Google and chatting with travel bloggers or residents of the town/city on social media will help you with all the information you need to prepare for your trip.
7. Spend a Day at the Museum
If arts, history, & culture are your cup of tea, but you’ve not had the time to explore museums in your town or city, a solo staycation is your excuse to do so.
Museums are a fun place to go to with family and friends, but you would be able to appreciate the exhibits more when you are alone. Your solo experience in the museum will leave you feeling smarter, inspired, and grateful.
Before going to a museum around you, check for their opening hours and the cost of their admission fee. If you are lucky, they might be free of charge.
8. Check Out Local Food Spots
Love food? Then you’ll love this solo staycation idea. What's better than a culinary tour of your city to serenade your tastebuds, enrich your body, and soothe your soul?
Use Instagram, Google Search, and Maps to find top-rated food spots nearby. You can sort your findings into categories like breakfast, lunch, brunch, baked foods, Chinese, seafood, grills, etc., and then narrow your options by deciding what foods you wish to eat.
After making a list of local food spots that you'd like to tour on your staycation, look them up on the internet to find out if their menu fits your budget.
9. Go For a Hike, Mountain Climbing, or Local Adventure
You can embark on a local adventure and act like Dora, the explorer for the day. This solo staycation idea requires that you get adventurous and actively look out for things that interest you.
Your local adventure should feature some of your favorite things to do, including window shopping, skating, scuba diving, mountain biking, fishing, etc. You can also attend fun local events like concerts, musicals, food & drinks festivals, shows, or theater plays.
With the help of Get Your Guide, you can easily find nearby places to mountain climb, kayak, hike, bike, camp, hike, rock climb, and book guided tours for as low as $25.
And if you'd prefer to plan your adventure solo staycation yourself, you can rent a bike or canoe (or commute via mass transit), pack some adventure essentials and venture out to explore.
10. Engage Your Inner Child
What were your favorite things to do when you were a child? This child-like staycation idea is your excuse to do them again!
Eat lots of chocolate and junk foods. Visit the beach, play in the water, and build a sandcastle. Build a fort or playhouse. Try finger painting or making paper crafts. Watch cartoons, Pick up some of your childhood hobbies, or try a new hobby that reminds you of how carefree and jolly you once were.
You can write an open letter to your inner child. It will help you express gratitude for how far you’ve come and unearth unresolved trauma or self-restricting beliefs you may have developed as a child.
Look through old photos to reminisce on your carefree childhood days and listen to old songs that induce childhood nostalgia.
Which of these solo staycations ideas would you try first?
A solo staycation is an amazing opportunity to unplug from your daily stressors and focus on what really matters — YOU. As a Black woman, you need to learn to put aside the strong Black woman schema when you don’t feel up to it and live the soft life you deserve.
Here’s a recap of our 10 unique solo staycation ideas:
Create a Zen den
Book a short stay at a local hotel or bed & breakfast
Turn your room into a hotel
Get some pampering at a local spa (or at home)
Tour your city
Travel to a nearby town/city
Spend a day at the museum
Check out local food spots
Go For a Hike, Mountain Climbing, or Local Adventure
Engage your inner child
Let us know in the comments which of these ideas you’d try out first, how you would personalize it, or share your favorite staycation memories with us!