Planning a summer staycation? Here are 4 ways to take it to the next level

Destination vacations are great, but you don’t always have to leave home to have a good time.

We humbly suggest an alternative — a more frugal way to have fun: Indulge in a summer staycation.

A staycation is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: A vacation where you don’t leave your town or city. It’s a different way to spend some of your summer vacation without burning through the money that comes with travel and lodging, Staycation also comes without the stress that sometimes factors into planning a getaway — which is nice, because who wants to get stressed about vacation, something that is designed to help one de-stress and unwind?

Here are four summer staycation ideas to make the most of your time off on the home front.

1. Be a tourist in your own town

You don’t have to go far for some culture and entertainment. Instead, stay put in your own town and think about the kinds of things you’d want to do if you were visiting the area for the first time. Chances are you’ll be able to make a robust and entertaining list of fun things your town offers, like museums, sporting events, restaurants, shows and other attractions — many of which you might have not yet experienced yourself. Spend the week checking items off your list. It’s a great way to have some fun while also becoming more familiar with the place you call home.

2. Convene with nature — near (or in) your own backyard

A great vacation is often all about enjoying the great outdoors, and one of the best ways to really immerse yourself in nature is to go camping. There are likely a few areas not far from home where you can go pitch a tent, unplug from technology and engage in outdoor activities for a few days. You can even camp literally in your backyard, if you want. It’s basically the least expensive version of "glamping" (glamorous camping) there is. You can hang out outside all day and sleep under the stars at night, but if you want to take a shower or a thunderstorm starts in the middle of the night, the comforts of home are only a few feet away.

3. Have a pool or beach week

For some, there are few better ways to relax, unwind and have a good time than by being close to the water — and you can likely do so without going too far from home. Dedicate your week to spending time at the local swimming pool or beach (if there’s one nearby). And if there’s a day or two of inclement weather, you can do what you’d do if you were away at the beach: Find a fun indoor activity to pass the time, like going to a movie or playing board games.

4. Treat yourself without leaving the house

Sometimes, it’s great to just hang out at home and do, well, next to nothing — to have no solidified plans and simply relax for a week or so while unplugging from work and other responsibilities. If you do this instead of heading out of town, you can put some of the money you’ve saved toward having the best possible week at home. Some suggestions: Order in food every night, splurge on movie rentals or get the supplies you need to finally start that DIY project you’ve been dreaming of — all of which you can conceivably do for less cash than it’d cost to spend even a single night in a hotel.

If you’re looking to save more money to use toward either a staycation, destination vacation or whatever else your heart desires, you might want to look into a Santander Bank Simply Right® Checking account. It comes with four easy ways to waive the $10 Monthly Fee. All you have to do is make one deposit, withdrawal, transfer or payment each month. That $10 adds up over time, and you can put it toward enjoying yourself the next time you have time off, whether it’s in your own backyard or hundreds of miles from home.

Santander Bank does not recommend, endorse or make any representation or warranty regarding any of the other businesses or individuals referenced in this article.