For those of you who don’t know what a staycation is, it is a vacation where you stay home but act like you are on vacation. Sounds lame? Well, it doesn’t have to be. It can be a truly amazing kosher vacation in your home city. Right now, think of the top tourist attractions in your city. If you can’t think of any then check our Destinations blog for your city or google the top attractions in your city. How many of those have you visited?
Many New Yorkers have never been to the Empire State building. Most people have never been to some of the greatest places in their city of residence. We lived in Philadelphia for ten years but it was only when we returned to the city many years later that we ran up the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum, Rocky style. This is just one example of an activity/attraction that many tourists do but we had never done when we lived there.
Being a tourist in your own city can be fun and exciting but you have to make sure that it really feels like a vacation. A kosher staycation vacation might not be for everyone but it is a great option for families with small children or with limited time and budget. There are many reasons that people choose a staycation. Going on an organized kosher vacation is a great experience but it’s not always possible for various reasons. A staycation can be the perfect answer for you.
Read on to find out the advantages of staycations and tips for making your kosher staycation a great experience.
Photo: Envato
Staycation Perks: Hassle-Free, Budget-Wise, and Comfort-Rich
- Hassle-free Preparations: If you are like me and don’t like to fly or spend hours in the car then a staycation is perfect. You don’t need to decide today what you are going to wear next Tuesday. No hassle of packing and if you have little kids then it’s a lot of packing and bringing enough stuff “just in case”. You have everything that you need at home.
- Maximizing Limited Time: You only have a few days off or the kids only have a short vacation window. Maybe it’s just a long weekend. When you don’t want to eat up those precious vacation days traveling then stay local but read on for my tips to make sure it is a vacation.
- Familiar Comforts: Hotels amenities are great but some people just like to sleep in their own bed and use their own bathroom. I know people who travel with their own pillows because they can only sleep on certain pillows.
- Ease for Every Traveler: If you have young children who don’t do well with travel then it’s just easier to stay home sometimes. Some kids get car sick and some kids just don’t do well on the airplane. Some kids don’t sleep unless they are in their own bed. Might be best to try staycations until the kids get older and can travel more easily.
- Your Budget, Your Adventure: Probably one of the best advantages of a staycation is they are budget friendly. They aren’t free but you save money on travel and accommodations. Set a budget for your staycation, the same way that you would for your vacation. Arrange your activities according to your budget. Try to splurge on at least one big activity and a nice meal out at a local kosher restaurant. After all, this is your vacation.
- Flexibility at Its Finest: When you are not sure about your vacation days or if your kids will be around but you want to plan something. You can make it a staycation. You don’t need to book flights and hotels in advance for your staycation. If the timing works out then you can start your vacation immediately. Check out my tips so your staycation is already planned for those last minute vacations.
Photo: Envato
Tips for Making Your Staycation a Real Kosher Vacation
Make sure your staycation is a real vacation - it’s all in your mindset. You have to truly think like this is a vacation. How do you do that?
- Work-Free Zone: You must take vacation days and treat it as if you are away. No running into the office or just taking care of that one thing. If you wouldn’t be doing it if you were away then you aren’t doing it during your staycation. Consider setting up an automatic out-of-office reply if that is what you would do when going away.
- Staycation Planning 101: When you go away on vacation, you typically start planning well in advance, buying tickets and booking accommodations. You don’t need to worry about these things but you should map out your schedule. Plan an activity and meals for each day. If there are kosher restaurants in your area then check out the ones on your list that you have been meaning to check out but haven’t gotten around to. This is your vacation so treat yourself.
- Embrace the Tourist Within: Really get into the idea of being a tourist in the city. You might be sleeping at home but for this vacation, you are a tourist in your city. Check out the top tourist attractions in your city - yes, the ones that you say “those are for tourists.” Remember, that you are a tourist for the period of your staycation.
- Kosher Dining Adventures: You can pretend that your home is an Airbnb and have some meals there but many people go out to eat when they are on vacation. If you are lucky enough to live in an area that has kosher restaurants then visit a few of them, just like you would if you were a tourist in the city. If you don’t have kosher restaurants then maybe there is a kosher caterer in the city that you can order meals from. Depending on where you live, you might have a local Chabad that offers Shabbat meals for tourists that you can register for. Check out our directory to find kosher restaurants in your area.
- Local Jewish Heritage Sites: Have you even explored the Jewish history of your city? Check out the local Jewish heritage sites. Maybe there is a Jewish museum, memorials or synagogues that you can visit.
- Backup Plans to the Rescue: Do lots of research and plan out staycation days, even if you don’t have vacation time coming up. Have the days planned out for backup. Maybe, you have a vacation planned but your flight gets canceled or someone gets sick and you can’t fly. As we all know, the unexpected can change your plans at a moment’s notice. By having a staycation planned, you can pull out your itinerary and save your vacation with some fun local activities and adventures.
Conclusion
As you can see, a kosher staycation isn't just a cost-saving measure—it's a golden opportunity to fall in love with your hometown all over again. Whether it's about avoiding the travel blues, making the most of every available moment, or simply enjoying the comfort of your own cozy nook, a staycation holds the promise of an adventure waiting to happen right on your doorstep.
Remember, the secret to a memorable staycation lies in seeing your everyday world with vacation-tinted glasses and a bit of creativity. From exploring local kosher eateries to rediscovering local landmarks with fresh enthusiasm, the essence of vacationing can thrive anywhere—even in the heart of your own city. Start with our Destinations blog page and kosher restaurant directory to begin planning your local kosher adventure.
The great thing about a kosher staycation is that you can do it any time of the year. It’s perfect for the Jewish holidays, winter and summer vacations. Just be sure to adjust your itinerary for the holiday and the season.So, gear up to transform your next stay-at-home holiday into a vibrant, kosher vacation adventure. Here’s to making extraordinary memories in the most familiar places.
Happy kosher staycationing!