Every Vacation Should feel like Staycation
We love to travel. There is no secret about that. Millennials are doing a lot of it, we are the generation that overwhelmingly prefers experiences over stuff (houses, jewelry, cars, etc.). With the demand for efficiency and uniqueness in tourism, a new traveler is here to stay.cThe world has so much to offer and the divine has created a beautiful planet with beautiful people. It would be remiss not to travel as it is easier to do so at this time than any other time in history.
It is easier to go anywhere in the world and not be a “tourist”. Traveling doesn't have to include sitting poolside at some hotel resort, Tommy Bahama shorts, binoculars or even a 24-hour happy hour rotation. Traveling as a resident is easy and fun. There is a rise in desire for more staycation experiences. Stay + Vacation = ‘Staycation’ typically means checking out the sights in the city or state where you reside.
Companies like Airbnb, Freehand, Thrillist and Google maps make it easy to exist in any city like a local. They offer insider tips and lodgings that have the ability to place you at the mercy of the local transportation, smallest shops, and locally owned restaurants allow make up the puzzle pieces of a DIY staycation.
Check out Google Maps while on Vacation Staycation
Google Maps’ reviews are a godsend for creating a unique experience. I’ve gone to tourist-y attractions so many times and been highly disappointed. If I had simply read the reviews, I would have seen that most of the reviews from local residents were 1 and 2-stars. As a certified Google Local Guide, I think everyone should check before they go. But use your third eye, a business that has an overwhelming number of negative reviews in a short window of time (like 2 months) may be the result of isolated occurrences. In staycations, you should always think like a local would, go where the locals have gone.
Airbnb: make yourself at home.
Airbnb hosts do not have just typical homes. They usually decide to host because they love their place. These places sometimes come with skyline views, lake views, and are usually within walking/uber-ing distances from the hotspots and sites. Living where your local hosts live and experiencing their neighborhood authentically will add to your not-so- staycation.
Also, most Airbnb hosts are happy to recommend places to go, no google required.
Thrillist: Find more underappreciated places to eat
When I moved to Dallas, Thrillist showed me so much! This site knows where all the speakeasies are as well as the hidden EDM clubs are. My first 2 years solo in Dallas, felt like a staycation. This site showed me around so much going on in the city. Not only are these options unique but they are reviewed by locals or they’re by staff who actually visit the places their writing about.
Freehand: The Boutique hotel that's everywhere
Well..not everywhere, they have locations in Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. So, its everywhere you’ll want to be at least once. The boutique hotel is perfect for a staycation styled trip. Each room in boutique hotels is unique. It may be a hotel but boutique hotels are popping up everywhere and can add more personality to your staycation.
I hope this helps you make yourself at home anywhere you go. Traveling is a beautiful necessity and can help you grow in so many ways.
-Tiara
Read this survey by Resonance to read more about the Future of the Millenial US Traveler
