How To Have a Great Summer Staycation

Sometimes you just need to get away. Unfortunately, it's not always in the budget, especially when airfare and gas prices are abnormally high and that can really impede going on an affordable trip. We spent 1/3 more than usual on our plane tickets to Las Vegas this year and that means that there will be things we won't be able to do, or places we can't eat, because of that money spent elsewhere.

Staycations are great, because you can make one fit into any budget you have. Yes, it's not always the same as going away, but it can be just as fun. Here are my tops tips for a staycation that rocks.

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Throw a themed party

Just because you can't go to Greece or Paris or Tokyo, doesn't mean you have to miss out. Find some themed tableware (I suggest Shindigz, but they are taking a break right now, so Amazon, and sometimes Oriental Trading has what you need and it's more affordable) and a great backdrop, or pictures you print out from the internet, and invite some friends to bring a dish that goes with the theme, that way you aren't footing the bill for the whole thing. Stream some appropriate music, find some interesting facts about your "destination" and enjoy a couple hours in another city.

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Pitch a tent

We all know that packing up the car and doing all that stuff that comes with camping is stressful. Instead of that, get your tent out, pitch it in the backyard, make it comfier than usual with your favorite blankets, pillows and cushions and add details to make it awesome: battery-powered fairy lights, a short table (I have a similar one) or trunk to use for eating and playing games and pull your fire pit close by for s'mores, ghost stories and weenie roasts. (Here's a good one, but we have this one.) Make life easier on yourself by ordering out, then it'll really be relaxing. Still do those s'mores though!

Go to a theme park

You may not be able to afford a trip to Disney, but you can do a Disney staycation! In fact, I gave one to a friend for her birthday (that's her and her grandma above. If, like me, you have a lot of different country backgrounds, you can have a mini EPCOT party, which we plan to do at some point...perhaps for Eric's birthday next year.

Take a drive

We used to do this all the time. We packed a cooler with fun foods, threw a change of clothes in a bag (just in case) and just took a drive without a real destination. We picked a direction and just randomly turned and wandered. Usually, we'd end up somewhere cool that we never saw before, made lunch from our cooler, explored the area and then went home. Don't forget your camera, because you never know what you'll find.

Head to a new city

This probably sounds expensive, but you don't have to go far. Get in the car, head to a suburb that's easy to get to and you aren't super familiar with, park and enjoy it. Being on the outskirts of Portland, we are close to a lot of towns, many we don't really ever go to. In 30 minutes, I can be in a bunch of different places. Look for the downtown area, which usually has a charm of its own, and check it out. 

Find an itinerary for your town

I know you haven't done everything in your city. Go online, check out a two- or three-day suggested itinerary from another local or traveler or find a walking tour through GPS My City. Do the stuff they suggest that you haven't done and see your city with a new eye. Take a camera, pretend to be a tourist and really enjoy yourself. Buy a city card if you can and do all those touristy things you haven't done in a while, or at all.

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Have a picnic

Either put together a lunch from stuff you have at home, pick up ready-made stuff from the local grocery store or hit up the farmers' market for yummy stuff. Head to a great park in your town and spread out your blanket (you can throw it over a picnic table if you don't want to sit on the ground). Enjoy your surroundings, do the cool stuff they have, like hiking or volleyball or frisbee golf and make a day of it. Don't forget your sunscreen.

Stay in a vacation rental

Maybe you're home enough and you just need a little bit of a change of scenery. I get it. Look on Airbnb and find an affordable rental nearby, but not too nearby. Maybe in a neighborhood you don't often go to. Pretend you're somewhere else and enjoy someone else's house for a few days. Bring your own food if that's the extent of your staycation budget.

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Make outdoor movie night a thing

A few years ago, for Eric's birthday, I bought a Roku projector and screen. We use it to have outdoor movies, where we bundle up (because usually it's a bit chilly), find a Netflix movie and make snacks and popcorn. It's fun and it allows us to use our yard in another way. We've invited others over to partake as well. You don't have to invest in a big projection screen. Instead, grab a white sheet, hang it on a wall outside and you're set! We sit at our lawn furniture, but you can also throw blankets and pillows on the ground and pretend you're at the drive in or do it in the front yard in your driveway, sit in your car and pretend even better!

Dine al fresco

Much like packing a picnic lunch, but this doesn't require you to go anywhere. Sit out on your deck or in the backyard and grill, cook inside or get takeout and enjoy your backyard and lovely weather while you can. Eating outside feels a lot different than eating inside at the table or in front of the TV. For some reason, it feel more like vacation to me.

Learn a new language

Get ready for your next big vacation by learning a new language. I love Babbel and Pimsleur, but you could also take a class or invite your friends over to help learn with you. You can have your own mini class, have some themed nibbles and get in some fun socializing time.

A few reasons why staycations are awesome:

• You don't need anyone to take you to the airport.
• No packing/unpacking a suitcase.
• You save money for a traditional vacation.
• Jet lag doesn't exist.
• Do as much or as little as you want

Here are a few musts to get ready for a staycation, because if you're going to stay at home, you don't want to be pissed that you're there.

• Clean up the yard.
• Clean the house.
• Pull out everything you want to use beforehand.
• Put new bedding on the beds.
• Stock the fridge.

Do you include staycations in your life? If so, how do you make them awesome?

Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links and I may be monetarily compensated if you make a purchase through them. This is how I keep bringing you travel content, so thank you in advance.

When and Why to Visit North America's National Parks

Now that we can travel again, the world is conspiring against us again with high gas prices and airfare. If you're still determined to get out there (and I definitely don't blame you) and do it within a budget, doing a nature vacation can be an option if you're an outdoorsy kind of person. With over 400 national parks in North America (US and Canada), you have a lot of choices on where to go and what to see.

NationalParks.Org

If you live near a National Park, this you can save travel costs. Either way, you may have to contend with larger crowds this year, so plan accordingly. Lonely Planet has the best times to visit parks.

I am not a hiker, but I do like a good view. Don't forget that if you have an annual pass, you can get in for free, but you will want to get to parks early in the morning, before they hit capacity. Also, don't forget about the Junior Ranger program if you're traveling with kids. It's free and a great way for them to learn about where you're visiting and the plants and animals around them. 

Glacier National Park has been one of my favorite places to visit. What's your favorite National Park?

Review: Travelon Boho Anti-Theft Water Bottle Tote

Summer has started, which means you're going to outside. A lot. We take trips, we go to the beach, we hit the pool, we go to theme parks, we go to concerts, and we go to festivals. When we travel, we always bring a water bottle with us. It's too expensive to keep buying water all day and it's super annoying to have to carry them or shove them in your purse. In fact sometimes you don't even want to take a purse, but Travelon has amazing water bottle totes. 

I've shown you the Greenlander Anti-Theft Water Bottle Tote, and now I bring you the Boho Anti-Theft Water Bottle Tote. I've showed you the older version of this a few years ago, but it's been updated and is still stylish and a great summer travel companion. 

The quilted exterior is nice to look at and comes in pretty colors and patterns. Eric loves this bag and specifically wanted this pattern, because he thought it was fun. I also love this one, because not only is it functional, but it also doubles as a "stadium bag". If you have gone to a festival or sporting event in the past, you may notice that only certain size bags (in other words, really small bags) are allowed into the venue. These are called stadium bags.

The inside is now insulated, so you can keep your beverages cooler longer. Any accidental spills or bottle sweat will be contained. If you need to bring along a baby bottle or keep some meds cool, you can use this for that as well.

Not only does this pretty bag hold even a large bottle of water easily, but it has a locking zipper pocket, so you can carry necessities without worrying about it falling out of your pocket or getting stolen. This is also the perfect bag for going through the airport, because it has RFID-blocking technology for your credit cards, ID and passport. 

There's quite a lot of room in this bag. Here is a video of how I would pack it for a trip on the plane. 

And here's a video of how I would pack it for going to a theme park or sightseeing.

When I'm going around town or on a road trip, I often take the dog. I don't forget about her needing to hydrate as well, and can take along a collapsible bowl for water. Bring two and you can use the other for food, too, depending on where you're going and how long you're going to be gone.

The tote has a wide, adjustable strap with a locking clip, so it can be secured to a chair or table while you're sitting down to a meal or watching your new favorite band. The body and strap are anti-slash, so you don't have to worry about anyone stealing your belongings, even if they aren't many. We'll be taking this bag to Las Vegas next month, where it will be in the 90s of even upwards of 100°F. Staying hydrated can be challenging, and expensive, so it will also save us money.

The locking clip on the strap is great. It allows you to feel safe when you're carrying the bag with valuables in it, but it also allows you to wrap the strap around a chair or table or any other stationary or large object, so you can concentrate on other things, like having fun. It's a big bummer to be worried about your bag getting snatched all the time. Don't let it ruin your trip. 

Eric and I both carry this bag comfortably with the varying strap lengths. I like it to be a bit shorter and he needs it to be longer, because he's much taller than I am. You still have time to buy for Father's Day or your summer travels or activities. 

More details

Where to buy: Travelon website

Cost: $40 - take 20% off with my code SHEREENTRAVELS20%

Colors it is available in: Mod Floral (shown) | Black| Gray Heather

Other specs: size: 5" x 5" x 10", made of polyester, slash-resistant adjustable strap with 16"-22" drop, fits most 20 oz bottles (or 3" in diameter)

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Disclaimer: I was provided with the Boho Anti-Theft Insulated Water Bottle Bag for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% my own.