If you love spending time in the outdoors but don’t want to commit to a hike, lace up your favorite shoes and go for a stroll in your local park. Green spaces are not only perfect for walking, but also hammocking (this one is less than $16), reading a new book (this site has a lot of best sellers for less than $5), playing with your dog (From a shelter in Nashville or Bowling Green) and taking time to enjoy the simple pleasures of nature.
Find a few parks in your area that you want to explore and commit to visiting two or three a week. If you’re in the Nashville area, Shelby Park is always a great place to start. In Bowling Green, try Basil Griffin Park.
In the south, one of the best ways to beat the heat is to spend the day on the water. Whether you prefer sailing on a boat, paddling a canoe or kayak, or simply swimming, Tennessee and Kentucky have many bodies of water the whole family can enjoy.
A quick search can yield lots of rental businesses that charge by the hour or day. Before you go, make a checklist of essentials including sunscreen, water, towels and snacks. Also be sure to read up on local water safety regulations to make your day as safe as it is fun!
Want to catch a recent blockbuster but don’t want to go to the theater? Grab some popcorn and enjoy the glow of the silver screen at home! You’ll need a projector, a white sheet or blank wall, a video source like a DVD or Blu-ray player, a power source, blankets, and comfy pillows.
Since you control what’s showing and who's invited, you can make the experience as simple or as extravagant as you want. One idea is to curate a double feature of 80s classics (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Planes Trains and Automobiles are some of our favorites) and invite your friends, neighbors and family for a quote-along. Once you have all the supplies you need, you’ll be able to host movie nights all summer long.
Did you know that anyone can take part in the world’s largest treasure hunt, using their phone or any other GPS-enabled device?! Geocaching is a relatively new activity that consists of navigating to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempting to locate a hidden cache (container).
There are currently millions of geocaches in 190 countries, just waiting to be discovered. To get started, create a free account at geocaching.com and look for a cache in your area. When you’ve found one, you can usually open it up and sign a hidden logbook.
There may also be some trade or swag items (small toys, key chains, or trinkets) inside. As a general rule of thumb, if you take something, leave something of equal or greater value. Place the container back exactly how you found it and share your experience online with the rest of the geocaching community.
Everyone needs time to pamper themselves every once in a while! Want to enjoy a spa day at home? Prepare for ultimate relaxation by getting supplies (either at the store or with delivery) like candles, face masks, lotion, ice cream, wine, and other things that help you unwind. Put on your comfiest robe, slip on your slippers, turn on an essential oil diffuser, turn OFF your phone…and do absolutely nothing.
Wish you could go on vacation with all of your friends? Even though everyone is social distancing, you can still get the party started...remotely! Schedule a time to hop on a video chat platform (Zoom is free) and incorporate all the things that make happy hour fun.
Everyone can enjoy their favorite beverages and snacks or all agree to drink and cook the same recipes (extra points for holding your very own cooking challenge). Shake things up even more with virtual board games, a costume contest, or a trivia match. Love the idea? Turn it into a weekly or monthly tradition!
For many people, it can be hard to relax and unwind due to all of the everyday obligations and distractions that constantly bombard them at home. While we’ve given you a few fun suggestions, the key to enjoying the best staycation ever has nothing to do with the activities you choose. It’s all about having the right attitude and committing to making your week a time of fun and relaxation.
Give yourself permission to kick back and enjoy the moment. Laugh and talk with the people you love (in-person or online) and create memories that you will cherish for a lifetime.