How to have the best staycation ever

Are you planning to take a week or two off from work, but you can't quite manage a trip anywhere? You can do the next best thing and have an amazing staycation. But don't let yourself fritter away all your hard-earned PTO just doing household chores, scrolling social media or bingeing shows on TV. Instead, create a plan that will make the most of your time, leaving you feeling relaxed, refreshed and reinvigorated.

Make an itinerary

If you were traveling to New York or Nashville, Chicago or Cheyenne, you'd want to make sure each day of your trip had at least one activity to look forward to. So if you're vacationing at home, do the same thing. Get out your calendar and plan out fun events and adventures, alone and/or with friends and family (whatever you want — it's YOUR staycation!) and get ready to have a fantastic time.

Plan a beach (or pool) day

One of the top activities to do on every vacation is hitting the beach. Search for your nearest ocean, lake or river respite so you can get out and enjoy some sunshine and a splash in cool water. Find your swimsuit (or buy a new one!), pack your car with towels, sunscreen and snacks, and you’ll be ready for fun in the sun.

No body of water within a short drive, or the weather's not cooperating? No worries. Find a community pool or gym where you can swim, inside or out, and you can still enjoy a relaxing day. Don’t belong to a gym? Ask a friend who does to invite you as a guest — or find out if a fitness center near you offers free trial days for prospective members.

Embrace your inner child

Can you think back to some of the things you loved to do when you were a kid? When was the last time you played with dough, painted with your fingers, built a blanket fort in the living room, ran through the sprinkler or made s'mores in the backyard?

Spend one day doing all the fun things you used to enjoy, like spending all day in your pajamas, having pancakes for dinner or watching your favorite animated movie.

Get fancy

Okay, so you let yourself be a kid for a day. Make sure you also give yourself a chance to have some grown-up fun. Think of all that money you saved not flying anywhere and let yourself splurge a little. Book dinner reservations at that swanky restaurant you've been hearing about, get tickets for a show or go out dancing. Consider shopping for a new outfit for your special day.

Have an adventure or two

Where would you take your bestie from college if they were visiting from out of town? What place are you curious about, or what activity have you always wanted to try? Add a few of those to your staycation itinerary. Ideas might include trying a rock-climbing gym, going horseback riding, checking out an interesting museum you've never been to, hiking in a nearby state park, going on a haunted mansion tour, taking a pottery-throwing workshop, watching a cooking demo or renting a kayak. Online searches make it easier than ever to find all kinds of opportunities within an hour or two of home.

Get creative with your search and explore the possibilities! Don't be too quick to say no to anything. You may find that you have plenty of ideas to fill more than one staycation — and you just may discover your next favorite hobby.

Just relax

For the final day of your staycation, you may want to spend a full day just doing nothing. Stretch out on a hammock and read a great book, take a leisurely walk around your neighborhood, linger over coffee with a good friend, then find a spot to watch the sunset or do some stargazing.

Slowing down to enjoy the moment is what every great vacation is about — no matter where you are.

Dreaming and planning your ideal staycation can make it just as fun and fabulous as any trip you've ever taken — without the expense and hassle that can sometimes go along with traveling. You may find it's actually true that there's no place like home.