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These solo staycation ideas will help you feel energized and recharged. They’re handpicked to help you learn and grow as a person, while discovering the unique features of your city.
The new paint and freshly-paved streets couldn’t hide those old vibrations.
The corner of 18th & Vine still hummed with the beat of jazz notes played long ago, but still palpable in the thick summer ether.
I paused in front of the Blue Room, which stood in silent repose under the blistering sun.
The corners of my mouth turned up in a soft smile as I soaked in the history of this place.
My own back yard had been the site of an American jazz revolution, and I’d finally discovered it after all these years.
All it took was a GPS app, a sense of adventure, and a solo staycation.
Why Take a Solo Staycation?
Spending free time with friends and family is often fun and rewarding. But spending time doing unique activities alone has its benefits, too.
Stress at work, at home, and in social life can leave women feeling stressed out and burned out. Sneaking away for a little solo staycation is a great way to recharge and energize.
When women hear the phrase “solo staycation,” they probably think of endless bubble baths and days at the spa. And those are GREAT ideas!
However, there are lots of other things you can do alone that will leave you feeling energized, help you grow as a person, and add richness to your life.
Speaking of Staycations, Check Out My Guest Post
I recently wrote a guest post for Becki of A Book Lover’s Adventures about things to do in where I live Kansas City, Missouri.
It includes some of my favorite local staycation spots! You should check it out if you’re interested in visiting Kansas City, or if you want some inspiration on how to spend a staycation in your own town.
Okay! With that said, let’s look at 10 of my solo staycation ideas.
9 Solo Staycation Ideas
These unique solo staycation ideas go beyond the typical spa day and bubble bath. The activities are meant to stretch you, stimulate your brain, and help you try new things.
A Hammock and a Book (Or Tablet)
Give yourself an excuse to finally finish reading that book, or binge watch your favorite show on Netflix.
Set up a hammock in your back yard and spend a day with a good book or watching your favorite shows on your tablet. Order in lunch from your favorite restaurant, and pause for a backyard picnic.
Head to a Hotel for Some Productivity
This next solo staycation idea is perfect if you’ve been neglecting a favorite hobby or project. Spend your staycation at home, and you might get distracted by all the things you think you need to get done, like cleaning and organizing. That doesn’t sound like much of a staycation to me!
Book a room at a local hotel or bed & breakfast to work on a craft or project. You can also book a spa treatment at the hotel or at a nearby spa to reward yourself for being so productive!
Tour Your City
Take a bus tour or walking tour of your city. You’ll get to see your city through fresh eyes. And, you might learn things you never knew about your own backyard!
I took a bus tour of Kansas City a few years ago, and learned some pretty surprising facts about my city’s past! You can read more about it in my guest post on Kansas City attractions for A Book Lover’s Adventures.
Take a Day Trip
This activity is still technically a solo staycation idea, because you’ll stick close to home.
Take a day trip to a quaint town, state park, or historic site. Once you arrive, there are all sorts of activities you can do! Trying new restaurants, shopping, hiking, exploring, and learning about the past are just a few possibilities.
I prefer day trips to places that are about an hour’s drive. As a result, I have more time to spend exploring, and less time in the car.
Spend a Day at the Museum
Museums are fun to explore with others, but they also make a great solo staycation idea. You can spend as much time as you like perusing the exhibits, and skip the parts that don’t interest you.
Grab a book from the museum’s gift store and dig into it at the museum’s café or on its grounds.
Explore a Different Part of Town
If you’re anything like me, you tend to stick to your usual haunts, rarely venturing to different areas of town. Why not discover a new side of your city?
Maybe there’s an art district, an ethnic area, or a historical sector with beautiful architecture. Venture outside of your comfort zone and explore the streets of an area you don’t normally visit. Try the restaurants, stop in the shops, and enjoy the architecture.
I did this recently with the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District in Kansas City. Check out some of the highlights in my guest post for A Book Lover’s Adventures!
Check Out Culinary Hot Spots
Why not take a culinary tour of your city? This is probably the tastiest solo staycation idea on the list! Here are a few ideas to spark your culinary exploration.
- Try the best of the best by visiting the top rated spots for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Grab an appetizer at several different ethnic restaurants within walking distance of one another
- Coffee lover? Tour coffee houses and see who has the best version of your favorite cup of joe. Bring along a good book to entertain you while you decide!
- Visit top-rated bakeries or chocolatiers in search of unique and delicious flavor combinations
Self-conscious about eating out alone? Bring a book, listen to a podcast, or try people watching.
Take a Class or Attend a Workshop
Another great solo staycation idea is to explore a skill or hobby you’ve always wanted to try. Why not take a beginner-level class or workshop? You’ll learn something new, meet people with similar interests, and maybe uncover a hidden passion!
Here are some ideas to consider.
- Pottery
- Painting
- HTML or web design
- Writing
- Sewing
- Martial arts
- Archery
- Swimming
- Canoeing
- Dance
- Furniture-painting
- Floral arranging
- Essential oils
- DIY bath products
- Specialty cooking or baking
Check local businesses, guilds, colleges, and parks departments for available classes
Take the leap and show up with an open mind and a positive attitude. Aim to enjoy the learning process!
Attend a Lecture
Sit in on a lecture, presentation, or debate on a topic that interests you. Art, history, politics, current events, hobbies, and health are just a few possibilities.
Check with local museums, chambers of commerce, visitor centers, colleges, libraries, and hospitals to see what’s available in your area.
Unique Solo Staycation Ideas: Conclusion
Solo staycations are a great opportunity to spend time enjoying yourself. Fun and educational activities that push you to try new things are perfect solo staycation activities. Here’s a recap of my 9 solo staycation ideas:
- Relax with a hammock and a book or tablet
- Book a hotel or B&B to work on a hobby or project
- Take a bus tour or walking tour of your city
- Take a day trip to a nearby town, state park, or historic site
- Spend a day at the museum
- Explore a part of your city you don’t normally visit
- Check out culinary hot spots
- Take a class or attend a workshop on something you’ve always wanted to try
- Attend a lecture on a topic that interests you
Get out there on your own and explore the things that interest you. The hum of historic jazz, the intrigue of a museum, and the discovery of a new passion await.
What’s your favorite way to spend a staycation? Let me know in the comments below!
P.S. – Remember to check out my guest post on things to do in Kansas City over at A Book Lover’s Adventures!