Ah, vacation. Who doesn’t love a timely getaway, a well-deserved escape from it all? Almost nothing beats a reprieve from the everyday hustle and bustle of our busy lives, a chance to take a step back and appreciate the things—both great and small—we might not typically be able to appreciate fully.
Given the euphoric, liberating quality vacation embodies, perhaps it comes as no surprise numerous musicians pay homage to this great escape in lyric form. From Jimmy Buffet to Weezer to the Beach Boys, music makes it clear that vacation is certainly something worth celebrating. Perhaps the Go-Go’s frame it best:
“Vacation, all I ever wanted
Vacation, had to get away
Vacation, meant to be spent alone.”
All I ever wanted? Yes.
Had to get away? You betcha.
Meant to be spent alone? I’m not so sure[1]…
Sure, these are tenets that traditionally define a successful vacation, but do you have to “get away” in order for a vacation to be effective?
The staycation begs to differ.
About ten years ago a new word appeared on the travel scene when some bright mind asked: “What if, instead of traveling far away to seek escape, we stayed local and planned a vacation right here at home?” Hence, the “staycation” was born, and it quickly grew in popularity, taking hold of multiple social media platforms and spreading like wild fire[2].
While nothing beats the adventurous allure that comes with exploring a new place for the first time, staycations are appealing for several reasons. First, they are inherently flexible. Whether you are staycationing[3] for a day or for a long weekend, little advanced planning is required. Not having to book airline tickets and make extensive travel arrangements saves a lot of time and headache, but it also liberates your schedule, empowering you with increased spontaneity to plan your getaway on your own terms, even if those terms happen to be last minute. In this vein, staycations are also attractive because they are often quite cost effective. Again, not having to book airline tickets and make extensive travel arrangements saves a lot of cash. However, my personal favorite perk staycations offer is that they provide the opportunity to dig into our roots, truly appreciate our local scene, and soak up everything our hometown has to offer.
How many times have you found yourself saying you should really visit that new museum or that you have been meaning to make a reservation to that local restaurant everyone raves about? How many Sunday nights roll around leaving you feeling like the weekend has passed you by, wishing you had done more to venture outside your normal routine and try something new? How many times have you talked with a friend about their plans and thought to yourself, “Oh! I should do that!”? If you have ever found yourself in any of these situations, then it just might be time to give yourself over to the magically restorative powers of the staycation.
Last weekend Cam’s parents were in town for a visit, wanting to spend time together and explore the Land of 10,000 Lakes we have come to call home. While Cam and I weren’t traveling ourselves, we promptly decided to transform the weekend into a mini staycation of our own, compiling a list of activities and attractions that would maximize both fun and refreshment. Together we concocted a well-rounded itinerary, the perfect combination of reliable staples and exciting new adventures. Of course, our planning was specific to the Twin Cities, but after a successful weekend of exploring I have concluded these guiding criteria are effective in designing the ideal staycation, regardless of location.
7 Tips for Planning the Perfect Staycation:
1. Discover new breakfast favorites: There’s something particularly indulgent about going out for breakfast. Perhaps it’s the fact that in choosing to do so you are also choosing to press “pause” on the prepping that typically characterizes mornings as hectic and fleeting. When planning your staycation, take time to research new breakfast locations where you can sip warm coffee, get lost in good conversation, and fuel up for a full day of getting away from it all.
Cam goes gaga over breakfast, so he took it upon himself to scope out his dream three-day morning feeding frenzy. While all three locations were tasty, the hands-down crowd favorite was (by far) Colossal Café. Tucked away in St. Paul’s historic Como neighborhood, this charming hotspot serves fresh food made from scratch daily served in—you guessed it—colossal proportions. The menu is creative, the food is divine, and the cinnamon rolls are out of this world. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so you better make it count!
2. Explore local history: In the hectic pace of daily life it is easy to bypass the rich history that surrounds us. So often we focus on ourselves—on telling our stories and making sure our voices are heard—that we forget to listen to the voices of others, particularly those that have come before us. Similarly, when we focus on the rich, sweeping history of European countries and other common travel destinations we may often forget that our own towns and cities have deep roots worth acknowledging and learning more about. Immerse yourself in that legacy, and use your staycation as an opportunity to explore the unique places and artifacts that color your city’s history.
Commonly referred to as “Mill City,” Minneapolis is home to several notable landmarks that once defined life in our Midwestern corner. Located on the bustling Mississippi riverfront, historic ruins outline what was once the world’s largest flour mill, Washburn A Mill, the flagship mill of Washburn-Crosby Co., which later became General Mills. Built in 1880, it was the largest and most technologically advanced flour mill of its time. Now the Mill City Museum, this is a great place to surround yourself in local history and learn more about Minneapolis’ flour legacy in a direct, hands-on way. 
The nearby Stone Arch Bridge (a former railroad bridge that crosses the Mississippi River at Saint Anthony Falls) is another “must see” historical landmark. Constantly surging with runners, bikers, and tourists, the Stone Arch Bridge is an iconic Minneapolis staple that draws people together and embodies the city’s vibrant pulse.
3. Peruse outdoor markets: Nothing captures “local flavor” quite like a good outdoor market, particularly a farmer’s market. If you are looking to spice things up during your staycation, be sure to stop by a market near you for fresh ingredients and free inspiration. Letting yourself get lost in the crowd as you browse fresh seasonal offerings will surely liven your perspective and make you feel like a hometown tourist.
We strolled through the Mill City Farmer’s Market, enjoying the lively activity, vibrant colors, and enticing live music as we made our way through crowds of people enjoying the sunshine. The Mill City Farmer’s Market hosts a robust series of restorative, retreat-like activities, most of which are free. Whether indulging in a cooking class, losing yourself in live local music, or re-centering your body and mind with yoga, you can find the perfect activity to make the most of your staycation.
4. Indulge in people watching: All good vacations include well-placed downtime where you can take a minute to regroup and reenergize before your next big adventure. And what better way to spend downtime than by people watching? People watching is a travel staple, as it allows explorers to use the power of observation to immerse themselves in local culture and learn more about their surroundings. I can’t think of one vacation where we haven’t taken the time to slow down and appreciate the local flavor[4]. In fact, this is often where the most memorable, iconic vacation stories are born!
For our people watching experience, Cam and I decided to take his parents to Surly Brewing, a popular, well-established local watering hole. Surly is a Twin Cities staple, and there’s never a shortage of great beer and even better people watching. We sipped our beer and enjoyed the afternoon sunshine as we watched people (mostly babies, dogs, and their parents) interact outside of their natural habitats. Dogs drinking beer? Babies (literally) trying to play with fire? Never a dull moment.
5. Scope out the perfect nature retreat: No staycation is truly complete without time dedicated to enjoying the outdoors. Spending time in nature is important for physical and mental health; nature provides profound clarity that allows us to regroup, reprioritize, and refresh. Perhaps you want to plan your entire staycation around nature and be outside as much as possible[5], but even if this isn’t the case make sure you allow time for an intentional retreat from the indoors. There’s nothing like fresh air for fresh perspective.
Minneapolis is the perfect blend of urban city and rugged nature, so there is certainly no shortage of opportunities to embrace the outdoors. As a highlight of our staycation, we spent time walking the Chain of Lakes and exploring Minnehaha Falls. The falls never fail to take my breath away, and appreciating Fall’s changing “yellow green” leaves as the sun began to set added a magical touch to our day of discovery.
6. Chase local “celebrity”: It may sound odd to play tourist, but seek out the unique characteristics and personas that define your hometown, and unabashedly embrace them! Whether big or small, your city is sure to boast some claim to fame that makes it unique and “newsworthy.” Whether it’s a monument celebrating a local celebrity or legendary athlete, a restaurant featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, or a historic landmark that encapsulates local identity, discover what makes your home “famous” and seek it out.
F. Scott Fitzgerald, Prince, and Mary Tyler Moore aside[6], we decided to track down a different kind of Minnesota “celebrity.” A celebrity of the HGTV variety, to be precise. With the recent premier of the new reality design show Stay or Sell[7] and now the 2019 Urban Oasis dream home giveaway, the Home & Garden Network has had a big year in Minnesota.
Every year HGTV buys and renovates a “dream home” somewhere in the United States. Designers revamp the house to reflect local culture and include cutting-edge technological conveniences, and, as part of a huge network marketing campaign, the final product is featured as a giveaway raffle prize. This year, the renovated home just so happens to be located in Minneapolis, and after doing a bit of reconnaissance[8] I discovered the home was situated in a neighborhood near Minnehaha Falls. While the specific address is not listed, a quick flip through some online photos provided the house number which we could then use to conduct a more thorough search using Google maps[9]. We found a nearby address that looked promising and decided to walk a few blocks from the falls in hot pursuit of our future home[10]. The address led us…nowhere[11]…and we decided to head back to the car and continue our adventure from the road. Just as we were pulling out of the parking lot Cam saw it… The 2019 Urban Oasis dream home! Situated literally right across the street from the falls, it was right under our noses the whole time! We circled around so we could pull up right in front of the house[12] and scope out the digs for ourselves. I will say this: Whoever wins the home is one lucky HGTV lover.
7. Make dinner unconventional: Dinner: The quintessential capstone to any perfect vacation day. Staycations are meant to be spent exploring new eating establishments and dining where your taste buds have never dared (or had the time) to go before. Compile a list of local favorites you have been dying to try, and use this to guide your selection preferences. However, don’t rule out unusual, unconventional dining options that may stray from the typically trodden turf; rather, consider a bold approach and seek out authentic dinning opportunities that pair eating with entertainment.
Cam’s family absolutely loves bowling, so we knew we had to go to the Nook! Located off Hamline Avenue in St. Paul, the Nook is a “bustling, no-frills joint serving up burgers, including the cheese-stuffed Juicy Lucy & beers.” And when they say “no frills” they mean it: The Nook is a dive bar at its finest. However, there is something appealingly charming and iconic about this stripped-down hangout, and the Nook’s eight basement lanes offer locals the perfect opportunity to indulge in good food, great company, and horribly wonderful bowling.
Near or far: No matter where your travels take you, a well-thought-out plan can both reduce stress and maximize your well-deserved vacation time. While traditional travel is certainly valuable and exciting, it’s important to remember there is adventure to be had in even the most familiar of places. Staycations are simple, easy luxuries meant to be savored thoroughly and repeated often.
Give yourself permission to be a tourist in your own hometown and view your world from a different lens. After all, “there’s no place like home,” and you might just stand tobesurprised by what you discover with renewed purpose and fresh perspective.
So go on, treat yourself. What are you waiting for?
[1] Or, if you’re anything like me, you hear: “Vacation, meant to be Switzerland” (with an emphasis on the “laaaand”). No offense to the Go-Go’s, but I greatly prefer my interpretation to the original lyrics. Just think to yourself: “Hmm, should I spend my vacation alone, or should I spend it in Switzerland?” Decisions, decisions. Give the song another good listen, and you’ll hear what I’m talking about. Switzerland all the way.
[2] And yes, staycation is a word. In fact, it was officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2010. While the dictionary only lists staycation as a noun, it is sometimes informally used as a verb. As in, “I’m staycationing so hard right now.” (I feel like someone has probably said this, right?)
[3]Ooh, I just used it as a verb! How’s that for informal, Oxford English dictionary!
[4] See: Stare at people and wait to see what they do next.
[5] I fully support this: You go, Glenn Coco!
[6] Wait, don’t forget Lizzo! She just took a DNA test, and it turns out she’s 100% Minneapolis’ hottest (nearly) local celebrity. Plus, she’s got a new man on the Minnesota Vikings. If that isn’t geographically grounding, I don’t know what is. Truth hurts.
[7] Coming soon to a blog post near you!
[8] Read: Googling.
[9] The Internet is both really cool and really creepy all at the same time…
[10] Just kidding. But not really: I am all about this dream home giveaway and may or may not (read: hard may) submit multiple daily entries in a desperate attempt to secure this Scandinavian beauty.
[11] Was it an intentional red herring designed by HGTV? They aren’t that good, are they…?
[12] We aren’t creepy, I promise!
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