A staycation can be just as relaxing and enjoyable as any other vacation if you treat yourself like a tourist in your hometown. Don’t let time at home be the “same old, same old.” Instead, follow these tips to explore the familiar, discover hidden secrets, and recharge your spirit—all within your budget, and just minutes from your front door. Think Small If you have big ideas but a small budget, you can still check off items on your family bucket list. Just think small. Avoid the popular tourist traps and try these fun, scaled-down versions: Sports fans? Bypass the pros and check out a minor league or college game. Tickets are more affordable, there’s not a bad seat in the house, and there are numerous fun promotions like “Run the Bases” days or “Dollar Dog” nights. And you might just see a future star. Prefer the arts? Check out a local theatrical production. Almost every town has a community theatre group, and most do a surprisingly good job. And, again—possible future stars. Host a film festival—in your own home. Choose a theme and let each person pick a movie that fits. Pop some popcorn, and settle in for a movie marathon. Explore the Great Outdoors Staying local doesn’t mean you have to stay home. Head outside and get to know your surroundings in a new way. National parks—the country’s best kept secret. You can search for a park, monument, or other National Park Service unit on their web site; most are free of charge. Check out the Junior Ranger program for kids: Children receive a workbook at the site (or you can download one online). Once completed, it can be exchanged for a reward (usually a certificate and badge). Fun, educational, and a free souvenir–what can be better? Try geocaching, a real-life treasure hunt using your GPS. Geocache, which are containers of small trinkets, are hidden all over your hometown. You navigate using GPS coordinates, find your treasure (hidden in a park, playground, or any other public area), and then leave something for the next treasure hunters. Spend a day appreciating your own back yard. Organize a croquet or volleyball game, make s’mores around a fire pit, or relax with a soak in your Sundance® spa. You can even set up a tent and camp under the stars. Be an “Anti-Tourist” Avoid the typical tourist traps, which are usually overpriced, overrated, and crowded. Instead, seek out the places others miss Skip big attractions in favor of the more obscure. If your family enjoys zoos, seek out a sanctuary or refuge. Skip the amusement park, and check out several playgrounds or parks in towns within a 10-mile radius. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of something familiar. Local radio stations, fire companies, garden centers, and bowling alleys often allow visitors to see how things work if you plan ahead and arrange the outing. Favorites include the projection room at the movies or a hands-on demonstration at a local chocolatier, complete with delicious samples. Do an online search for “obscure sites” or “secrets” nearby. You’d be surprised at what turns up. Niche stores, quirky museums, and farmers markets often make the list—and make for a great afternoon. Need more ideas? A map at AtlasObscura identifies the strange, secret hidden gems near your home. They have more than 12,500 listed nationwide, all on a clickable map. With a little imagination, you can become a visitor in your hometown. And you may just find out that, be it ever so humble, there’s no place for a vacation like home. Want to spend more time in your own backyard? Start with these tips for backyard living first.