Many people have had to cancel travel plans this summer, but that doesn’t mean you have to cancel your vacation entirely. Why not turn it into an awesome staycation instead?

There are a lot of ways to feel like you are on vacation while staying close to home. The time you would have used for travel can still be used to relax, unwind, and even do some touristy activities. Make sure you have an enjoyable staycation with these six tips.

1. Create a plan and set a budget

Just as if you were preparing for a real vacation, you should take some time to plan for your staycation as well. Set a start and end date, plan out some of the activities you want to do, and prepare your home by getting any chores or maintenance out of the way. This will help ensure that you focus on enjoying your vacation rather than on doing things around the house.

Setting a budget is a good idea as well. Since you will be saving money on plane tickets and accommodations, you may be able to splurge a little bit to have some extra fun at home.

2. Become a local tourist

A staycation is a perfect opportunity to discover your own backyard. In fact, Canadians are being encouraged to help out their local tourism industry by checking out sites and landmarks that would typically draw tourists from out-of-town. You can also check to see if there are any nearby hikes or viewpoints you have never taken the time to visit before.

3. Try a new cuisine

One of the best parts of taking a vacation is sampling the local cuisine. Even though you’re not travelling to a new locale, there are likely many fantastic local restaurants serving food from around the world to discover. Turn to Google or ask your friends and family for some recommendations. Consider leaving plenty of room in your budget for dining out.

4. Try a new activity

Taking a vacation is also a great opportunity to try something new, like kayaking, rock climbing, riding a tandem bike, or taking an interesting class. Don’t let staying at home stop you from expanding your horizons. There are probably plenty of activities in your city that you have yet to try and that are operating again in accordance with health directives.

5. Shop for local souvenirs

No vacation is complete without souvenirs. Check out your local boutique stores and pick up some mementoes to remember your staycation by. You will be helping to support local businesses that generally rely a lot on tourism revenue this time of year as well.

6. Treat yourself to a spa day

If a day at the spa is usually a regular part of your vacation experience, then you should definitely pamper yourself with a spa day at home. Stock up on your favourite candles and essential oils, apply a rejuvenating face mask, and draw up a steamy bath to sit back and soak in. Set aside a few hours where everyone knows not to disturb you.

Just because you can’t travel far this summer, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some relaxing time off. With a bit of planning and creativity, you can easily make your staycation feel like a real vacation.