Spring Break on a Budget This Year With These 4 Staycation Ideas
Written by
Vance Cariaga
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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Americans who plan to travel over spring break this year can expect to dish out more money than ever before. The average insured trip cost for spring break 2025 is $8,306, according to research from travel insurance marketplace Squaremouth. That’s up from $6,125 in 2024 and $5,485 in 2023, representing gains of 26% and 33%, respectively.
Rising travel costs — combined with jitters over the economic impact of tariffs and government downsizing under the Donald Trump administration — have many Americans looking to save money by staying home rather than hitting the road.
That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the perks of vacationing. Here are four staycation ideas if you want to spend spring break on a budget this year.
Take Day Trips
Taking a staycation doesn’t mean sitting around the house all the time. No matter where you live, chances are there are some interesting spots withing driving distance that you might not have experienced before.
It could be an undiscovered town, recreation area, historical site, national park or all of the above. A blog on the Parents website recommends considering a theme, such as searching for important landmarks or odd restaurants.
Explore the World Through Different Cuisines
One of the best ways to turn your staycation into a trip around the globe is to explore international cuisines in your area. Depending on where you live, you might find options from dozens of different countries and every continent.
Be sure to seek out authentic restaurants that are run by natives of the country where the cuisine originated (no U.S.-based Italian, Chinese or Mexican chains). You can often find the best international food at affordable eateries in non-descript buildings.
Give Your Home a Resort Vibe
If you plan to spend your staycation at home, it might be fun to transform it into a resort getaway. There are any number of ways to do this, from rearranging your furniture and adding new colors to changing your linens and pillows. Here are some other tips recommended by Redfin:
- Create a minibar that includes elegant glassware, cocktail essentials and your favorite beverages.
- Turn your dining room into a restaurant by adding white linens, candles, a flower arrangement and your best silverware and glassware. Pipe in some soft music for an elegant touch.
- Put out candles that might conjure up the smells of a seaside resort or mountain retreat.
Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Spring is when the weather warms up and the days grow longer, so it’s a great time to get outside. If you live near a beach or lake, take a day to hit the sand and enjoy the water. If you live near mountains, spring is a great time for a hike in the fresh air. This is also a good option if you live near a forest.
Even if you live where there are no large waterways, forests or mountains, there are probably parks nearby where you can have a picnic, play pickleball, ride a bike or toss the disc around.
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