Posted by: Richie Bernardo

You don’t have to go away to really “get away” if you’re in need of a summer escape. And we don’t mean getting lost in your imagination or a gripping novel, however far those things can transport you. Rather, a “staycation” might be in order, especially if you aren’t inclined to drive or fly long distances or simply can’t afford to use your vacation time, the unfortunate reality for nearly a third of us who work.

There are certain places that offer plenty of options for entertainment and relaxation at the right price point, making those cities the perfect spots for staying local.

To help you decide whether to leave home or bring vacation to your front door, WalletHub compared more than 180 cities based on 40 key indicators of a fun-filled yet wallet-friendly staycation. Read on for the full ranking, our methodology and useful staycationing tips from experts.

1. Main Findings
2. Ask the Experts
3. Methodology

Main Findings Embed on your website<iframe src="//d2e70e9yced57e.cloudfront.net/wallethub/embed/4341/geochart-staycation.html" width="556" height="347" frameBorder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <div style="width:556px;font-size:12px;color:#888;">Source: <a href="https://ift.tt/2slbOAY>

 

Best Places for a Staycation

Overall Rank (1 = Best)	City	Total Score	‘Recreation’ Rank	‘Food & Entertainment’ Rank	‘Rest & Relaxation’ Rank
1	Orlando, FL	56.95	20	1	26
2	Honolulu, HI	55.97	9	8	4
3	Chicago, IL	55.23	1	7	31
4	Seattle, WA	54.60	7	3	44
5	Portland, OR	53.61	8	4	63
6	Tampa, FL	53.37	22	12	2
7	Las Vegas, NV	53.11	45	2	41
8	San Francisco, CA	52.91	4	5	98
9	San Diego, CA	52.86	3	19	23
10	Charleston, SC	50.71	26	28	5
11	Atlanta, GA	49.75	21	11	29
12	Minneapolis, MN	48.73	17	24	20
13	New York, NY	48.28	10	10	122
14	Virginia Beach, VA	47.57	25	63	6
15	Fort Lauderdale, FL	47.56	6	79	14
16	Scottsdale, AZ	47.46	42	41	3
17	Washington, DC	46.94	2	13	167
18	Philadelphia, PA	46.69	5	17	154
19	Salt Lake City, UT	46.62	47	18	53
20	Boise, ID	46.39	34	36	13
21	Austin, TX	46.27	23	9	103
22	Portland, ME	46.14	11	35	72
23	Denver, CO	46.05	19	21	90
24	Cape Coral, FL	45.67	60	105	1
25	Boston, MA	45.44	12	56	58
26	Miami, FL	45.15	43	6	135
27	Glendale, CA	45.12	16	69	36
28	Pittsburgh, PA	44.83	35	14	104
29	Madison, WI	44.27	14	92	39
30	Tucson, AZ	43.58	51	15	77
31	Springfield, MO	43.29	124	44	12
32	Los Angeles, CA	43.23	61	23	45
33	Richmond, VA	43.12	31	29	93
34	Cleveland, OH	42.99	36	48	51
35	Nashville, TN	42.74	57	32	32
36	Rapid City, SD	42.69	98	58	11
37	North Las Vegas, NV	42.66	75	26	17
38	Reno, NV	42.25	58	20	94
39	Cincinnati, OH	41.96	28	27	137
40	Sacramento, CA	41.95	53	37	47
41	St. Petersburg, FL	41.87	38	82	42
42	St. Louis, MO	41.86	56	16	115
43	Spokane, WA	41.83	76	65	24
44	Tempe, AZ	41.71	71	57	34
45	Overland Park, KS	41.34	121	53	22
46	South Burlington, VT	41.15	48	74	68
47	Milwaukee, WI	41.09	33	40	117
48	Peoria, AZ	41.04	13	153	33
49	Columbia, SC	40.78	145	39	40
50	Jacksonville, FL	40.38	30	54	119
51	Burlington, VT	40.35	18	83	116
52	Omaha, NE	40.28	24	67	123
53	New Orleans, LA	40.23	46	22	161
54	Knoxville, TN	40.21	84	43	75
55	Colorado Springs, CO	40.11	52	49	70
56	Henderson, NV	39.05	82	89	18
57	Houston, TX	39.05	59	25	144
58	Santa Clarita, CA	38.70	15	135	99
59	Columbus, OH	38.47	73	45	92
60	Sioux Falls, SD	38.35	156	61	35
61	Albuquerque, NM	38.26	69	33	110
62	Kansas City, MO	38.10	89	64	60
63	Huntington Beach, CA	38.02	29	121	100
64	Tallahassee, FL	37.90	63	77	105
65	Baltimore, MD	37.86	32	70	155
66	Glendale, AZ	37.83	50	160	30
67	Long Beach, CA	37.81	88	123	16
68	Raleigh, NC	37.74	68	34	133
69	Nampa, ID	37.70	154	166	8
70	Lincoln, NE	37.70	41	107	101
71	Wilmington, DE	37.67	105	86	56
72	Chattanooga, TN	37.55	120	68	66
73	Norfolk, VA	37.41	27	119	134
74	Fargo, ND	37.39	137	129	10
75	San Antonio, TX	37.32	85	30	129
76	Grand Rapids, MI	37.16	102	62	118
77	Rochester, NY	37.15	107	31	150
78	Tacoma, WA	37.05	163	42	81
79	Mesa, AZ	37.02	70	80	80
80	Phoenix, AZ	36.81	91	73	76
81	Amarillo, TX	36.79	162	102	25
82	Charlotte, NC	36.79	78	60	96
83	Vancouver, WA	36.60	131	96	57
84	Hialeah, FL	36.52	122	103	21
85	Buffalo, NY	36.40	49	51	168
86	Missoula, MT	36.39	44	90	146
87	Dallas, TX	36.32	83	46	127
88	Las Cruces, NM	36.29	178	115	19
89	Tulsa, OK	36.11	97	122	38
90	Greensboro, NC	36.05	66	78	126
91	Jackson, MS	36.01	177	147	9
92	Akron, OH	35.97	111	134	48
93	Indianapolis, IN	35.90	72	52	141
94	Casper, WY	35.87	182	141	7
95	Lexington-Fayette, KY	35.67	101	100	71
96	Des Moines, IA	35.64	132	87	102
97	Chandler, AZ	35.61	99	113	50
98	Salem, OR	35.57	159	72	74
99	Louisville, KY	35.47	79	47	148
100	Birmingham, AL	35.35	171	55	113
101	Oklahoma City, OK	35.12	135	66	62
102	Little Rock, AR	35.07	112	97	91
103	Columbia, MD	35.05	87	139	79
104	Bismarck, ND	34.98	158	131	28
105	Columbus, GA	34.95	148	124	54
106	Garden Grove, CA	34.75	37	114	158
107	Baton Rouge, LA	34.70	103	59	130
107	Modesto, CA	34.70	170	144	37
109	Shreveport, LA	34.58	180	91	55
110	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	34.44	55	178	49
111	Gulfport, MS	34.43	157	136	27
112	Moreno Valley, CA	34.33	138	167	46
113	Winston-Salem, NC	34.32	77	137	88
114	Aurora, CO	34.30	96	85	124
115	El Paso, TX	34.27	129	88	78
116	Augusta, GA	34.21	175	146	52
117	Chesapeake, VA	34.16	62	110	136
118	Garland, TX	34.16	143	111	43
119	Billings, MT	33.85	118	50	166
120	Cedar Rapids, IA	33.79	161	138	64
121	Huntsville, AL	33.60	130	118	86
122	St. Paul, MN	33.54	40	76	180
123	Gilbert, AZ	33.42	80	171	59
124	Detroit, MI	33.40	74	120	131
125	Montgomery, AL	33.27	168	126	82
126	Anchorage, AK	33.26	54	94	169
127	Providence, RI	33.11	95	81	170
128	West Valley City, UT	32.99	128	133	65
129	Juneau, AK	32.84	65	117	159
130	Memphis, TN	32.81	100	93	142
131	Fort Smith, AR	32.78	172	159	15
132	Oceanside, CA	32.67	117	132	107
133	Newport News, VA	32.63	160	130	84
134	Pembroke Pines, FL	32.61	106	155	89
135	Mobile, AL	32.60	179	84	125
136	Corpus Christi, TX	32.45	90	145	108
137	Toledo, OH	32.18	153	104	97
138	Fayetteville, NC	32.03	174	148	95
139	Manchester, NH	32.01	149	127	111
140	Plano, TX	31.96	93	152	106
141	Charleston, WV	31.83	92	149	143
142	Jersey City, NJ	31.80	166	38	147
143	Stockton, CA	31.76	144	150	67
144	Durham, NC	31.73	81	106	156
145	Fort Wayne, IN	31.64	94	116	151
146	Grand Prairie, TX	31.33	109	170	109
147	Bakersfield, CA	30.98	167	109	83
148	Huntington, WV	30.94	126	156	121
149	Irvine, CA	30.73	39	157	178
150	Wichita, KS	30.66	136	71	162
151	Fresno, CA	30.63	152	101	120
152	Santa Rosa, CA	30.58	64	168	149
153	Fort Worth, TX	30.57	140	99	138
154	Cheyenne, WY	30.41	169	151	114
155	San Jose, CA	30.21	123	98	157
156	Irving, TX	30.14	110	95	172
157	Riverside, CA	30.04	127	140	132
158	Laredo, TX	29.57	141	169	86
159	Chula Vista, CA	29.55	113	108	164
160	Dover, DE	29.31	173	175	85
161	Newark, NJ	29.16	150	142	139
162	Lewiston, ME	29.11	151	173	128
163	Port St. Lucie, FL	28.83	155	112	171
164	Arlington, TX	28.81	142	165	112
165	New Haven, CT	28.68	147	162	140
166	Brownsville, TX	28.67	181	180	61
167	Ontario, CA	28.66	164	174	73
168	Worcester, MA	28.52	116	125	176
169	Fontana, CA	28.26	146	181	69
170	Oakland, CA	28.09	115	75	182
171	Santa Ana, CA	27.87	108	163	160
172	Pearl City, HI	27.86	125	164	163
173	Lubbock, TX	27.82	134	154	145
174	Warwick, RI	27.22	86	143	181
175	Aurora, IL	26.97	104	179	152
176	Anaheim, CA	26.87	133	128	173
177	Nashua, NH	26.35	114	158	177
178	Yonkers, NY	26.11	67	172	179
179	Fremont, CA	24.89	139	161	175
180	San Bernardino, CA	24.46	176	177	153
181	Bridgeport, CT	23.88	165	176	174
182	Oxnard, CA	23.36	119	182	165

Ask the Experts

There’s a difference between a staycation and business as usual in the context of staying local. And it all has to do with how you spend your time in the city you call home. For advice on making the best of your staycation, we asked a panel of experts to share their thoughts on the following key questions:

1. What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation?
2. What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank?
3. What is the best time of year to have a staycation?
4. In evaluating the best cities for staycations, what are the top five indicators?

< >

• Nathan Austin Director / Associate Professor, Morgan State University
• Debbie MacInnis Charles L. and Ramona I. Hilliard Professor of Business Administration, Professor of Marketing, Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California

Nathan Austin Director / Associate Professor, Morgan State University

What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation?

Mindset buy-in of all. Not easy to relax in one's usual environment.

Pre-planning of what to do, how, with whom etc.

What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank?

Trips to local attractions especially when it coincides with heavily discounted entrance ticket days

Participation in local outdoor events, usually free

What is the best time of year to have a staycation?

Outside peak tourist seasons if a tourist destination, otherwise best if it coincides with specific local events or ticket discount days.

In evaluating the best cities for staycations, what are the top five indicators?

• Diversity of attractions.
• Walker friendly city especially wide pavements.
• Free public rest areas in the city.
• Safe city public intermodal transportation system.
• Ease and cost of parking.

Debbie MacInnis Charles L. and Ramona I. Hilliard Professor of Business Administration, Professor of Marketing, Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California

What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation?

1. Plan for it. Part of the joy we get from vacations is looking forward to them.
   • The first thing is to think about what kinds of activities are going to bring you the most happiness? Sleeping late, going out to restaurants, taking a hike, shopping, spending time with family and friends, enjoying movies and the arts, getting your closets organized, and so on. For many people, it's a mixture of things. A good balance for a staycation is that it balances doing something that you really need to get done (clean that closet), something that you really want to do (because it makes you feel happy- stimulated, relaxed, entertained, gratified in a visual, auditory, olfactory, etc. way), and something that inspires you - something that causes you to achieve a more positive self-state so that you end up feeling better about yourself - for example, learning something new, appreciating the people you love, giving back to people who need help.
   • Think about which options will bring you the most happiness. OK, so you seriously want to get a massage. The muscles in your neck and shoulders are as tight as. Will a massage at the YMCA do it for you, or do you need something more indulgent, like a hot stone massage at a local spa, or perhaps even a day at the spa?
   • We like to have some variety .OK- so you want to enjoy some restaurants...You might like to try some of your favorites, but mix it in with some other restaurants that seem interesting and maybe just slightly outside your comfort zone. A staycation doesn't need to be boring. Part of the goal is to seek new experiences. That's what makes staycations both relaxing and interesting.
2. Savor it. Really imagine how good you are going to feel by this staycation. Focus on how good you are feeling now by imagining your staycation and how it will unfold. Research shows that savoring an experience in advance makes the actual experience seem more enjoyable, and remembered as more enjoyable.
3. Be mindful of it. Mindfulness meditation and other mindfulness practices, show us that we are most happy when we can be aware of what we are experiencing. Being open to the experiences as they happen in real time not only affects how much we enjoy the experience, it can also help us become aware of what's inhibiting us from enjoying the experience, and why we feel that way. This helps us make better decisions in the future.
4. Remember it. Take pictures, write about it. Make your happiness real not just to you but to others. Document your happiness in your personal photos, not just on social media
5. BUT - don't do anything else on social media. And while we are talking about it, hide your cell phone or at least turn off email messages, tweets, etc. at all costs. Research shows that you enjoy things less when you are distracted by things like cell phones that take your attention away from the experience you are having.

What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank?

• Look for free activities in the community or in communities adjacent to yours. Spring-Fall are greats time for local festivals, particularly those that celebrate the local culture and products. Weather in most places is good, making visits to nature, lakes, local swim sites, gardens, hikes (all free - generally). Visiting family in the (general) local area might be doable, Catching up that annoying to do list, I need to:... make a budget, make an appointment for a physical exam, meet with my financial planner might not be fun, but many of these necessary evils are done for free. And getting them done will really make you feel better.
• Enjoy your living environment- If you've been renovating or making house investments, revel in your new environment. Appreciate the new, soft sheets, the new light fixture in your doorway, the purchase of a new couch. What a joy to celebrate your investment in your domicile to really appreciate it. Notice if there is something that's reducing your enjoyment in your living environment, note that, and think about it during your time at home.

What is the best time of year to have a staycation?

1. Whenever you are feeling depleted and need to recharge without a lot of hassle.
2. Ideally when the season is right for the activity you want to do, but the crowds of others have thinned out. It's easier to immerse yourself in an experience when you are able to enjoy it without a lot of external interference.

In evaluating the best cities for staycations, what are the top five indicators? This is tough, but here's a shot

• Offers a lot of diversity in terms of options like nature, culture, new experiences.
• Inspires you somehow- makes you act in ways that are consistent with your values.
• Makes you learn something new and stretches you just outside of your comfort zone.
• Has weather that's great for what you want to do.

Methodology

In order to determine the best staycation spots, WalletHub compared 182 U.S. cities— including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state — across three key dimensions: 1) Recreation, 2) Food & Entertainment and 3) Rest & Relaxation.

We evaluated those dimensions using 40 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for staycationers. For metrics marked with an asterisk (*), the square root of the population was used to calculate the “Number of Residents” in order to avoid overcompensating for minor differences across cities.

We then determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample.

Recreation – Total Points: 33.33

• Public Golf Courses per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.47 Points)
• Tennis Courts per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.47 Points)
• Swimming Pools per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.47 Points)
• Basketball Hoops per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.47 Points)
• Baseball Diamonds per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.47 Points)
• Parks per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.47 Points)
• Bike Rental Facilities per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.47 Points)
• Hiking Trails per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.47 Points)
• Running Trails per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.47 Points)
• Walking Trails per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.47 Points)
• Shopping Centers per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.47 Points)
• Water & Amusement Parks per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.47 Points)
• Boat Tours & Water Sports per Capita*: Full Weight (~247 Points)
• Miles of Bicycle Lanes, Paths & Routes per Square Mile: Half Weight (~1.23 Points)

Food & Entertainment – Total Points: 33.33

• Movie Costs: Full Weight (~1.80 Points)
• Bowling Costs: Full Weight (~1.80 Points)
• Average Price of Party Ticket: Full Weight (~1.96 Points)
• Nightlife Options per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.80 Points)
• Casinos per Capita*: Half Weigh (~0.90 Points)
• Festivals per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.80 Points)
• Museums per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.80 Points)
• Zoos & Aquariums per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.80 Points)
• Paintball Fields per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.80 Points)
• Arcades per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.80 Points)
• Presence on TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 Amusement Parks” List: Full Weight (~1.80 Points)Note: This binary metric measures the presence or absence of a city in TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 Amusement Parks” List.
• Theaters & Concert Halls per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.80 Points)
• Coffee & Tea Shops per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.80 Points)
• Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Shops per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.80 Points)
• Beer Gardens per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.80 Points)
• Restaurants per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.80 Points)
• Restaurant-Meal Costs: Full Weight (~1.80 Points)
• Prevalence of Affordable Restaurants with 4.5+ Stars: Full Weight (~1.80 Points)
• Diversity of Restaurants: Full Weight (~1.80 Points)

Rest & Relaxation – Total Points: 33.33

• Cost of House-Cleaning Service: Full Weight (~4.76 Points)
• Spas & Wellness Centers per Capita*: Full Weight (~4.76 Points)
• Massage Costs: Full Weight (~4.76 Points)
• Beauty-Salon Costs: Full Weight (~4.76 Points)
• Public Beaches per Capita*: Full Weight (~4.76 Points)
• Presence on TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 Beaches” List: Full Weigh (~4.76 Points)Note: This binary metric measures the presence or absence of a city in TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 Beaches” List.
• Idealness of Summer Weather: Full Weight (~4.76 Points)Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s Cities with the Best & Worst Weather ranking.

 

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Council for Community and Economic Research, Public Courses, Under Armour, Eventbrite, Numbeo.com, MassageBook, Trust for Public Land, Alliance for Biking & Walking, TripAdvisor, Yelp, ImproveNet and WalletHub research.

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