Staycation Sensation

You've decided To Skip the hassle of canceled flights, lost luggage and overpriced accommodations this summer but want a staycation that’s anything but humdrum.

Easy access to world-class destinations and leisure activities in the Sunshine State make day-tripping and taking a break from the everyday a breeze. Whether you want to try something outdoorsy, prefer educational or touristy pursuits or just want to relax, it’s easy to reboot and refresh close to home — no passport required.

Here are some ideas to inspire a happy, healthy holi-stay!

Back To Nature

If what’s really needed is to de-stress and get away from the daily grind, take a day to do what the Japanese call shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing. A walk in nature is restorative and induces calm and mindfulness. The beneficial negative ions found outdoors and proximity to flowing water promote a sense of well-being. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach offers the perfect setting for tranquility in an outdoor space designed for peaceful strolling and quiet contemplation.

With so many nature trails and preserves in the area, forest bathing is never far away. Riverbend Park in Jupiter, for instance, boasts 15 miles of trails for hiking and biking through pine flat woods, cypress swamps, oak hammocks and wet prairies.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach

Photo By Xavier Maranon

A Walk On The Wild Side

Bring your binoculars for a visit to the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in Boynton Beach, “Palm Beach County’s Gateway to the Everglades.” It is home to the American alligator and up to 257 species of birds. In addition to a boardwalk loop taking visitors through a cypress swamp, there are trails for hiking, biking and canoeing.

Like some New Yorkers who’ve never visited the Statue of Liberty, many Floridians have never been to Everglades National Park, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. Make this your summer to visit the famous subtropical wilderness that hosts a number of salt and freshwater habitats that have made it home to numerous birds and reptiles. Entrances are in Miami and Naples.

Go on a safari close to home with a visit to the Palm Beach Zoo where you can see a variety of animals and learn about wildlife conservation efforts. Book an animal experience for a close-up encounter with a variety of creatures great and small, like African crested porcupines, koalas and panthers.

Nothing says “checking out” from the daily routine like the phrase “gone fishing.” The catch of the day awaits in any number of South Florida’s bodies of water. Spend time with the kids at one of Palm Beach County’s pier fishing sites such as Lake Worth Pier, which offers equipment rentals. By day’s end, you’ll have earned feel-good ions, stories about the one that got away or maybe even dinner.

Palm Beach Zoo

Photo By Xavier Maranon

Dancing In The Moonlight

When the summer heat becomes oppressive, head to the beach outside of peak sunburn hours. Take a walk at dawn and watch the sun come up over the Atlantic. Overcome the dog days of August with some downward dog yoga poses on the beach. Yoga At the Beach in Boca Raton offers morning, sunset and full moon yoga workouts in Red Reef Park East (oceanside) or Red Reef Park West (intracoastal side).

Sign up online for a sea turtle hatchling release at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, and watch the tiny turtles make their way to the ocean at night.

The full moon this month is Aug. 19. Get comfortable on a blanket or chair, catch the ocean breeze and enjoy a picnic while watching the Sturgeon Moon cast its silvery path on the water.

Brightline station in Boca Raton

Easy Rider

If you haven’t ridden the Brightline high-speed train yet, now’s the ideal time. Brightline stations in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura, Miami and Orlando make it a cinch to plan a day trip or overnight stay.

With new smart stations, garage parking, pristine train cars and efficient service, it’s a smooth journey to your destination. Have a Brightline adventure day with an easy ride to Fort Lauderdale and a visit to the Museum of Discovery and Science for hours of interactive fun and learning. It’s about a 10-minute walk or a quick trip by taxi or rideshare from the station.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom Park

Destination Disney

If you’re a fan of Florida’s favorite theme parks (and who isn’t?), Florida residents can save up to 30% on rooms in select Disney Resort Hotels through Oct. 3.

Making a splash this summer in Magic Kingdom Park is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the log flume ride formerly known as Splash Mountain. The musical adventure is inspired by Disney’s animated film “The Princess and the Frog.”

All Systems Go

Interested in STEM subjects and space travel? Make a trip to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on the Space Coast and learn about NASA’s space programs. In addition to the fascinating exhibits and attractions included with admission, add-on experiences bring you up close and personal with astronauts and all aspects of space travel.

NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Worth It

Dress in resort chic and spend a day in Palm Beach. Stroll along Worth Avenue for some fabulous window shopping and Insta-worthy photos. Wander the charming bougainvillea-covered European-style courtyards and enjoy lunch at one of the outdoor patio restaurants.

For some off-the-beaten-track South Florida sightseeing, visit the gravestone of Johnny Brown, architect and Palm Beach denizen Addison Mizner’s beloved monkey. The pet spider monkey, who died in 1927, is buried at 14 Via Mizner, on the site of Pizza Al Fresco.

For a different take on Palm Beach, walk or bike the 5½-mile-long Palm Beach Lake Trail. The trail runs along the water on the island’s western side with beautiful views of Lake Worth Lagoon and the impressive yachts at the Palm Beach Town Docks. It begins at South Lake Drive near Peruvian Avenue north and ends just north of the Sailfish Club.

Palm Beach Lake Trail

Photo By Xavier Maranon

Express Yourself

Discover the artist within with a one-on-one online art class or a group session. Learn to paint and draw in a virtual classroom and experience the joy of letting your creativity flow.

Or tap into the health benefits of knitting or crocheting, purported to lower heart rate and blood pressure, by learning the skills or finishing a project you never completed. Knit or Knot Yarns in Jupiter offers virtual and in-person knitting and crocheting classes and a full selection of yarn and supplies.

Play Games

Join the community that boasts Julia Roberts, Sarah Jessica Parker and Fran Drescher as members and learn how to play mahjong. To play the popular tile game of strategy and skill you’ll need a mahjong set, the 2024 American mahjong card and three friends. It’s a fun, social game that’s easy to learn but hard to master. Kids love it, too. Brain games are good for everyone and, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH), can stimulate cognitive skills in children.

Photographic Memory

Use your time off to review and organize past travel photos into a memory book. There are many online services that create photo books for you. Get everyone involved in choosing their favorite images and reminisce about some of the more memorable moments.

DIY Spa Day

Take it down a notch with a relaxing spa day at home. Gather up a basketful of his-and-her spa treatment products to pamper and indulge in a day or evening of self-care. Be sure to include face and hair masks, body scrubs, bath salts, moisturizers, tools for mani-pedis and fluffy bathrobes.

If the budget allows, hire a massage therapist to come to your home for his-and-her massages. Set the mood with aromatherapy candles, soft lighting and a soothing playlist. Have a pitcher of cool cucumber water on hand (or maybe flutes of champagne) and an array of light and nourishing snacks. You’ll get a restful night’s sleep.

Make Reservations

Part of the fun of being on vacation is dining at different restaurants. With the money you’ve saved on travel, splurge on lunches or dinner out at the places you’ve always wanted to try or pick a different international cuisine every night. If you prefer to stay in, hire a personal chef for a week or invest in a meal delivery service.

Just Do Nothing

The Dutch concept of niksen is about doing nothing, being idle for a while and giving yourself time and space to just daydream or listen to music without purpose or agenda. As with meditation, it may take some practice to “just be,” but according to an article about niksen on time.com, “research supports the idea that doing simple tasks that allow your mind to wander can foster creative problem solving, even improving your ability to work through a problem you might have been stuck on earlier.”

Taking the time to just do nothing provides stress relief and helps one recover from burnout. What better time to practice niksen than during a staycation? You’ll return to work or everyday life with a fresh outlook and a renewed sense of purpose.