How to Make the Most Out of Your Florida Staycation
This story is brought to you by Enterprise and my experience as a Florida local.
Now that my son has started back to school, it is not as easy for us to take off on a long-distance getaway for a week at a time. Although a full-scale vacation may not be in store, that does not mean we cannot get away. Making time for a short weekend trip or a Florida staycation is imperative for us to unwind and destress as a family. I love to plan these small-cations throughout the year.
How to Make the Most Out of Your Florida Staycation
Often, people have at least one weekend free every season but just do not realize it until it is too late to enjoy. Last minute staycations are possible with little planning.
If you wait to only make memories during an annual summer vacation, you only get 18 summers with your child before they head off to college. The first few years my son was too young to remember, so planning as many small-cations to create priceless moments with my family is important to me.
Check School Calendar
Each year I look at my son’s school calendar and mark the days they are out. I love planning mini adventures during three-day weekends. Living in the Tampa area, a long weekend is a perfect excuse to head to Clearwater Beach or Orlando. Since the road trip is not too long it does not require much planning in advance. Each month I can glance at my calendar and see which weekends are free.
Keep the Essentials Packed
I’m all about those last minute overnight trips to Disney World. To avoid the stress of planning a vacation, I make small-cations work for me by staying prepared. I keep travel-size essentials packed at all times. Items such as shampoo, body wash, travel toothbrush, and our Mickey ears stay in a bag ready to load in the car. All I have to do is toss in some clothes and we are golden.
Rent a Vehicle
According to Enterprise’s annual weekend getaway survey, 85% of respondents say they plan to escape on a weekend trip in 2018 – up from 78% in 2017.
To make your Florida staycation feel like a full-scale vacation without breaking your budget, rent a new vehicle to drive around. We love that new car smell while avoiding increased mileage on our own vehicles. Driving around a new vehicle makes you feel like you are on a vacation further from home. If you usually drive a smaller vehicle, go for a Sports Utility Vehicle to get that extra spacious luxury that you aren’t used to. If you usually drive around a large vehicle, opt for the sports car for a nice change.
Understanding that people want to get away, Enterprise can help make the idea of a small-cation a reality. Enterprise is nearby with more than 5,800 offices located within 15 miles of 90% of the U.S. population, so it is easy to find a location near you.
You can visit your neighborhood Enterprise location to rent a vehicle any day of the week or make your reservation quickly online. Give your vehicle a rest during your next weekend road trip and enjoy the luxury of a brand new ride.
Get more travel inspiration from Enterprise.
Visit a New Local Place
Florida is a big state. Even though I have lived here my whole life, there is still so much I haven’t seen. I love finding new and unique places to explore. To make the most out of your Florida staycation, skip the chain restaurants and crowded shops and try something new. Our favorite places to seek out are the ones that serve cute desserts like this donut & snack shop I found in Panama City Beach. You can read reviews of local places on Yelp before deciding where to eat.
Where is your favorite place to visit during your staycation?
