Tips for a New Orleans Staycation Vacation

With so much to do in one’s own backyard, more locals are discovering the joys — and savings — of taking a staycation. Read on to learn about the best ways to be a tourist in your own city.

Staycations on the Rise

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), only about 1/3 of Americans will travel more than 50 miles from home for a trip this year. That means the vast majority opted for staycations, which are just as enjoyable but without the stress of packing for the airport, waiting in security lines, or dealing with delayed or canceled flights. Instead, people are deciding to play tourists in their own town, or are taking day trips to locations within 50 miles. 

Benefits of Staying Close to Home

In addition to saving on gas, hotels, restaurants, and other travel costs, there are many other benefits to vacationing at home. You can discover new things to do within your 1^st Lake apartment community and get to know your neighbors. You can spend all day on one of our tanning ledges at our beautiful pools (just remember to wear sunscreen!). And best of all: you can explore the vibrant New Orleans-metro area.

Staycation Activities

If the whole point of a vacation is to kick back and relax, who needs the added stress of airports, rental cars, jet lag, and high travel costs anyway? There’s so much to do locally. You can fill your days reconnecting with friends, catch up on sleep, start a new exercise routine, or take advantage of the many amenities your apartment community has to offer.

Here are a few other staycation activities:

• Take a day trip from New Orleans
• Try out a new restaurant  (check out COOLinary New Orleans for great deals in August)
• Take a cruise on the Steamboat Natchez
• Visit the New Orleans Museum of Art — it’s free on Wednesdays with your Louisiana I.D.
• Organize your apartment and freshen up your interior design style
• Spend a day in the French Quarter
• Catch a flick at a nearby theater

Upcoming New Orleans Events

In addition to activities that are available all year long, there are some great events coming up in New Orleans. You can “run with the bulls,” New Orleans style on July 13-15 in Downtown New Orleans. 

In August, you can take advantage of Museum Month, and attend most museums in New Orleans free of charge if you have a membership to any museum. Then, there’s Satchmo Summerfest in the French Quarter on August 3-5, where you can enjoy great local food, drinks, and music from acts including Ellis Marsalis, Irma Tomis, The Mahogany Brass Band and more.

Or, of course, you can spend each day in your pajamas and do nothing at all. Regardless of what you choose to do, a staycation is the best way to save money, relax, and discover something new at home!

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