• Credit cards
  • View all credit cards
  • Banking guide
  • Loans guide
  • Insurance guide
  • Personal finance
  • View all personal finance
  • Small business
  • Small business guide
  • View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

99 Staycation Ideas for This Summer

Jeanette Margle

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Table of Contents

Arts & media

Learning & self-development, kids & family, crafts & diy, tech & gaming, fitness & outdoors, self-care & beauty, helping others, food & cooking.

If we’ve learned anything about life from the past few years, it’s that we can adapt to new ways of working, playing, parenting and even vacationing! While the social distancing days of the pandemic may be past us, concerns over inflation, air travel chaos and gas prices make the staycation as appealing an option as ever in 2024.

To help you plan your next "at-home trip," the Nerds have compiled this list of staycation ideas for inspiration. Set aside a day (or several) on the calendar, make an itinerary, gather the materials and then spend your staycation having new experiences and making new memories.

1. Watch musicals and plays for free

If crowds and ticket prices are a deterrent to attending live performances, theater fans can get access to a wide array of filmed performances. Shakespeare’s Globe, a replica of the Bard’s famous theater in London, has released some performances on their YouTube channel .

If you time your free trials right, you can also see major productions without spending the big bucks on Broadway. Fans of the smash hit "Hamilton" can stream the musical on Disney+. Another option is the BroadwayHD streaming service , which has a catalog of hundreds of plays and musicals.

2. Binge on art

Wander through 160 art galleries … from your phone? Art collectors and casual aficionados alike can browse — and buy — to their hearts' delight at virtual art fairs from around the globe.

3. Binge a show or have a movie marathon

Did you used to feel guilty when you’d spend an entire weekend binge-watching a show? Now most of us are old pros at staying indoors. So why not make a list of all the movies and shows you’ve been wanting to watch? If you like comedies, "Schitt's Creek" on Netflix is a great choice. Period drama fans can immerse themselves in "The Crown" on Netflix for an interesting look at Queen Elizabeth’s life. Reality TV fans can binge-watch "The Bachelor: Listen to Your Heart" on ABC. Finally, if you’re a nature lover, "Blue Planet" on Netflix covers a lot of fascinating marine topics.

4. Rock out, but inside

big fun trip staycation

Over the course of the pandemic, many bands began streaming performances for fans to watch from home — some have continued the practice. Check out livestreams, previously unreleased footage and even old relic shows from all kinds of musical acts. Pick up an outdoor projector and watch (and dance!) from your backyard for a true concert experience.

5. Tap into your inner artist

Even if your artistic abilities stop at drawing stick figures, there’s always room to learn something new. Order some pads, pencils and paints and channel your inner Van Gogh. Check out tons of art tutorials online and have fun being creative.

6. Bring art to life

Find your favorite art scene or portrait, scour your house for props and re-create the image as closely as possible while snapping pics on your phone. Create a side-by-side comparison of the original and your modern version, and expect hilarity to ensue .

7. Become a cartoonist

big fun trip staycation

Learn the basics of the timeless art of cartooning from online courses or tutorials. Impress your kids with your Disney renditions, or share your point of view with adults through your own political cartoons.

8. Write a children’s book

Let your imagination run wild and channel your inner child in a welcome respite from adult realities. Take a stab at developing your characters and plot by yourself, or incorporate some ideas crowdsourced from your kids, family or friends.

9. Tune in and tune out

Remember the days of lying on your bedroom floor and listening to an entire album from start to finish? In today’s world of streaming music on-demand, the concept of committing to a whole album has been lost. Pick an album or three, ditch the phone (and the distractions) and just listen. Take a trip down musical memory lane, or give something new-to-you a whirl.

10. Learn to edit videos

Whether you’re starting as a newbie with free software like iMovie or looking to advance your skills with higher-end software like Adobe Premiere Pro, now is a great time to beef up your video editing capabilities. Whether you want to create sizzle reels from your recent vacations, help out with your kid's sports team highlight video or bring video production into your job, being able to swiftly edit videos on a computer can be a very useful skill.

11. Write and record a song

Dance like nobody’s watching, and sing like a few random people will hear it on YouTube. Write your own song to a familiar tune, or start from scratch if you’re ambitious, then hit record. Don’t fuss over being perfect — treat it like karaoke and focus on having fun.

12. Join an online reading challenge

Want to read the complete works of Shakespeare in one year? Want to blast through some cheesy fantasy or romance novels? You can find a group online for almost any reading challenge or goal and receive moral support from other readers along the way.

13. Learn tai chi or yoga

big fun trip staycation

Both of these ancient exercise practices are ideal under the current circumstances for two reasons:

They can be done at home with minimal equipment or expertise.

They relieve stress and improve emotional equanimity.

YouTube is your friend here, with plenty of beginner classes and challenges for both yoga and tai chi.

14. Learn a new skill online

Is there a skill you’ve been wanting to learn but haven’t had the time or money? There are plenty of free resources available at the moment. Online course platform Udemy is offering a lot of free classes now . YouTube is also great for learning new skills like yoga poses (or TikTok dances).

15. Learn a new productivity skill

Having a hard time focusing on the task at hand during quarantine? You’re not alone. Staying productive in these times is a major challenge, and one you might not be able to fix with “willpower” or “pushing through.”

Productivity skills range from time management techniques like the Pomodoro method , which builds short breaks into the workday, to mindfulness and emotional resilience training.

16. Reconnect with an old hobby — or learn a new one

If you have an old hobby that you’ve stopped pursuing, why not use this time to pick it back up again? Some fun hobbies to get back into can include sewing, knitting, painting, creative writing, baking, brushing up on a foreign language on Duolingo, gardening and so much more.

Now is also a great time to get into a new hobby that you could practice indoors. Watercolor painting, yoga, meditation, reading and learning a new language are great hobbies to keep you entertained.

17. Sign up with MasterClass and binge away

Want to learn from some of the world's experts? MasterClass is a streaming platform that allows anyone to watch video lessons taught by individuals who are leaders in their respective fields. The company offers annual subscriptions along with a 30-day guarantee. So if you don’t find anything you’re interested in, you can get a full refund by emailing customer service within 30 days of subscribing.

18. Become an armchair expert

Identify three to five subjects unrelated to work that you’re curious about. This could be anything: art history, a certain country or culture, an area of science, etc. Then, create a loose plan for diving into these topics. You could find e-books to buy or borrow from the library, watch videos on YouTube, listen to podcasts or audiobooks or join online groups. By the end of your staycation, you could become an armchair expert in a new topic you love.

19. Learn an instrument

big fun trip staycation

Now can be a great time to pick up a new instrument or get better at playing one you already have. See if any music stores are running promotions that would allow you to buy an instrument on sale.

20. Create a to-do list of ONLY fun things

To-do lists are usually full of errands and other things that don't scream fun. But why not make a to-do list of ONLY fun things? Whether that's an at-home mani-pedi, bubble bath, yoga practice or reading a new book, write it down on your list. Then spend an entire day completing tasks on your new fun to-do list.

21. Borrow e-books or audiobooks from your public library

Many libraries have expedited the process for getting a digital library card. Libraries have a lot of great e-books and audiobooks available, including bestsellers and new releases. Borrowing books is a great way to save money while still reading about the topics you love. Policies differ from library to library, but usually involve a limit on how many books you can have at any given time and sometimes a waiting list for popular titles.

22. Take a college class

Learning something new is one sure way to enrich yourself, and many colleges offer free online courses. Yale’s hugely popular happiness class called “The Science of Well-Being” is available to audit at no charge on Coursera . Top schools from MIT to Harvard offer free online courses as well.

23. Check out professional development opportunities

In shaky economic times, you’ll want to make sure your job skills are up to date to ensure you can keep the job you have or be ready to switch if the opportunity arises. Many conferences are moving their events online, so travel and lodging costs are no longer a barrier to entry. See if any professional organizations are hosting virtual panels or training sessions, or check out online certification courses that may be offered at a discount.

24. Be a tourist in your own town

The quintessential notion of a staycation is to take a vacation in your local city. Grab a guidebook, stroll the landmarks and pick a restaurant you've never tried before (for sit-down or takeout). Many apps like Tripscout and GeoTourist offer audio walking tours that you can download to guide you through your city. Learn some historical fun facts and see your own town through a fresh lens.

25. Plan your next vacation

big fun trip staycation

Part of the fun of a trip is the anticipation leading up to it. Create that spark of excitement by researching where you’ll stay and what you’ll do on a future trip. Make an itinerary, scour Yelp for the best restaurants (and drool over the menu), and find the off-the-beaten path spots you’ll explore.

26. Travel vicariously

Consider exploring virtually by visiting some fun destinations and museums. For example, you can take a virtual tour of the Netherlands’ best museums and explore art online. If visiting new countries is more your style, head over to YouTube, then type in “virtual tour” and the name of the country you’d like to see. There are so many places to (virtually) check out.

27. Relive your best trips

Grab your photo albums (or even your old projectors) and get ready for a fun trip down memory lane. Go slowly through the photos and souvenirs from some of your favorite trips. Thumb back through your guidebooks and recall the museums you visited, the foods you ate and the adventures you had. If it’s been many years since you visited the city, check out Google Earth to see how much the landscape has changed or whether your favorite restaurant still exists.

28. Teach your kids things they won’t learn in school

Involve your kids in tonight’s recipe prep, show them how to do laundry or even teach them how to change a tire. Even small kids can learn how to do basic tasks at home that will serve them well for years to come.

29. Bring the circus

big fun trip staycation

If you can’t bring your kids to entertainment out in the world, bring the excitement home instead. If you can’t go see the circus, reimagine your gray blanket to be an elephant, hang dancing cut-out clowns from the clothesline, drink lemonade and eat fluffy orange circus peanuts. It doesn't have to be the circus: Pick a theme, get creative and give your kids a day to remember.

30. Create a scavenger hunt

Whether you leave simple clues around your house or launch a full-scale quest around your city, a scavenger hunt can be a great distraction for young and old. Check out a variety of apps and websites that can help you craft your hunt for kids, families and adults alike.

» Learn more: Should you book the new Hyatt Night In package?

31. Create a custom photo book to share with loved ones

Love scrapbooking or photography? Consider making a photo album with all your favorite photos. Whether it's an album of a favorite trip or a memorable birthday party, whatever you create will definitely put a smile on the faces of the ones you love.

32. Make a scrapbook or put all of your family photos in albums

Whether you have a ton of family photos lying around or most of your pics are digital, consider making a family photo album. For existing photos, order a photo album online and start filling it with photos. You can make this a family activity by having your kids write their memories of when certain photos were taken.

If all your photos are stored in the cloud, use sites like Snapfish or Shutterfly to create an album from your digital pics and have the album shipped to you.

33. Make handmade greeting cards for loved ones and express your appreciation

The best gifts are those that come from the heart. Consider making some handmade cards for your friends and family. In the cards, write your favorite memories, why you value the person in your life and thanks for how they’ve helped you. This is also a fun activity to do with your kids.

34. Record your kids reading books (or you reading to them)

big fun trip staycation

Reading to your kids is one of the best ways to increase their language skills, and any parent will tell you that watching your kids learn to read (or memorize their favorite books) is an amazing developmental milestone. While you have plenty of family time, make recordings of these moments for posterity. Extended family will love seeing your little ones grow up, and a recording of you reading one of your kiddo’s favorite books could be a real tear-jerker 10 years from now.

35. Interview your older loved ones

You know who may have plenty of time on their hands right now? Old folks. Capture their life stories or memories (in writing, in audio or on video) for sharing with your family, friends or children. Don’t worry about making the stories perfect or even polished — just getting these stories recorded can be a huge gift to future generations.

If you have kids, you can involve them by having them ask questions, take notes or draw pictures.

36. Connect with long-distance family and friends

Make a list of all of those people you meant to visit in the past few years and take some time to schedule virtual catch-ups with them. You could do a video chat, phone call or even send them some snail mail. It’ll bring everyone involved a little bit of joy.

37. Connect with friends who’ve fallen off your radar

Once you’ve connected with long-distance friends you haven’t visited lately, move on to long-ago friendships you haven't maintained. Maybe it was the best man at your wedding or a bridesmaid you lost touch with. Remember that one friend from that one thing a long time ago? Find them on social media and set up a time to reconnect. Bonus points if you can line up multiple sessions a day to really make your staycation feel special as you catch up with those you’ve lost touch with.

38. Involve the family in a home improvement project

big fun trip staycation

If you have home improvement projects you’ve been putting off, consider whether any are good candidates for DIY-ing with the family. Depending on their ages, your kids may enjoy helping remove wallpaper, painting a room, building some raised planters or rearranging the furniture. You could even get them involved in the design process, choosing colors and accessories if you need to redecorate a space.

39. Invent a family game

Create your own board game or card game, and let the kids make the rules. More ambitious? Host a family tournament that incorporates your kids’ favorite outside games or other activities. Who can make the funniest sidewalk chalk drawing, decorate the best sugar cookie or throw a football the farthest? You never know whose talents may surprise you.

40. Create a chalk obstacle course

If you have a driveway or sidewalk and some chalk, you’ve got the makings of an epic 2D obstacle course. Sure, you can include hopscotch — but you can also include twisty arrows, circles to stop in and complete an activity (like jumping jacks) or a straight-line “balance beam.” Involve the kids in making courses for each other for some mental and physical stimulation.

41. Get artistic with apps

There are amazing coloring book apps out there. Not only is this activity fun and relaxing, but you get to see your own creation when you’re done coloring a piece. Apps such as Colorfy, Paint.ly and Happy Color are always adding new pieces to color, so you never have to worry about running out of art.

42. Sew your own creative face mask

big fun trip staycation

Several public places encourage people to wear face masks. If you can't find masks online or are looking for something that's one-of-a-kind, consider creating your own mask. Use Etsy or Pinterest for mask ideas or check out YouTube for a tutorial.

43. Paint rocks for others to find as a gesture of kindness

Why is this a thing? According to those familiar with the concept, painting rocks and hiding them in a place where someone will find them is bound to put a smile on that person’s face. Whether you paint them in colors or write inspiring quotes on them, painting rocks is a fun and creative way to do something good for others.

44. Tackle an organization project

If you live in a house, consider an organization project for an entire room or your garage. Those who live in an apartment can especially benefit from an organization project; when living in a small space, it's so easy to stuff things in a closet to get them out of sight. Why not use this time to clean out a closet or your desk drawers to free up some space?

45. Make home goods

You’re spending a lot of time at home right now, so maybe spend some time making items to spruce up your personal space . Get the right supplies and you can make potpourri, a candle or a macrame project.

46. Learn calligraphy

Calligraphy videos are a highly underrated genre of relaxing internet content. If you haven’t ever dipped your pens into the world of Instagram calligraphy videos, you should. And why stop there? You can practice your own penmanship with online tutorials . It’s a good way to finally motivate yourself to send your friends some snail mail.

47. Try your hand at papercraft or origami

Compared with other art projects, origami and papercraft require little equipment or know-how. All you need is a sheet of paper and a set of instructions to start origami-ing. If you want to go deeper into the paper art world, check out online tutorials for an introduction to the (relatively) wild worlds of papercraft and pepakura.

48. Write short stories, poetry or your life story

Does the thought of staring at a blank page or blank screen send anxiety shooting through your body? Congratulations, you’re a writer. Even seasoned novelists struggle with where to begin, which is to say: Don’t sweat it. Here are some tips for getting started:

Remember: You’re not writing for anyone other than yourself. Don’t worry about making it perfect, especially in the first draft.

Try writing your own (hypothetical) obituary as a way to outline a longer life story or memoir. It may be a bit morbid, but it’s a good way to get some perspective and focus on what really matters about your life.

If it’s not fun to write, it won’t be fun to read. Give yourself permission to be weird, silly or childish. You can always clean it up during revisions.

49. Create a PechaKucha presentation

PechaKucha is a storytelling format that involves selecting 20 slides or images that you show and discuss for 20 seconds each. In other words, you create a slideshow with 20 slides, each on a 20-second timer. It sounds simple, but — as a quick search for good examples online can reveal — it can be a powerful way to express a simple idea or story.

Share yours online via Zoom, then invite others to make their own.

50. Landscape

You know that outdoor project you keep putting off? That one you only talk about but never act on? Yeah, that one. Now’s the time. Many home improvement stores are doing “curbside pickup” where you can order online and have your items delivered to you in the store parking lot. So get that creative mind going, make a shopping list and get to work transforming your backyard (or other green space) into an oasis. Maybe turn on some HGTV for inspiration if needed.

51. Binge on Twitch

Not familiar with Twitch ? It’s an Amazon-owned streaming platform that lets you watch others play video games. If that sounds boring, you might be surprised how engaging it can be. Browse the front page for popular streams, or search for your favorite games (including nostalgia-inducing ones).

52. Buy a new video game, then master it

big fun trip staycation

Whether you like role-playing games, strategy games or sports video games, there’s something for everyone out there. Who cares if you haven’t played in years? Dust off that old system (or splurge for a new one) and find a game to master.

Many of today’s newer games have complex campaigns that can take months to complete, so you’ll have plenty to keep you busy — plus there are interactive multiplayer modes for online gaming if you need some social interaction.

53. Don’t forget about gaming apps and PC games

Let’s face it. The Wii Switch and Animal Crossing are almost as difficult to come by as yeast is these days. You might have to wait months if you have to buy a new gaming console. Have no fear. Try gaming on your laptop or phone.

You could try one of the big ones, like League of Legends, or opt for an old classic (remember Diplomacy?). Some popular console games, like Overcooked, also have PC versions that you can play on Steam.

54. Attend virtual game night with friends

Love board game nights? Zoom makes it possible to play some virtual games together with friends. If you like strategy and playing in teams, Werewolf is a perfect app game to play with friends.

GooseChase is a fun scavenger hunt that divides a group into two teams. The teams have to complete silly missions, and whoever completes the most missions in an hour wins.

55. Try an online escape room

Whether you’ve tried IRL escape rooms in the past or just heard of them, their online equivalents offer a cheaper way to enjoy the experience without taking off your jammies.

Never heard of escape rooms? They are essentially puzzles that you and a team of friends must solve in a certain amount of time. Some find it stressful. Some find it fun. Some find it both.

56. Build your own website

Whether you have a small business or just a hobby, building a website to promote it can be faster and easier than you might think. Plenty of services online will let you create a cookie-cutter website in minutes, or you can build one from scratch if you have the technical chops.

57. Learn a computer language

Why bother with French when you can learn a language that could get you a raise? Learning a programming language may be easier than you think (especially if the payoff is immediate). Ask around at work for which languages could help in your role, then search for free tutorials online.

As with all languages, you’ll pick it up a lot faster if you actually have to use it every day. Try to give yourself a project that you can only complete with programming, then stumble your way through the process until you learn enough to be dangerous.

58. Go ‘dark’ for a day

Yes, this may be the opposite of tech ... but you might be surprised how good it feels to keep all your phones, tablets, TVs, etc., off for a full day. What happens next? Who knows — but you’ll survive, and you might even come out refreshed to tackle the next day.

59. Exercise in the middle of your day

You may be used to working out in the morning or evening, which makes a lot of sense when you’re at an office or other location during the day. But one of the best features of being at home can be the ability to break up your day with personal tasks like fitness.

Even a 20-minute bike ride or jog around the neighborhood can kill two birds with one stone, giving yourself a mental break while improving your physical well-being.

60. Take long walks

Feeling stressed? Overwhelmed by your to-do list? Take a long walk in the neighborhood or at a nearby trail or park. Not only will you get a bit of exercise, you might also clear some of the “mental fog” that can set in during long days at home.

61. Do virtual athletic activities

big fun trip staycation

Not being able to go to the gym can be a huge bummer for those who love to work out, but there are plenty of virtual activities you can do. Grab an exercise mat to practice yoga, Pilates and other at-home workouts. In addition, you can order a stationary bike or an at-home Pilates bar to level-up your routine.

62. Invest in a basketball hoop and an NBA-grade basketball

If you’ve got a place to hang up a basketball hoop, why not buy an NBA-quality ball and start shooting hoops? Playing ball can be a fun way to get outside and you’ll have a new sporty skill to talk about.

63. Take socially distanced walks with friends or family

Though many of us are spending a lot more time indoors, if local rules permit, consider going for a walk at a safe distance. Ask a friend or family member to go on a walk to a park or just around the block — you’ll benefit your mental and physical health simultaneously.

64. Take up gardening

Gardening can be a really relaxing activity. Those who have a backyard can order some seeds online and create a space outdoors to plant a garden. If you live in an apartment, consider growing an herb garden indoors. The space doesn’t need to be large; it just needs to get sunlight. A windowsill can be a great choice. You can even buy some pretty planters online that match the overall decor of your apartment.

65. Rent a bike

Cycling experienced a mini-boom as the cabin-feverish looked for ways to get outdoors. If you don’t have a bike of your own, consider renting from a local shop for a day. If you haven’t ridden one in a long time, don’t worry: It’s just like riding a bike.

66. Have a backyard campout

Bust out the tent and sleeping bags and head right outside your back door. Build a fire, roast some s'mores and tell stories with a flashlight. Enjoy a little rest and relaxation in whatever backyard space you have. Bonus points for leaving the electronics inside for the whole night. Kids or no kids, a backyard campout is fun for all.

67. Gaze at the stars

Step outside, look up and get curious. Check out the Sky Map app to plot out constellations you can barely see with the naked eye. Stargaze to your heart’s content, and enjoy a night of natural lights instead of man-made.

68. Go take a hike

Fresh air and a healthy dose of vitamin D can do a world of good. If you live downtown, find a local park or trail within driving distance where you can seek solace in nature. Don your bandanna (which can double as a mask when needed), lace up your walking shoes and just go.

69. Go to a pick-your-own farm

big fun trip staycation

You might be surprised how close some farms are to your own home. Even if you don’t have a home garden, food is sometimes growing not far from your backyard. Check out whether pick-your-own farms near you are open to pick summer fruits or flowers.

70. Throw a (mini) block party

If it’s allowed in your locale, get some neighbors together for a socially distanced gathering. Have everyone bring their own lawn chair and drink of choice, and sit at least six feet apart in a circle.

71. Build an 'American Ninja Warrior'-style obstacle course

Depending on your handiness with the tools, you can build an obstacle course in your backyard. All you need to do is search "Ninja Warrior” for plenty of inspiring contraptions. This could be especially fun if you have kids. Just remember: Safety first!

72. Don’t underestimate the power of a three-day weekend

When it comes to avoiding burnout, keep it simple. An extra day off on Monday or Friday can provide a true break from your normal routine and give you extra motivation for the following week.

If it feels good, repeat. You might get more benefit from a string of long weekends than a standard vacation, especially while travel remains difficult.

73. Break up your week with a Wednesday staycation

Alternatively, if your weeks feel like marathons you’re barely able to finish, consider breaking them up with Wednesday staycations. Make sure to set aside fun or relaxing activities during the day to avoid falling into unhelpful routines.

74. Relax (for real)

Sounds simple, but it ain’t. Most of us never learn specific techniques for relaxation, and we think any time not spent in high-stress mode counts. Yet there’s a world of mental health difference between zoning out while watching TV and a relaxation technique like meditation, yoga or a walk in the woods.

One surefire way to ensure you’re not simply distracting yourself: Put the phone away.

75. Learn to meditate

The definition of mindfulness is simple: awareness of the present moment with acceptance. Yet practicing it in real life — even for a few minutes — can be both challenging and rewarding. Try meditating 10 minutes every day for a month, and see if you notice any changes in your stress levels, mood or well-being.

You can get an app to help pick up the practice (usually for a fee) or search for free guided meditations online. The most important element is consistency, so set aside time every day to build the habit.

76. Throw yourself a celebration day or week

TGI … Tuesday! Without office birthday parties or happy hours, the week can slip by in a homogeneous blur. It might feel cheesy to throw yourself or your family a party, but thankfully there’s probably nobody around to judge you.

77. Spa day

big fun trip staycation

Turn your home into your favorite resort spa. Get yourself a face mask, run a warm bath and give yourself a manicure or pedicure. If you’ve got a quarantine buddy, maybe they get bonus points for giving you a massage.

78. Experiment with new makeup looks

For everyone who has said they know nothing about doing their makeup, this is your chance. If you mess it up, you have plenty of time to watch some online makeup tutorials and test what works best for you. Maybe you can experiment and find ways to tone down (or up?) that smoky eye look you’ve always wanted to try. Bonus: Now's your chance to use up all those free samples cluttering your bathroom.

79. Learn to do your own nail art

Always wondered how manicurists can turn your fingernails into tiny works of art (and make it look easy)? Time to experiment. There are plenty of online tutorials that can give you ideas and inspiration, and the supplies you’ll need are easy to order online and have delivered.

80. Do nothing. No, really.

What if you had no responsibilities for a day? No, really — none at all. Especially if you don’t have kids, try not setting an alarm one day. Don’t have a to-do list. Don’t make plans. Stay in bed until noon like a teenager? Sure! Enjoy the freedom of having no plans and nothing you “have to do” for an entire day.

If you have kids, maybe expand the “do nothing” rule to everyone for one day. No schedule, no plans, no eating rules — just see where the day takes you.

81. Do some volunteer work

Volunteering is an enriching experience, and it can be especially rewarding now when so many people are in need of help. Most organizations (like food banks, pet shelters, etc.) have websites with information about how to sign up to volunteer, and you can always call for details.

Keep in mind: “Volunteering” isn’t restricted to working with an existing organization. Doing something like helping your elderly neighbors buy groceries can be a huge, meaningful help.

82. Offer to review resumes or do mock interviews

If you know people who are looking for a job, consider offering to review their resumes or practice interviewing. A second set of eyes on a resume can help spot inaccuracies. If you plan on doing a mock interview, try it over Zoom so you can record yourself and review later for practice.

83. Teach others a skill

If you have a skill you can teach others, consider doing a virtual meeting on Zoom, hosting a webinar or a panel discussion, participating as a guest on a podcast or guest-writing on a blog. A lot of us have great skills that others would love to know about, so why not share your knowledge with those who want to learn?

84. Do mass reviews for your Amazon purchases

When was the last time you left a positive review for that product you bought that you actually really like? Even if you bought it on Amazon, a lot of those sellers are smaller businesses — and we all know how much people rely on positive reviews when shopping.

So show some love as you scroll through your purchase history, and leave positive reviews for the items you truly enjoy.

85. Support your favorite businesses by buying online

big fun trip staycation

Some small local businesses are still recovering from the pandemic, as many took hits if they relied on in-person sales. Lots of these outlets have pivoted to online sales, offering unique bundles, pickup options and other perks that some online giants cannot.

From board games to handcrafts, many products you want and need can be found at stores that you can support in your community.

86. Complete random acts of kindness (on a budget)

For a fun and helpful challenge, set a budget and a timeline to do some unexpected nice things for your friends or loved ones.

Shop online for something affordable to brighten their day, bake something they’ll love (and deliver it secretly), compile a playlist of their favorite music, write about your best memories together, etc.

87. Learn how to make your food more beautiful

Be the talk of the neighborhood at your next block party when you wow them with handcrafted carved garnishes . Practice carving watermelon into a fabulous fruit salad centerpiece, or sharpen your knife and learn how to carve radishes and turnips into ornate flowers to brighten any dinner table.

88. Throw yourself an indulgent tea party

Find some white gloves and a wide-brimmed hat and throw an all-out tea party in your living room. Prepare tiny crustless sandwiches on a tiered cake stand. Bake some scones and lather them with jam and butter. Lay out your spread with a sugar bowl, a creamer full of milk and, of course, a variety of teas.

89. Make handmade ice cream

Learn the art of making ice cream using only a few ingredients, and it will taste that much sweeter — no machine required (but by all means, use it if you have it). Check out online DIY tutorials and enjoy delicious ice cream treats on demand.

90. Take a world tour in your own kitchen

Cook one new dish every day from a new country. Read up on each culture and find ethnic music to accompany your cooking and dining. Bonus points for outfits to match!

91. Cook with a loved one

big fun trip staycation

Sharing is caring! Find a new recipe to cook with your in-person isolation buddies, or share it with someone you don't live with and cook together over Zoom. Enjoy some laughs and chitchat while you cook, or maybe have a friendly competition over who does it better.

92. Dust off that dormant kitchen appliance

Got a Crock-Pot, Instant Pot, steamer, waffle iron or Dutch oven that you never use? Load up on recipes and give that long-forgotten kitchen helper some love. Find recipes from books you already have, or crowdsource from your friends and family.

93. Check out Pinterest for food recipes

Pinterest is a great visual search engine, which makes it much easier to know what the dish you want to cook will ultimately look like. If you’re running out of ideas on what to cook or just want to learn how to cook a new dish, check out the many inspirational food-themed boards here .

94. 'No cooking' day

Vacations often include a lot of eating out, exploring new restaurants and taking a break from doing the dishes. There’s no reason your staycation can’t include restaurant food, too. Close the kitchen one day, and instead plan a day where you can splurge on ordering food. It could be for one fancy meal, like a to-go setup from a high-end restaurant that now does takeout orders.

Or it could be an entire day: Get brunch (pancakes to go!), an afternoon snack (ice cream has always been takeout, really) and dinner from a local favorite. Plus, you’ll help support local businesses .

95. Take on an ambitious recipe

With your new shelter-in-place routine, you might be able to finally conquer some of those time-consuming recipes you’ve always wanted to try. Think homemade bagels, carnitas, pho or ramen. The more prep time, the better. Plus, while you’re waiting for the dough to rise or the meat to marinate, you can get back to binge-watching, puzzling, reading or any of these other staycation ideas.

96. Perfect your cocktails

Happy hour is whatever hour you want it to be when you’re on a staycation. Take some time to test new cocktail recipes or master old ones. Alcohol delivery is certainly a thing, so you don’t even need to leave the house to get the right supplies.

97. Try making beer or wine at home

If this idea always fell under the category of “I’d love to, but I don’t have any time," then guess what: The time could be now. In fact, you might be surprised how simple brewing your own adult beverages can be. The big trick is keeping all the equipment sanitized.

98. Collect and share family recipes

If your family’s recipes are kept on pieces of paper or in the minds of a few grandparents, do a service for future generations and collect them digitally. Here’s how to get started:

Send an email requesting family recipes.

Collect them into a single document.

Share the final results in an easy-to-keep format, like a PDF (or even a hard-copy book if you’re ambitious).

99. Master the BBQ

Even if you already consider yourself a grill master, there’s always more to learn. Whether you want to try your hand at something new or perfect that meat you’re already good at, you won’t be sorry you invested some time in upping your BBQ game.

Pick a new dish, a new meat, a new rub or a new style and get to work. With so many online resources available, getting that perfectly cooked burger or juicy chicken to come off your grill is a delicious way to spend a staycation.

Your home is your oyster. The number of things you could get up to while staying put is limited only by your imagination. Whether you want to learn a new skill or be a total couch potato, we hope this list provided a few ideas for how to spend your next staycation.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

big fun trip staycation

Things you buy through our links may earn Vox Media a commission

20 Great Staycation Ideas for Vacationing at Home

big fun trip staycation

A staycation has always been a great option for taking some time off and unwinding without having to get on a plane or break the bank. The concept has now become more prevalent, with stay-at-home orders in place in many states. It is increasingly hard to feel like being at home is a relaxing escape, because so often now home is work , and home is restaurant, and home is school . But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take some time off and relax. There are still ways to give yourself a break at home; here are 20 great ideas.

1. Absolutely no phones allowed. Put that phone away. Do not look at apps. Do not look at social media. Do not look at your news alerts. Set up an “out of office” response on your work email , and do not check it. You are on vacation. Say it to yourself. I am not here. I am on vacation.

2. Set up your space in advance. If you can, make sure your home is set up for maximum relaxation before the first morning of your vacation. Clean up. Clean out your fridge. Do your laundry. Clean your bathroom. Change the sheets on your bed. Don’t leave yourself chores to do on vacation. And maybe make your space a bit odd and festive. Why not hang up some Christmas lights?

3. Spa day. Your first stop on your vacation should absolutely be a spa day. You are ragged. You are worn down. Take some time to do whatever types of personal maintenance you indulge in when you have the time. Do your nails, steam your face , blow out your hair. Do not allow yourself to sit around and feel gross. This is not regular gross time — this is vacation time.

4. Spend more time than usual in your robe. And speaking of spa day, I think you should practice spending more time than usual in your robe . Too often we rush from the shower to our clothes, barely letting our skin dry before stuffing it, moist and warm, into fabric. Not on vacation. After your shower, put on your moisturizer, and then put on your robe. Wear it for as long as you want. An hour, maybe. Take some time to pick out your outfit. Brush your hair, or whatever. Have a cup of tea. If you don’t have a robe, maybe you can just spend time in your towel. Tie it in one of these knots .

5. Play vacation music. What kind of music reminds you of your favorite non-staycation vacation? Something Parisian? Maybe some reggae? Ditch your everyday stuff and put that on instead.

6. Go for a hike. I’m not suggesting a creative indoor activity. I’m just saying, if you can get to a hiking spot around you and it’s still open, why not go for a hike? You can pretend you’re hiking literally anywhere in the world. Ah, I love to travel!

7. Fill pitchers with water and cut fruit. Probably the most luxurious thing I’ve ever encountered on vacation were enormous pitchers of water with watermelon chunks, or orange slices, in them around the pool at a hotel in Miami. Very refreshing. You never flavor your water with fruit at home — this must be a vacation.

8. Prepare something that reminds you of a favorite vacation destination. Love the beignets at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans? Maybe order some beignet mix . Love the lobster rolls in Nova Scotia? Maybe make some of those. Love a piña colada delivered to your beach chair? Maybe deliver one to yourself, at home.

9. Read a vacation book. You might be tempted to try to tackle some sort of difficult work of nonfiction, or some sort of difficult work of fiction, on your staycation, because now you finally have the time. I would suggest not doing that . Pick up something light and breeze through it. It’s time for your brain to take a break. It works hard for you all the time, and it needs some rest.

10. Make a themed movie-night dinner. This will be fun. Meatballs and cannoli with the Godfather . A milkshake with Pulp Fiction . Fifty hard-boiled eggs with Cool Hand Luke . I’m sure you can think of something good.

11. Make your children put on a talent show for you. Tell them in the morning that tonight they have to put on a talent show. The talent must be something they learned today — it can’t be something they already knew. They can learn a new song, or some sort of new trick. They can memorize a monologue or a poem. The winner gets $5 or, if you have just one child, they get $5 as a prize. (Ultimately I think if you have multiple children you’re going to have to end up giving them all $5, but it will potentially be worth it depending on how many children you have.)

12. Have an indoor picnic. Put on a YouTube video featuring serene bird-sound effects. Chill a refreshing beverage. Eat on a blanket on the floor.

13. Indoor camping. Similar to having an indoor picnic, but this time you sleep in a tent and listen to a cricket sound effect on YouTube, or maybe a crackling fire.

14. Have dinner delivered. Oh my God. Wouldn’t it be nice not to have to cook? Have dinner delivered, and remember to leave an enormous tip .

15. Light some candles and put on some music. You can do this whether or not you’re staycationing with a romantic partner, don’t be intimidated. Put on some Rosemary Clooney, light some candles, pour a glass of wine or a cup of tea. Indulge in some conversation, or some reflection, or some book reading. Take a moment to think, Ah. It’s so wonderful that I am not at work right now, and that I will not be at work tomorrow .

16. Make a ridiculous craft. I’m not sure what you have in your house, but I’m sure you have enough stuff to make a ridiculous craft. Then you can display it in your home. “This is my staycation craft,” you can tell people, over Zoom. “I made it while I was relaxing.”

17. Take a luxurious bath. Do you have a nice bathtub ? I am so envious. Put on some music or a podcast, light a scented candle, grab whatever magazine you have and a cool beverage, and take a luxurious bath. In the bath think, Ah. I love vacation .

18. Make something on a skewer. Oh gosh, this will be fun, I think. Maybe some watermelon and Feta drizzled with balsamic? That’s not something particularly ordinary. Maybe some bell peppers and chicken and whatever else? Put on some beachwear and enjoy that, I say. I also suggest making s’mores.

19. Set your coffee the night before, so you have it right when you wake up as if it is being delivered to you from room service. Coffee, madame? Oh, yes, I’d love some. (Those are both you; the first one is you doing the voice of your coffee machine.)

20. Turndown service. Have you heard the good word about turndown service ? It’s the best place to feel like you both work at and live inside a hotel, and it’s perfect for a staycation. Turn down your bed and think, Ah. Another day of vacation tomorrow . (If you have another day of vacation tomorrow.)

  • all i ever wanted

The Cut Shop

Most viewed stories.

  • Guess Who Taylor Swift Is Endorsing in the 2024 Election
  • Who TF Is Reesa Teesa Now?
  • ‘My New Boss Treats Me Like I’m His Assistant. I’m Not.’
  • Queen Camilla Is Reportedly OOO
  • Kate Middleton Spotted for the First Time in Months
  • How I Got Scammed Out of $50,000  
  • Is This the Most Lavish Wedding of All Time?
  • An Extremely Thorough Guide to ‘Who TF Did I Marry’

Editor’s Picks

big fun trip staycation

Most Popular

What is your email.

This email will be used to sign into all New York sites. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive email correspondence from us.

Sign In To Continue Reading

Create your free account.

Password must be at least 8 characters and contain:

  • Lower case letters (a-z)
  • Upper case letters (A-Z)
  • Numbers (0-9)
  • Special Characters (!@#$%^&*)

As part of your account, you’ll receive occasional updates and offers from New York , which you can opt out of anytime.

Spare yourself the hassle and stress with these 8 perfect family staycation destinations

Tarah Chieffi

We all have those dream vacations we've been planning in our heads for years, but those often require passport applications or renewals , long-haul flights and the plotting of detailed itineraries to ensure the trip goes off without a hitch.

Those trips are all well and good, but that doesn't mean you have to wait for everything to fall perfectly into place before you next pack your bags and head out on the road.

We don't necessarily recommend dropping what you are doing right this moment and turning on your "out of office" message, but if you can hold out until the weekend, we found eight family-friendly staycation destinations all across the U.S. that are easy to get to, require minimal planning and have wide-open availability.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

Lake Luzerne, New York

big fun trip staycation

Lake Luzerne is a small town not far from Lake George in the southern Adirondacks . Although it's less than four hours north of New York City , its location in the pristine, upstate New York wilderness makes it feel like the polar opposite of the City that Never Sleeps.

If sleeping among trees and mountain streams is just the type of escape you've been after, check out the fully furnished glamping tents at Huttopia Adirondacks . The wood and canvas tents have a rustic feel with modern amenities like comfortable beds, plumbing and electricity and kitchenettes.

There are also hiking trails, a swimming pool, camp store, daily activities like yoga and candle making and a central lodge with a bistro and coffee shop. Prices start at around $107 per night (excluding fees and taxes) for a five-person tent. The property is closed during winter.

Related: Our family escape: Driving to a luxury resort in upstate New York

There's plenty to do at Huttopia itself, but if you choose to venture out into the Lake George area, you'll find family fun at the Six Flags Great Escape amusement park and rail biking along the Hudson River.

It's a simple drive from New York City, or you can take a scenic Amtrak ride from Penn Station to Fort Edward, which is about 20 miles from Lake Luzerne. You can also fly into Albany International Airport (ALB) and drive the additional hour or so into Lake Luzerne. American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines often have flights from major cities for under $400 round-trip.

Mackinac Island, Michigan

big fun trip staycation

If Midge Maisel of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" fame had grown up in the Midwest, she most certainly would have summered on Mackinac Island. Located on Lake Huron between northern Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas, Mackinac Island is well known for its hiking trails, historic forts and pedestrianized streets. Cars are not allowed on Mackinac Island, so you'll have to park yours at the dock before taking the ferry to your resort and opt for cycling, walking or horse-drawn carriage rides during your visit.

big fun trip staycation

It's nearly certain that Midge Maisel, had she visited, would have stayed at Mackinac Island's Grand Hotel . The charming resort is more than a century old and is home to the world's longest porch, which overlooks the waters of Lake Huron.

Room rates start at around $360 per night (excluding taxes and fees). The hotel is closed during the winter months.

big fun trip staycation

It's the type of place where you take afternoon tea in the parlor, play croquet and dress up for dinner, but there are more than enough activities on the island that don't require a dress code. You can sign up to fire the cannon at Fort Mackinac, take a horse-drawn carriage tour of the island, hike to Arch Rock (a natural limestone arch) and take a dip in the Grand Hotel's large pool complex.

Because you'll have to leave your car behind, your best bet is to fly into Pellston Regional Airport (PLN) via Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) on Delta Air Lines. Flights from major Midwest cities and New York City are often available for under $500 round-trip.

Related: 7 reasons to fly from smaller airports if you want to save time and money

If you are coming from the West Coast or the South, you may find better prices by flying into Traverse City's Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) and driving the additional 90 or so minutes to the ferry dock.

New Buffalo, Michigan

If that dream vacation you've been planning includes long days lazing in a quaint seaside town where all you need to enjoy your day is a bike and a bottle of sunscreen, a visit to New Buffalo is just what you need. Located on the banks of Lake Michigan only about 70 miles east of Chicago , New Buffalo feels like an ocean getaway thanks to its more than 15 miles of sandy shoreline.

big fun trip staycation

The Marina Grand Resort is situated on the New Buffalo harbor within walking distance of New Buffalo's beaches. The hotel will even provide towels and chairs for your day at the beach. Back at the hotel, there are indoor and outdoor pools, complimentary bikes and a Ben & Jerry's Hotline that will deliver ice cream directly to your hotel room.

Standard rooms and one-, two- or three-bedroom suites are available, with room rates starting at around $250 per night (excluding taxes and fees). If you visit in the winter, you may find deep discounts on room rates, as low as $150 per night.

If you can find a decent price, South Bend International Airport (SBN) in South Bend, Indiana, is the closest airport to New Buffalo, but you may find better pricing and more availability flying into Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and renting a car to complete the hour-or-so drive to New Buffalo.

big fun trip staycation

From beaches to theme parks, San Diego has a little bit of everything for families. While it's far from off the beaten path, it's large enough and has enough hotel and flight availability that you can still visit on a whim.

The city spans 70 miles of Pacific Ocean beachfront and there are dozens of beachfront hotels to choose from, but the "California cool" vibes and family activity proximity of the Blue Sea Beach Hotel make it an instant favorite.

The hotel is located steps from the beach (it even offers seasonal surfing lessons) and some rooms come with furnished poolside cabanas. From the hotel, it's less than a 2-mile walk to the Mission Beach Boardwalk, home to the Belmont Park amusement park and its historic Giant Dipper roller coaster.

If you can pull yourself away from the beach, be sure to visit Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, Legoland California Resort and SeaWorld San Diego, home to preschool favorite Sesame Place theme park.

Room rates start at around $250 per night (excluding taxes and fees) for standard rooms and around $520 per night for poolside cabana suites.

big fun trip staycation

Related: Planning a family trip to San Diego

Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines make frequent stops at San Diego International Airport (SAN), often with flights under $400 round-trip from most major cities. If you are flying from New York or Chicago, however, you'll probably find more nonstop availability on United Airlines.

Newport Beach, California

big fun trip staycation

Newport Beach has the feeling of a far-flung, upscale beach town, but it's within striking distance of Southern California theme parks like Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

In addition to its beautiful beaches and world-class theme parks, families will love exploring the tide pools and rock formations at Crystal Cove State Park and the whale watching tours at the Balboa Fun Zone .

Lido House , a Marriott Autograph Collection property not far from Newport Bay, offers a unique "luxury beach house" stay where families can swim in the saltwater pool, play lawn games and cool off with ice cream from the on-site creamery and coffee shop.

Room rates at Lido House start at around $450 (excluding taxes and fees) or 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night for standard rooms. Multibedroom cottages are also available if you are looking for more space.

The closest airport to Newport Beach is John Wayne Airport (SNA). Flying on United Airlines or Spirit Airlines, you should be able to find round-trip flights for under $600 from most major U.S. cities.

You may find better pricing into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) depending on your city of origin, but then you will be left to deal with the often grueling traffic between Los Angeles County and Orange County.

Pacific Northwest

big fun trip staycation

Sometimes, you may be looking to escape to the big city rather than away from it. In that case, it's likely you'll find exactly what you seek in Seattle .

Summer is a great time to visit the Emerald City, named as such for its abundance of evergreen trees. You'll enjoy a comfortable climate and less rain than in the fall and winter months, which is ideal for sightseeing.

Of course, you'll want to hit up the classics like Pike Place Market and the Space Needle, but you should also leave time for the whimsical "Artists At Play" playground, the Museum of Pop Culture and the Seattle Children's Museum or Pacific Science Center, all located at the Seattle Center tourism and entertainment district.

Located only a mile from the above-mentioned excitement in the heart of downtown Seattle is the Grand Hyatt Seattle . Rooms and suites look out over the city and the bay below and the location couldn't be better for your family's adventures.

Room rates at the Grand Hyatt Seattle start at around $250 (excluding taxes and fees) or 20,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) serves as a hub for Alaska and Delta. If your dates are flexible, you can often find round-trip flights between $500 and $600 per person and sometimes even less from nearby West Coast cities.

Savannah, Georgia

big fun trip staycation

Lying on the Atlantic coast just across the state line from South Carolina, Savannah has the good fortune of providing the best of both a historic Southern town and a beach town for vacationing families.

Related: 3 kid-friendly restaurants in Savannah you have to try

You can spend your days on the beach at nearby Tybee Island and your evenings strolling along the waterfront or beneath the moss-covered trees in Forsyth Park, both part of Savannah's National Historic Landmark District, which happens to be the nation's largest.

big fun trip staycation

The JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District is situated directly on the waterfront within walking distance of shops, restaurants, art galleries and more. The modern style and luxurious decor of this hotel is complemented by industrial touches that harken back to the building's past life as a power plant, most notably the twin smokestacks that sit atop the hotel.

Room rates start at around $300 (excluding fees and taxes) or 52,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) has nonstop service from most major Eastern and Midwestern cities, as well as Los Angeles, Denver, Dallas and Houston. Our searches brought up round-trip flight prices for under $300 on Delta Air Lines and American Airlines.

Charleston, South Carolina

big fun trip staycation

With its cobblestone streets, popular horse-drawn carriage tours and centuries-old military forts, Charleston's history can still be felt today. Families can learn about this history at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie and on walking tours of local art and architecture, or take in more modern sights like the South Carolina Aquarium or Whirlin' Waters Adventure Waterpark. You can also spend the day at nearby Folly Beach.

big fun trip staycation

Located on the Ashley Marina in downtown Charleston, the Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Waterfront/Downtown provides families a comfortable place to stay when they aren't at play.

Two-queen studio suites sleep up to six guests and are well suited for families who need space and privacy. Prices for this room type start at around $250 (excluding fees and taxes) or 90,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Finding round-trip flights between $200 and $400 from most major cities to Charleston International Airport (CHS) is fairly simple. We found the best prices and most nonstop flights on United Airlines and JetBlue.

Bottom line

These destinations are only a hop, skip and a jump away from home. Better still, they are all eagerly awaiting your arrival with family-friendly activities and widespread hotel availability (at the time of writing).

Sometimes, you just need to get away and you shouldn't have to wait to do it. With these staycation spots, you don't have to.

F eatured photo by Merrill Images/Getty Images.

Protect Your Trip »

14 top staycation ideas.

Staycations at home can be fun any time of the year.

A home living room has been transformed to a tropical beach destination.

(Getty Images) |

Even if you've canceled a dream vacation due to the coronavirus pandemic, you still need time off to recharge.

Cropped shot of a young woman cleaning the surface of a cabinet with cleaning spray and cloth at home during the day

Clean Everything

Beautiful young Asian woman drinking coffee and enjoying fresh air on balcony in the morning

Don't Overplan

big fun trip staycation

Try a Local Winery or Brewery

Rearview shot of a young woman walking along a boardwalk through a foresthttp://195.154.178.81/DATA/i_collage/pu/shoots/785386.jpg

Get Outside

Friends making movie night at back yard

Plan a Movie Night

big fun trip staycation

Taste New Foods

Little white snowman with blurred green background in winter

Have a Snow Day Indoors

big fun trip staycation

Pick Your Own Produce

The White Mountains are a mountain range covering about a quarter of the state of New Hampshire and a small portion of western Maine in the United States

Hit the Road

Special needs couple watching movie on laptop

Visit New Places Virtually

big fun trip staycation

Plan a DIY Beach Day

White ceramic tray with home spa supplies in home bathroom for relaxing rituals. Candlelight, salt soap bar, bath salt in jar, massage, bath oil in bottle, blue rolled towel, natural sponge.

Enjoy an At-Home Spa Day

Driving through holiday lights

Admire Holiday Displays

big fun trip staycation

Also Consider

  • 17 Top Beach Camping Spots in the U.S.
  • 12 Top Family Camping Trips, Ideas and Campgrounds
  • 14 Top Jigsaw Puzzles, Games and Books to Keep Travelers Entertained
  • 15 Top Cookbooks to Buy
  • The 12 Best Language-Learning Apps, Programs and Online Courses

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

The best spas in las vegas.

Reannon Muth March 5, 2024

big fun trip staycation

The Best Sedona Jeep Tours

Holly Johnson and Marisa Méndez March 5, 2024

big fun trip staycation

The Best Walking Shoes for Travel

Catriona Kendall March 4, 2024

big fun trip staycation

The 13 Best Las Vegas Tours

John Rodwan March 4, 2024

big fun trip staycation

The Best Kids Luggage

Amanda Norcross March 1, 2024

big fun trip staycation

Best Hoover Dam Tours from Las Vegas

Holly Johnson and Ann Henson March 1, 2024

big fun trip staycation

Top Things to Do in Colorado

Leilani Osmundson Feb. 29, 2024

big fun trip staycation

The 5 Best NYC Bus Tours for 2024

Holly Johnson and Marisa Méndez Feb. 29, 2024

big fun trip staycation

Top Bachelor Party Destinations

Timothy J. Forster Feb. 29, 2024

big fun trip staycation

The 8 Best Hollywood Tours

Gwen Pratesi and Ann Henson Feb. 28, 2024

big fun trip staycation

The best ways to turn a staycation into a vacation

Points of interest.

  • Vacation is a state of mind
  • Give your phone a vacation, too
  • Consider a vacation rental in a different neighborhood

A man and two children walking down a dirt road into a field with many sheep.

1. Adopt a vacation mindset

2. explore like a tourist, 3. make a little magic, fun family activities that will make you feel like you’re on vacation.

  • Go tent camping in your backyard
  • Rent a projector and set up an outdoor movie night
  • Create a culinary theme week inspired by bucket-list travel: Mexico Monday, French Friday, etc.
  • Take a pedicab or carriage ride if your city has them
  • Visit a family-friendly improv show
  • Book a local Airbnb for a night
  • Home swap with friends who live in a different part of town
  • Explore Airbnb Experiences in your town for even more family staycation ideas

Four people on a picnic blanket sharing a meal.

4. Stay in a vacation rental

5. enjoy a digital detox.

  • Put your out-of-office message on and spend your time “away” avoiding non-essential communications
  • Turn your phone on Do Not Disturb mode to enjoy more restful sleep
  • Try to swap screen time and television with real-life experiences
  • Pause everyday life to focus on your family, just like you would do while on vacation, and give yourself a mental break

6. Look for deals

An A-frame house at sunset in a desert landscape.

7. Recreate what you love about vacations

A man jumping into a pool in front of a modern, box-style house while two children and a woman look on.

The frugal family guide to choosing a vacation rental

Family stays for less.

big fun trip staycation

More on family travel

Multi-generational family with two young kids, parents, and a grandma sitting in the sun next to a pool.

Savvy Budget Boss

51 Creative Staycation Ideas That’ll Save You Money

*This post may contain affiliate links. See disclosure for more information

Summer is a great time to take a vacation, but it can get expensive, fast. Did you know that 75% of Americans have gone into debt at some point in their lives in order to pay for a vacation? Don’t let this be you! If you’re looking for staycation ideas that won’t break the bank, we’ve got 51 creative money-saving staycation ideas for you.

Staycations are a great way to stay on budget while still having fun and getting away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. There are many fun staycation ideas to choose from, the only limit is your own imagination!

“What can I do for a staycation?” you ask?

If you are looking for some vacation-at-home ideas that are both fun and budget-friendly, here are 51 of the best staycation ideas you can try today!

graphic of young black couple sitting in lawn chairs in backyard soaking feet in buckets staycation ideas to save money

What is a staycation?

Simply put, a staycation is a stay-at-home vacation. Staycations can also incorporate local trips within a short distance from your home.

A staycation differs from a vacation in that you stay close to home, so you don’t have to travel very far.

What is the point of a staycation?

There are many reasons why you might want to take a staycation, including wanting to save money , not having enough vacation days, or simply needing to stay close to home.

Ways staycations are cheaper than vacations

One of the main reasons why staycations are becoming more popular (especially in today’s economy) is because they are so much cheaper than vacations.

Some of the most common ways to save money by taking a staycation include:

  • Staycations allow you to stay close to home . When you take a staycation, you don’t have to travel far, which can save you a lot of money on transportation costs.
  • You save a ton of money by eating (most of your meals) at home . When you’re on vacation, you often have to eat out , which can be expensive. When you’re on a staycation, you can eat at home , which can save you a lot of money.
  • You can skip the expensive transportation costs . If you’re on vacation, you often have to rent a car or take taxis. When you take a staycation, you can drive your own car or use public transportation, which is, of course, cheaper.
  • Free local activities. There are often many free activities in your own town that you can do in when you’re on a staycation, which can help you save a lot of money.
  • Staying at home or in an Airbnb . When you’re on vacation, you usually have to stay at a resort or luxury hotel, which can add up fast. When you’re on a staycation, you can stay in the comfort of your own home or an affordable Airbnb, which can be much cheaper.

time out

Ready to save some serious cash? Get Ibotta, it’s FREE! Ibotta gives you cash-back on groceries, health & wellness products, pet supplies, and more! Click Here to learn more!

How do you make a staycation feel special?

There are many ways to make your staycation more creative and fun without breaking the bank.

Break up your normal routine

One of the best ways to make your staycation more fun is to be more spontaneous. Challenge yourself to try new foods, meet new people, and experience new adventures.

Staycations present new opportunities to do things you wouldn’t normally do. Why not eat dessert for breakfast, have an indoor picnic, or host your own film festival outside with a rented (or borrowed) movie projector?

Pretend you’re a tourist

When you’re on vacation, one of the best things to do is play tourist. You can pretend you know nothing about your city and explore it with fresh eyes. Take a bike ride around town and take the time to explore new destinations.

Invite your friends

If you’re on a staycation with friends or family, why not plan a staycation party? This can be a great way to spend quality time with people you love being around.

Tips for staying on budget during your staycation

If you want to stay on budget during your staycation, here are a few tips to help you out:

Set a budget

One of the best ways to stay on budget is to set a budget and stick to it.

At a minimum, you’ll want to budget for:

  • Lodging (if staying away from home)
  • Gear/Supplies
  • Entertainment

Find local deals

There are often many staycation deals available, which can help you save money. This could be anything from discounts on hotels to free activities.

Bring your own food

When you’re on a staycation, you can save money by bringing your own food. This means packing snacks and meals for the day.

Avoid expensive tourist attractions

There are many expensive activities that you can do when you’re on a staycation. However, If your goal is to stay on budget, you’ll need to come up with creative alternatives.

Use coupons

If you’re going to be doing any shopping on your staycation, be sure to use coupons. This can help you save a lot of money.

Go out to eat during ‘senior’ hours

You’ll find that many local restaurants offer happy hour specials and early bird pricing between the hours of 3-5.

Have a plan

I’m not saying you need to schedule out every minute of your staycation, but, in order to save money, you should do a little upfront research into the potential costs of any activities you hope to try, so you don’t blow your budget.

big fun trip staycation

Summer staycation ideas

If you’re looking for some hometown staycation ideas for your summer vacation, here are a few to get you started.

Have a picnic

One of the best things to do in the summer is to have a picnic at a nearby park. This is a great way to enjoy the weather and save money.

Go to the beach

Another relaxing yet inexpensive summer staycation idea is to take a day trip to the beach (if you are lucky enough to live near one). This is a great way to relax, get away, and enjoy the sun.

If you don’t live within driving distance to the beach, you can substitute your local pool instead.

Visit a national park

If you’re looking for a more adventurous staycation, why not visit a national park? This is a great way to explore nature and see some amazing sights along the way.

Take a road trip

A road trip is a great way to explore a lot of different places during your staycation. This could be anything from driving to a nearby city or even touring your own city from the comfort of your own vehicle.

Go birdwatching

Birdwatching is a great way to get outside and enjoy nature. This is a great activity which the whole family can enjoy.

Take a boat tour

If you’re fortunate enough to live near a decent-sized body of water (land-locked Coloradian here). You can charter a boat and spend a day relaxing on the water.

Challenge your friends

If you’re athletic, you can set up a weekend sports tournament with your friends. This is a great way to stay active, have fun, and spend time with your friends.

Visit a farmer’s market

One of the best things to do during the summer is to visit a farmer’s market. This is a great way to meet your neighbors and get fresh fruits and vegetables.

Organize a family reunion

Another fun summer staycation idea is to organize a family reunion in your own hometown. You can invite nearby family members, organize an outdoor potluck meal, and spend the day reminiscing and enjoying each others’ company.

graphic of woman with a cat laying on a blanket enjoying a picnic solo staycation ideas

Solo staycation ideas

There are many reasons why a single person may want to take a staycation. One reason is that it can be a great way to save money. Plus, you can use the opportunity to get out and meet new people.

If you’re looking for staycation ideas for one person, here are some creative ideas.

Visit local museums

Museums are treasure troves of knowledge and wonders. You can see amazing works of art, learn more about history and culture, and enjoy guided tours all for one low price.

Take a cooking class

One great way to spend a staycation is by learning how to cook. This could be anything from taking a sushi-making class to learning how to make your own pasta.

Visit a film festival

If you love movies, why not visit a film festival? This is a great way to see new and independent films.

Take a dance class

If you love to dance, or even if you think you might love to dance, but have never tried, why not take a dance class? This is a fun way to stay fit and meet new people.

Sign up for a wine-tasting event

If you’re a fan of wine, why not learn more about it by signing up for a wine-tasting event? This is an inexpensive way to sample different wines and learn more about something you already enjoy.

Explore your city

If you live in a big city, there’s a good chance that you haven’t seen everything it has to offer. Why not explore your city during your staycation?

You can explore new neighborhoods, check out the local nightlife, or simply take a walk around the block and say “hi” to your neighbors.

Take a day trip

If you’re looking for a staycation idea that is a little bit more adventurous, why not take a day trip? You can take a trip to the great outdoors or explore local shops and attractions.

Work on a project

If you’ve been meaning to start a project (or finish a project you’ve already started), but never seem to have the time, why not use your staycation as an opportunity to get stuff done?

If you’re looking for staycation ideas that are both fun and meaningful, why not volunteer at a local homeless or pet shelter? This is a great way to give back to the community while creating a sense of connection at the same time.

Immerse yourself in a new culture

Set aside a day to listen to music, read books, watch movies, and try new foods from a culture that you’re unfamiliar with. This is a great way to build your cultural awareness and step outside your comfort zone for very little money.

graphic of happy couple jumping on bed romantic staycation ideas for couples

Romantic staycation ideas for couples

Making time for your significant other is important, regardless of how much money you have. Spending time together can help strengthen your relationship and keep it healthy.

If you’re looking for staycation ideas for couples without kids, here are a few romantic ideas.

Stay in a local bed and breakfast

One of the best ways to feel like you’re getting away, without actually going away, is to stay in a local bed and breakfast. This is a great way to relax and feel like you’re in a different place.

Having a picnic is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and spend time together. You can pack a lunch and head to your local park for a romantic picnic lunch.

Make dinner together

Making dinner together is a great way to spend some quality time together. You can cook your favorite meal or order a meal kit.

Escape room

Escape rooms encourage teamwork and build listening skills. Plus, they are just so much fun!

  • Go for a hike

If you’re looking for something a little more physical, why not go for a hike? Many national parks offer free (or cheap) admission and are great places to learn about local plants and animals

Recreate your honeymoon…at home

Start by ordering in (or cooking) a romantic dinner for two. Take a stroll around the neighborhood (make sure to hold hands). Take some time to remember your wedding and honeymoon. Look through old photos and videos and talk about and reflect on your favorite romantic/funny moments.

Finish up the evening with a movie (the sappy-er the better) in bed.

Snuggle up and read to each other

When we were dating, my (now) husband would read out loud to me. It didn’t matter if he was reading a classic novel or the newspaper. I always loved falling asleep to his voice.

Get a couples’ massage

A relaxing massage can sometimes be better than going away on vacation. In my area, a 30-minute massage costs $40. But, I always feel like a million dollars when I leave.

Rent a nearby Airbnb

Many Airbnb rentals are cheaper than hotels (and less crowded). If possible, make a weekday reservation in the off-season to save more money.

Try to book the most creative (tiny house, haunted house) location possible for added fun!

Learn something new…together

There are so many online classes and DIY kits you can complete in a weekend.

Here are a few ideas:

  • Learn to make hot sauce
  • Practice the art of bonsai cultivation
  • Make a cast of your hands
  • Learn to make specialty cocktails
  • Learn to make Fondue
  • Practice your barista skills

big fun trip staycation

Staycation ideas for families

It can be expensive to take a family vacation. Not only do you have to pay for plane tickets, hotel rooms, and pricey restaurant food, but you may also have to deal with the stress that comes with traveling with younger kids.

If you’re looking for staycation ideas for families with kids, here are some creative ideas.

Visit a local amusement park

If your kids are always begging to go to an amusement park, why not visit one during your staycation? You can save money by going to local attractions, which allows you to save money on the ticket prices at out-of-state parks.

Have a movie marathon

What’s more fun than having a movie night with your family? You can make popcorn and snacks and enjoy spending time together.

Visit a museum

When our kids were young, my husband and I liked to incorporate at least one educational element per trip.

For example, a week-long trip to Disney would also include a few hours at a local museum.

Eventually, our kids caught on to our trick and demanded we stop the practice.

Have a family game night

One of the best (cheap) ways to spend time with your friends and family is to have a game night. You can play classic board games like Monopoly or charades or try out new, more complicated games like Trivial Pursuit or Settlers of Catan.

Make homemade pizzas

Making homemade pizzas is a great way to spend time with your family. You can make the dough from scratch or buy it pre-made. Then, everyone can top their pizza with their favorite toppings.

Try geocaching

Geocaching is a great way to explore your local surroundings. It’s like a real-world, outdoor treasure hunt in your own backyard.

Participants use GPS-enabled devices to navigate to cleverly hidden containers, called “geocaches” or “caches.”

Caches can be found in a variety of locations, including parks, forests, urban areas, and even underwater.

If you’re looking for something fun to do with your family, geocaching is a great option.

Even if it’s in your own backyard, camping is a fun, cheap way to spend your family staycation.

If you don’t own any camping gear, save money by asking to borrow some from your friends and family members.

Set up your own waterpark

Invest in a few inflatable pools, squirt guns, water balloons, and plastic sheeting (for a slip n slide), and go crazy!

Go on a scavenger hunt

Scavenger hunts are a great way to spend time with the family without spending a lot of money.

You can create your own hunt or buy a pre-made one.

To set up a scavenger hunt:

  • Set up a pre-defined parameter
  • Hide objects
  • Create clues to their locations
  • Set a timer
  • Start the hunt

It’s a well-known fact that kids (young and old) love to make stuff.

So, break out the craft supplies and let your family members make their own masterpieces.

  • Paint rocks
  • Make homemade playdough
  • Make birdhouses
  • Try gem art
  • Build your own terrarium

Embrace Tik Tok trends

Okay, I KNOW I’m going to catch some heat for this one, but, before you scream “No way!” hear me out.

I’m not saying you should dangle your phone over an elevator shaft or put Gorilla glue in your hair.

Seriously though, there are some really funny/heartwarming Tik Tok challenges you can do with your kids.

  • Meme maker- Recreate real-life skits of funny memes
  • Isn’t this easy- Film yourself doing something that most people can’t (seem to) do
  • As it was- Create a ‘throwback’ track showing how you’ve changed over the last 5 years
  • Tell me without telling me- The goal of this challenge is to communicate a statement without using words. For example, one person tells another person to “Tell me you shrunk my favorite shirt in the laundry without actually telling me you shrunk my favorite shirt in the laundry.”

graphic of woman holding birthday gift birthday staycation ideas

Birthday Staycation Ideas

If you want to celebrate your birthday, you don’t have to go on an expensive vacation. You can stay home and pamper yourself instead.

Here are a few ideas to celebrate your birthday on the cheap.

Have a picnic in your backyard

Invite your friends and family over (tell them to bring their favorite picnic foods), lay down some blankets, and dig in.

Make a cake and eat it in your pajamas

This one just speaks for itself, doesn’t it?

Spend a weekend trying out a new hobby

Have you always wanted to learn how to knit, play the drums, paint eye-catching masterpieces, or take stunning photos? Why not use your birthday as an excuse to finally invest in yourself ?

You may even discover a new craft that you can turn into a money-making side hustle in the process!

At-home spa day

Pamper yourself with an at-home spa day. Give yourself a mani/pedi, put on a face mask, light some candles, and take a long, relaxing bath. Trust me, you deserve it.

Have a staycation movie marathon

Pick out your favorite movies (or TV shows), make some popcorn, and curl up on the couch for a staycation movie marathon.

Bonus points if you make it through an entire movie without checking your phone once!

Invite a few friends over, dust off your old prom dress, lay out some fancy finger foods, pour some wine, and spend the night communicating in your best ‘snob’ voice.

Treat yourself to a good night’s sleep

Spend an evening creating the perfect relaxing atmosphere. Dim the lights, light some candles, take a bubble bath, listen to some jazz, put on your most comfy pajamas (or buy some new ones for the occasion), apply a sleep mask, and turn in early.

Is it just me, or does this just sound like a self-care activity you shouldn’t wait for your birthday to try?

Spend an entire day outside

For those of us who spend the majority of our days working indoors, being able to spend an entire day outside sounds like heaven!

  • Take a trip to the beach
  • Check out the local dog park with your pooch
  • Spend the day at an outdoor cafe with the latest bestseller
  • Watch a live sporting event (even if it’s Little League)

Support local artists

Spend a day or a weekend seeking out local artistic venues such as live music festivals, art shows, or poetry readings and build your cultural repertoire.

Explore a nearby city

Just because you’re on a staycation doesn’t mean you can’t explore. If there’s a nearby city that you’ve always wanted to visit, now’s your chance!

Do some research beforehand to find the best spots and make sure you hit them all while you’re there.

Visit a farmer’s market

Browse through fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, and other handmade goods while getting to know the people who grew or made them.

And, if you’re feeling extra ambitious, you can even pick up some ingredients to cook a delicious meal with later.

big fun trip staycation

Tips for making a staycation feel more like a vacation

An important thing to remember is that ‘going on’ a staycation shouldn’t feel like a punishment for failing to budget properly for a ‘real’ vacation.

If you set it up right, a staycation can actually end up being even more relaxing than a traditional vacation.

Here are a few tips to make sure your staycation is as enjoyable as possible:

Set some boundaries with work

If you’re working from home during your staycation, it can be easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you can get just a little bit of work done here and there.

Before you know it, you’re working all day and your staycation has become just another workday.

To avoid this, set some strict boundaries with yourself (and your boss, if possible) and make sure you stick to them.

Hire someone to clean your home before your staycation begins

This may seem like an unnecessary expense, but, trust me, it’s worth it!

No one wants to spend their staycation cleaning the house.

Hire a professional to clean your home from top to bottom so you can relax and enjoy your time off.

Invest in some comfortable (and stylish) loungewear

One of the best things about staycations is that you can spend the entire day in your PJs if you want to.

But, why not take it a step further and invest in some comfortable (and stylish) loungewear that you’ll actually want to be seen in?

You may never want to leave the house again!

Step outside your comfort zone

Taking a staycation is the perfect opportunity to try something new.

If there’s an activity you’ve always wanted to do but never had the time for, a staycation is your chance to finally give it a go.

Who knows, you may find a new hobby that you absolutely love!

Make your staycation special by treating yourself to a few special items or experiences

Even though the ultimate goal of a staycation may be to save money, you can still allow yourself a few ‘little’ splurges in order to elevate the experience.

For example, you can:

  • Buy yourself a new outfit to wear during your staycation
  • Purchase new bed linens (the higher the thread count, the better)
  • Get a massage, mani/pedi, or other spa treatment
  • Buy tickets to a nearby show or a museum
  • Cook yourself a gourmet meal (or order one and have it delivered)

Whatever you decide to do, the important thing is to make sure you enjoy your staycation! With a little planning (and a lot of relaxation), you’re sure to have a great time.

So, what are you waiting for? Go plan your staycation today!

Similar Posts

How To Save Money When Building a House Without Compromising on Quality

How To Save Money When Building a House Without Compromising on Quality

How To Save Money Fast On A Low Income

How To Save Money Fast On A Low Income

32 Best Cheap Ramen Noodle Recipes

32 Best Cheap Ramen Noodle Recipes

Energy-Saving Secrets: How to Save Money on Air Conditioning While Staying Cool

Energy-Saving Secrets: How to Save Money on Air Conditioning While Staying Cool

Laundry Made Easy: How to Find a Reliable Laundromat Near You

Laundry Made Easy: How to Find a Reliable Laundromat Near You

60 Air Fryer Recipes (Cheap and Easy for Beginners)

60 Air Fryer Recipes (Cheap and Easy for Beginners)

  • Search Please fill out this field.
  • Manage Your Subscription
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Sweepstakes
  • Lost Cultures: Living Legacies
  • America's Favorite Places
  • Attractions
  • Better Together
  • Destination Videos
  • Holiday Travel
  • Intelligent Traveler
  • Let's Go Together
  • Adventure Travel
  • All-Inclusive Vacations
  • Backpacking Trips
  • Beach Vacations
  • Budget Travel
  • Bus and Train Travel
  • Business Travel
  • City Vacations
  • Country Trips
  • Culinary Vacations
  • Destination Weddings
  • Disney Vacations
  • Fall Vacations
  • Family Vacations
  • Get Outside
  • Global Hot Spots
  • Golf Vacations
  • Green Travel
  • Group Travel
  • Honeymoon Destinations
  • Island Vacations
  • LGBT Travel
  • Luxury Travel
  • National Parks
  • Nature Travel
  • New World Wonders
  • Romantic Getaways
  • Senior Travel
  • Solo Travel
  • Spa Vacations
  • Space Travel + Astronomy
  • Spring Vacations
  • Summer Vacations
  • Volunteer + Charity
  • Walking Tours
  • Winter Vacations
  • Yoga + Wellness
  • Weekend Getaways
  • Like a Local

Big Family Little Adventures

big fun trip staycation

Big Family, Big Fun: Ideas for Inexpensive and Exciting Staycations

Big Family Big Fun Holidays and vacations are all about taking a break from routine, having fun, and creating beautiful memories. Yet, traveling with a big family can sometimes be costly and stressful. 

big fun trip staycation

That’s where staycations come in—a perfect way to enjoy quality family time without leaving the comfort of your home. In this article, we’ll explore budget-friendly, creative, and exciting staycation ideas that will ensure big fun for your big family .

Transform Your Home into an Enchanting Funhouse

With a dash of creativity, your everyday living space can morph into a world of enchantment and adventure. An exciting, cost-effective alternative to traditional vacations is transforming your home into a funhouse. Here’s how you can bring fun, adventure, and a dollop of movie magic to your family staycation.

Dazzle with Themed Movie Nights

Immerse your family in a cinematic universe with themed movie nights. This activity not only offers entertainment but also provides an opportunity for family bonding. Prepare some popcorn, dim the lights, and set the scene for a memorable family movie night.

Harry Potter Marathon: Unleash the Magic

For families who enjoy the mystique and wonder of J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world, a Harry Potter movie marathon can make for an enchanting evening. To add a touch of interactivity and friendly competition to your marathon, kickstart the night with the Brainfall’s Harry Potter House Quiz : 

  • Interactive Quiz: Invite everyone to take part in the quiz. This interactive activity encourages family members to engage and express their individuality. Each participant’s result reveals which Hogwarts house they belong to, adding an extra layer of fun to the movie watching experience.
  • Color-coded Viewing: Once everyone has identified their Hogwarts house, encourage family members to watch the movies while sporting the colors of their respective houses. This not only creates a vibrant viewing environment but also deepens the immersion into the world of Harry Potter.

Animated Classics: Relive the Charm

For families with younger children, or simply those young at heart, an animated movie night can be just as enchanting. Animated classics provide timeless entertainment and valuable life lessons wrapped in engaging storytelling.

  • Studio-Themed Selection: You could choose movies based on a specific animation studio, such as Pixar, renowned for its imaginative stories and memorable characters, or Studio Ghibli, famous for its visually stunning and emotionally captivating films.
  • Interactive Discussion: After each movie, engage your family in a discussion about the film. What did they learn? Which character did they love the most? This will not only help children improve their communication skills but also instill a habit of critical thinking and reflection.

Ignite the Spirit of Adventure with Indoor Camping

Who says camping is exclusively an outdoor activity? With a sprinkle of imagination, you can bring the thrill of a camping trip right into your living room. Indoor camping is not only an exciting change of scenery but also a convenient option, requiring minimal setup and zero travel time.

Construct Your Cozy Indoor Campsite

Transform your living space into a whimsical campsite. This creative activity can involve all family members and spark the kids’ imagination and problem-solving skills.

  • Building the Camp: Use household items like bedsheets, blankets, pillows, and chairs to construct your family’s personal indoor tent. Add a touch of authenticity with sleeping bags, if you have them, or simply lay out comfortable cushions and blankets to create a cozy atmosphere.
  • Picnic Area: Designate a picnic area within your indoor campsite where you can enjoy meals together. Lay a blanket, arrange some snacks, and experience the joy of a picnic without stepping out of your house.

Fostering Bonding Through Storytelling by the ‘Fire’

Once your campsite is set up, it’s time to gather around the ‘fire.’ This will help create an authentic camping atmosphere and foster family bonding.

  • Create a Faux Fireplace: No firewood or flames are necessary for this safe indoor version. Instead, use LED candles or fairy lights to create a soft, flickering glow that mimics a real campfire.
  • Roast ‘Marshmallows’: Use toothpicks and mini marshmallows to simulate roasting marshmallows over the fire. Kids will love this playful twist on a classic camping activity.
  • Storytelling: Take turns telling stories, whether they’re spooky, adventurous, or funny. This can help children improve their narrative skills and encourage active listening.

Discover the Wonders of Your Local Area

Often, we overlook the charms of our own backyard while seeking adventure elsewhere. Your local community can be a treasure trove of fun, discovery, and exploration. Unveiling the local attractions can offer fresh experiences and help you discover new aspects of your hometown.

Be a Local Tourist for a Day

Don a tourist’s hat in your own city or town. This can give you a fresh perspective and introduce you to hidden gems that you may not have explored before.

  • Historical Landmarks: Pay a visit to local museums , monuments, or heritage sites. This activity can serve a dual purpose, providing both entertainment and educational experience for the children.
  • Outdoor Exploration: If your local area is home to parks, hiking trails, or beaches, you have a host of outdoor activities at your disposal. Organize a picnic in a local park, go for a family hike, or plan a family beach day. Remember to adhere to local guidelines and regulations regarding outdoor activities.

Community Events and Workshops

Local community events or workshops are often inexpensive and provide a platform to learn new skills or indulge in a hobby.

  • Art and Craft Workshops: Participating in a local art and craft workshop can unleash your family’s creative side. Whether it’s pottery, painting, or origami, it can be a fun experience for everyone.
  • Community Festivals: Attend local festivals or fairs. They usually have a host of activities and performances that cater to different age groups.

Staycations are all about creativity, resourcefulness, and togetherness. With a little planning, you can turn your home and neighborhood into a fun-filled vacation spot. Remember, it’s not about where you go; it’s about the memories you make together. So embrace the staycation concept and get ready for big family fun, right at home!

Sharing is caring!

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Mint Notion

Mint Notion

Feel rich living within your means

38 Staycation Ideas to Vacation at Home (2024)

By Eden Ashley MintNotion.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this site, we will earn a commission at no added cost to you. This helps keep the content on this website free for everyone to enjoy. Disclosure Page

27 budget-friendly staycation ideas that are actually fun

A staycation is when you spend your vacation at home or near your home. People enjoy taking a staycation because it’s a great way to explore your own city or hometown, save money, and avoid traveling. During your staycation, you can have fun doing leisurely activities within a day trip distance of your home. Keep reading to check out this exciting staycation ideas.

We all know the benefits of taking time off work to relax and recharge ourselves. But not all of us have the time or funds to take a big fancy vacation.

That’s why I put together this list of fun staycation ideas to get you inspired.

Nearly 75 percent of Americans have gone into debt to pay for a vacation according to a recent survey by LearnVest.

This is because many Americans forget to factor vacation expenses into their annual budgets.

While I’ve shared lots of ways to save money and travel on a budget here on Mint Notion, you don’t have to visit an exotic destination in order to have a nice vacation. Consider taking a staycation instead.

Here you’ll find staycation ideas that you can do at home when you can’t travel. This can be great for singles, families, or couples.

The best part is – you don’t have to worry about delayed flights or dealing with jetlag.

Plus, some of my favorite staycation ideas cost no money at all, which is great for those on a tight budget. Try one or a few of these staycation ideas to have best holiday ever!

Related Posts:

  • 15 savings trackers to help you visualize your goals
  • 34 romantic at-home date night ideas
  • 75 fun things to do when you’re bored at home

Table of Contents

staycation ideas - camping

Camping is one of my favorite staycation ideas for families because it’s affordable, it’s a great way to unplug, and it’s a fun way to connect with your loved ones.

If you don’t live close to a campsite, you can even go camping in your backyard. Kids love camping, especially in the summer months.

We had a lot of fun and it was easy to set up the tent ourselves. I love how this tent sets up in just 60 seconds.

Ideas to make your camping trip fun include singing camp songs, making s’mores , and telling ghost stories .

Prep for your camping staycation

big fun trip staycation

2. Movie night staycation at home

staycation ideas - camping

Going to the movie theatres can be expensive. If you’re trying to save money, why not enjoy a movie night at home? This can be a fun staycation idea at home.

You can pick a theme, such as Night at the Oscars or have a Harry Potter marathon. The possibilities are endless!

Another creative idea is to use a movie projector so you can watch movies in your backyard or cast them on a wall at home.

This is a lot of fun and it adds something extra special to your movie viewing experience.

My boyfriend and I LOVE watching movies. We take turns picking out movies to watch and it’s fun to check out new and old flicks.

We make a big bowl of popcorn to snack on while watching the movie with a glass of wine. You can even have a movie marathon.

Making homemade popcorn is easy and it tastes a thousand times better than microwave popcorn. We like using this popcorn machine .

3. Be a tourist in your city

One of my favorite staycation ideas is be a tourist in my own city for the day. I live in a large city and I’m always discovering new neighborhoods and places of interest to check out.

What can you do during your staycation? There are many ways to see your city or local town with fresh eyes. Below are a few of my favorite things to do on a staycation.

You can visit local museums, historical spots, nature parks, public art displays, art galleries, gardens, and more. Some cities offer admission discounts to local residents.

Save money sightseeing

If you live in a popular city, you can save money at popular attractions with a tourism pass.

GO City and CityPASS offer sightseeing passes to save on admission to popular attractions. I’ve used GO City and CityPASS in multiple cities around the world and find them to be a good value.

Some of my favorite cities to use travel passes include Chicago , New York City , San Francisco , New Orleans , London , and Paris .

4. Board game night

If board games make you think of long and boring games of Monopoly – think again!

There are so many great board games available today that are perfect for couples, friends and families. This is a fun indoor staycation idea at home.

Make it interesting by hosting a game night tournament or see how many board games you can play in a day.

Some of my favorite classic board games include Clue , Scrabble , Risk , and Yahtzee .

If you’re looking for more modern games, consider checking out Cards Against Humanity , Telestrations , Apples to Apples , and Wits & Wagers .

Not interested in board games? No problem! Pick a game that you enjoy, such as cards or video games.

Prep for your game board tournament

big fun trip staycation

5. Puzzle day

Did you know that doing jigsaw puzzles can improve your short-term memory? It’s also a great way to relieve stress after a long day.

Pull out the jigsaw puzzles and grab some tasty snacks to enjoy. I personally like to do puzzles at the kitchen table because it provides a nice big space to lay out all the pieces.

Need to take a break from putting together the puzzle? Use this handy puzzle storage roll up mat to keep all the pieces in one place. Then simply unroll the mat when you’re ready to tackle the jigsaw puzzle again.

6. Learn a new hobby

A staycation can be the perfect time to try that new hobby you’ve been wanting to do.

Maybe it’s learning how to do calligraphy , baking dog treats , crocheting , photography , embrodiery , origami , or making bath bombs ?

Learning a new hobby or skill can be a lot of fun. Other ideas include cooking, art, dance, a new language, archery, and so on.

To learn from the best, check out MasterClass . This site offers online classes created for students of all skills levels. Each class is taught by some of the best instructors in the world.

Read Next: 23 hobbies that make you money

7. Try Chef’s Plate for the week

What do you do on a staycation at home? Well, I don’t know about you – but the last thing I want to do on vacation is to worry about what to make for dinner.

That’s why I like to use a meal kit delivery service for the week, such as Chef’s Plate or HelloFresh .

I’ve used Chef’s Plate in the past and love how easy it is to put together a delicious and healthy meal.

To get started, all you have to do is pick your plan (quick meals, family meals, or vegetarian meals). You can also select the number of people in your household (2-4 people).

8. Paint night

I recently went to my first paint night and had a blast.

You can find a paint night happening at local restaurants and bars in your neighborhood or host your own paint night at home . Just make sure to wear an apron to protect your clothes.

Brand new to painting? If you’re just getting into painting, consider using a paint by numbers kit . There’s no need to stress or worry about your painting skills.

Instead you can focus on painting the small areas in the canvas and create a beautiful work of art.

Prep for your at-home paint night

big fun trip staycation

9. Picnic in the park

staycation ideas - camping

There’s something so inviting about laying down a blanket and unpacking a basket full of delicious goodies.

You don’t have worry about creating the perfect spread of food, even some simple sandwiches or your favorite take-out will be tasty.

This can be a cheap staycation idea for coulples at home. If the weather isn’t favorable, bring the picnic indoors.

You can create a theme to make it fun, such as Mexican food or party appetizers.

Prep for your tasty picnic

big fun trip staycation

10. Have an at-home spa day

Skip the expensive spas and relax with an at-home spa day. This is one of my favorite indoor staycation ideas.

First, you’ll want to set the mood with calming music and nice lighting. Put on a diffuser or light a candle to create a relaxing atmosphere.

Then you can give yourself a facial, a foot soak, a hand mask, a hair treatment, or take an aromatherapy bubble bath.

I also like to finish the spa day by giving myself a manicure or pedicure and reading a good book.

Many spas and salons are currently closed here in Toronto. To give myself the royal treatment at home, I bought this affordable spa foot bath .

It feels so nice to unwind at home with this vibrating and massaging foot bath.

I also recently bought a gel nail polish kit so I can give myself a gel manicure at home. It’s so easy to use and I save so much money by not going to the nail salon anymore.

11. Visit a winery or have a wine tasting at home

If you live near a winery, consider going on a tour. Sometimes you can find deals on local wine tours which can be a fun option for a day trip.

Don’t live near a winery? No problem! Grab your friends and host your own wine tasting at home.

To save money, ask everyone to bring over their favorite bottle of wine. You can supply snacks for your guests, such as fruit, cheese, olives or pretzels.

My mom bought me this charcuterie and cheeseboard last year for Christmas. It’s been a great addition to our wine and cheese nights.

If you’re feeling fancy, sign up for a monthly wine club membership that sends you hand-crafted bottles of wine from local and intentional wineries.

My favorites are California Wine Club and Vinesse Wines .

PRO TIP : I highly recommend using a wine aerator . We couldn’t believe how this little device could make wine taste better. It’s a good way to make a cheap bottle of wine taste more expense.

Prep for your at-home wine tasting

big fun trip staycation

12. Catch up on some much-needed sleep

If you’re looking for some relaxing staycation ideas at home, now is the perfect time to catch up on sleep.

Relax before bed with a hot bath or a good book. Turn off all electronics and sip on a cup of herbal tea. You may also want to use some essential oils to help you sleep, if needed.

I recently treated myself to some luxury pillows . They have made a huge difference in the quality of my sleep. I also like using a sleep mask and ear plugs to help me sleep better at night.

Prep for the best sleep ever

big fun trip staycation

13. Plan a weekend getaway near you

If your budget has some wiggle room, consider planning a weekend getaway near you. This is one of my favorite staycation ideas for couples.

If you want to get away for the night without having to go too far from home, booking a luxury hotel in your city or a nearby town can be romantic. This can also be a great idea for birthday staycations.

Click the link to search for a deal on luxury hotels near you thanks to Booking.com .

14. Create your own resort exerpience at home

staycation ideas - make a staycation feel like a vacation

How do you make a staycation feel like a vacation? Look no further than your own balcony or backyard for your own luxury getaway.

We turned our small condo balcony into a beautiful oasis that makes it feel like we’re traveling without leaving home.

You can set up a comfortable couch or patio set in your outdoor space. Serve your favorite drinks while listening to a fun vacation playlist.

You can even hang some outdoor twinkle lights so you can enjoy the party all evening long.

Below are some more other small things that can make your outdoor space feel like a luxury vacation at home:

  • A screen door or citronella candles to keep bugs out
  • A hammok to relax in the sunshine
  • An outdoor pool for the whole family to enjoy
  • A portable patio cooler to take the party outdoors
  • An outdoor fire pit to roast marshmallows and stay cozy

Prep your patio oasis

big fun trip staycation

15. Beach day

staycation ideas - beach day

If the weather is nice and you’re looking for some staycation ideas, why not head to the beach or the lake for the day?

Even if the water is not warm enough to swim, it’s still fun to catch some sun. Just don’t forget to wear sunscreen and bring a beach umbrella to stay cool.

Here are some of my favorite activities to do at the beach:

  • Have a treasure hunt
  • Play beach volleyball
  • Relax and read a book
  • Practice yoga or meditation
  • Play boardgames
  • Have a BBQ or picnic

Prep for your beach day

big fun trip staycation

16. Craft night

If painting isn’t your cup of tea, why not have a craft night instead! Keep the craft ideas simple to make sure everyone can have a fun time. Here are a few ideas to get you brainstorming:

  • Bake dog treats at home
  • Exfoliating scrub
  • Christmas ornaments
  • Make candles at home
  • Paper lanterns
  • Use a Cricut press to make t-shirts
  • Mason jar crafts

17. Attend a sports game

If you’re looking for something fun to do with family or friends, consider checking out a sports game. Cheer on your team at a local sports bar or get tickets to attend the game.

If you’re on a budget, check for free sports games you can watch in your city. Pack your favorite snacks to give you the fuel you need to root for your favorite team.

18. Free events in your city

You can usually find free events happening all year round in the city, especially during the warmer months.

Whether it’s a light festival, farmer’s market, food festival, art show, or music festival, there are tons of local attractions for everyone to enjoy.

Check to see what events are happening in your neighborhood or nearby cities. This could make for a fun day trip.

19. Do a food tour of your city

While you can certainly sign up for a professionally organized food tour, a more budget-friendly option is to put together your own itinerary.

Pick at least three spots you want to visit in your city. This can be as simple as checking out different dessert spots in your city or sampling different taco joints. Decide which theme you’d like to do and make it fun.

20. Listen to live music in your city

I recently went to Nashville with my sister and we had so much fun checking out the local Honky Tonks.

Most cities have places where you can listen to live music, such as a concert venue, festival, restaurant or local bar. Check to see who’s playing in your neighborhood.

21. Visit your local library

Did you know that the library offers more than just free books? You can also borrow DVDS, magazines, CDs, and audiobooks.

Some libraries offer free classes, workshops, and events for the whole family. Check your local library to see what’s happening near you.

22. Explore a local park or national park

staycation ideas - hiking

My boyfriend and I love to hike, which makes this one of the best staycation ideas.

We enjoy visiting local parks to unplug for the day and connect with nature. Spending time outdoors can brighten your mood and the fresh air will energize you.

Check to see if there are any nice hiking trails or nature parks near you.

23. Day trips from your city

If you’re feeling antsy to get out of town, consider taking a day trip somewhere. This can be a fun way to explore a nearby town without having to worry about booking an overnight stay.

My boyfriend and I love going on day trips during the warmer months. Even if it’s just to an unfamiliar suburb in our city, we’re always discovering new places to explore. Don’t forget to make an epic playlist for your road trip!

24. Bring the vacation destination to your home

If you’re unable to travel, why not bring elements of your favorite destination to your home? This is one of my favorite staycation ideas. Here are some ideas to help give you some inspiration:

Paris theme – Drink French wine, watch your favorite French-inspired film, eat cheese and baguettes, and have chocolate eclairs or macarons for dessert.

Hawaiian theme – Have Hawaiian pizza (if you don’t feel like cooking), drink fruity cocktails, wear Hawaiian leis, and learn how to hula dance. You can even have a slip-and-slide or water balloons to beat the heat.

Italy theme – Serve your favorite pasta, drink Italian wine or Aperol spritz, eat tiramisu for dessert, and watch your favorite movie set in Italy. I like Under the Tuscan Sun .

Disney theme – Pick your favorite Disney movie to set your theme. You can send out Disney invitations, have Disney decorations, Disney inspired food and dessert. You can even listen to Disney music or have Disney-themed scavanger hunts.

25. Volunteer

It feels good to volunteer and give back to the community. Choose a volunteer position that is meaningful to you.

Some places to volunteer include animal rescue centers, food pantries, local libraries, national parks, retirement homes, and the YMCA.

25. Finish a house project

While you don’t want to use your whole staycation to catch up on chores, you may want to take this opportunity to complete a house project.

This is one of the best productive staycation ideas on this list. Some ideas include:

  • Rearrange furniture in a room to give it a new look
  • Sell old items you don’t use on Facebook Marketplace
  • Flip items for profit to make extra money
  • Declutter your closet
  • Declutter and organize a room
  • Plant a flower or herb garden
  • Paint your kitchen cabinets

27. Rent a bike in your city

Riding a bike is so much fun because it’s environmentally friendly and a cost-effective way to get around town. If you don’t have a bike, consider renting one for the day.

You can ride your bike in the city, by the lake or ocean, through the park or on a hiking trail. Check online to see the best places to ride a bike near you.

28. Explore a new city

A staycation means that you’re spending your vacation in your home country instead of traveling abroad.

If you can safely travel within your country right now, consider booking a weekend trip to explore a new city.

There are so many places that my boyfriend and I want to explore in Canada. Vancouver, Banff, Jasper, Calgary, Montreal , and Quebec City are the top cities on our Canadian bucketlist!

Ready to start your adventure? Click the link to search for hotel deals in your desired staycation destination thanks to Booking.com .

29. Go on a birdwatching adventure

Birdwatching can be a lot of fun and all you need is a pair of binoculars to get started. This can be a unique way to learn about nature and science in your own backyard or local nature trail.

If you want to make this a new hobby, consider grabbing a bird identification guide and a notebook to help you learn more about birds in your community.

30. Make a woodworking project

If you’re feeling crafty, consider making a woodworking project. Ideas include a tree house, a Little Free Library, a garden box, a table, a bed headboard, or a chicken coop. Find a tutorial or grab a book to help you get started.

31. Swap homes with a friend

Do you remember the movie The Holiday where Kate Winslet traded her country cottage with Cameron Diaz’s Los Angeles home?

If you’re looking to explore a new neighborhood, consider swapping houses with a friend. This can be a fun staycation idea.

32. Take a tour around your city in style

If you’re budget allows, consider renting a convertible or your dream car and tour your city in style. You can pack a picnic and explore some landmarks or unique areas in your city.

33. Have a water play day

If you can go to the water park, why not create one in your back yard? This is the best way to cool off on a hot day. Ideas include:

  • Set up an inflatable pool
  • Have fun on this water slide
  • Feel like a kid again with these squirt guns
  • Make a splash with these water balloons

If you’re feeling extra, consider using a waterproof camera like the GoPro to capture the highlights of your day.

34. Create an escape room at home

Escape rooms are super popular, but they can get expensive for a group to go. Instead, it’s easy to create your own escape room experience at home.

You can find a tutorial online or grab one of these top-rated excape room kits:

  • The Cursed Dollhouse
  • Escape Room The Game Version 2
  • Escape Room in a Box – There Werewolf Experiment

35. Set up an at-home wellness retreat

Traditional retreats can be expensive. You can set up your own wellness retreat at home.

Ideas include going on a journalling or writing, yoga, reading, meditation, music, spa, adventure, or spiritual retreat. Plan your shedule, meals, and don’t forget to turn your phone off so you can relax.

If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can even book a massage at a local spa.

36. Go stargazing

Stargazing is something that everyone should experience at least once in their lives. It’s perfect for those who have a sense of wonder and enjoy being outside at night.

If possible, look for a dark-sky site near you. These are the best locations to get an amazing view of the stars.

37 . Earn free gift cards to use on your staycation

There’s nothing like getting a free Starbucks drink , eating at your favorite restaurant for free, or seeing a movie for free at the movie theaters.

Sometimes you can redeem points that you’ve collected through your credit card, but you can also earn free gift cards in your spare time .

Below are some easy ways you can start earning free gift cards to pay for your staycation!

Swagbucks – Swagbucks is a free app that makes it easy to earn FREE gift cards for things you already do online, such as surfing the web, watching entertaining videos, answering surveys, and more!

If you’re not already a member, you can join Swagbucks for free and receive a $5 Welcome Bonus!

Once your cash back balances reaches $25, you can transfer the money to your bank, PayPal, Venmo or donate your cash back to charity.

Other surveys for money I recommend include Survey Junkie , Branded Surveys , MyPoints , and Inbox Dollars .

38. Make extra mone y

While I’ve shared a lot of traditional staycation ideas, perhaps you’re looking for something a little different to do on your vacation.

If so, consider challenging yourself to make some extra money. Bringing home extra money can help you boost your savings, pay off debt, or save up for your next vacation.

What would you do with an extra $100-$500?

Here are a few of my favorite ways to make extra money on the side:

Get paid to take surveys

Companies are willing to pay you to get your opinion. If you’re looking for an easy way to make money fast, this can be a great option.

I started doing online surveys when I was in college to help me make extra money. Most surveys take around 5-15 minutes to complete.

PRO TIP: Earn the most money when you sign up for several survey websites. Then you’ll get to choose the surveys which pay the most money. Save time and earn more cash!

Start out with Survey Junkie . This is the largest survey site in the world that actually pays you cash. It’s available in the United States and Canada.

They are an online community with over 10 million members dedicated to making their voice heard.

big fun trip staycation

How to get started with Survey Junkie:

  • Take Surveys: Sign up here to create your free account . This process takes only a few minutes to complete. Then you’ll be matched with surveys.
  • Earn Rewards: Complete surveys and you’ll earn virtual points.
  • Get Paid: You can redeem virtual points for PayPal cash payments or e-gift cards.

Other survey websites I recommend include Branded Surveys ($1 sign up bonus), Toluna Influencers , and Swagbucks (free $5 signup bonus).

Have a garage sale

We all have items that we need to declutter. Having a garage sale can be a great way to give these items a new home while making some extra money.

Start a blog

I quit my 9-5 job to start a blog and turned it into a full-time career. It’s easy to get started and the start-up costs are low.

Blogging can be a part-time side hustle, or it can turn into a full-time job (like it did for me). It’s up to you!

I didn’t know anything about blogs when I first started this website. I learned everything from scratch. Now I love connecting with people all over the world.

It’s pretty amazing how special blogging can be. This can be a great side job to make an extra $500 a month or more!

Here’s an in-depth tutorial that will walk you through the entire process. Don’t worry, there’s no tech experience or coding required.

It takes just a few minutes to get your blog up and running. Anyone can do it!

Need some inspiration? You can sign up for my free blogging course here. It’ll walk you through the entire process of how to set up and launch your blog in just 5 days.

Flip items for profit

Do you like finding hidden treasures at fleamarkets or garage sales?

Flipping is the art of finding things for free (or at a discount) and selling them for a profit.

With today’s technology, there has never been an easier time to resell and flip items to make extra money. This can be a great way to make an extra money.

Rob and Melissa, the masterminds behind FleamarketFlipping.com , make a full-time income from flipping stuff for profit. In their first year full-time, they made $133,000 in sales!

Are you ready to start flipping stuff for cash? I recommend checking out Rob’s  FREE 75-minute workshop . In this free workshop, you’ll learn how to find hidden treasures at flea markets thrift stores, yard sales, and auctions, and how to turn them into maximum profit. His workshop is completely free to join. You can sign up here .

Start a side hustle

According to a recent survey, around 37% of adults in the USA have a side hustle, earning an average of $700 a month.

That’s a decent amount of extra money, which can help you boost your travel fund. Here’s a few of my favorite side hustle ideas:

  • Pinterest virtual assistant
  • Bake and sell dog treats
  • Proofreader
  • Virtual assistant
  • Affiliate marketing
  • Selling on Amazon
  • Fleamarket flipping

Staycation at home FAQs

What can you do during staycation.

A staycation is where you enjoy a vacation from the comfort of your own home or near your home. Most people choose to spend the night in their home during a staycation, but you can certainly travel to a nearby city or stay overnight in a hotel.

Due to many travel restrictions around the world, staycations have become more popular as an alternative to international travel.

Here’s a few things you can do during your staycation:

  • Stay at a local hotel
  • Book a local Airbnb
  • Explore local tourist attractions
  • Visit a nearby town or city
  • Visit a national or state park
  • Go on a bike ride
  • Go to a spa for the day
  • Enjoy a boat cruise
  • Try stargazing
  • Visit an amusement park
  • Go on a pub crawl
  • Take a cooking class
  • Have a picnic or BBQ

What do you do on a staycation at home?

If you are unable to travel right now or prefer to have a vacation at home, there are many fun ways to relax during a staycation. Here’s a few of my favorite things to do on a staycation at home:

  • Watch the sunrise or sunset
  • Explore a nearby nature trail or park
  • Learn how to bake bread
  • Learn how to can or preserve food
  • Watch a virtual concert or Broadway show
  • Visit a museum online
  • Take an online course to learn a new skill
  • Learn a new language
  • Watch a documentary
  • Binge a TV show
  • Have a dance party in your living room
  • Play sports
  • Plant a garden
  • Declutter or spring clean your home

What do couples do during staycation?

There are many fun and romantic things you can do as a couple during a staycation. Here’s a few of my favorite ideas:

  • Build a campfire and make s’mores
  • Read a book together
  • Watch each other’s favorite movies
  • Have a relaxing day at the beach
  • Enjoy breakfast in bed
  • Book a room at a fancy hotel
  • Enjoy your favorite take-out meal by candlelight
  • Plan a dream vacation together
  • Cook a meal together
  • Go to a drive-in movie
  • Take an art class
  • Book a couples massage

How do you make a staycation feel like a vacation?

How to spend a vacation at home? Here are a few ways you can make a staycation feel like a real vacation:

  • Prep your home before your staycation Get all your housework and chores done before your time off. Your vacation should be a time to relax and unwind. You don’t want to use it to tick off household chores, unless that’s your idea of a fun staycation.
  • Turn off your work phone This may be difficult for some jobs, however it’s important to take a break from work so you can actually enjoy your staycation. If you need to check your work phone or emails, dedicate a specific time block to do so. This can help you create a healthy boundary between work and vacation time.
  • Pick a theme What type of staycation do you want to have? This can help you prep and plan ahead for your vacation at home. Ideas include yoga retreat, beach day, spa trip, sports trip, Italian getaway, and so on. You can bring all these ideas to enjoy at home.
  • Take photos Just like you would take photos to capture special moments on a real vacation, make sure to take photoson your staycation.
  • Switch up your routine To prevent your staycation from feeling like any other day or weekend, try switching up your routine. Maybe this means sleeping in, staying up late, having an all-day pajama party, or having an indoor picnic on the living room floor. Don’t be afraid to get creative and have fun!

How do you make a staycation special?

If you’re spending your time at home for your staycation, it’s so easy to stay in your normal everyday routine. You might find yourself saying – “I’ll just finish up this one chore” or “I’m just going to respond to this one work email”.

Instead, every great staycation needs a plan. And no, you don’t have to plan everything in advance, because it’s always fun to keep things sponatenous.

But you do need to plan ahead so you can make your staycation special. Below are a few suggestions.

1. Add something fresh or pretty to your home

Change up your environment to make your home feel special. Some ideas include:

  • Fresh cut flowers in a vase
  • Lighting an elegant scented candle
  • Laying out a plush robe on the bed
  • Getting new bed sheets
  • Setting up a fruit or candy display to nibble on
  • Treating yourself to new fluffy white towels

2. Get your house cleaned by someone else

Instead of spending your staycation doing chores, consider getting your house cleaned by someone else.

There’s nothing like waking up on the first day of your vacation to a sparkling clean home. No dishes to wash, a fresh smelling bathroom, clean floors, no dust or clutter. You can find someone local on TaskRabbit to clean your home.

3. Plan your meals

One of the best things about going on vacation is getting room service or eating at new restaurants. Below are a few ideas to help you plan your meals so you can enjoy your staycation:

Try a meal kit service – Take a break from grocery shopping or trying to figure out what’s for dinner. I like using Chef’s Plate .

All the ingredients are delivered fresh at your door step. Meals take 30 minutes or less to make.

Get your groceries delivered – Instead of spending your staycation at the grocery store, consider using a service like Instacart to get your groceries delivered to your home. Get your groceries delivered in as little as 2 hours.

Try a new cocktail or wine – My boyfriend and I love learning how to make fancy cocktails at home. It’s fun to master the classics and try new recipes.

You just need a cocktail shaker and you’ll be serving up margaritas (or virgin cocktails) in no time.

How to budget for your staycation :

1. Determine how much you can afford to spend for your staycation.

2. Check prices for the activities you’re interested in doing.

3. Add up the total cost for these activities. Don’t forget to include transportation costs, if necessary.

4. If the total is more than you can afford to spend, take a second look at the list of activities on your itinerary.

Research ways to save money on these activities (discounts, coupons, or deals). You may also want to consider looking for similar activities that are cheaper.

5. Stick to your budget. There are lots of cheap staycation ideas in this post to get you inspired.

travel planner printables

About Eden Ashley

Eden has an MBA and a degree in Psychology. She wants to show you how to use simple tools to help you take back control of your spending so you can live a more authentic and abundant life. When she is not writing, Eden enjoys traveling and exploring the outdoors. Click here to learn how to create a better budget!

Big Fun Trip 旅遊情報

Big Fun Trip 旅遊情報

酒店優惠碼 (Coupon Code) 大集合!持續更新!一定要 Bookmark!Trip.com|Agoda|Booking.com|Hotels.com|Expedia|Klook|KKday|日本 WAmazing|JAPANiCAN|永安旅遊|AsiaYo

快速跳至: Trip.com | Agoda | Booking.com | Expedia | Hotels.com | Klook | KKday | 永安旅遊 | Hutchgo | 日本 WAmazing | JAPANiCAN | AsiaYo

  • 使用以下優惠代碼,付款方式必須選擇「 立即付款 」,「延後扣款」的方式可能不能使用優惠碼。
各大預訂網都有唔同嘅優惠,搵到心水酒店,可先上 HotelsCombined 比價網 格下價。

提提您:經 Agoda 訂房,小編建議不要使用延後付款的方式,因為 Agoda 會收取 5% 收續費,匯率亦可能會唔著數。

Genius 常客獎勵:

加入成為 Booking.com 會員 ,可自動加入 Genius 常客獎勵計劃!不需要額外操作,就可以享會員優惠。

  • 加入即為 Genius 1級,立即於參與酒店中享有9折優惠;
  • 2年內完成5次住宿,可成為 Genius 2級,就能於參與酒店中享85折至9折優惠,並於特定住宿選項享免費早餐 / 房型升級;
  • 2年內完成15次住宿,可成為 Genius 3級,就能於參與酒店中享8折至9折優惠,並於特定住宿選項享免費早餐 / 房型升級 / 優先客服。

big fun trip staycation

【大阪限時優惠】香港飛大阪單程$440起!來回連稅千二起|樂桃航空

樂桃航空 (Peach Aviation) 會喺今晚 (3月5日) 8PM 推出限時快閃優惠!唔收燃油附加費。

以 Simple Peach 票價為例,香港飛大阪單程 $440起 , 來回連稅 $1,285起 !不過最平價錢只限晚機去早機返,前後無咗兩日。

如果想凌晨機去晚機返,來回連稅 $1,605起 !

旅行日期由3月22日至10月29日

以上價錢並未包括託運行李及機上餐飲既費用,託運行李每程每件 20kg 以下 $270。

  • 去程:MM68 01:35-06:05、MM64 12:50-17:20、MM66 18:00-22:30
  • 回程:MM63 08:15-11:50、MM65 13:15-16:50、MM67 21:10-00:45+1
  • 去程:MM68 00:50-05:40、MM64 12:40-17:30
  • 回程:MM63 08:40-11:45、MM67 20:50-23:55

如果訂飛時未有護照號碼係手,可以先輸入「 000000」 ,之後可以再上樂桃航空官網 login 更改返,

  • 2024年3月22日-4月29日、5月6日-5月13日、5月21日-6月6日、6月12日-6月27日、10月16日-10月26日 (去程 $440起,限坐 MM66) (當中4月9日至4月25日星期五至日先有航班,其他日子每日一班)
  • 2024年3月31日-4月29日、5月6日-5月13日、5月21日-6月6日、6月12日-6月27日、10月16日-10月26日 (去程 $600起)
  • 2024年3月22日-4月29日、5月6日-5月13日、5月21日-6月6日、6月12日-6月27日、10月16日-10月26日 (回程 $440起,限坐 MM63) (當中4月9日至4月25日星期五至日先有航班,其他日子每日一班)
  • 2024年3月31日-4月29日、5月6日-5月13日、5月21日-6月6日、6月12日-6月27日、10月16日-10月26日 (回程 $540起,限坐 MM65)
  • 2024年3月31日-4月29日、5月6日-5月13日、5月21日-6月6日、6月12日-6月27日、10月16日-10月26日 (回程 $600起)

【預訂日期】 2024年3月5日8pm-3月8日  【預訂網址】 flypeach.com

big fun trip staycation

【港航.熊本爆抵價】香港來回熊本$407起!連稅千一起!4至9月出發

除咗 鹿兒島 ,香港航空飛熊本都爆減!經 Trip.com 預訂,香港來回熊本 $407起,連稅 $1,176起 !呢個價只包7kg 手提行李額,如果包埋20kg 寄艙行李, 來回連稅 $1,618起 !航班係早機去,下午機返。

價錢吸引,航班時間又靚!可以去馬!

優惠可以 open jaw,咁啱鹿兒島又有優惠,不妨夾埋鹿兒島一齊玩,例如可以熊本入鹿兒島走,又或者鹿兒島入熊本走。訂飛時用「多目的地」功能就可以了。

航班時間: 去程:HX686 11:40-15:40 回程:HX687 16:40-19:45

機票有效期: 2-7日

平飛分佈 (只供參考,實際情況可能因應實時供應而改變):

去程:4月8,9,11,13,15,16,18,22,23,25,29日、5月2,6,7,9,13,16,20,23,25,27,28日、6月3,4,6,10,11,13,17,24,25日、8月31日、9月2,3,5,7,9,10,12,14,16,17,19,21,23,24日

回程:4月11,13,15,16,18,22,23,25,27,29日、5月2,6,9,11,13,14,21,23,25,27,30日、6月3,6,8,13,18,20,24,25,27日、9月2,3,5,7,9,10.12,14,16,17,19,21,23,24,26,28日

【出發日期 】 2024年4月8日-7月1日、8月31日-9月24日

【預訂網址 – 1】 Trip.com (來回連稅 $1,176起;包20kg寄艙行李 $1,618起) (另外,以中銀信用卡訂滿 $1,800 額外再減 $180 優惠碼: BOCFLIGHT )

【預訂網址 – 2】 hutchgo.com (來回連稅 $1,193起;包20kg寄艙行李 $1,655起) (另外,可以用滙豐白金 Visa 信用卡減 $150 電子禮券碼: HSBCVPGO150 ;滙豐信用卡減 $100電子禮券碼: HSBCGO100T )

【預訂網址 – 3】 wingontravel.com (來回連稅 $1,183起) (另外,以東亞信用卡訂滿 $2,000 額外再減 $200 優惠碼: BEA200T )

【預訂網址 – 4】 hongkongairlines.com (來回連稅 $1,199起;包20kg寄艙行李 $1,619起)

提提你:訂嘅時候記得睇清楚有無包寄艙行李。

big fun trip staycation

【泰平霸!潑水節、暑假照減】香港來回曼谷$952起!連稅千五起!包46kg寄艙行李|埃塞俄比亞航空

阿聯酋有曼谷抵歎價 !埃航都有平霸價!2人同行,埃航來回曼谷每人只需 $952起,連稅 $1,545起 !出發日期3月至8月,最正係潑水節、暑假都有呢口價!另一賣點係包每人2件23kg (即46kg) 寄艙行李額!想點喪買都得啦!航班方面,係晚去午返,逢星期一、三、五出發,放工可以即飛。

以上票價係經 Trip.com 預訂並使用價惠碼【 BOCFLIGHT 】減 $180後嘅價格。另外,訂滿指定金額亦可以用以下唔同嘅優惠碼額外再減!

  • Trip.com :以中銀信用卡預訂機票滿 $1,800 或以上 (未連稅) 即減 $180 優惠碼: BOCFLIGHT (優惠名額逢星期二 00:00 更新)
  • Trip.com :以 Mastercard 預訂機票滿 $2,000 或以上 (未連稅) 即減 $100 優惠碼: MCFLIGHT (優惠名額逢星期五 00:00 更新)
  • 永安旅遊 :以東亞信用卡預訂機票滿 $2,000 或以上 (未連稅) 即減 $200 推廣碼: BEA200T

平飛唔係日日有,想知邊日最平,可以參考以下平飛分佈一覽。

最平票價日子分佈 (只供參考,實際情況可能因應實時供應而改變):

  • 去程:3月11日、4月5,8,10,22,26,29日、5月3,6,8,10,13,15,17日,20,24,27,29,31日、6月3,5,10,12,14,17,19,21,24,26日、7月1,3,5,8,10,12,15,17,19,22,24,26,29,31日、8月2,5,7,9,12,14,16,19,21,23,26,28,30日…
  • 回程:3月15,18,20日、4月10,17,19,22日、5月3,6,8,10,13,17,22,24,27,31日、6月3,5,7,12,14,19,21,24,26,28日、7月3,5,8,10,12,15,17,19,22,24,26,29,31日、8月2,5,7,9,12,14,16,19,21,23,26,28,30日、9月2,4…

航班時間: 去程:ET609 22:40-00:20+1 (逢星期一、三、五) 回程:ET608 13:00-16:45 (逢星期一、三、五)

寄艙行李額: 2件23kg 機票有效期: 2日-1個月

【出發日期】 2024年3月11日-8月30日

【預訂網址 – 1】 Trip.com (來回連稅 $1,545起 ) (以中銀信用卡訂滿 $1,800 額外再減 $180 優惠碼: BOCFLIGHT )

【預訂網址 – 3】 wingontravel.com (來回連稅 $1,582起 ) (以東亞信用卡訂滿 $2,000 額外再減 $200 優惠碼: BEA200T )

big fun trip staycation

【港航.鹿兒島突發爆減】香港來回鹿兒島$430起!連稅千一起!4至9月出發

香港航空突發閃劈鹿兒島航線!香港來回鹿兒島 $430起,連稅 $1,162起 !價錢好吸引!仲平過 HK Express 近排嘅優惠!

以上票價只包7kg 手提行李額。另外,有2種包寄艙行季嘅票價:包20kg 寄艙行李, 連稅 $1,582起 ;包30kg 寄艙行李+3次免費更改, 連稅 $1,712起 !

航班係早機去,下午機返。

航班時間: 去程:HX670 08:45-12:55 (三、五、日) 回程:HX671 13:55-16:15 (三、五、日)

去程:4月5,7,10,12,14,17,19,21,24,26日、5月8,10,12,17,19,24,26,29,31日、6月2,5,7,9,12,14,16,19,21,23,28,30日、7月3,5日、8月28,30日、9月1,4,6,8,11,13,15,18,20,22,25日

回程:4月10,12,14,17,19,21,24,26,28日、5月1,10,12,15,17,22,24,29,31日、6月2,5,7,9,12,14,16,19,21,23,26,28日、7月3,5,7,10,12日、9月1,4,6,8,11,13,15,18,20,22,25,27,29日

【出發日期 】 2024年4月5日-7月5日、8月28日-9月25日

【預訂網址 – 1】 hongkongairlines.com (來回連稅 $1,162起)

【預訂網址 – 2】 hutchgo.com (來回連稅 $1,155起) (另可以用滙豐白金 Visa 信用卡減 $150 電子禮券碼: HSBCVPGO150 ;滙豐信用卡減 $100電子禮券碼: HSBCGO100T )

【預訂網址 – 3】 Trip.com (來回連稅 $1,231起) (以中銀信用卡訂滿 $1,800 額外再減 $180 優惠碼: BOCFLIGHT )

【預訂網址 – 4】 wingontravel.com (來回連稅 $1,231起) (以東亞信用卡訂滿 $2,000 額外再減 $200 優惠碼: BEA200T )

big fun trip staycation

【泰抵歎!暑假照減】阿聯酋航空A380飛曼谷$989起!連稅千八起!包25kg行李

阿聯酋航空推出新一輪曼谷優惠,3至8月出發,暑假旺季繼續大平賣!乘搭 A380 巨無霸,香港來回曼谷只需 $989起,連稅 $1,852起 !包 25kg 寄艙行李額。

以上票價係經 TravelGo 預訂!另外,亦可以使用以下優惠碼於 Trip.com /  永安旅遊 預訂。

平飛唔係日日有,想知邊日有平?可以參考下面最平票價日子分佈一覽。

7至8月最平票價日子分佈一覽 (只供參考,實際情況可能因應實時供應而改變): 

去程:3月12,14日、4月2-9,22-29日、5月1-31日、6月1-6,8-27,29,30日、7月1-31日、8月1-31日

回程:3月19-21日,23日、4月10,18,28-30日、5月2,3,6-18,20-31日、6月1-9,11-30日、7月2-31日、8月1-31日、9月1,2,3,4,5,6,7…

航班時間: 去程:EK385 21:30-23:45 回程:EK384 14:05-18:05

寄艙行李限額: 25kg 機票有效期: 6個月

【出發日期】 2024年3月12日-8月31日

【預訂網址 – 1】 travelgo.com (來回連稅 $1,852起)

【預訂網址 – 2】 Trip.com (來回連稅 $1,893起) (以中銀信用卡訂滿 $1,800 額外再減 $180 優惠碼:BOCFLIGHT)

【預訂網址 – 3】 wingontravel.com (來回連稅 $1,893起) (以東亞信用卡訂滿 $2,000 額外再減 $200 優惠碼:BEA200T)

big fun trip staycation

【日本 Rakuten Travel 酒店激減】限時搶5折優惠券!最高減¥50,000|指定酒店額外8折優惠券|2,500間酒店、旅館優惠低至35折

日本 Rakuten Travel 推出限時 SUPER SALE!趁日圓低位兼 SUPER SALE 搶定至抵日本住宿!準備定嚟緊嘅復活節同暑假行程啦!

今次 SUPER SALE 包括三大優惠!包括:

  • 必搶!酒店限量額外5折優惠券,減高達 50,000日圓 (約 HK$2,600) 開搶時間 (香港時間): 3月4日19:30、3月12日11:00 (每時時段名額各200個)
  • 會員限定:指定酒店額外8折優惠券
  • 超過2,500間酒店、旅館優惠低至35折

留意,優惠券只限 Rakuten 會員使用,宜家就登記定做會員先,同埋揀定心水酒店!一到搶 code 時間,就可以快人一步搶訂啦!另外,登記做會員首次預訂都有9折優惠碼!

【適用入住日期】 2024年3月4日-9月30日

【優惠1 開搶時間】 3月4日19:30、3月12日11:00 【優惠2、3優惠期限】 2024年3月4日-3月19日

【預訂網址】 rakuten.com

big fun trip staycation

【國泰.倫敦直航優惠】香港來回倫敦$2,501起!連稅六千起!3至6月出發

英航減!國泰都減!香港直航來回倫敦 $2,501起,連稅 $6,078起 !包23kg 寄艙行李。3至6月出發,最長可以停留2個月。

以上票價係經 永安旅遊 預訂,並使用東亞信用卡推廣碼【 BEA200T 】減 $200 後嘅價格。如果經 Trip.com 預訂,亦可使用以下優惠碼。

平飛分佈一覽 (只供參考,實際情況可能因應實時供應而改變): 

去程:3月4-18日、4月1,2,4,20,23-25日、5月2,3,5-9,11-18,20,22,24,28-30日、6月1-15,18-20日

回程:3月6-15,17-20日、4月8-12,14,16-30日、5月1-3,5-8,10,12-16,20-22,26-31日、6月1-13,16-20,24日

寄艙行李限額: 23kg 機票有效期: 2日-2個月

【旅行日期】 2024年3月4日-6月20日 (回程最遲6月24日)

【預訂網址 – 1】 wingontravel.com (用東亞信用卡推廣碼【 BEA200T 】減 $200 後,來回連稅 $6,078起)

【預訂網址 – 2】 trip.com (用中銀信用卡優惠 碼【 BOCFLIGHT 】減 $180 後, 來回連稅 $6,251起)

big fun trip staycation

【新航限時優惠】香港來回新加坡$1,350起!連稅千九起!KrisFlyer 會員尊享無限量機上 Wi-Fi|新加坡航空

除咗 國泰 ,新加坡航空都出咗新加坡優惠,香港來回新加坡只需 $1,350起,連稅 $1,995起 !包 25kg 寄艙行李、飛機餐!另外,優選經濟艙來回連稅 $5,940起 、商務艙來回連稅 $13,890起 !航班無特別限制,可以揀早機去晚機返,實際情況視乎供應而定。

平飛唔係日日有,不過官網個預訂系統可以一次過 show 晒成個月嘅每日票價出嚟,想搵平飛都好方便。

big fun trip staycation

寄艙行李限額 :25kg 機票有效期 :2-14日

【出發日期】 2024年4月8日-6月30日、8月26日-12月15日 【預訂日期】 即日-2024年3月13日

【預訂網址】 singaporeair.com

big fun trip staycation

1. KrisFlyer 會員尊享無限量機上 Wi-Fi

成為 KrisFlyer 會員後,只要喺新航官網 / SingaporeAir 手機 App 嘅「管理訂位」,將會員卡號加到訂位代號中,就可享全程免費無限量機上 Wi-Fi。

立即註冊成為 KrisFlyer 會員: singaporeair.com/ppsclub-krisflyer

詳情: singaporeair.com

於新航官網 / 手機 App 預訂機票:

  • 送新加坡高島屋購物中心禮券 (高達新幣100元)
  • 送樟宜機場零售禮券、購買標準景點門票75折優惠
  • KrisFlyer 會員享有 KrisShop 電子禮券 (新幣30元)

數量有限,先到先得,送完即止詳情: singaporeair.com

【國泰.新加坡初夏優惠】香港來回新加坡$920起!連稅千八起!可早去晚返!

國泰推出新一輪新加坡優惠,4至6月出發,香港來回新加坡只需 $920起,連稅 $1,889起 !包 23kg 寄艙行李,航班無特別限制,可以揀早機去晚機返,實際情況視乎供應而定。

另外,如訂滿指定金額,可以用埋以下信用卡優惠碼 再減高達 $200 。

  • 去程:4月8-25日、5月6-10,16-21,27,28,30日、6月1-6,8-14,16,18-26日
  • 回程:4月10-25日、5月6-14,23,24,27-29日、6月3-12,17-30日、7月1-10日

寄艙行李限額 :23kg 機票有效期 :2-14日

【出發日期】 2024年4月8日-6月26日 (回程最遲7月10日)

【預訂網址 – 1】 wingontravel.com  (來回連稅 $1,889起)

【預訂網址 – 2】 Trip.com (來回連稅 $1,998起)

big fun trip staycation

【港航.鹿兒島復飛優惠】香港來回鹿兒島$990起!連稅千七起!4至7月出發

香港航空推出鹿兒島復飛優惠!香港來回鹿兒島 $990起,連稅 $1,721起 !

以上票價只包7kg 手提行李額。另外,有2種包寄艙行季嘅票價:包20kg 寄艙行李, 連稅 $2,141起 ;包30kg 寄艙行李+3次免費更改, 連稅 $2,401起 !

價錢普普通通,通常復飛首次優惠都唔會太平,唔急住要飛可以再等下,票價應該仲有下調水位。

去程:4月3,5,7,10,12,14,17,19,21,24,26,28日、5月1,3,5,8,10,12,15,17,19,22,24,26,29,31日、6月2,5,7,9,12,14,16,19,21,23,26,28,30日、7月3,5日

回程:4月10,12,14,17,19,21,24,26,28日、5月1,3,5,8,10,12,15,17,19,22,24,26,29,31日、6月2,5,7,9,12,14,16,19,21,23,26,28,30日、7月3,5,7,10,12日

【出發日期 】 2024年4月3日-7月5日

【預訂網址】 hongkongairlines.com

big fun trip staycation

  • Advertisement

Logo

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow: The Best of Moscow!

I just got back from one week in Moscow. And, as you might have already guessed, it was a mind-boggling experience. It was not my first trip to the Russian capital. But I hardly ever got enough time to explore this sprawling city. Visiting places for business rarely leaves enough time for sightseeing. I think that if you’ve got one week in Russia, you can also consider splitting your time between its largest cities (i.e. Saint Petersburg ) to get the most out of your trip. Seven days will let you see the majority of the main sights and go beyond just scratching the surface. In this post, I’m going to share with you my idea of the perfect travel itinerary for one week in Moscow.

Moscow is perhaps both the business and cultural hub of Russia. There is a lot more to see here than just the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Centuries-old churches with onion-shaped domes dotted around the city are in stark contrast with newly completed impressive skyscrapers of Moscow City dominating the skyline. I spent a lot of time thinking about my Moscow itinerary before I left. And this city lived up to all of my expectations.

7-day Moscow itinerary

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

Day 1 – red square and the kremlin.

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad on Red Line.

No trip to Moscow would be complete without seeing its main attraction. The Red Square is just a stone’s throw away from several metro stations. It is home to some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces in the city. The first thing you’ll probably notice after entering it and passing vendors selling weird fur hats is the fairytale-like looking Saint Basil’s Cathedral. It was built to commemorate one of the major victories of Ivan the Terrible. I once spent 20 minutes gazing at it, trying to find the perfect angle to snap it. It was easier said than done because of the hordes of locals and tourists.

As you continue strolling around Red Square, there’s no way you can miss Gum. It was widely known as the main department store during the Soviet Era. Now this large (yet historic) shopping mall is filled with expensive boutiques, pricey eateries, etc. During my trip to Moscow, I was on a tight budget. So I only took a retro-style stroll in Gum to get a rare glimpse of a place where Soviet leaders used to grocery shop and buy their stuff. In case you want some modern shopping experience, head to the Okhotny Ryad Shopping Center with stores like New Yorker, Zara, and Adidas.

things to do in Moscow in one week

Read More: Was Socotra a Mistake?

To continue this Moscow itinerary, next you may want to go inside the Kremlin walls. This is the center of Russian political power and the president’s official residence. If you’re planning to pay Kremlin a visit do your best to visit Ivan the Great Bell Tower as well. Go there as early as possible to avoid crowds and get an incredible bird’s-eye view. There are a couple of museums that are available during designated visiting hours. Make sure to book your ticket online and avoid lines.

Day 2 – Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Arbat Street

Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya on Red Line

As soon as you start creating a Moscow itinerary for your second day, you’ll discover that there are plenty of metro stations that are much closer to certain sites. Depending on your route, take a closer look at the metro map to pick the closest.

The white marble walls of Christ the Saviour Cathedral are awe-inspiring. As you approach this tallest Orthodox Christian church, you may notice the bronze sculptures, magnificent arches, and cupolas that were created to commemorate Russia’s victory against Napoleon.

travel itinerary for one week in Moscow

How to Get a Decent Haircut in a Foreign Country

Unfortunately, the current Cathedral is a replica, since original was blown to bits in 1931 by the Soviet government. The new cathedral basically follows the original design, but they have added some new elements such as marble high reliefs.

Home to some precious collection of artworks, in Tretyakov Gallery you can find more than 150,000 of works spanning centuries of artistic endeavor. Originally a privately owned gallery, it now has become one of the largest museums in Russia. The Gallery is often considered essential to visit. But I have encountered a lot of locals who have never been there.

Famous for its souvenirs, musicians, and theaters, Arbat street is among the few in Moscow that were turned into pedestrian zones. Arbat street is usually very busy with tourists and locals alike. My local friend once called it the oldest street in Moscow dating back to 1493. It is a kilometer long walking street filled with fancy gift shops, small cozy restaurants, lots of cute cafes, and street artists. It is closed to any vehicular traffic, so you can easily stroll it with kids.

Day 3 – Moscow River Boat Ride, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park, the Moscow City

Metro Station: Kievskaya and Park Pobedy on Dark Blue Line / Vystavochnaya on Light Blue Line

Voyaging along the Moscow River is definitely one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the city and see the attractions from a bit different perspective. Depending on your Moscow itinerary, travel budget and the time of the year, there are various types of boats available. In the summer there is no shortage of boats, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

exploring Moscow

Travel Itinerary for One Week in Beijing

If you find yourself in Moscow during the winter months, I’d recommend going with Radisson boat cruise. These are often more expensive (yet comfy). They offer refreshments like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and, of course, alcoholic drinks. Prices may vary but mostly depend on your food and drink selection. Find their main pier near the opulent Ukraine hotel . The hotel is one of the “Seven Sisters”, so if you’re into the charm of Stalinist architecture don’t miss a chance to stay there.

The area near Poklonnaya Hill has the closest relation to the country’s recent past. The memorial complex was completed in the mid-1990s to commemorate the Victory and WW2 casualties. Also known as the Great Patriotic War Museum, activities here include indoor attractions while the grounds around host an open-air museum with old tanks and other vehicles used on the battlefield.

How I Planned My Trip to Vietnam

The hallmark of the memorial complex and the first thing you see as you exit metro is the statue of Nike mounted to its column. This is a very impressive Obelisk with a statue of Saint George slaying the dragon at its base.

Maybe not as impressive as Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower , the skyscrapers of the Moscow City (otherwise known as Moscow International Business Center) are so drastically different from dull Soviet architecture. With 239 meters and 60 floors, the Empire Tower is the seventh highest building in the business district.

The observation deck occupies 56 floor from where you have some panoramic views of the city. I loved the view in the direction of Moscow State University and Luzhniki stadium as well to the other side with residential quarters. The entrance fee is pricey, but if you’re want to get a bird’s eye view, the skyscraper is one of the best places for doing just that.

Day 4 – VDNKh, Worker and Collective Farm Woman Monument, The Ostankino TV Tower

Metro Station: VDNKh on Orange Line

VDNKh is one of my favorite attractions in Moscow. The weird abbreviation actually stands for Russian vystavka dostizheniy narodnogo khozyaystva (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy). With more than 200 buildings and 30 pavilions on the grounds, VDNKh serves as an open-air museum. You can easily spend a full day here since the park occupies a very large area.

Moscow sights

Places to Visit in Barcelona That Aren’t Beaches

First, there are pavilions that used to showcase different cultures the USSR was made of. Additionally, there is a number of shopping pavilions, as well as Moskvarium (an Oceanarium) that features a variety of marine species. VDNKh is a popular venue for events and fairs. There is always something going on, so I’d recommend checking their website if you want to see some particular exhibition.

A stone’s throw away from VDNKh there is a very distinctive 25-meters high monument. Originally built in 1937 for the world fair in Paris, the hulking figures of men and women holding a hammer and a sickle represent the Soviet idea of united workers and farmers. It doesn’t take much time to see the monument, but visiting it gives some idea of the Soviet Union’s grandiose aspirations.

I have a thing for tall buildings. So to continue my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow I decided to climb the fourth highest TV tower in the world. This iconic 540m tower is a fixture of the skyline. You can see it virtually from everywhere in Moscow, and this is where you can get the best panoramic views (yep, even better than Empire skyscraper).

top things to do in Moscow

Parts of the floor are made of tempered glass, so it can be quite scary to exit the elevator. But trust me, as you start observing buildings and cars below, you won’t want to leave. There is only a limited number of tickets per day, so you may want to book online. Insider tip: the first tour is cheaper, you can save up to $10 if go there early.

Day 5 – A Tour To Moscow Manor Houses

Metro Station: Kolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno on Dark Green Line / Kuskovo on Purple Line

I love visiting the manor houses and palaces in Moscow. These opulent buildings were generally built to house Russian aristocratic families and monarchs. Houses tend to be rather grand affairs with impressive architecture. And, depending on the whims of the owners, some form of a landscaped garden.

During the early part of the 20th century though, many of Russia’s aristocratic families (including the family of the last emperor) ended up being killed or moving abroad . Their manor houses were nationalized. Some time later (after the fall of the USSR) these were open to the public. It means that today a great many of Moscow’s finest manor houses and palaces are open for touring.

one week Moscow itinerary

20 Travel Tips I’ve Learned From Travelling The World

There are 20 manor houses scattered throughout the city and more than 25 in the area around. But not all of them easily accessible and exploring them often takes a lot of time. I’d recommend focusing on three most popular estates in Moscow that are some 30-minute metro ride away from Kremlin.

Sandwiched between the Moscow River and the Andropov Avenue, Kolomenskoye is a UNESCO site that became a public park in the 1920’s. Once a former royal estate, now it is one of the most tranquil parks in the city with gorgeous views. The Ascension Church, The White Column, and the grounds are a truly grand place to visit.

You could easily spend a full day here, exploring a traditional Russian village (that is, in fact, a market), picnicking by the river, enjoying the Eastern Orthodox church architecture, hiking the grounds as well as and wandering the park and gardens with wildflower meadows, apple orchards, and birch and maple groves. The estate museum showcases Russian nature at its finest year-round.

12 Stunning National Parks and Regional Parks In France

If my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow was a family tree, Tsaritsyno Park would probably be the crazy uncle that no-one talks about. It’s a large park in the south of the city of mind-boggling proportions, unbelievable in so many ways, and yet most travelers have never heard of it.

The palace was supposed to be a summer home for Empress Catherine the Great. But since the construction didn’t meet with her approval the palace was abandoned. Since the early 1990’s the palace, the pond, and the grounds have been undergoing renovations. The entire complex is now looking brighter and more elaborately decorated than at possibly any other time during its history. Like most parks in Moscow, you can visit Tsaritsyno free of charge, but there is a small fee if you want to visit the palace.

Moscow itinerary

How To Stop Procrastinating When Trip Planning

Last, but by no means least on my Moscow itinerary is Kuskovo Park . This is definitely an off-the-beaten-path place. While it is not easily accessible, you will be rewarded with a lack of crowds. This 18th-century summer country house of the Sheremetev family was one of the first summer country estates of the Russian nobility. And when you visit you’ll quickly realize why locals love this park.

Like many other estates, Kuskovo has just been renovated. So there are lovely French formal garden, a grotto, and the Dutch house to explore. Make sure to plan your itinerary well because the estate is some way from a metro station.

Day 6 – Explore the Golden Ring

Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a “theme route” devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

Having started in Moscow the route will take you through a number of historical cities. It now includes Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Sergiev Posad. All these awe-inspiring towns have their own smaller kremlins and feature dramatic churches with onion-shaped domes, tranquil residential areas, and other architectural landmarks.

Two Weeks In Thailand: The Perfect 14-Day Itinerary

I only visited two out of eight cities included on the route. It is a no-brainer that Sergiev Posad is the nearest and the easiest city to see on a day trip from Moscow. That being said, you can explore its main attractions in just one day. Located some 70 km north-east of the Russian capital, this tiny and overlooked town is home to Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, UNESCO Site.

things to do in Moscow in seven days

You Will Also Like: 3-Day London Itinerary

Sergiev Posad is often described as being at the heart of Russian spiritual life. So it is uncommon to see the crowds of Russian pilgrims showing a deep reverence for their religion. If you’re traveling independently and using public transport, you can reach Sergiev Posad by bus (departs from VDNKh) or by suburban commuter train from Yaroslavskaya Railway Station (Bahnhof). It takes about one and a half hours to reach the town.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a great place to get a glimpse of filling and warming Russian lunch, specifically at the “ Gostevaya Izba ” restaurant. Try the duck breast, hearty potato and vegetables, and the awesome Napoleon cake.

Day 7 – Gorky Park, Izmailovo Kremlin, Patriarch’s Ponds

Metro Station: Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya on Circle Line / Partizanskaya on Dark Blue Line / Pushkinskaya on Dark Green Line

Gorky Park is in the heart of Moscow. It offers many different types of outdoor activities, such as dancing, cycling, skateboarding, walking, jogging, and anything else you can do in a park. Named after Maxim Gorky, this sprawling and lovely park is where locals go on a picnic, relax and enjoy free yoga classes. It’s a popular place to bike around, and there is a Muzeon Art Park not far from here. A dynamic location with a younger vibe. There is also a pier, so you can take a cruise along the river too.

Random Russian guy

How to Save Money While Traveling in Europe

The Kremlin in Izmailovo is by no means like the one you can find near the Red Square. Originally built for decorative purposes, it now features the Vernissage flea market and a number of frequent fairs, exhibitions, and conferences. Every weekend, there’s a giant flea market in Izmailovo, where dozens of stalls sell Soviet propaganda crap, Russian nesting dolls, vinyl records, jewelry and just about any object you can imagine. Go early in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

All the Bulgakov’s fans should pay a visit to Patriarch’s Ponds (yup, that is plural). With a lovely small city park and the only one (!) pond in the middle, the location is where the opening scene of Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita was set. The novel is centered around a visit by Devil to the atheistic Soviet Union is considered by many critics to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. I spent great two hours strolling the nearby streets and having lunch in the hipster cafe.

Conclusion and Recommendations

To conclude, Moscow is a safe city to visit. I have never had a problem with getting around and most locals are really friendly once they know you’re a foreigner. Moscow has undergone some serious reconstruction over the last few years. So you can expect some places to be completely different. I hope my one week Moscow itinerary was helpful! If you have less time, say 4 days or 5 days, I would cut out day 6 and day 7. You could save the Golden Ring for a separate trip entirely as there’s lots to see!

What are your thoughts on this one week Moscow itinerary? Are you excited about your first time in the city? Let me know in the comments below!

JOIN MY FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER!

Email Address *

YOU WILL ALSO LIKE

Russian Cuisine

10 Dishes You Must Try When Going To Moscow

train trips from moscow

15 Fantastic and Easy Day Trips Close to Moscow

weather in russia in may in celsius

When Is the Best Time To Visit Russia

24 comments.

big fun trip staycation

Ann Snook-Moreau

Moscow looks so beautiful and historic! Thanks for including public transit information for those of us who don’t like to rent cars.

big fun trip staycation

MindTheTravel

Yup, that is me 🙂 Rarely rent + stick to the metro = Full wallet!

big fun trip staycation

Mariella Blago

Looks like you had loads of fun! Well done. Also great value post for travel lovers.

Thanks, Mariella!

big fun trip staycation

I have always wanted to go to Russia, especially Moscow. These sights look absolutely beautiful to see and there is so much history there!

Agree! Moscow is a thousand-year-old city and there is definitely something for everyone.

big fun trip staycation

Tara Pittman

Those are amazing buildings. Looks like a place that would be amazing to visit.

big fun trip staycation

Adriana Lopez

Never been to Moscow or Russia but my family has. Many great spots and a lot of culture. Your itinerary sounds fantastic and covers a lot despite it is only a short period of time.

What was their favourite thing about Russia?

big fun trip staycation

Gladys Parker

I know very little about Moscow or Russia for the\at matter. I do know I would have to see the Red Square and all of its exquisite architectural masterpieces. Also the CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR. Thanks for shedding some light on visiting Moscow.

Thanks for swinging by! The Red Square is a great starting point, but there way too many places and things to discover aside from it!

big fun trip staycation

Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen

You are making me so jealous!! I’ve always wanted to see Russia.

big fun trip staycation

Moscow is in my bucket list, I don’t know when I can visit there, your post is really useful. As a culture rich place we need to spend at least week.

big fun trip staycation

DANA GUTKOWSKI

Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks for all the great info! I’ve never been in to Russia, but this post makes me wanna go now!

big fun trip staycation

Wow this is amazing! Moscow is on my bucket list – such an amazing place to visit I can imagine! I can’t wait to go there one day!

big fun trip staycation

The building on the second picture looks familiar. I keep seeing that on TV.

big fun trip staycation

Reesa Lewandowski

What beautiful moments! I always wish I had the personality to travel more like this!

big fun trip staycation

Perfect itinerary for spending a week in Moscow! So many places to visit and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I would love to climb that tower. The views I am sure must have been amazing!

I was lucky enough to see the skyline of Moscow from this TV Tower and it is definitely mind-blowing.

big fun trip staycation

Chelsea Pearl

Moscow is definitely up there on my travel bucket list. So much history and iconic architecture!

Thumbs up! 🙂

big fun trip staycation

Blair Villanueva

OMG I dream to visit Moscow someday! Hope the visa processing would be okay (and become more affordable) so I could pursue my dream trip!

Yup, visa processing is the major downside! Agree! Time and the money consuming process…

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

big fun trip staycation

  • Privacy Overview
  • Strictly Necessary Cookies

My website uses cookies so that I can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to my website and helping me to understand which sections of Mind The Travel you find most interesting and useful.

You can adjust all of your cookie settings by navigating the tabs on the left hand side.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that I can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, I will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit my website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

  • Meet the Team
  • Work with Us
  • Czech Republic
  • Netherlands
  • Switzerland
  • Scandinavia
  • Philippines
  • South Korea
  • New Zealand
  • South Africa
  • Budget Travel
  • Work & Travel
  • The Broke Backpacker Manifesto
  • Travel Resources
  • How to Travel on $10/day

Home » Europe » Moscow

EPIC MOSCOW Itinerary! (2024)

Moscow is the heart of Mother Russia. Just the mention of this city conjures images of colorful bulbous pointed domes, crisp temperatures, and a uniquely original spirit!

Moscow has an incredibly turbulent history, a seemingly resilient culture, and a unique enchantment that pulls countless tourists to the city each year! Although the warmer months make exploring Moscow’s attractions more favorable, there’s just something about a fresh snowfall that only enhances the appearance of the city’s iconic sites!

If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or simply wanting to see as much of the city as possible, this Moscow itinerary will help you do just that!

big fun trip staycation

Unlock Our GREATEST Travel Secrets!

Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox.

Best Time To Visit Moscow

Where to stay in moscow, moscow itinerary, day 1 itinerary in moscow, day 2 itinerary in moscow, day 3 and beyond, staying safe in moscow, day trips from moscow, faq on moscow itinerary.

Here is a quick look at the seasons so you can decide when to visit Moscow!

The summer months (June-August) are a great time to travel to Moscow to take advantage of the enjoyable mild temperatures. This is considered peak travel season. Bear in mind that hotel prices rise along with the temperatures!

when to visit moscow

If you’re planning a trip to Moscow during fall (September-November) try to plan for early fall. This way the temperatures will still be pleasant and winter won’t be threatening.

Russian winters (December-February) are not for the faint of heart as Napoleon learned to his peril. Some days the sun will be out for less than an hour, and snow is guaranteed. Although winters are exceptionally cold, this is when you’ll get a true glimpse of the Moscow experience!

The best time to visit Moscow is during spring  (March-May). The temperatures will begin to creep up and the sun begins to shine for significant portions of the day. Hotel rates will also have yet to skyrocket into peak ranges!

big fun trip staycation

With a Moscow City Pass , you can experience the best of Moscow at the CHEAPEST prices. Discounts, attractions, tickets, and even public transport are all standards in any good city pass – be sure invest now and save them $$$ when you arrive!

Moscow is a large city with many accommodation options to choose from. Staying in a location that fits with your travel plans will only enhance your Moscow itinerary. Here is a brief introduction to a few great areas of the city we recommend checking out!

The best place to stay in Moscow to be close to all the action is Kitay-Gorod. This charming neighborhood will put you within walking distance to Moscow’s famous Red Square, thus cutting down on travel time. This will allow you to see more of the city in a shorter amount of time!

where to stay in moscow

It’s surrounded by restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops. If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or just planning a quick weekend in Moscow, then this area is perfect for you!

Another great area to consider is the Zamoskvorechye district. This area of the city offers a blend of new and old Moscow. It has an artsy vibe and there are plenty of fun sites you can explore outside of the main touristy areas of Moscow.

Of course, as in all areas of Moscow, it’s close to public transportation that will quickly connect you with the rest of the city and make your Moscow itinerary super accessible!

Best Airbnb in Moscow – Exclusive Apartment in Old Moscow

Exclusive Apartment in Old Moscow

Modern and cozy, this apartment is in the heart of Old Moscow. Bordering the Basmanny and Kitay-Gorod districts, this two-bedroom flat is walking distance to the Kremlin and Red Square. Safe, quiet, and comfortable, this is the best Airbnb in Moscow, no question!

Best Budget Hotel in Moscow – Izmailovo Alfa Hotel

moscow itinerary

The Izmailovo Alfa Hotel is a very highly rated accommodation that provides all the components necessary for a comfortable trip to Moscow. There is an on-site restaurant, bar, fitness center, and an airport shuttle service. The rooms are modern and spacious and are equipped with a TV, heating/air conditioning, minibar, and more!

Best Luxury Hotel in Moscow – Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre

moscow itinerary

If you’re touring Moscow in luxury, the Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre is the hotel for you! Elegantly furnished rooms are equipped with a minibar, flat-screen TV,  in-room safes, as well as tea and coffee making facilities! Bathrooms come with bathrobes, slippers, and free toiletries. There is also an onsite restaurant, bar, and fitness center.

Best Hostel in Moscow – Godzillas Hostel

moscow itinerary

Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station. Guests will enjoy all the usual hostel perks such as self-catering facilities, 24-hour reception, Free Wi-Fi, and security lockers. This is one of the best hostels in Moscow and its wonderful social atmosphere and will make your vacation in Moscow extra special!

Godzillas Hostel is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

An important aspect of planning any trip is figuring out the transportation situation. You’re probably wondering how you’re going to get to all of your Moscow points of interest right? Luckily, this sprawling city has an excellent network of public transportation that will make traveling a breeze!

The underground metro system is the quickest and most efficient way to travel around Moscow. Most visitors rely exclusively on this super-efficient transportation system, which allows you to get to pretty much anywhere in the city! It’s also a great option if you’re planning a Moscow itinerary during the colder months, as you’ll be sheltered from the snow and freezing temperatures!

moscow itinerary

If you prefer above-ground transportation, buses, trams, and trolleybuses, run throughout the city and provide a rather comfortable alternative to the metro.

Moscow’s metro, buses, trams, and trolleybuses are all accessible with a ‘Troika’ card. This card can be topped up with any sum of money at a metro cash desk. The ticket is simple, convenient, and even refundable upon return to a cashier!

No matter which method you choose, you’ll never find yourself without an easy means of getting from point A to point B!

Red Square | Moscow Kremlin | Lenin’s Mausoleum | St. Basil’s Cathedral  | GUM Department Store

Spend the first day of your itinerary taking your own self guided Moscow walking tour around the historic Red Square! This is Moscow’s compact city center and every stop on this list is within easy walking distance to the next! Get ready to see all of the top Moscow landmarks!

Day 1 / Stop 1 – The Red Square

  • Why it’s awesome: The Red Square is the most recognizable area in Moscow, it has mesmerizing architecture and centuries worth of history attached to its name.
  • Cost: Free to walk around, individual attractions in the square have separate fees. 
  • Food nearby: Check out Bar BQ Cafe for friendly service and good food in a great location! The atmosphere is upbeat and they’re open 24/7!

The Red Square is Moscow’s historic fortress and the center of the Russian government. The origins of the square date back to the late 15th century, when Ivan the Great decided to expand the Kremlin to reflect Moscow’s growing power and prestige!

During the 20th century, the square became famous as the site for demonstrations designed to showcase Soviet strength. Visiting the Red Square today, you’ll find it teeming with tourists, who come to witness its magical architecture up close!

The Red Square

The square is the picture postcard of Russian tourism, so make sure to bring your camera when you visit! No matter the season, or the time of day, it’s delightfully photogenic! 

It’s also home to some of Russia’s most distinguishing and important landmarks, which we’ve made sure to include further down in this itinerary. It’s an important center of Russia’s cultural life and one of the top places to visit in Moscow!

In 1990, UNESCO designated Russia’s Red Square as a World Heritage site. Visiting this historic site is a true bucket-list event and essential addition to your itinerary for Moscow!

Day 1 / Stop 2 – The Moscow Kremlin

  • Why it’s awesome: The Moscow Kremlin complex includes several palaces and cathedrals and is surrounded by the Kremlin wall. It also houses the principal museum of Russia (the Kremlin Armory).
  • Cost: USD $15.00
  • Food nearby: Bosco Cafe is a charming place to grat a casual bite to eat. They have excellent coffee and wonderful views of the Red Square and the Moscow Kremlin!

The iconic Moscow Kremlin , also known as the Kremlin museum complex, sits on Borovitsky Hill, rising above the Moscow River. It is a fortified complex in the center of the city, overlooking several iconic buildings in the Red Square!

It’s the best known of the Russian Kremlins – citadels or fortress’ protecting and dominating a city. During the early decades of the Soviet era, the Kremlin was a private enclave where the state’s governing elite lived and worked.

The Kremlin is outlined by an irregularly shaped triangular wall that encloses an area of 68 acres! The existing walls and towers were built from 1485 to 1495. Inside the Kremlin museum complex, there are five palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing Kremlin Wall with Kremlin towers.

The Armoury Chamber is a part of the Grand Kremlin Palace’s complex and is one of the oldest museums of Moscow, established in 1851. It showcases Russian history and displays many cherished relics. Definitely make sure to check out this museum while you’re here!

The Moscow Kremlin

The churches inside the Moscow Kremlin are the Cathedral of the Dormition, Church of the Archangel, Church of the Annunciation, and the bell tower of Ivan Veliki (a church tower).

The five-domed Cathedral of the Dormition is considered the most famous. It was built from 1475–1479 by an Italian architect and has served as a wedding and coronation place for great princes, tsars, and emperors of Russia. Church services are given in the Kremlin’s numerous cathedrals on a regular basis.

The Grand Kremlin Palace was the former Tsar’s Moscow residence and today it serves as the official workplace of the President of the Russian Federation (Vladimir Putin seems to have bagged that title for life) .

Insider Tip: The Kremlin is closed every Thursday! Make sure to plan this stop on your Moscow itinerary for any other day of the week!

Day 1 / Stop 3 – Lenin’s Mausoleum

  • Why it’s awesome: The mausoleum displays the preserved body of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin .
  • Cost: Free!
  • Food nearby: Khinkal’naya is a charming Georgian restaurant with vaulted ceilings and exposed brick. It’s a popular place with locals and right next to the Red Square!

Lenin’s Mausoleum, also known as Lenin’s Tomb, is the modernist mausoleum for the revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin. It’s located within the Red Square and serves as the resting place for the Soviet leader! His preserved body has been on public display since shortly after his death in 1924.

It’s located just a few steps away from the Kremlin Wall and is one of the most controversial yet popular Moscow attractions!

Admission is free for everyone, you’ll only need to pay if you need to check a bag. Before visitors are allowed to enter the mausoleum, they have to go through a metal detector first. No metal objects, liquids, or large bags are allowed in the mausoleum!

Lenins Mausoleum

Expect a line to enter the building, and while you’re inside the building, you’ll be constantly moving in line with other visitors. This means you won’t be able to spend as long as you’d like viewing the mausoleum, but you’ll still be able to get a good look. Pictures and filming while inside the building are strictly prohibited, and security guards will stop you if they see you breaking this rule.

The mausoleum is only open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday – unless it’s a public holiday or a day scheduled for maintenance. The hours it’s open for each day are limited, make sure to check online before you visit to make sure you can fit this into your Moscow itinerary for that day!

Insider Tip: The Lenin’s Museum is there for people to pay their respect; remember to keep silent and move along quickly, it’s not intended for people to congregate around. Also, men are not allowed to wear hats and everyone must take their hands out of their pockets when inside the building.

Day 1 / Stop 4 – St. Basil’s Cathedral

  • Why it’s awesome: A dazzling designed cathedral that showcases Russia’s unique architecture. This cathedral is one of the most recognizable symbols of the country!
  • Cost: USD $8.00
  • Food nearby: Moskovskiy Chaynyy Klub is a cozy cafe serving food items and pipping hot tea; it’s the perfect place to go if you’re visiting Moscow during the winter months!

Located in the Red Square, the ornate 16th-century St. Basil’s Cathedral is probably the building you picture when you think of Moscow’s unique architecture. Its colorful onion-shaped domes tower over the Moscow skyline!

The cathedral was built from 1555-1561 by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. It was designed with an iconic onion dome facade and enchanting colors that captivate all who see it. Fun fact: If you’re wondering why Russian churches have onion domes, they are popularly believed to symbolize burning candles!

This iconic cathedral has become a symbol of Russia due to its distinguishing architecture and prominent position inside the Red Square. It’s one of the most beautiful, wonderful, and mesmerizing historical cathedrals in the world!

St. Basils Cathedral

The interior of the church surprises most people when they visit. In contrast to the large exterior, the inside is not so much one large area, but rather a collection of smaller areas, with many corridors and small rooms. There are 9 small chapels and one mausoleum grouped around a central tower.

Visiting the inside is like walking through a maze, there are even small signs all around the cathedral tracing where to walk, and pointing you in the right direction! The walls are meticulously decorated and painted with intricate floral designs and religious themes.

The church rarely holds service and is instead a museum open for the public to visit.

Insider Tip: During the summer months the line to go inside the cathedral can get quite long! Make sure to arrive early or reserve your tickets online to guarantee quick access into the cathedral!

Day 1 / Stop 5 – GUM Department Store

  • Why it’s awesome: This is Russia’s most famous shopping mall! It’s designed with elegant and opulent architecture and provides a real sense of nostalgia!
  • Cost: Free to enter
  • Food nearby: Stolovaya 57 is a cafeteria-style restaurant with a variety of inexpensive Russian cuisine menu items including soups, salads, meat dishes, and desserts. It’s also located inside the GUM department store, making it very easily accessible when you’re shopping!

The enormous GUM Department Store is located within the historic Red Square. It has a whimsical enchantment to it that sets it apart from your typical department store.

A massive domed glass ceiling lines the top of the building and fills the interior with natural sunlight. There are live plants and flowers placed throughout the mall that give the shopping complex a lively and cheerful feel! A playful fountain sits in the center, further adding to the malls inviting a sense of wonder and amusement!

The GUM department store opened on December 2, 1893. Today, it includes local and luxury stores, including Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and many more! There are numerous cafes, restaurants, and even a movie theater inside!

GUM Department Store

For a special treat, head into Gastronom 1. This 1950s-style shop sells gourmet food items, like wine, freshly-baked pastries, cheese, Russian chocolate, and of course, vodka! Also, be on the lookout for a bicycle pedaling ice cream truck with an employing selling ice cream!

The ambiance is simply amazing, a trip to this idyllic shopping mall is an absolute must on any Moscow itinerary!

Insider Tip: Make sure to carry some small change on you in case you need to use the restroom, you’ll need to pay 50 rubles – or about USD $0.80 to use the bathroom in GUM.

big fun trip staycation

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Novodevichy Convent | Gorky Park | State Tretyakov Gallery | All-Russian Exhibition Center | Bolshoi Theater

On your 2 day itinerary in Moscow, you’ll have a chance to use the city’s excellent public transportation service! You’ll explore a few more of Moscow’s historic highlight as well as some modern attractions. These sites are a little more spread out, but still very easily accessible thanks to the metro!

Day 2 / Stop 1 – Novodevichy Convent

  • Why it’s awesome: The Novodevichy Convent is rich in imperial Russian history and contains some of Russia’s best examples of classical architecture!
  • Cost: USD $5.00
  • Food nearby: Culinary Shop Karavaevs Brothers is a cozy and simple place to have a quick bite, they also have vegetarian options!

The Novodevichy Convent is the best-known and most popular cloister of Moscow. The convent complex is contained within high walls, and there are many attractions this site is known for! 

The six-pillared five-domed Smolensk Cathedral is the main attraction. It was built to resemble the Kremlin’s Assumption Cathedral and its facade boasts beautiful snowy white walls and a pristine golden onion dome as its centerpiece. It’s the oldest structure in the convent, built from 1524 -1525, and is situated in the center of the complex between the two entrance gates.

There are other churches inside the convent as well, all dating back from many centuries past. The convent is filled with an abundance of 16th and 17th-century religious artworks, including numerous large and extravagant frescos!

Novodevichy Convent

Just outside the convent’s grounds lies the Novodevichy Cemetery. Here, you can visit the graves of famous Russians, including esteemed authors, composers, and politicians. Probably the most intriguing gravestone belongs to Russian politician Nikita Khruschev!

The Novodevichy Convent is located near the Moscow River and offers a peaceful retreat from the busy city. In 2004, it was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The convent remains remarkably well-preserved and is an outstanding example of Moscow Baroque architecture! 

Insider Tip: To enter the cathedrals inside the complex, women are advised to cover their heads and shoulders, while men should wear long pants.

Day 2 / Stop 2 – Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure

  • Why it’s awesome: A large amusement area in the heart of the city offering many attractions!
  • Cost: Free! 
  • Food nearby: Check out Mepkato, located inside Gorky Central Park for a casual meal in a cozy setting. There are indoor and outdoor seating options and the restaurant is child-friendly!

Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure is a large green space in the heart of Moscow. The park opened in 1928, and it stretches along the scenic embankment of the Moskva River. It covers an area of 300-acres and offers a lovely contrast from the compact city center.

You’ll find all sorts of wonderful attractions, from boat rides to bike rentals to tennis courts and ping-pong tables, and much more! there are an open-air cinema and festive events and concerts scheduled in the summer months.  A wide selection of free fitness classes is also offered on a regular basis, including jogging, roller skating, and dancing!

Although many of the options you’ll find here are more suited for outdoor leisure during the summer, you’ll also a selection of winter attractions, including one of Europe’s largest ice rinks for ice-skating!

Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure

If you’re trying to decide what to do in Moscow with kids, the park also offers several venues designed specifically for kids. Check out the year-round Green School which offers hands-on classes in gardening and art! You can also feed the squirrels and birds at the Golitsinsky Ponds!

The park is very well maintained and kept clean and the entrance is free of charge, although most individual attractions cost money. There is also Wi-Fi available throughout the park.

With so many attractions, you could easily spend all day here! If you’re only planning a 2 day itinerary in Moscow, make sure to plan your time accordingly and map out all the areas you want to see beforehand!

Day 2 / Stop 3 – The State Tretyakov Gallery

  • Why it’s awesome: The gallery’s collection consists entirely of Russian art made by Russian artists!
  • Food nearby : Brothers Tretyakovs is located right across the street from the gallery. It’s a wonderfully atmospheric restaurant serving top quality food and drinks!

The State Tretyakov Gallery was founded in 1856 by influential merchant and collector Pavel Tretyakov.  The gallery is a national treasury of Russian fine art and one of the most important museums in Russia!

It houses the world’s best collection of Russian art and contains more than 130, 000 paintings, sculptures, and graphics! These works have been created throughout the centuries by generations of Russia’s most talented artists!

The State Tretyakov Gallery

The exhibits range from mysterious 12th-century images to politically charged canvases. The collection is rich and revealing and offers great insight into the history and attitudes of this long-suffering yet inspired people!

All pictures are also labeled in English. If you plan to take your time and see everything inside the museum it will take a good 3-4 hours, so make sure to plan your Moscow trip itinerary accordingly! This gallery is a must-see stop for art lovers, or anyone wanting to explore the local culture and history of Russia in a creative and insightful manner! 

Insider Tip: When planning your 2 days in Moscow itinerary, keep in mind that most museums in Moscow are closed on Mondays, this includes The State Tretyakov Gallery!

Day 2 / Stop 4 – All-Russian Exhibition Center

  • Why it’s awesome: This large exhibition center showcases the achievements of the Soviet Union in several different spheres. 
  • Food nearby: Varenichnaya No. 1 serves authentic and homestyle Russian cuisine in an intimate and casual setting.

The All-Russian Exhibition Center is a massive park that presents the glory of the Soviet era! It pays homage to the achievements of Soviet Russia with its many different sites found on the property.

The center was officially opened in 1939 to exhibit the achievements of the Soviet Union. It’s a huge complex of buildings and the largest exhibition center in Moscow. There are several exhibition halls dedicated to different achievements and every year there are more than one hundred and fifty specialized exhibitions!

All Russian Exhibition Center

The Peoples Friendship Fountain was constructed in 1954 and is a highlight of the park. The stunning gold fountain features 16 gilded statues of girls, each representing the former Soviet Union republics. 

The Stone Flower Fountain was also built in 1954 and is worth checking out. The centerpiece of this large fountain is a flower carved from stones from the Ural Mountains! Along the side of the fountain are various bronze sculptures.

You will find many people zipping around on rollerblades and bicycles across the large area that the venue covers. It’s also home to amusement rides and carousels, making it the perfect place to stop with kids on your Moscow itinerary! Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and allow a few hours to explore all the areas that interest you!

Day 2 / Stop 5 – Bolshoi Theater

  • Why it’s awesome: The Bolshoi Theater is a historic venue that hosts world-class ballet and opera performances!
  • Cost: Prices vary largely between USD $2.00 –  USD $228.00 based on seat location.
  • Food nearby: Head to the Russian restaurant, Bolshoi for high-quality food and drinks and excellent service!

The Bolshoi Theater is among the oldest and most renowned ballet and opera companies in the world! It also boasts the world’s biggest ballet company, with more than 200 dancers!

The theater has been rebuilt and renovated several times during its long history. In 2011 it finished its most recent renovation after an extensive six-year restoration that started in 2005. The renovation included an improvement in acoustics and the restoration of the original Imperial decor.

The Bolshoi Theater has put on many of the world’s most famous ballet acts! Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake premiered at the theater in 1877 and other notable performances of the Bolshoi repertoire include Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker!

Bolshoi Theater

Today, when you visit the theater, you can expect a magical performance from skilled singers, dancers, and musicians with the highest level of technique!

If you don’t have time to see a show, the theater also provides guided tours on select days of the week. Tours are given in both Russian and English and will provide visitors with a more intimate look at the different areas of the theater!

The stage of this iconic Russian theater has seen many outstanding performances. If you’re a fan of the performing arts, the Bolshoi Theater is one of the greatest and oldest ballet and opera companies in the world, making it a must-see attraction on your Moscow itinerary!

moscow itinerary

Godzillas Hostel

Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station.

  • Towels Included

Cosmonautics Museum | Alexander Garden | Ostankino Tower | Izmaylovo District | Soviet Arcade Museum

Now that we’ve covered what to do in Moscow in 2 days, if you’re able to spend more time in the city you’re going to need more attractions to fill your time. Here are a few more really cool things to do in Moscow we recommend!

Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics

  • Hear the timeline of the ‘space race’ from the Russian perspective
  • This museum is fun for both adults and children!
  • Admission is USD $4.00

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a museum dedicated to space exploration! The museum explores the history of flight, astronomy, space exploration, space technology, and space in the arts. It houses a large assortment of Soviet and Russian space-related exhibits, and the museum’s collection holds approximately 85,000 different items!

Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics

The museum does an excellent job of telling the full story of the exciting space race between the USSR and the US! It highlights the brightest moments in Russian history and humanity and is very interesting and fun for all ages!

If you’re a fan of space or just curious about gaining insight into Russia’s fascinating history of space exploration, make sure to add this to your 3 day itinerary in Moscow!

The Alexander Garden

  • A tranquil place to relax near the Red Square
  • Green lawns dotted with sculptures and lovely water features
  • The park is open every day and has no entrance fee

The Alexander Garden was one of the first urban public parks in Moscow! The garden premiered in 1821 and was built to celebrate Russia’s victory over Napoleon’s forces in 1812!

The park is beautiful and well maintained with paths to walk on and benches to rest on. The park contains three separate gardens: the upper garden, middle garden, and lower garden.

The Alexander Garden

Located in the upper garden, towards the main entrance to the park is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its eternal flame. This monument was created in 1967 and contains the body of a soldier who fell during the Great Patriotic War!

The park stretches along all the length of the western Kremlin wall for about half a mile. Due to its central location in the city, it’ll be easily accessible when you’re out exploring The Red Square.

It provides a bit of relief from the city’s high-energy city streets. Bring a picnic lunch, go for a walk, or just sit and people watch, this is one of the best Moscow sites to wind-down and relax!

Ostankino Television Tower

  • Television and radio tower in Moscow
  • Currently the tallest free-standing structure in Europe
  • Make sure you bring your passport when you visit, you can’t go up without it!

For spectacular views of the city, make sure to add the Ostankino Television Tower to your itinerary for Moscow! This impressive free-standing structure provides stunning views of the city in every direction. The glass floor at the top also provides great alternative views of the city!

Ostankino Television Tower

It takes just 58 seconds for visitors to reach the Tower’s observation deck by super fast elevator. The tower is open every day for long hours and is a great site in Moscow to check out! There is even a restaurant at the top where you can enjoy rotating views of the city while you dine on traditional Russian cuisine or European cuisine!

The tower is somewhat of an architectural surprise in a city that is not known for skyscrapers! To see the city from a new perspective, make sure to add this stop to your Moscow itinerary!

Izmaylovo District

  • The most popular attractions in this district are the kremlin and the flea market
  • Outside of the city center and easy to reach via metro
  • Most popular during the summer and on weekends

Travel outside the city center and discover a unique area of the city! The Izmaylovo District is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, and one of the coolest places to see in Moscow! The two main attractions we recommend checking out are the Kremlin and the flea market.

The Izmailovo Kremlin was established as a cultural center and molded after traditional Russian architecture. This colorful complex is home to several single-subject museums, including a Russian folk art museum and a vodka museum!

Izmaylovo District

Next to the Kremlin is the Izmailovo open-air market, which dates back to the 17th century! The market is connected to the Izmailovo Kremlin by a wooden bridge. Pick up all your Russian souvenirs here, including traditional handicrafts, paintings, books, retro toys, and Soviet memorabilia!

You will find many hand-made and hand-painted options available at higher prices, as well as mass-produced souvenir options at lower prices!

Museum of Soviet Arcade Games

  • Closed on Mondays
  • Filled with old arcade games that visitors get to try out!
  • The museum also includes a small cafe and burger shop

For something a little different, check out the Museum of Soviet Arcade Games! The museum features roughly 60 machines from the Soviet era, including video games, pinball machines, and collaborative hockey foosball! The machines inside the museum were produced in the USSR in the mid-1970s.

Museum of Soviet Arcade Games

The best part is, most of the games are still playable! Purchase tickets and try the games out for yourself! The museum also has a neat little screening room that plays old Soviet cartoons and an area with Soviet magazines! This unique attraction is a fun addition to a 3 day itinerary in Moscow, and an attraction that all ages will enjoy! 

Whether you’re spending one day in Moscow, or more, safety is an important thing to keep in mind when traveling to a big city! Overall, Moscow is a very safe place to visit. However, it is always recommended that tourists take certain precautions when traveling to a new destination!

The police in Moscow is extremely effective at making the city a safe place to visit and do their best to patrol all of the top Moscow, Russia tourist attractions. However, tourists can still be a target for pickpockets and scammers.

Moscow has a huge flow of tourists, therefore there is a risk for pickpocketing. Simple precautions will help eliminate your chances of being robbed. Stay vigilant, keep your items close to you at all times, and don’t flash your valuables!

If you’re planning a solo Moscow itinerary, you should have no need to worry, as the city is also considered safe for solo travelers, even women. Stay in the populated areas, try and not travel alone late at night, and never accept rides from strangers or taxis without a meter and correct signage.

The threat of natural disasters in Moscow is low, with the exception of severe winters when the temperature can dip below freezing! Bring a good, warm jacket if you visit in Winter.

However, please note that Russian views on homsexuality are far less accepting than those in Western Europe. Likewise, Non-Caucasian travellers may sadly encounter racism in Russia .

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for Moscow

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

big fun trip staycation

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Now that we’ve covered all the top things to see in Moscow, we thought we’d include some exciting day trips to other areas of the country!

Sergiev Posad (Golden Ring)

Sergiev Posad Golden Ring

On this 7-hour guided tour, you’ll visit several scenic and historic areas of Russia. Start your day with hotel pick-up as you’re transferred by a comfortable car or minivan to Sergiev Posad. Admire the charming Russian countryside on your drive and enjoy a quick stop to visit the Russian village, Rudonezh!

You’ll see the majestic Saint Spring and the Church of Sergiev Radonezh. You’ll also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, one of the most famous Orthodox sites in Russia!

Lastly, you’ll swing by the local Matreshka market and enjoy a break in a nice Russian restaurant before returning to Moscow!

Day Trip to Vladimir and Suzdal

Day Trip to Vladimir and Suzdal

On this 13-hour trip, you’ll discover old Russia, with its picturesque landscapes and white-stoned beautiful churches! You’ll visit the main towns of the famous Golden Ring of Russia – the name for several cities and smaller towns north-east of Moscow.

Your first stop will be in the town of Vladimir, the ancient capital of all Russian principalities. The city dates back to the 11th century and is one of the oldest and the most important towns along the Ring! Next, you’ll visit Suzdal, a calm ancient Russian town north of Vladimir with only 13,000 inhabitants!

The old-style architecture and buildings of Suzdal are kept wonderfully intact. If you’re spending three days in Moscow, or more, this is a great option for exploring the charming areas outside the city!

Zvenigorod Day Trip and Russian Countryside

Zvenigorod Day Trip and Russian Countryside

On this 9-hour private tour, you’ll explore the ancient town of Zvenigorod, one of the oldest towns in the Moscow region! As you leave Moscow you’ll enjoy the stunning scenery along the Moscow River, and make a few stops at old churches along the way to Zvenigorod.

Upon arrival, you’ll explore the medieval center, including the 14th-century Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery. Next, you’ll take a break for lunch (own expense) where you’ll have the chance to try out the Russian cuisine! Next, you’ll visit the Museum of Russian Dessert and sip on tea at a Russian tea ceremony.

The final stop of the day is at the Ershovo Estate, a gorgeous place to walk around and enjoy nature!

Day Trip to St Petersburg by Train visiting Hermitage & Faberge

Day Trip to St Petersburg by Train visiting Hermitage and Faberge

On this full-day tour, you’ll enjoy a a full round trip to St Petersburg where you’ll spend an exciting day exploring another popular Russian city! You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Moscow and be transferred to the train station where you’ll ride the high-speed train ‘Sapsan’ to St Petersburg.

Upon arrival, you’ll start the day by touring the Hermitage Museum and the Winter Palace. Next, you’ll visit the Faberge Museum, where you’ll explore the impressive collection of rare Faberge Eggs! In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing boat ride and a traditional 3-course Russian lunch.

If you’re spending 3 days in Moscow, or more, this is an excellent trip to take!

Trip to Kolomna – Authentic Cultural Experience from Moscow

Trip to Kolomna - Authentic Cultural Experience from Moscow

On this 10-hour tour, you’ll escape the city and travel to the historic town of Kolomna! First, you’ll visit the 14th-century Kolomna Kremlin, home to the Assumption Cathedral and an abundance of museums!

Next, enjoy lunch at a local cafe (own expense) before embarking on a tour of the Marshmallow Museum – of course, a marshmallow tasting is provided!  Your final stop is the Museum of Forging Settlements, where displays include armor and accessories for fishing and hunting.

Discover this beautiful Russian fairytale city on a private trip, where all of the planning is taken care of for you!

Active Roots Security Belt

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

Find out what people want to know when planning their Moscow itinerary.

How many days you need in Moscow?

We recommend that you spend at least two or three days in Moscow to take it all in.

What’s the best month to visit Moscow?

The best time to visit Moscow is over the spring, from March to May as temperatures are mild, crowds are thin and prices are reasonable.

What are some unusual things to do in Moscow?

I mean, queuing up to see an almost 100 year old corpse is pretty unsual! Check out Lenin’s Mausoleum if you fancy it!

What are some fun things to do in Moscow?

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a fun place to explore the famous space race from the perspective of the ‘other side’!

We hope you enjoyed our Moscow itinerary! We’ve made sure to cover all the Moscow must-sees as well as some unique attractions in the city! Our addition of insider tips, favorite food stops, and day trips from Moscow is an added bonus and will guarantee you make the most out of your exciting Russian vacation!

Immerse yourself in the modern and traditional Russian lifestyle! Get lost in museums, witness awe-inspiring architecture, and indulge in Russian cuisine! Spend the day strolling through all of the charming sites of Moscow, admiring the beautiful scenery and discovering the city’s fairytale-like enchantment!

big fun trip staycation

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Alya and Campbell

Alya and Campbell

Moscow Itinerary Pinterest Image

Share or save this post

promotional sidebar image for booking.com

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail.

  • Skip to main content
  • Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Life Kit

  • LISTEN & FOLLOW
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Google Podcasts
  • Amazon Music

Your support helps make our show possible and unlocks access to our sponsor-free feed.

I flew to Japan with my baby. Here's the travel advice that helped me survive the trip

Emily Siner

big fun trip staycation

Journalist Emily Siner went on a trip to Japan with her 8-month-old son and knew it would be daunting. What should she pack? What should she expect? Photo Illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR hide caption

Journalist Emily Siner went on a trip to Japan with her 8-month-old son and knew it would be daunting. What should she pack? What should she expect?

Last winter, my husband and I made the ambitious decision to fly 13 hours with our 8 month old for a two-week vacation around Japan.

We knew flying with a baby would be daunting. What if he has a meltdown on the airplane? What gear do we bring? How will he adjust to the 15-hour time change? And ... will we actually get to enjoy ourselves?

big fun trip staycation

Siner's husband and their 8-month-old son on the 13-hour flight to Tokyo. Siner says their baby loved watching other passengers on the plane. Emily Siner hide caption

Siner's husband and their 8-month-old son on the 13-hour flight to Tokyo. Siner says their baby loved watching other passengers on the plane.

Preethi Harbuck, author of the travel blog Local Passport Family and a mom of six agrees that taking a big trip with young children — that is, babies and toddlers under age 2 — isn't easy. But with the right preparation and mindset, it can also be fun for everyone. You may even be able to "connect with people and places in a new way that [you] wouldn't have been able to experience without kids," she says.

To help set parents up for success, Harbuck and Christine Sarkis, editor-in-chief of the travel website Family Vacationist , share tips on what to pack, how to overcome travel challenges and set realistic expectations.

Take a practice trip

big fun trip staycation

Before you pack your passports for a big international trip, try a shorter trip that's closer to home so you can work out the kinks of traveling with a young child. Photo Illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR hide caption

Before you pack your passports for a big international trip, try a shorter trip that's closer to home so you can work out the kinks of traveling with a young child.

The first step to preparing for a big trip is to take a smaller one, like an overnight trip somewhere close by. It can give you a sense of what it's like to travel with your little one and grow your confidence, says Harbuck. "Find what feels comfortable and keep practicing. It will become easier."

Luckily, my husband and I had a chance to take some shorter trips with our baby before going to Japan. When our baby was three months old, we stayed overnight at a cabin about a half hour away by car. A month later, we took an 8-hour road trip to Chicago to see family.

How to take better (and more distinctive) photos on vacation

How to take better (and more distinctive) photos on vacation

From these outings. I learned how important it was to pack a sound machine, which helps my baby fall asleep, and a portable diaper changing pad. I also learned that I didn't need to bring too many toys. My kid loved watching other people talk, walk and interact with each other.

So when we went to Japan, I put those lessons to use. I packed the essentials, left half the toys behind and made sure to sit in an aisle seat on the plane so that my baby, who sat on my lap, could get a good view of the passengers and stay entertained.

Make plans your future self will thank you for

When traveling with a baby or a toddler, everything becomes a little more complicated. There's a lot more to pack (more on that later) and a lot more considerations to make (like naps and kid-friendly meals, perhaps). So the key is to prioritize decisions that will simplify travel, says Sarkis. "Anything you can do to smooth your way [will make you] so happy with yourself."

Here are some planning decisions that our experts recommend.

Put your kid in their own plane seat. Many airlines allow kids under 2 to fly in your lap for a very low rate, sometimes even for free. While that can make travel more budget friendly, Harbuck says it's worth buying your child their own seat. Placing them in a car seat is the safest place for them to sit on an airplane, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Plus, having your own seats can make long flights more comfortable for the both of you.

Consider their developmental stage. Keep in mind that your child's needs will change as they age. For example, if your kid is walking, it may be harder to "keep them busy and happy" on the airplane, says Sarkis. So you might enjoy your trip more if you choose a destination that's closer to home. Anticipate what stage they'll be in at the time of travel and plan accordingly.

Add more adults to the trip. My husband and I traveled with friends for part of our trip around Japan. They helped us carry luggage and held our baby while we ate. "If you have someone to trade off with, that's really helpful," says Sarkis.

7 tips to help you keep the peace when traveling with a group

7 tips to help you keep the peace when traveling with a group

Book a vacation rental. If you are traveling with a little one who still naps in the middle of the day or has an early bedtime, you may not want to book a single hotel room. Sarkis says she made that mistake on a trip once and had to bring pillows into the bathtub just to have a place to read after her kids went to bed. "Whereas in a vacation rental I could have sat on a couch."

Plan solo time. Carve out time for you and your travel partners to do things without the baby. On our trip to Japan, my husband and I decided we'd give each other as much time as we wanted in the guesthouse onsen , the heated communal bath, while the other watched our sleeping baby. Another night, we hired a babysitter so we could go out together and sing karaoke.

Pack well ... and lightly

It’s hard to travel light with a baby. So opt for the travel versions of strollers, cribs and car seats — they are often smaller and weigh less than the usual gear.

Credit: Becky Harlan/NPR

Portable cribs, high chairs, playpens and sleep canopies? There's no shortage of recommendations when it comes to choosing travel gear for your little one. But the No. 1 takeaway is to make sure "everything you're carrying is worth the stress of carrying it," says Sarkis.

Planning a trip? Here's how to pack like a pro

Planning a trip? Here's how to pack like a pro

Focus on the basic gear. At the minimum, your child will likely need a stroller or baby carrier to get around, a car seat for car trips and a safe place to sleep, like a portable crib. See if you can get travel versions of that gear, which are often lighter, smaller and easier to carry. Many airlines will let you check a stroller and a car seat for free, either before you go through security or at the gate. (If you do this, get some sort of carrying case to protect them.)

Cut down the big stuff ... There may be opportunities to leave some of that gear behind, says Sarkis. Check whether you can rent a stroller at your destination. Your accommodation may offer baby cribs. And some ridesharing apps may have vehicles outfitted with infant car seats.

... and the little stuff. "Kids live all around the world so you can access most of what you really, truly need" at your destination, says Harbuck. If your luggage is getting too full, consider buying diapers, wipes, formula or baby food when you land. In Japan, we did laundry halfway through our trip to minimize the clothing we had to pack.

Set your expectations

big fun trip staycation

Traveling with young children alters the nature of the experience. It's important to set realistic expectations for your trip. Photo Illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR hide caption

Traveling with young children alters the nature of the experience. It's important to set realistic expectations for your trip.

I'll be honest: There were a lot of moments on our trip when I felt overwhelmed and a bit disappointed. Like when my jet-lagged baby woke up crying at 1 a.m., 3 a.m. and somehow again at 3:30 a.m. — for two nights in a row.

Both Harbuck and Sarkis acknowledge that post-kid travel is harder in many ways. But there are a few things you can do to set yourself up for success.

Redirect your attention to the positive aspects of your journey. "If you're focused only on the challenges, you're going to miss the joys," says Sarkis. For me, it was delightful to witness my baby do new things in Japan. He ate new foods like udon, miso soup and smoked fish. He was mesmerized by the Ryoanji Temple's rock garden in Kyoto and even more mesmerized by the steady stream of tourists' faces to observe.

A flight expert's hot take on holiday travel: 'Don't do it'

A flight expert's hot take on holiday travel: 'Don't do it'

See drawbacks as opportunities. If you have to go back to your hotel twice a day to let your child nap, see it as a moment to read, journal or "recharge for the next thing you do," says Sarkis.

Look out for special ways your child is helping you connect with the world. On flights, our neighbors told us about their own children or nieces and nephews. In restaurants, servers would come over to coo at him and make conversation with us in the process, despite the language barrier.

And finally, give yourself some kudos. For us parents, traveling was a big priority for us before he was born, and the experience made us proud to realize that yes — even with a small child, we can still see the world.

The audio portion of this episode was produced by Andee Tagle. The digital story was edited by Malaka Gharib. The visual editor is Beck Harlan. We'd love to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823, or email us at [email protected].

Listen to Life Kit on Apple Podcasts and Spotify , and sign up for our newsletter .

  • Life Kit: Parenting

72 Fun & Unusual Things to Do in Moscow

fun things to do in Moscow

Sure, Moscow is the Russian political capital and the nation’s most populous city, but describing it as such couldn’t be any further from the truth. More accurately, Moscow is a city of contrasts.

It exudes history — its Kremlin dates back centuries, nodding to royalty and leadership old and now, while the famed Red Square, the poster child of the city, blends striking color with ancient tradition and religion.

On the other hand, it’s a city of modern pop culture and towering skyscrapers; a place where you’ll come across new-age museums, arts centers, manmade parks, and an efficient transportation system that’s one of the most beautiful in Europe.

It’s a city of longstanding culture — the Bolshoi Theater is an international symbol for excellence in classical dance, while Russia’s National Ballet Company remains renowned worldwide — as well as upbeat nightlife, with some of the world’s most celebrated rooftop bars and nightclubs.

While it’s a city filled with opposites, there remains no shortage of things to do in Moscow for all types of travelers — from those who want cultural immersion to those looking for an epic night out, you’ll be spoiled for choice. And if you’re not sure where to start, here’s a list of suggestions!

The Moscow Kremlin

If there’s any particular district begging to be the first place you visit on your trip, it’s the Kremlin.

Built in the 16th century by Ivan the Terrible, the UNESCO-listed area has since become the heart of Russia’s capital city, where you’ll find several churches, palaces, and other noteworthy buildings.

We’ll dive into each of its main attractions in a second, but regardless of what you visit, try to make it to the Kremlin in time for sunset — because seeing its golden domes glinting in the late-afternoon light makes for one spectacular tourist photo!

Click here to learn about Kremlin tickets prices .

1 – Admire the abundance of Kremlin towers | the Kremlin

Kremlin towers, Moscow

As your eyes dart down the towering red-brick Kremlin wall, the first thing you’ll notice is its large towers of all different styles and sizes.

With a whopping 20 separate minarets towering above the historic area, each with its own name, colors, features and history, a guided tour to learn each of their fascinating stories is a must.

To give you a little taste, the Konstantin-Yeleninskaya Tower once housed a torture chamber. Saviour’s Tower at the main entrance boasts a famous chiming clock, the Secret Tower houses a secret escape tunnel, and the Trinity Tower is the tallest of them all.

  • Moscow Kremlin tours

2 – Visit the enormous Grand Kremlin Palace | the Kremlin

Grand Kremlin Palace, Moscow

A remarkable attraction in terms of both beauty and history, the Grand Kremlin Palace is an ornate rococo-style building that was commissioned during the reign of Nicholas I, and today acts as the official residence of none other than the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.

Perched atop Borovitsky Hill, its 125-meter-long facade is unmissable, making for impressive photos.

Take note: guided tours are few and far between, so you’ll have to book a few weeks in advance if you want to check out the decorated inner sanctum.

Directions in Google Maps

3 – People-watch in Cathedral Square | the Kremlin

Cathedral Square, Moscow

One of the most popular areas in all of Moscow (sometimes called Sobornaya Square), with multiple massive churches at its heart, Cathedral Square is flanked by several historic buildings and is never shy of a tourist crowd.

The three main churches — each spectacular works of architecture in their own right — are the Cathedral of the Assumption (the oldest and the biggest of all Kremlin churches), the 16th-century Cathedral of the Archangel Michael (known for its beautiful Corinthian gables and turrets), and the golden-domed Cathedral of the Annunciation (which connects to the Grand Kremlin Palace’s main building).

Throw in the 60-meter-high Ivan the Great Bell Tower, the lesser-known Church of the Twelve Apostles , the Church of the Deposition of the Virgin’s Robe (underrated yet famous for its marvelous stained-glass windows), and the medieval residence-turned-museum that is The Patriarch’s Palace, and you can see why this square is regularly number one on any visitor’s list of things to do in Moscow.

4 – See a show at the State Kremlin Palace | the Kremlin

State Kremlin Palace, Moscow

Just like the Grand Kremlin Palace , this theater and prestigious concert hall — with its grandiose facade and multiple sculptures — is another ornate building that’s worth admiring.

A popular place to hold conferences, the State Kremlin Palace was originally built as part of a larger complex for Communist Party meetings, but today hosts some of the biggest events in Moscow — we’re talkin’ sold-old ballet performances, world-famous concerts, opera shows, and festivals.

Check the website to see what’s on the calendar for your visit!

5 – See centuries worth of national treasures at the Armoury Chamber | the Kremlin

Armoury Chamber, Moscow

For anyone with an interest in historical weaponry and armor, this museum — which dates back to the early 1500s when it was created as the royal armory — is a must-see.

The Armoury Chamber (as well as the Diamond Fund Exhibition) is home to some of the most valuable objects that were originally owned by Russian monarchs — from jeweled heirlooms and intricate boxes to ornately decorated pistols and swords — many of which are centuries old.

Within the armoury chamber, you’ll also find the Russian historical regalia, a collection of artifacts that belonged to Russian tsars and emperors between the 13th and 20th centuries, highlighted by the Ivory Throne and the Monomakh’s Cap.

  • Armoury Chamber tours

6 – Step inside the Palace of the Facets | the Kremlin

Palace of the Facets, Moscow

The Palace of the Facets is one of the most underrated buildings in all of Moscow, largely because it’s not as widely promoted or photographed even though its exterior adorns some postcards.

From the outside, it blends in with the crowd. But step inside and you’ll discover a world of beauty and wonder — its frescoes, golden columns and enormous rooms are a sight to behold

The Palace of the Facets is not only a piece of art (literally, with painted walls), dating back over 500 years, but also acted as the dining hall for the Tsars.

7 – Feel small next to the Tsar Bell | the Kremlin

Tsar Bell, Moscow

Making Philadelphia’s famous Liberty Bell look diminutive in size, this monument , which never actually functioned as a bell due to its immense size (at 205 tons and standing 20.1 feet high!), has found fame in recent years for being the heaviest attraction inside The Kremlin.

With the bronze landmark’s claim to fame of being the biggest bell in the world, it presents as a great, quick photo op when roaming through the Kremlin.

8 – Check out the Senate Palace | the Kremlin

Senate Palace, Moscow

Another architectural masterpiece that’s tucked away within the Kremlin, this palace is famous for being one of Moscow’s most beautiful buildings — its yellow façade curves around to face inward and truly engulf anyone who stands near it.

Built back in the late 1700s, today it houses the Russian presidential administration and, unfortunately for us, is off limits to the general public.

Still, admiring it from outside, with the nearby Tsar Cannon, is certainly good enough.

9 – Grab a photo in front of the Tsar Cannon | the Kremlin

Tsar Cannon, Moscow

One of Moscow’s most iconic symbols, Tsar Cannon (or Royal Cannon) is a cannon that was manufactured in 1586 and resides — yep, you guessed it — within The Kremlin.

Following the theme of the enormous Tsar Bell, it weighs a whopping 39 tons — making it one of the world’s largest cannons even though it has never been shot.

And while its size may be impressive on its own, what makes this cannon so special is that it’s adorned with intricate carvings, ornaments, inscriptions, and a figure of a horse-riding Tsar Feodor the Bellringer.

  • walking tours in Moscow

10 – Join a tour of the Terem Palace | the Kremlin

Terem Palace, Moscow

A stunning, fairytale-like palace that’s steeped in history and detail, the five-story Terem Palace is one of the most underrated attractions within The Kremlin. However, as part of the official residence of the Russian President, much of it is off-limits to snap-happy tourists.

That said, there’s still plenty to be seen in the accessible areas by joining a group tour: a beautiful white-stone carved staircase; curved, decorated, and painted ceilings; and an enchanting low-vaulted Antechamber with lancet windows.

The Red Square

As we move away from the Kremlin, our next stop is the most photographed, picturesque public area in the country.

Flanked by gorgeous, colorful towers and buildings, the Red Square is the most famous square in all of Russia — and one that’s steeped in history, patriotism, and communist symbolism.

Home to some of Moscow’s greatest landmarks including St Basil’s Cathedral (featuring its iconic onion domes), Lenin Mausoleum, GUM department store (an architectural masterpiece that is the most famous shopping mall in Russia), The State History Museum, and more, it’s not just a sight to see in Moscow but also one that has been seen by hundreds of millions from around the world.

11 – Make your way inside St. Basil’s Cathedral | Red Square

St. Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow

Built back in the early 1500s, this quirky-looking, 65-meter-tall Orthodox church is so unique and detailed that it’s earned its place as one of 16 UNESCO cultural sites in Russia — and, thanks to many Hollywood productions like Bond: Skyfall (2012), has only continued to increase in fame.

Its exterior boasts multi-colored domes crowned with golden onion top spires. Meanwhile, inside, you’ll find nine small, separate chapels, and plenty of decorated walls and windows — all best viewed as part of a walking tour of Red Square.

  • Red Square tours in Moscow

12 – Visit the State Historical Museum | Red Square

State Historical Museum, Moscow

One of seven museums that can be found around the expansive Red Square, the State Historical Museum is one of Moscow’s most revered.

Housed in a neoclassical building (the same as GUM), it features more than 4 million items relating to Russian history — making it so vast and incredible that you’ll need at least two hours inside to see just a fraction.

While you’re in the area, be sure to check out the Marshal Georgy Zhukov Monument, a towering horse-riding statue of arguably the most famous and heroic Soviet military commander of WWII, which can be found in front of the museum.

13 – Shop till you drop at GUM | Red Square

GUM department store, Moscow

The official state department store of Russia, having opened in 1893 and become one of Moscow’s most iconic attractions for shopaholics over the years, is known for its gorgeous architecture that looks more like a palace than anything else.

Entering through its massive golden doors, you’ll be surprised to find an extensive shopping center with more than 100 luxury and world-renowned brands of clothing and accessories for men, women, and youngsters.

Even if you don’t plan on buying anything, stop into the Gastronom №1 for a bite to eat or take a stroll through its corridors to appreciate the building’s history and beauty.

14 – Visit Lenin’s Mausoleum | Red Square

Lenin's Mausoleum, Moscow

Another iconic Red Square attraction is Lenin’s Mausoleum, a small yet foreboding building that houses the embalmed corpse of Communist leader Vladimir Lenin (who led Russia through the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917).

Opened in 1930 after his death and standing at more than 12 meters tall, it presents as both a unique and macabre site — and, considering the life-like nature of the body, certainly isn’t for the faint of heart.

Note: Entrance is free of charge, but expect to be searched by security before being allowed in.

15 – Ride the Moscow Metro, enjoying the beautiful stations along the way

Moscow Metro, Russia

As we leave the Red Square, the next cab off the rank is Moscow’s unbelievable artistic Metro network (rivaled only in beauty by that of Stockholm). Constructed between the 1930s and 1950s, its stations were built by hand with a wide range of artistic themes — from socialist realist to Slavic pagan.

Tips: The best way to experience them is as part of a Moscow Metro tour, which can be booked online. However, if you prefer exploring solo, then make sure to visit the Mayakovskaya Metro Station which is known for its seemingly endless archways.

You may also check out Dostoyevskaya, named after a famous writer with murals depicting his stories. The Ploshchad Revolutsii Metro Station is another option where a handful of Socialist statues provide a wonderful contrast to the red marble arches.

  • metro tours in Moscow

16 – Spend the afternoon exploring the State Tretyakov Gallery

State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow

Boasting the reputation of being one of the world’s leading art museums, the State Tretyakov Gallery is home to a stunning collection that features well over 100,000 works from Russia and around the globe.

Featuring everything from ancient Russian icons to Soviet-era artifacts and contemporary pieces, the museum also houses a charming green garden perfect for recharging.

Visitors are advised to allocate at least three hours inside to properly appreciate everything on show — or consider booking a private VIP tour to skip the lines and focus on the best sections.

  • Tretyakov Gallery tickets

Click here to find out the best Moscow tours .

17 – Get out of town to the Tsaritsyno Museum & Nature Reserve

Tsaritsyno Museum & Nature Reserve, Moscow

Located a short drive from the hustle and bustle of the Red Square, this incredible attraction is both a palatial museum and cultural center, with an enchanting open-air garden to boot — spread across 405 hectares altogether.

Boasting beautiful 18th-century baroque architecture, it was originally built as a country retreat for Catherine the Great. However, it has since been transformed into an outdoor museum with several museums inside — including exhibits dedicated to Russian history and culture.

18 – Tick off the main haunts with a hop-on hop-off bus ride

bus tours in Moscow

Short on time or just can’t be bothered walking around anymore? Then make sure to check out the double-decker Hop-on-Hop-off Bus, a convenient and cheap way of seeing all the main attractions in one go.

With unlimited-ride tickets lasting between 24 and 72 hours, there’s plenty of flexibility to soak in must-see areas like Red Square, the Kremlin, Arbatskaya Square, Theatre Square, and the Red October neighborhood — and with a free audio tour (in English) throughout the ride, you’re sure to learn a thing or two as well.

Busses usually run every 15 minutes, with the full city loop taking roughly an hour — of course, you can disembark and reboard to your heart’s content.

  • bus tours in Moscow

19 – Learn about military history on Poklonnaya Hill

Poklonnaya Hill, Moscow

For an up-close and personal experience with the past, make sure to check out Poklonnaya Hill — a UNESCO World Heritage Site about 20 minutes out from the city center that’s home to several relics from Russia’s pre-revolutionary era.

It has everything from Great Patriotic War memorials dedicated to fallen soldiers of the Russian military forces, to the Eternal Flame and the Museum of Great Patriotic War. This is an unmissable opportunity for history buffs.

Hot tip: While you’re in the area, be sure to stop into the Victory Museum (the nation’s biggest military history museum) and check out the gold-tipped Church of St. George the Victorious .

20 – Get artsy at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts

Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow

Home to one of the finest and most significant art collections in Russia, the highly-regarded Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts showcases everything from medieval icons and paintings. With over 500,000 pieces of works by renowned artists like Rembrandt, Renoir, Picasso, Matisse, Karl Bryullov and Rubens, the museum is undeniably one of the best things to do in Moscow for art lovers.

The museum also houses impressive exhibits dedicated to ancient Greece, archaeological collections, decorative arts and a 200,000-item Numismatic library.

21 – Take a charming stroll down Arbat Street

Arbat Street, Moscow

Boasting everything from galleries and craft stores to souvenir shops, cafes, and some of Russia’s finest restaurants and hotels — as well as top-notch street performers (like jugglers and caricaturists) — Arbat Street is one of Moscow’s most famous pedestrian hubs for good reason.

The entire walkway, flanked by colorful buildings, stretches about a kilometer through the historic district, making it the perfect start to any day of inner-city exploring.

22 – Lounge around at the Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure

Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure, Moscow

One of Moscow’s biggest and most beloved green spaces, Gorky Central Park is a must-visit for anyone looking to soak in some fresh air.

The park boasts 45 hectares of picturesque grassland, forests, Golitsinsky Ponds (home to squirrels and ducks), walking trails, fountains and the Neskuchny Garden. This place is also home to the wooden Olivkovy beach, a hot spot for photographers looking to appreciate the Moskva river.

Plenty of cafes line the well-manicured park, likewise public art projects and picnic spots and an open-air cinema in the summertime!

While a relaxing day in the gardens is never a bad idea, if you’re looking for something a little more interactive, there’s the 18-meter-tall Observation Platform and a handful of museums on site. The Gorky Park Museum , Muzeon Park of Arts , Garage Museum of Contemporary Art and New Tretyakov Gallery are all noteworthy stops within walking distance.

23 – Stare at the ceiling of the Christ the Savior Cathedral

Christ the Savior Cathedral, Moscow

On an easy stroll from the southwest side of the Kremlin, you’ll find a majestic memorial cathedral doused in history: the 5-golden-domed Christ the Savior Cathedral .

With a beautiful color-contrasting exterior that still falls short of the intricately painted inner walls and ceiling, this underrated (due to not being in Red Square with the other main cathedrals) attraction is a must for the bucket list.

24 – Zoom around town in a Soviet van

Soviet van tours in Moscow

If a hop-on-hop-off bus screams of cliche tourism, why not get a little more cultured by skirting around the city’s main haunts in a real, war-era soviet van?

Undeniably one of Russia’s most emblematic vehicles as both a symbol of a Soviet past and a comical cultural nod to its boring exterior (dubbed the “loaf of bread”), the UAZ-452 vans are iconic.

So whether you opt for a pub crawl, landmark sightseeing tour, or day of adventure with wintertime off-roading, be sure to ride shotgun in one of the loaves of bread at some stage!

  • soviet tours

25 – See sharks up close at the Moskvarium

Moskvarium, Moscow

The mightiest aquarium in Europe (by size), the Moskvarium is an impressive modern space dedicated to the beauty and diversity of aquatic life.

Located right on the outskirts of Moscow’s city center (about 20 minutes drive from Red Square), this huge complex encompasses over 70 interactive exhibits. These include live shows, and the chance to go swimming with dolphins — that are sure to impress the whole family.

26 – Go underground at the Bunker 42 Cold War Museum

Bunker 42 Cold War Museum, Moscow

In the depths of Moscow’s shadow-strewn streets, hidden 65 meters beneath the tourist crowds are a Cold War-era bunker and former secret communications center.

Bunker 42 was built in 1955 as a nuclear-proof hideaway, but today you can book tours that reveal its secrets and stories — a must for the common history buff.

  • Bunker 42 tickets

27 – Immserve yourself in the soviet culture at the VDNKh theme park and exhibition space

VDNKh, Moscow

Sprawling across the Ostankinsky District, VDNKh is a massive open-air museum and theme park paying homage to Russian industry and Soviet values.

The enormous complex is decked out with several gold-clad statues and palatial pavilions, each uniquely designed to represent different Soviet interests and endeavors, such as geology and the space race.

Hot tip: For a wonderful view of the Moscow skyline, be sure to jump on the Ferris wheel after riding the small roller coasters and merry-go-round.

28 – Take a trip to the Kolomenskoye Palace

Kolomenskoye Palace, Moscow

Overlooking the sparkling Moskva River about 20 kiometers south of central Moscow, the postcard-worthy Kolomenskoye Palace is a former royal estate. It’s now open to the public as an extensive park with carefully-kept gardens, including one of Russia’s oldest white stone churches (the tent-looking UNESCO-listed Ascension Church ).

It has walking trails through peaceful wooded areas and gorgeous views out over the region from its high hilltop location. The park has long been considered one of the hidden gems when it comes to things to do in Moscow.

29 – Enjoy the view from the Ostankino TV Tower

Ostankino TV Tower. Moscow

With the coveted claim to fame of being the tallest free-standing structure in Europe (and 11th tallest in the world) — standing above the Empire State Building, for reference — the 540.1-meter-tall Ostankino Tower is picturesquely located next to Park Dubovaya Roshcha, not too far from VDNH, the Moskvarium, and the widespread Park Ostankind.

So long as you’re not left lighthearted by heights, the 337-meter-high observation deck is the go-to spot for panoramic views.

30 – Blast off at the Museum of Cosmonautics

Museum of Cosmonautics, Moscow

One for the space nerds and future astronauts, the Museum of Cosmonautics is dedicated to the history, present-day relevance, and future possibilities of space exploration. It provides a spectacular insight into the Soviet perspective of the 1960s space race.

Located on a lovely green site in one corner of VDNKh, the museum features an outdoor planetarium, interactive displays for children, as well as inside exhibits that showcase original spacecraft parts.

For the best experience, consider a pre-arranged tour that includes access to both the Museum and VDNKh.

31 – Complete your Moscow culinary experience with a food tour

food tours in Moscow

Foodies, listen up! Moscow has gained a reputation for being one of the finest cities in Europe for foodies, with an excellent range of restaurants and bars.

For those looking for a complete Moscow culinary experience that includes some of the best hidden gems and experiences, food tours are an ideal way to go.

Depending on your tour of choice, expect to sample a few Pelmeni (dumplings), Blini (wafer-thin pancakes), and world-famous Ponchiki doughnuts. Then wash it all down with some locally-distilled vodka or Nalivka (a sweet berry-infused liquor).

  • food tours in Moscow

32 – Smell the flowers at the Main Botanical Garden — the largest botanical garden in Europe

Main Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow

Constructed in 1945, the Main Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences is a 340-hectare space of plant collections and lakeside walkways to explore.

It’s one of those places that gets better as you make your way around it on foot (or even rollerblades). There are many well-kept gardens, beautiful ponds filled with turtles and waterfowl, a charming Japanese Garden and some very rare trees.

33 – Wander around the Novodevichy Monastery

Novodevichy Monastery, Moscow

The Novodevichy Convent and surrounding Kremlin-style walls combine to be one of Moscow’s most picturesque sites — a UNESCO-listed complex that was founded in the 1500s and includes an interweaving of churches, cathedrals, bell towers and a cemetery.

After admiring the buildings, check out the monastery which is surrounded by green spaces perfect for a stroll and a snack.

To learn all about its architecture and history, opt for a guided tour as recommended by most travelers.

34 – Ride the coasters at Family Park SKAZKA

Family Park SKAZKA, Moscow

If you’re traveling with youngsters who seem to never be able to burn off their energy then make a beeline for the Krylatskoye District neighborhood, home to the popular SKAZKA adventure park.

Kids can enjoy everything from bumper cars to the petting zoo, while parents might want to pop into one of the cafes or restaurants.

Even if you don’t have kids in tow, the adrenaline-pumping roller coasters invite thrill-seekers of all ages.

35 – Understand the deeper meanings of “Soviet Jew” at the Jewish Museum & Centre of Tolerance

Jewish Museum & Centre of Tolerance, Moscow

Opened in 2012, the Jewish Museum and Centre of Tolerance is a fascinating institution dedicated to exploring and honoring the diverse complex Russian-Jewish history and culture.

Explore every facet of the role of Russian Jewry throughout the centuries — including food, artifacts, religious beliefs and cultural traditions. Visitors can also see an array of exhibits made from testimonial footage, as well as a large collection of works of Jewish artists.

For history buffs, the museum dives into the intriguing role that Jewish soldiers played during World War II.

36 – Cruise down the Moscow River!

boat tours in Moscow

For those looking for a unique perspective on the city, there are stacks of tours (romantic, sightseeing, luxury-themed or party-vibed) that explore Moscow from its riverfront.

Take in some of the most iconic landmarks around the Kremlin and Gorky Park on a boat. Cruises can also take you underneath bridges, entertain you with live music and offer insights into the landmarks that pass by with live audio narration.

  • boat tours in Moscow

37 – Grab a table at Café Pushkin

Café Pushkin, Moscow

A favorite of many Muscovites, Cafe Pushkin on Tverskoy Boulevard is an intimate spot to enjoy some authentic Russian dishes.

It’s hand-picked by locals for its traditional décor resembling a nobleman’s house and charming atmosphere (thanks largely to the rustic bookshelves). You’ll find that the menu consists mainly of classic European cuisine mixed with a few local favorites. It’s complemented by a wooden bar with a fine collection of vintage wines and regular live music.

38 – Spend the day at the Karibiya Aquapark

Karibiya Aquapark, Moscow

After a hard day exploring the city, why not spend some time out to relax and unwind at one of Moscow’s largest water parks?

Karibiya has a handful of pools (including a heated salt-water spa) and fun but not too wild slides, plus a bowling alley for the kids, a fitness center and bar for the adults. There’s something to keep everyone entertained.

39 – Take a day trip to Sergiev Posad

Sergiev Posad day trips from Moscow

A photographer’s dream with blue-and-gold cupolas contrasted by snow-white walls, the ancient town of Sergiev Posad (just over an hour’s drive from Moscow) is a quaint tourist favorite. It’s famous for being home to one of Russia’s most important and sacred monasteries — the free-to-visit Trinity Lavra St. Sergius monastery complex.

Founded in 1340 AD by Saint Sergius, today it serves as an active monastery where visitors are free to attend daily services. Admire its truly remarkable artworks and historic museum collections.

  • Sergiev Posad day trip

40 – Spot starfish (and monkeys?) at the Crocus City Oceanarium

Crocus City Oceanarium, Moscow

One of the latest attractions in Moscow, Crocus City Mall’s iceberg-shaped  Oceanarium is a vast three-floor aquarium. It has more than 5,000 species swimming gracefully under one roof — not to mention the reptiles, birds, and monkeys that also call this place home.

Since the mall also boasts shopping centers, a pair of concert halls and a skating rink, there’s no shortage of activities on offer to whisk away a rainy day.

41 – Button-mash at the Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines

Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines, Moscow

Where are the gamers at?

For anyone curious about the video games and technology of Russia’s yesteryear, there’s no better place to visit than this retro museum (complete with Soviet-era soda).

Filled with an impressive collection of more than 100 vintage arcade machines dating back as far as the late 1970s (like ”Pull the Turnip”), it’s sure to take you on a trip down memory lane.

42 – Take a walk through the Alexander Garden

Alexander Garden, Moscow

While the majority of Moscow’s other top attractions require a ticket or entry fee, there is at least one gem that doesn’t. It happens to be right on your doorstep if you’re staying anywhere near the Kremlin.

Alexander Garden (also known as Alexandrovsky Sad) is an expansive park that stretches the entire western wall of the Kremlin (nearly 1km in length). It’s filled to the brim with colorful flower beds, winding walkways and calming fountains.

Don’t miss the tomb of the Unknown Soldier while you’re there.

43 – Sign up for a dog sledding adventure!

dog sledding in Moscow

Cliche? Sure, maybe a little. Seriously fun? You better believe it!

Winter is coming, and that means it’s time to get out there and experience Russia the way only locals can — by dog sledding.

Typically lasting seven or eight hours, these outdoor adventures (which include hotel pick up and drop off) are a wonderful way to experience nature and immerse yourself in ancient Russian traditions — and hang out with a handful of adorable huskies, of course!

Seriously though, this is one of those things you’re going to want photos (and videos) for when you get back home because, really, words just wouldn’t do it justice.

44 – Walk beneath the Iberian Gate and Chapel

Iberian Gate and Chapel, Moscow

Facing away from the Red Square and linking Manezhnaya Square, the Iberian Gate and Chapel (sometimes called the Resurrection Gate) is overflowing with history. It acts as the spiritual entrance to the Red Square and the home of the wooden chapel that houses icons of the Iberian Virgin.

Many believe it is customary to kiss the Iberian icon before entering the gate and for boys to take off their hats. For an insight into the local culture, join a walking tour and learn more about the gate’s significance to religion and history.

To add to the importance, the gate is also the location of ‘Kilometer Zero’ — the official central point of Moscow.

45 – Play all day at the Dream Island theme park

Dream Island, Moscow

After opening its gates early in 2020, Dream Island earned itself the coveted title of being the largest indoor theme park in Europe (yep, that means it’s even open in the harsh winter).

It’s a delight for kids and adults alike. Throughout the park you’ll find an array of rides themed around classic cartoons like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Pinocchio, the Smurfs, Hotel Transylvania and Hello Kitty. It also has charming and well-arranged streets that transport you to bustling cities like London and Barcelona!

Throw in live performances, plenty of eateries, a cinema and a hotel, and you can see why it’s become all the rage recently.

46 – Race against the clock in an escape room

escape rooms in Moscow

An unmissable and quick activity for any budding Sherlock Holmes out there, escape rooms challenge your mind and require wit, teamwork, and logic. Figure out the puzzles and escape from each room before time runs up.

Moscow’s escape room games usually last around 60 minutes and cover a range of themes (like a USSR Nuclear Bunker or even an outdoor, app-led scavenger game) — perfect for the whole family.

47 – Chill out by the Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch's Ponds, Moscow

Surrounded by residential buildings in the fancy downtown Presnensky District, the enormous (9,900 square meters, to be exact) the Patriarshiye Prudy is a beautiful oasis. It’s frequented by dog walkers, picnickers, artists and musicians alike.

In summertime, you’ll find people picnicking on the grassy banks or sunbathing by the ponds. In the winter, it transforms into a magical wonderland of snow and ice, morphing into a popular public skating rink.

Directions on Google Maps

48 – Go behind the scenes at Luzhniki Stadium

Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow

Moscow’s Lujniki Stadium is one of Europe’s biggest soccer complexes, capable of hosting some 80,000 fans with an electric-like atmosphere — as we saw during its phase as the main stadium of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Besides being the current home ground of Russia’s National Football Team, it also hosts concerts by some of the biggest international acts and was also the focal point of the 1980 Olympic Games.

If your trip doesn’t line up with any sellout matches, you can still join a backstage stadium tour that explores the dressing rooms, press conference room and the field.

49 – Head to Suzdal and Vladimir for a day

Suzdal and Vladimir day trips from Moscow

A fantastic option for anyone who wants to get out of the chaos of Moscow for a minute, these two towns are parts of the Golden Ring of ancient Russian cities. They present as perfect day trips, thanks to their rich history, diverse culture and white-drenched architecture.

In Suzdal , the Kremlin fortress is the main event, with the Cathedral of the Nativity (and its 13th-century Golden Doors) captivating visitors year after year. In Vladimir , the awe-inspiring Assumption Cathedral (Dormition Cathedral) teaks center stage, with its five golden domes making for a wonderful photo backdrop

Don’t feel like hiring a car? Take the hassle out of your getaway and book a pre-arranged tour that visits both ancient towns on the same day.

50 – Escape the crowds at the Botanic Gardens of Moscow State University

Botanic Gardens of Moscow State University, Moscow

Wielding the title of Russia’s oldest botanic garden, the Botanic Gardens of Moscow State University (founded in 1706) is a fantastic place to escape the city and learn about Russia’s rich flora.

The beautifully arranged garden boasts more than 6,000 plant species that span various climates across the world, allowing visitors to see everything from roses and tulips to cacti and bamboo trees!

51 – Climb inside a tank at the Kubinka Tank Museum

Kubinka Tank Museum, Moscow

A must-see for any military history buff, the Kubinka Tank Museum showcases dozens of tanks and armored vehicles from across the globe, with a particularly heavy focus on Soviet Union models (to be expected, right?).

The collection includes everything from Polish TKS tankettes to the only remaining Panzer VIII Maus, a captured WWI British Mark V and the Object 172 — as well as plenty of cannons, weapons and missiles.

Serving traditional Russian military meals and national staples, even the cafe-restaurant is military-themed!

52 – Sit front row at the Moscow International House of Music

Moscow International House of Music

A world-renowned performance complex on the picturesque Kosmodamianskaya Embankment, this state-of-the-art venue is best known for hosting Vladimir Spivakov’s Virtuosi of Moscow Chamber Orchestra. It showcases everything from classical concerts to jazz, folk music and more!

The venue’s three magnificent concert halls welcome an array of local and international performers. Check the website to see who’s taking center stage during your visit!

53 – Drift through fresh powder on a snowmobile!

snowmobiling in Moscow

While it’s not always winter (though if you want to make the most of your snowy trip, come between December and March), as soon as that first snowfall hits, it’s time for snowmobile tours. Make for a fantastic way to explore the out-of-the-way locations and magical forests beyond Moscow’s city limits.

Even if you’ve never ridden a ski-doo or snowmobile before, the friendly expert instructors will be with you every step of the way, with safety and enjoyment always priorities.

54 – Crank your head skywards in Moscow City

Moscow International Business Center, Moscow

A stark contrast to the ancient and colorful onion domes in the Red Square, Moscow City’s skyscape (aka the Moscow International Business Center ) is full of towering, modern glass-heavy (even twisting) skyscrapers. Many of which are vying at the top of the list of Europe’s tallest buildings.

At 374 meters tall and with 95 floors — and a wonderful restaurant on its 60th floor — the Moscow Federation Tower is a popular choice for tourists. Meanwhile, the 85th and 86th floor of the OKO Towers play host to a Russian restaurant and skating rink respectively.

Be sure to walk through the modern Bagration Bridge and, for the shopaholics, check out the stores and IMAX theater inside AFIMALL City.

55 – Check out Zaryadye Park

Zaryadye Park, Moscow

Within arm’s reach of the famed Red Square, the peaceful slice of greenery that is Zaryadye Park is a breath of beautiful and natural air amidst the concrete jungle. It’s the first new city park to be opened in Moscow for more than half a century.

At various points around the 10-hectare park, you’ll find a few restaurant pavilions, a media center, a museum and a botanical collection housing over a million plants. It also houses the two-stage Zaryadye Concert Hall where thousands of passersby take a seat on the steps every day.

While you’re there, don’t miss the Chambers of the Romanov Boyars, an unusual museum above the northern side of the park.

56 – Stroll around the cozy Hermitage Garden

Hermitage Garden, Moscow

Small yet incredibly charming and found conveniently smack-bang in the middle of the city, the Hermitage Garden is a perfect spot to relax and unwind after a day of learning about Russia’s vast history.

Surrounded by the Sfera Theatre and The Kolobov Novaya Opera Theatre of Moscow , this lovely, leafy garden can be both a relaxing oasis or the prelude to an entertaining evening out.

57 – Treat yourself to a ballet show at the Bolshoi Theatre

Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow

With a reputation that precedes it, the impressive and world-famous Bolshoi Theatre is a must for any theater lover. Its rich history is making it one of the most iconic theaters in Europe.

While there are several performances to choose from throughout the year — from ballet to opera, classic dramas and even acrobatic shows — you can also get your own private backstage tour.

58 – Get artsy, then party at ArtPlay

ArtPlay, Moscow

This old tea factory turned cultural hub of Moscow’s creative arts is heaven on earth for rotating exhibitions by local artists.

Depending on what piques your interest, you can join in on everything from live music to dance classes, art studio workshops, flea markets and film screenings here. However, after the sun goes down, its alter-ego comes out to play.

So, if you’re feeling peckish, stop into the Domozhilov restaurant nearby for a shashlik. Then wash it down at the English pub with a beer before partying it up at Rodnya, a pumping techno club.

59 – Head to the PANORAMA360 Observation Deck

PANORAMA360 Observation Deck, Moscow

A surefire hit for the social media feed, the observation deck at the top of Moscow’s Federation Tower skyscraper — PANORAMA360 — is a must-see selfie stop for its killer views and … ice cream factory.

From the 89th floor, you can soak in the wonder of Moscow old and new from above. It has floor-to-ceiling windows providing 360-degree vistas, a rotating restaurant and mini-cinema to boot.

60 – Throw down a picnic blanket in Sokolniki Park

Sokolniki Park, Moscow

One of the largest green spaces in Moscow, Sokolniki Park is a very popular gathering place for locals and visitors alike.

Spread across the northeastern Sokolniki District, it’s the perfect distance from the city’s main haunts where the crowds remain small but the accessibility stays high.

With its many activities — from sports to live music to festivals — not much beats this park when it comes to outdoor fun!

61 – Catch a traditional Russian dance show

Russian dance shows in Moscow

To get a true sense of the rich and diverse culture in Moscow, you can’t go past one of its many folk dance shows.

While there are several to choose from, “Kostroma” and “The Golden Ring” are two crowd favorite choices. Each is thoroughly unique with traditional music and costumes sure to make for a once-in-a-lifetime night of entertainment.

Of course, due to high popularity, be sure to book in advance.

62 – Book a table at the White Rabbit restaurant bar

White Rabbit restaurant bar, Moscow

Perched above the historical center of Moscow on the 16th floor of the Smolensky Passage building, this lavish restaurant is a must-visit for any foodie-obsessed traveler. Why? Because it continually ranks as one of the top 50 restaurants in the world.

The drool-worthy menu made by fifth-generation chef Vladimir Mukhin consists of creative, beautiful plated meals. The coveted eaterie also boasts 360-degree panoramic views of the city and a fine collection of wines and cocktails.

63 – Have dinner inside the Vysoko-Petrovskiy Monastery

Vysoko-Petrovskiy Monastery, Moscow

Whether you’re an architecture or history buff, while visiting Moscow, it would be a shame to miss out on the rare chance to eat in an actual monastery.

This one is particularly special as it dates back some 700 years. Not only will you get to dig into an authentic Russian menu, but learn about the history of the building and (depending on your booking package) get a guided tour too.

64 – Pass by the ‘Children Are the Victims of Adult Vices’ sculpture

Children Are the Victims of Adult Vices sculpture, Moscow

This free public art installation in Bolotnaya square was created by Mihail Chemaikin in 2001. A somewhat controversial landmark, it depicts how children are influenced by vices — alcohol, theft, ignorance, violence, addiction, poverty and war, to name a few.

The sculpture’s uniqueness and thought-provoking nature makes it an essential stop on any day of wandering around.

65 – Get wild on a pub crawl!

pub crawls in Moscow

You’re on vacation, so it’s time to let your hair down, mingle with some fellow thirsty travelers and party it up Moscow-style!

High-energy pub crawls are a great way to get acquainted with new friends while seeing Moscow’s unique nightlife scene first-hand. Let the locals lead you to hidden gems, tourist hot spots and quirky dive bars.

If you don’t feel like walking, why not join a Soviet minivan crawl instead (where you can drink Soviet champagne onboard!)?

66 – Roll up for the Nikulin Circus!

Nikulin Circus, Moscow

If you haven’t had the chance to see a live circus before — and especially if you’re traveling with kids — why not head over to the Nikulin Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard?

It blends traditional Russian acrobatics with modern-day technology, animals, and the classic circular circus stage. This beloved local entertainment is also considered one of the most enjoyable things to do in Moscow!

67 – Get romantic on a Moskva River dinner cruise

dinner cruises in Moscow

What better way to take in the city’s skyline than from a luxury yacht as you enjoy entertainment, fine dining, and (strong) specialty drinks?

Whether you’re looking for something large that can accommodate groups of friends or something smaller with a bit more VIP style, there are several dinner cruises available to suit any taste and budget.

68 – Explore the wonderful Izmailovo District

Izmailovo District, Moscow

One of the city’s best-kept secrets, Izmailovo ‘s focal point is its Kremlin, a colorful wooden complex. Built in 2007, it has had unique museums and flea markets pop up nearby in the years since.

Throughout the area, you’ll uncover museums dedicated to vodka, break and Russian folk art. The district’s charming open-air flea market has all kinds of crafts and souvenirs are haggled on the daily.

Don’t miss Izmailovo Park , which is an enormous 300-hectare space that plays host to souvenir vendors, forest walking paths and even an ice rink in winter.

With so much to see in the district, savvy travelers typically opt for a guided tour.

  • Izmailovo tours

69 – Sip on a cocktail at the award-winning City Space Bar and Lounge

City Space Bar and Lounge, Moscow

Self-dubbed as one of the world’s top 10 bars, with accolades like Luxury Travel Guide’s Bar of the Year 2018, this iconic and luxurious watering hole doesn’t need much of an introduction.

Perched sky-high on the 34th floor of Swissotel Krasnye Holmy, the circular lounge bar slings signature cocktails and dishes up truly stunning views of the city.

Hot tip: While there’s never a poor time to visit, aim to arrive an hour or so before sunset, that’s when the city will truly sparkle below.

70 – Pamper yourself at the Sanduny Baths

Sanduny Baths, Moscow

If you’re looking for something to ease that throbbing headache after a night of pub crawling, why not try the famous Sanduny Baths , a quintessentially Russian experience?

Famed as one of the world’s most beautiful public bathhouses, Sanduny’s steam rooms and pools are said to be some of the best in Moscow. But for something totally unique, you can’t go past the birch twigs massage (read: beating).

71 – Spruce up your social media feed at some Insta-worthy restaurants

insta-worthy restaurants in Moscow

While a good meal is always part of the restaurant experience, getting a good pic for Instagram is half the fun!

Luckily, there are tons of excellent eateries that combine great food with gorgeous aesthetics.

Big Wine Freaks has a fantastic drink selection (naturally), and its dark, classy rooms full of elegant light fixtures and plush furniture bring to mind a spy’s hideout.

Meanwhile, Sempre adopts more of a naturalistic approach, surrounding diners with ferns and greenery.

And at Black Market Moscow , you can choose between indoor and outdoor spaces, each featuring their own unique designs and dining experiences.

Take a bite and snap some pics!

72 – Unleash your inner party animal at the Night clubs

nightlife in Moscow

When the sun goes down, you’ll get to see a whole new side of Moscow: its amazing nightlife!

Head to Propaganda for a bite or a beverage, then dance to some quality club tunes.

Or get a little wild at Chesterfield , where you can pay a flat fee and drink as much as you want – the perfect recipe for fun!

And at Rock’N’ Roll , there’s a new form of excitement every day, from DJ sets to live bands, all playing a lively mix of rock music from across the decades.

With all this excitement, you won’t want to book anything early the next day!

How to get to Moscow?

Unless you’re feeling up to the challenge of a long train journey, you’ll most likely be flying into Moscow.

Luckily, it has three international airports to choose from: Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, and Domodedovo.

Once you’ve arrived, you’ll be able to easily reach the city via the Aeroexpress train.

Where to stay in Moscow?

Golden Ring Hotel  will make you feel like you’re on top of the world, whether you’re getting pampered at the beauty salon or enjoying a meal in the rooftop restaurants.

Or check in to Radisson Slavyanskaya Hotel & Business Center , which boasts everything from riverside views and a gym to nearby shopping areas and relaxing Turkish baths.

At AZIMUT Hotel Olympic Moscow , the massages, international cuisine, sauna, and swimming pool will keep you happily occupied in between excursions.

And at sister property AZIMUT Hotel Smolenskaya Moscow , you can savor a nice meal or admire the scenery from the lounge, or stroll over to Gorky Park or roam along Stary Arbat Street.

Meanwhile, Oblaka Hotel blends simple charm and a convenient location, with charming red brick exteriors and easy access to historic sites and a metro station.

  • best hotels in Moscow

Visiting Moscow on a budget?

There’s nothing like seeing a city on foot… especially on a free walking tour !

These excursions aren’t just a way to save money while still learning a lot; they also offer a wonderful opportunity to gain local perspectives, courtesy of your guides.

But despite the name, they do accept tips for a job well done, so bring a bit of money with you!

Where to go next?

If you’re short on time but still want to see the best of Moscow, try some multi-day tours ; they’ll provide all of the coolest sights and experiences in an efficient format.

After that, it’s time to start exploring further afield!

Though it’s a bit of a trek, St. Petersburg is well worth the journey!

With its famously decadent buildings to its lively arts scene, this is the perfect place to soak up some culture; but there are also some more offbeat options, like folk shows, vodka tastings, and even an amusement park!

And from the jaw-dropping designs of the metro stations (yes, you read that correctly) to the glimmer of Faberge eggs, it showcases beauty at every turn.

Ready to go beyond Russia?

Dive into the best places to visit in Europe , a smorgasbord of art and history, nature and architecture, showcasing some of the most beloved cities and countries in the world.

Final thoughts

While Russia’s capital may seem imposing, its dynamic culture, live-wire entertainment scene, and remarkable history make it an unbeatable destination, with unique adventures that will linger in your memory long after you’ve returned home.

You may feel a little overwhelmed by all of the incredible things to do in Moscow… but that’s all the more reason to come back!

If you have any other must-see suggestions, noteworthy day trips or quintessential tours worth booking, feel free to write in the comments!

As always, happy travels!

17 Exciting Things to do in Moscow

Written By: Linda Voltaire

Updated On: December 21, 2022

Visiting Russia? These are the top 17 things to do in Moscow to help you plan your trip.

If the western world has New York City , the first great metropolis on the eastern side of our planet is Moscow. A huge city with a complicated and impressive history, Moscow gets a bad rep over Russian politics – but that doesn’t make it any less impressive. Capital to the largest country in the world, Moscow takes the grandeur of its standing very seriously.

This is a place where luxury is king and where opulence takes a front seat in every aspect of life. The buildings are grand and imposing, the parks are luscious and enormous, and even the subway stations look different in Moscow than anywhere else in the world.

Table of Contents

Best Things to do in Moscow, Russia

Walking around Moscow is also going through the tumultuous history of the 20th century, which had Russia as one of its main protagonists. There are fascinating remains of these times everywhere in the former Soviet capital, from the gorgeous Seven Sisters skyscrapers to the Orthodox cathedrals that were closed for the better part of a century.  Still, Moscow is also a completely modern city, with a vibrant social and party scene, incredible restaurants, and some of the most luxurious hotels in the world.

After living in Russia’s capital as an ex-pat for four years, I got the privilege to experience not only the main attractions in Moscow but also the everyday life in this huge city and quickly found my sweat spots off the beaten tracks! So here is my list of my top 17 things to do in this exciting metropolis!

Attractions in Moscow

When visiting a famous city like this one, it’s a must to go through the most iconic landmarks first. Moscow has plenty of those, most of them in the center of the city, which is very well-planned for tourists.

1. The Red Square, Kremlin & Surrounding Area

No place tells the story of Moscow’s power in the past century the way the Red Square does. This is where the biggest political meetings in the USSR occurred for many decades, and you can feel the power on each step.

Here, you’ll also find the historic museum at the entrance, showcasing the decades of history behind this iconic landmark. The Lenin Mausoleum, perhaps the most famous resting place in the world and home to the remains of the former communist leader, is also here.

On one side of the Red Square you’ll find the Kremlin, the fortified complex that now hosts the presidential residence. This is also home to the most iconic of all Moscovite landmarks: St. Basil’s Cathedral, a 16th-century marvel of colors. This is the best spot to take a selfie and show the world you’ve reached the Russian capital!

  • Get your Kremlin Skip the Line Tickets and Kremlin tour here.
  • Free cancellation up to 24-hours in advance of the tour.

2. Bolshoi Theatre

You can easily spend a couple of days just exploring the Moscovite city centre, and the Bolshoi Theatre should be your second stop. Walk past the Red Square and then head to the nearby Bolshoi Theatre, one of the oldest and most renowned houses of opera and ballet on Earth.

Visit for the impressive early 19th-century architecture, but if you’re seeing a ballet performance, make sure you book between 3 and 6 months in advance! I can strongly recommend this as it is a truly unique experience!

  • Book a private 2-hour tour of the legendary Bolshoi Theatre.
  • See the presidential box reserved for tzars, watch a rehearsal and skip the lines through a separate entrance.
  • Free Cancellation up to 24-hours in advance.

3. Luxury Shopping at GUM and TSUM

While many might think of Moscow as the sad place with the long bread queues from the USSR days, it’s been quite the capitalist haven for a while.

If you’re up for some shopping, you’ll find one of the biggest luxury malls in town, TSUM, right behind the Bolshoi and GUM, at the red square. GUM is the most famous department store in town, where you’ll find luxury everywhere and all high-end brand. 

All in an imposing late 19th-century building with lots of history, worth a visit just for the design, its bridges and the glass roof even though you are not up for shopping!

4. Christ the Savior Cathedral

A newer addition to the gorgeous Moscovite cathedrals and my grandeur neighbor during my years in the city Don’t let the young age of this building fool you. After the perestroika in the early 90s, the newly revived Russian Orthodox Church received permission to build a cathedral on this site. They did the location honors and built the largest temple of the Christian Orthodox Church.

The façade is as grand as you’d expect, but it’s the inside that will mesmerize you, with its domes as tall as the skies in bright gold and gorgeous paintings and decor! Bring a shawl to cover your hair to adjust to the local tradition.

Head to the back of the cathedral and you will find one of the most photographed bridges in Moscow, the Patriarshiy Most. This is the perfect spot to get a good view and photo of the cathedral but also to see the Kreml and Gorky Park from a distance. Or why not just enjoy a moment watching the river and its boats!  

  • Get around Moscow with ease using the Hop On Hop Off boat and Bus ticket. 24, 48 or 72-hour tickets available.

5. Gorky Park

Cross the river and head to Gorky Park along the Moscow river. The most famous green area in town, similar to New York ’s Central Park and the weekend hangout for locals. There are many beautiful parks in the city, but if you’re only visiting for a few days, this is the unmissable one! 

With fair attractions to entertain children, beautiful artificial lakes and gardens, and lots of outdoor activities, it’s a lovely place to relax. A place of rest in the middle of the metropolis. The area in front of the New Tretyakov Gallery & the Muzeon Park of Arts is actually one of my favorite oasis as a bit more quiet and peaceful than Gorky itself.

Why not spend some time in the museum to get a great tour of Russia’s history through art or just enjoy the art exhibition outside where local artists spend their weekends. 

6. River Cruising

One of the best ways to experience Moscow is from the Moscow River. There are many stops for the boats and one is just next to Gorky Park. See the city from another perspective – and turn the ride into a romantic one by taking the evening cruise. Moscow is magic during the night.

If you’re looking for a truly luxurious experience, take the Radisson Blu cruise – or the Erwin for a delicious seafood dinner. Both stop at Gorky or at the luxury Radisson Royal Hotel, set in one of the Seven Sister’s skyscrapers.

  • We use Get Your Guide when booking city tours and they offer a River Sightseeing Cruise seeing all the main tourist attractions in Moscow

7. Metro Hopping

First inaugurated in the 1930s, the Moscow subway system is one of the oldest in the world, and certainly the most beautiful. Started under Stalinist times, each metro station is dedicated to grandeur and oozing personality.

Visiting the subway stops is an attraction in and of itself, and Komsomolskaya, Mayakovskaya, Kropotkinskaya are my favorites. Those surrounding the Red Square are also mesmerizing – in general, these are kind of like underground palaces.

Most of the signs at the Moscow Metro now have Latin letters, so it’s very easy to get around!Unfortunately, the trains are not as beautiful and pleasant as the stations but still, this is a true Moscow experience.  Take a guided tour of the 9 most beautiful Metro Stations including the award-winning art deco station. See more details here.

8. Arbatskaya & Artsy Moscow

Novy Arbat Street is one of the most touristy areas in the city, with lots of shops and cafés directed at visitors. When you walk a little beyond, you’ll find a different part of town, where the hip scene thrives because so many artists live in the area. Just follow the small streets with fewer tourists!

9. Moscow State University View

In his effort to create a grander Moscow, Stalin had seven skyscrapers built in different parts of town; they’re called the Seven Sisters. The largest of these buildings hosts the main building of the Moscow State University, one of the most prestigious colleges in Russia – and the one with the best view.

Although this is a little outside the city centre, the sight from above is more than worth it, with the nearby fountains and park and then the whole of the city behind them.

10. Russian Market

If you love to visit markets wherever you go, Moscow has one of the most impressive ones in the world – the Izmailovsky. You can easily take the metro here and feel like you’ve been transported to another time.

This place was first built in the 16th century and retains the look of an old fairytale, with a lineup of colorful old castle. A lovely local experience beyond the confines of the bustling metropolis, where you can also try some delicious Russian barbecue.

Here, you’ll find beautiful souvenirs at great prices.

Off The Beaten Track Moscow

Once you’ve covered the most touristic spots, Moscow still has plenty to offer – and the places below will also be full of locals! Moscow is a city for hipsters, full of trendy and arty spots where you can literally feel the creativity oozing! So for some local vibes, I would strongly recommend my sweat spots below!

11. Patriarshiye Prudy

This is my favorite area in the entire city! While Moscow is generally a very noisy metropolis, Patriarch Ponds is far quieter, yet such a vibrant place. This is a very hip and trendy area making you think you are rather in Paris than in Moscow. Here the streets are narrow and full of chic eateries and clubs to see the local crowd.

A little bohemian and with an air of peace you won’t find anywhere in the city this is a great spot to spend an afternoon with your thoughts.

12. ArtPlay

Barely 15 minutes away from the city center you’ll find the artsiest Moscow district: ArtPlay. For decades, this block was a factory, but it was renovated to become a hub for the arts not too long ago.

Now, you’ll find it’s full of exhibitions, showrooms and art schools – and some of the most creative people in town. Writers, painters, and young hip people use ArtPlay as a rendezvous, and you can feel the creative energy here. The industrial design with modern interior decoration is also a feast for the eyes!

13. Shopping Local Designs

If you’re into design, both international and local, you’ll find lots of cute things at Patriarshiye Prudy. Department store Podium Market is also a great spot for shopping, as a department store everywhere in town, with lots of local and international brands. There’s one in the Four Seasons Hotel next to Red Square. My favorite Moscow mall is Tsvetnoy Central Market, a cool spot with great brands, lots of inspo, and even a cute café!

14. Moscow City

Like many other great capitals of the world, for the past few decades, Moscow has hosted a super modern area full of modern skyscrapers – Moscow City. With a completely different vibe than the rest of town, it’s like a mini Dubai, with lots of impressively tall glass buildings. Here, you’ll find the best rooftops in towns, such as Ruski and Sixty they are perfect spots for dining or enjoying a glass of wine with a view. There are also a relatively new shopping mall with lots of international brands called Affimall!

Wine, Dine, and Party in Moscow

Gone are the gloomy Moscow days – cold as it might be in the winter, Russia’s capital is a place for the senses. Great food and drinks abound – and the clubs are hot, too!

15. Where to Eat in Moscow

Moscow is a great metropolis where people love to dine out, and there are endless options for delicious food. The flavors are as diverse as you’d expect from a big city, with options of fine dining and little hipster eateries. 

  • For traditional Russian flavors, I can’t recommend Café Pushkin, Dr. Zhivago, and Turnadot enough.
  • When looking for international cuisines, Italian is always the way to go, and my local favorite is Probka.
  • Fine dining is best done among the clouds at White Rabbit, with European flavors.
  • As for the hip spots, you can spend a full day just eating around trendy places, from burgers to Asian fusion.

More Dining Options

  • Patriarshiye Prudy offers a lot of small and classy spots with cool concepts, like breakfast restaurants I Love Cake and Fresh.
  • For dinner, I love the NYC experience of Saxon & Parole, and the wonderful trendy Pins, with its delicious food and drinks.
  • For delicious Asian food head to CutFish. 
  • Lastly, there’s a recent revival of food markets in Moscow, offering lots of great choices of international flavors at affordable places.
  • Don’t miss out the Vietnamese food stand at the Danilovsky market, and everything at Usachevsky!

16. Rooftopping

Big cities deserve to be seen from above, having a cocktail among the clouds. These are my recommendations for rooftop bars in Moscow.

  • As I mentioned in the Moscow City section, Sixty & Ruski are two of my favorites, overlooking the newest part of town. 
  • White Rabbit and its fine dining is also a lovely place for a fun dinner looking down on Moscow.
  • O2, in the city center, has an advantage above all others: amazing views of the Red Square.
  • Buono, above the Radisson Royal Hotel, might be the most romantic rooftop hotel in town, with its candlelit setting.
  • Also on the Radisson stands the Mercedes. It’s a luxurious and posh experience with delicious cocktails.
  • The Sky Lounge offers a peculiar experience, mixing an old Soviet building with futuristic additions.

17. Moscow by Night

Party the night away! The city is full of bars everywhere, but there are some areas where you’ll find more than others.

  • Patriarshiye Prudy has lots of hip and small clubs and great bars, including the super fun private club Clava, which has a great vibe and people from all walks of life.
  • For more hipster style bars, Red October is the place to go.
  • Streak is a summer favorite, with a lovely terrace to catch a beautiful sunset – plus, their mozzarella bar is delicious.
  • At night, Red October lights up with clubs everywhere, including the cool rooftop one Gipsy.
  • Jagger is also a great spot during summer with a more relaxed vibe in garden setting. 
  • For the traditional Russian luxury experience, go to SohoRooms, a whole other world including all-night go-go dancers.

There are so many things to do in Moscow at night and during the day, you definitely need several days to explore this exciting destination.

Moscow is a must-see city, a city like no other ! I hope you will enjoy this Russian metropolis as much as I did!

If you enjoyed this article on the , share it to Pinterest for future travel planning.

  • Mother Russia Stands Proud at Volgograd
  • 25 Haunting Chernobyl Pictures – 3 Decades after the Disaster
  • 10 Reasons to Add Tbilisi Georgia to Your Bucket List

Follow Linda on  Instagram  guides! For more inspiration, follow my journey also on Facebook and Pinterest and see Linda’s bio below for more at her website.

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

  • Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
  • Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

You May Also Like

16 Interesting and Surprising Facts About Russia

12 Beautiful Reasons to Visit Tbilisi, Georgia

Motherland Calls – Mother Russia Stands Proud Over Volgograd

About Linda Voltaire

Linda Voltaire is the owner of Travel with a Silver Lining, home to reviews of gorgeous boutique & design hotels, hip & trendy eateries as well as authentic and personal travel experiences beyond the crowd. She started blogging after a life-changing trip across South America. Follow Linda at TravelWithASilverLining / Facebook / Instagram /

Join thousands of others who get our monthly updates!

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

10 thoughts on “17 Exciting Things to do in Moscow”

These places look so awesome! Moscow is truly a beautiful city

Very good article, you have explained so nicely. Russia has always been a part of history and its good to know about much more about architecture and other things, wish i could see the inside of façade

Thanks for sharing such a nice article.You have very beautifully explained everything that one need for a trip to Moscow.

Nice article. Love the hidden gems and graffiti art, would love to visit Artplay. Thanks for a comprehensive guide to Moscow!

Moscow is a city where the past and the future live side by side. Here we can find everything from medieval fortresses and Soviet monoliths to glass skyscrapers and innovation centers.

Your article is good and meaningful .

Thanks for sharing about ArtPlay district, we didn’t know about it and it looks amazing 🙂 Hopefully there’ll be a second time in Moscow, we visited last May and really liked the city!

Wonderful stuff! I’ve been to Moscow, but not properly – it’s a long story lol!

Anyhoo, my next thing is to fly from Berlin to Moscow and then travel from there to Beijing via the Trans-Mongolian / Trans-Siberian train. Now, if only I could just find the time …!

I hear Moscow is very beautiful at night. I hope to get out there one day. A friend of mine went to St. Petersburg and had a great experience. Despite all the tension we see on the news with Russia and other Countries like the U.S. I wonder what the sentiment is with Russians and foreigners visiting their country for tourism. Especially Americans.

that looks like quite a beautiful place. 🙂

IMAGES

  1. 7 Super Fun Staycation Ideas for Families Who Homeschool

    big fun trip staycation

  2. Staycation Ideas and Tips: How to Travel Without Leaving the Country

    big fun trip staycation

  3. 40 Fun Staycation Ideas for Families

    big fun trip staycation

  4. 37 Staycation Ideas That Are Actually Fun in 2021

    big fun trip staycation

  5. 23 Really Fun Staycation Ideas (Perfect for Single Parents)

    big fun trip staycation

  6. Fun Staycation at Cebu White Sands Resort and Spa

    big fun trip staycation

COMMENTS

  1. Big Fun Trip 旅遊情報

    Big Fun Trip 首頁 . 日本. 東京; 韓國 ... 【$290歎深圳5星酒店】深圳隱秀山居酒店 staycation 優惠!豪華180度高爾夫湖景客房+自助早餐+CNY100 餐飲代金券+迎賓水果+高爾夫體驗+免費享用室內外游泳池及室內外兒童樂園 ...

  2. Big Fun Trip 旅遊情報

    出發日期由2月至11月,最長可以停留3個月。. 以上票價係經 永安旅遊 預訂,並使用 PayMe 推廣碼【PMT200】減 $200 後嘅價格,另外亦可經 Trip.com 預訂及使用以下優惠碼額!. Trip.com :以中銀信用卡預訂機票滿 $1,800 或以上 (未連稅) 即減 $180 優惠碼: BOCFLIGHT. Trip.com ...

  3. 20 Best Staycation Ideas When You Can't Travel

    Learn a new craft. A staycation is a perfect excuse to finally take that ceramics, aerial silks, woodworking, glassblowing, jiu-jitsu, rollerskating, or whatever kind of class you've had your eye ...

  4. 99 Staycation Ideas for This Summer

    Write a children's book. Let your imagination run wild and channel your inner child in a welcome respite from adult realities. Take a stab at developing your characters and plot by yourself, or ...

  5. 20 Best Staycation Ideas

    There are still ways to give yourself a break at home; here are 20 great ideas. 1. Absolutely no phones allowed. Put that phone away. Do not look at apps. Do not look at social media. Do not look at your news alerts. Set up an "out of office" response on your work email, and do not check it. You are on vacation.

  6. 21 Amazing Vacation Ideas for Big Families

    18/21. Yes, you can book a private island for your big family getaway. For example, Kanu Private Island in Belize is located just 15 minutes off the coast of Placencia. This island can be booked for your group alone, and it features 2.5 acres with five oceanfront villas for up to 10 adults and 10 children.

  7. Staycation Ideas for Families and Couples: How to Feel Like You're on

    The key to success is choosing fun staycation ideas that take you outside of your usual routine and into something that looks and feels different than the day-to-day. ... If you know you want a cheap weekend trip but don't know exactly where you want to go, last-minute deals are for you. Sometimes rooms don't fill even in high tourist ...

  8. 50 Family Vacation Ideas for the Best Trip Ever

    The Best Family Vacation Ideas: All-Inclusive Family Vacations and Resorts in the U.S. All-Inclusive Family Vacations and Resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico. Family Cruise Vacations. Theme Park and Water Park Vacations. National Park and Camping Vacations. Staycations and Road Trip Vacations.

  9. 8 perfect family staycation destinations

    Room rates start at around $300 (excluding fees and taxes) or 52,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) has nonstop service from most major Eastern and Midwestern cities, as well as Los Angeles, Denver, Dallas and Houston. Our searches brought up round-trip flight prices for under $300 on Delta ...

  10. 14 Top Staycation Ideas

    Soak up the sun's rays while listening to beachy music or a waves soundscape to set the vibe. To add the water element, set up the sprinkler, an inflatable waterslide or a splash pad. Purchase ...

  11. 34 Fun Ideas & Things to Do During a Staycation!

    28. Go Bowling. Strike up the fun with some classic laneside competition. Gather your friends and family, choose some teams and roll the night away. Bowling is the perfect staycation activity for all ages - a guaranteed way to turn your mini vacation into something special. Bowling ball and bowling pin. 29.

  12. 7 Easy Family Staycation Ideas

    A staycation is an opportunity to discover the culture and fun of the place you already live. Try researching family day trip ideas for your area such as a trip out to a local pick-your-own farm or driving to a different neighborhood for a walk, stopping for lunch at the first nice restaurant you see.

  13. 51 Creative Staycation Ideas• Savvy Budget Boss

    Go to the beach. Another relaxing yet inexpensive summer staycation idea is to take a day trip to the beach (if you are lucky enough to live near one). This is a great way to relax, get away, and enjoy the sun. If you don't live within driving distance to the beach, you can substitute your local pool instead.

  14. 16 Staycation Ideas for a Great Getaway Close to Home

    Hit the beach. Best for: Sun worshipers. This is one of the most popular staycation ideas and for good reason. A day at the beach is like its own form of meditation. If there's a body of water ...

  15. Staycation Ideas to Experience Travel At Home

    A few of our favorite staycation ideas include virtual experiences in museums and historic landmarks. In fact, we've created entire virtual vacation guides to places on your bucket list so you can ...

  16. Big Family Big Fun : Ideas for Inexpensive Staycations

    Yet, traveling with a big family can sometimes be costly and stressful. That's where staycations come in—a perfect way to enjoy quality family time without leaving the comfort of your home. In this article, we'll explore budget-friendly, creative, and exciting staycation ideas that will ensure big fun for your big family.

  17. 10 Family-Friendly Winter Weekend Getaways in the U.S

    Whether you want to play in the snow or escape the cold for a balmier location, there's a winter weekend trip within an easy drive or flight from where you live. Here are 10 of my favorite ideas for a memorable and fun-filled family-friendly long weekend trip. WHERE TO GO: 25 Best Family Vacation Spots in the U.S.A. 1. Nashville, Tennessee

  18. 38 Staycation Ideas to Vacation at Home (2024)

    1. Camping. Camping is one of my favorite staycation ideas for families because it's affordable, it's a great way to unplug, and it's a fun way to connect with your loved ones. If you don't live close to a campsite, you can even go camping in your backyard. Kids love camping, especially in the summer months.

  19. Big Fun Trip 旅遊情報

    Trip.com:以 Mastercard 預訂機票滿 $2,000 或以上 (未連稅) 即減 $100 優惠碼: MCFLIGHT (優惠名額逢星期五 00:00 更新) Trip.com:以中銀信用卡預訂機票滿 $1,800 或以上 (未連稅) 即減 $180 優惠碼: BOCFLIGHT (優惠名額逢星期二 00:00 更新) 寄艙行李限額:23kg 停留期限:2-7日

  20. Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

    Day 6 - Explore the Golden Ring. Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a "theme route" devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

  21. EPIC MOSCOW Itinerary! (2024 Guide)

    EPIC MOSCOW Itinerary! (2024) Moscow is the heart of Mother Russia. Just the mention of this city conjures images of colorful bulbous pointed domes, crisp temperatures, and a uniquely original spirit! Moscow has an incredibly turbulent history, a seemingly resilient culture, and a unique enchantment that pulls countless tourists to the city ...

  22. Traveling with babies and toddlers: What to pack, what to expect : Life

    Preethi Harbuck, author of the travel blog Local Passport Family and a mom of six kids helps parents who have these questions. She agrees that taking a big trip withyoung children — that is ...

  23. 72 Fun & Unusual Things to Do in Moscow

    14 - Visit Lenin's Mausoleum | Red Square. Another iconic Red Square attraction is Lenin's Mausoleum, a small yet foreboding building that houses the embalmed corpse of Communist leader Vladimir Lenin (who led Russia through the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917).

  24. 17 Exciting Things to do in Moscow

    Although this is a little outside the city centre, the sight from above is more than worth it, with the nearby fountains and park and then the whole of the city behind them. 10. Russian Market. If you love to visit markets wherever you go, Moscow has one of the most impressive ones in the world - the Izmailovsky.