Summer officially arrived along with longer days and the dreaded Memphis humidity. Now, before you know it, kids will be heading back to school. But there’s sill time for a last-minute break. And, for those of you lucky enough to jet away to cooler destinations, congrats! But for those of us, who are out of frequent flyer miles, never fear! You can enjoy a much-deserved “Staycation” instead.

If you’re contemplating a staycation, you have a few options to consider. Are you hoping to catch up on rest and relaxation, read through the pile of books you got on Amazon Prime, and eager to catch up on your favorite Netflix sitcoms? Check out our list of tips on how to make the most out of your homebound hiatus.

Try to unplug…just a little
Even if you’re pumped to binge watch episodes of The Office and Grey’s Anatomy, consider leaving your email unchecked and turning off most of your app notifications. To truly reset, you’ll need to focus on rest without distractions. Consider adding an “out of office” responder to your email, even if it’s your personal account. That will let people know you’re not MIA, and you’ll get back to them soon.

Eat good food
Maybe you’re the Guy Fieri of kosher cooking, or the queen of take-out (ahem, guilty!), but either way, you should be well stocked in delicious food during your staycation. If you plan to cook most of your meals, splurge on exotic grocery items or prepare a new recipe you’ve been eyeing, but haven’t had time to try out. If you’re like me, and the idea of adding a sink full of dirty dishes to the equation fills you with dread, make a list of restaurants to order from, or get pre-made, frozen dishes you can cook at home and ta-da, dinner is served!

Invest in a house cleaning
If you don’t have a regular house cleaning service, consider a one-time deep clean prior to your staycation, otherwise you might be tempted to dust the blinds and Magic Eraser your baseboards. Ask friends for recommendations or choose a commercial company with a good rating, and make sure you schedule the cleaning for just before your staycation begins. If your yard work can’t be left undone for a week, pay a neighborhood kid to cut the grass so you can mark it off your to-do list as well.

Get out of the house
Yes, the point of a staycation is to stay in,but if you’re cooped up for too long, you’re bound to get cabin fever. Take an early morning walk around Shelby Farms, or even your neighborhood. Buy a few plants ahead of time and plant them in flower beds or containers around the house. Even in the Memphis heat and humidity, being outside and getting a good dose of Vitamin D will keep you on track for an enjoyable break.

If staying in doesn’t sound enticing, maybe you’d like to enjoy your staycation away from home, but remain in the city. That’s easy peasy, considering the fabulous hotels and Airbnb options Memphis has to offer. From the grand luxury of the Peabody Hotel to the cosmopolitan amenities of the Madison, you can still enjoy that feeling of getting away that comes with a hotel suite. While you’re downtown, take advantage of the many attractions you always say you’ll visit, but never find time to enjoy.

Here’s an itinerary that’s sure to please

  • Breakfast at Cafe Keough or Brunch at the Majestic Grille downtown
  • Hike across the Mississippi River via the Big River Crossing
  • Check out Sun Studio with a guided tour
  • Lunch at Gus’s Fried Chicken or the Trolley Stop Market
  • Take in some fine art (and some air conditioning!) at the Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art
  • Hop on the Memphis Brew Bus for a tour of local craft breweries or take the family to Crosstown Concourse for MemPops and people watching
  • Enjoy dinner at Maximo’s on Broad or The Beauty Shoppe in Midtown
  • Treat the kiddos to ping pong at Railgarten or wind down with cocktails at Loflin Yard

Whether your idea of the perfect staycation is “down time” or Downtown, Memphis has you covered – there’s no reason to stress! Between our parks, museums, and eclectic dining and social scene, you’ve got it made in the shade. So, don’t turn green with envy when your friends are filling up your Instagram feed with out-of-town selfies. Just repeat after me: Stay Calm and Staycation!