How to Vacation at Home During Coronavirus

The coronavirus outbreak has disrupted everyone’s routine in all sorts of ways. If you had a nice vacation planned, you might be feeling especially disappointed right about now. But even if you can’t go anywhere, you can still enjoy some luxurious time off in the comfort of your own home! From taking a virtual fieldtrip to creating a spa in your own bathroom, there are all kinds of creative ways to relax while you’re stuck in lockdown.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Getting Outdoors

1. Camp out in the backyard if you’re starved for fresh air. Nothing says “vacation” like sleeping under the stars. If you have a tent and some yard space, set up a little camp on your own lawn.^[1] If the weather is nice, you could even skip the tent and sleep in a hammock.
   
   • You could also build a campfire if you really want to feel like you’re roughing it!
   • Backyard camping can be especially fun if you have kids at home.
2. Have a hotdog or marshmallow roast for a summer camp vibe. Build a fire or crank up the grill and cook some classic campfire treats in your yard! If you have chocolates and graham crackers on hand, take your marshmallow roast to the next level with some tasty s’mores.^[2]
   
   • If you have a campfire kettle, you could even make some old-fashioned hot cocoa over the fire.
3. Dine al fresco on your porch or patio to make meals more fun. Sitting outside can transform any dining experience into a vacation-worthy event. If you have a porch or balcony, set up a dining area there and enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner in the fresh air. You could also spread out a picnic blanket on your lawn and enjoy a backyard picnic.
   
   • If you live with your significant other, invite them to a romantic outdoor dinner date. Set a table outdoors with your fanciest dinnerware and a couple of candles, turn on some mood music, and serve a delicious home-cooked meal!
4. Play an outdoor game like croquet or bocce to get moving. You may not be able to play squash at the gym or even kick a ball around at your local park, but you can still have outdoor fun with some lawn space and a few supplies. If you have the gear, put together a game of croquet, bocce ball, or Giant Jenga in your yard.^[3]
   
   • Even a simple game of catch or frisbee can be a fun way to pass the time and get some exercise.
   • If you’re feeling really ambitious, combine crafting with sports and make some DIY lawn games, like ring toss with bottles and wooden craft hoops.
5. Splash around in an inflatable pool to cool off. If you’ve got warm weather and no place to go, relax by climbing into a backyard pool. If you don’t have a pool, you can order an inflatable one online and set it up in minutes. All you need is an electric air pump and a water hose!
   
   • Toss in some inflatable beach balls or a Shoot ball hoop for extra fun.^[4]
6. Walk a local hiking trail if any are open. While some of the more crowded parks and trails have closed down due to the epidemic, you may still be able to find open trails and walking paths in your area. Head out for a nature walk if you’re feeling cooped up and want to get out of the house—just make sure to stay at least away from any other hikers!^[5]
   
   • When you get home, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, just in case you came into contact with any contaminated surfaces during your trek.
   • Since trailside services will be more limited due to the virus, make sure to bring any essentials you need, like food, water, and first aid supplies. You might not even be able to find an open outdoor restroom along the trail.

[Edit]Relaxing at Home

1. Catch some rays in your backyard if you feel cooped up. Getting out in the sun can boost your mood, help you relax, and give you a healthy dose of vitamin D.^[6] When the weather is nice, stretch out on a lawn chair, hammock, or beach towel and soak up some sunlight!
   
   • Listen to some relaxing music, read a good book, or just lie quietly and listen to the sounds of the outdoors.
   • If you’re concerned about sunburn or skin damage, put on some sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 if you plan to be out for more than 10-15 minutes.^[7]
2. Unwind with a luxurious bubble bath if you’re tense. There’s something magical about taking a warm bath. It’s a great way to relieve stress and take a mental break.^[8] Fill your tub with warm water and throw in some bubble bath, bath oils, or soothing Epsom salts. Then climb in, lie back, and relax!
   
   • Enhance the experience by lighting some candles and turning on some peaceful music or a relaxing audiobook.
   • You could even order a bathtub tray so you can easily get cozy with a glass of wine, a snack, or a favorite book in the tub.
   • If you don’t have a tub, you can still unwind with a relaxing shower. Order some aromatherapy shower fizzies online to give your shower a soothing scent, or lather up with your favorite fancy shower gel on a soft pouf or loofah.
3. Drink a cocktail on the porch or patio to get into vacation mode. Having a drink outside is a fun way to get that “relaxing at a fancy resort” feeling. Mix up your favorite cocktail or keep it simple and just grab a beer or a glass of wine. Then, head onto your porch, patio, or balcony to drink it and enjoy the fresh air.
   
   • If you don’t drink, try an alcohol-free mocktail, like a virgin mojito or a Shirley Temple.
   • Some bars are currently selling to-go drinks or cocktail kits to make it easier for customers to mix up a fancy drink.^[9]
4. Set the mood by playing some relaxing music. Good music can help you unwind and take you on a mental or emotional journey.^[10] Listen to some tunes you love or create a playlist that evokes whatever place you’d most like to be right now. Play it while you’re relaxing outdoors, unwinding in the bath, having dinner, or even just stretching out on your couch.
   
   • For example, you could make a playlist of Hawaiian music to help you feel like you’re on an island vacation.
   • Listening to nature sounds is also a great way to unwind and set a peaceful mood.
5. Relieve stress and tension with a little light yoga. A good vacation is relaxing for both your mind and your body. Try unwinding with some simple yoga poses, like the Extended Puppy or Child’s Pose, the Cat Cow, or the Reclining Bound Angle pose.^[11]
   
   • Look for yoga routines online or sign up for a virtual yoga class if you need a little guidance.
   • You can also try meditating or doing progressive muscle relaxation to relax your body and mind.

[Edit]Exploring the World from Your Living Room

1. Take a virtual walk through a museum if you’re an art lover. If you’ve always dreamed of visiting the Louvre, you’re in luck! It’s one of several museums that are offering virtual tours of their collections during the coronavirus pandemic.^[12] Visit your favorite museum’s website to see if they’re offering tours or other special online content, or explore material from 500 museums all over the world with the Google Arts and Culture app!^[13]
   
   • If you’ve got kids at home, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s MetKids website is a great way for them to explore the museum’s collection and learn about art history: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/online-features/metkids/.
   • If you love museums but you’re more into the sciences, try taking a virtual tour of the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of Natural History: https://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour.
2. Visit your favorite zoo online for a digital safari experience. If you love wildlife, check out some of the virtual tours and animal cams that have popped up at zoos around the world! You might even get some behind-the-scenes and up close glimpses at your favorite animals that you wouldn’t experience during a regular zoo visit.^[14]
   
   • For example, the Cincinnati Zoo offers a daily virtual safari on their Facebook page.^[15]
   • The San Diego Zoo has live cams of several of their animals, including their elephants, polar bears, penguins, tigers, and burrowing owls.^[16]
   • Visit Explore.org to see live cams of animals in the wild or at rescues and sanctuaries around the world!
3. Have an underwater adventure with a reef or aquarium live cam. Even if you’re missing out on a tropical diving expedition right now, you can still visit the reef virtually from the comfort of your home. Check out live cams from the Monterey or Georgia Aquariums, or visit a wild reef cam at Explore.org.^[17]
   
   • Some aquariums, like the New England Aquarium, also have live presentations from their researchers and staff!^[18]
4. Stroll around a national park via Google Arts & Culture if you love nature. If you’re longing to go hiking in the wilderness, try exploring some of the world’s natural wonders in 360° on Google Arts & Culture. You can get started by visiting the National Park Service page: https://artsandculture.google.com/project/national-park-service.
   
   • Some of the parks you can explore include Yosemite National Park, the Redwood National and State Parks, and the Grand Canyon.
   • You can find other parks to visit online at https://www.nationalparks.org/connect/blog/take-virtual-visit-national-park.
5. Go into orbit using the International Space Station livestream. Don’t feel restricted to visiting places you can see on Earth. Take a virtual trip to space with NASA’s ISS live stream: https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/iss_ustream.html.
   
   • You can see stunning views of Earth from space using the ISS’s Earth Views from the Space Station channel or the ISS HD Earth Viewing Experiment.
   • If you have kids, let them join an astronaut on the space station for Story Time from Space: https://storytimefromspace.com/.

[Edit]Creating a Hotel Experience at Home

1. Tidy up and decorate your space to help it feel more luxurious. Want to make your home feel like a luxury resort? Start by doing a little tidying up. Put away any messes, make your bed neatly, organize your closets, and set out some nice décor to help set the mood.^[19]
   
   • For example, if you want to feel like you’re vacationing in a cabin in the mountains, put out some rustic decorations, like some distressed wood wall plaques or galvanized tin vases.
2. Freshen up your rooms with some nice scents. The right smells can really set the mood and help you get into a vacation mindset. Use candles, diffusers, incense, or even fresh flower buds to make your home smell like a spa, a rustic cabin, or a tropical resort.^[20]
   
   • For example, you could use subtle scents of plumeria or coconut in your living room to evoke a tropical paradise, or put fresh roses or lavender around your kitchen to make it feel like a country cottage.
3. Turn your bathroom into a relaxing spa. Put out some fresh, soft towels, set out a luxurious scented soap, and stock your linen closet with robes and fuzzy slippers.^[21] If you want, you can even do a little toilet paper origami to make it feel extra fancy!
   
   • Taking a nice bath can be a great way to unwind and get into the vacation mindset. Get some scented bath salts, oil beads, or fizzies to make the experience special.
   • You can also spruce up the space with some nice décor, like a pretty shower curtain, a bamboo bath mat, or even a beautiful potted plant, like an orchid or eucalyptus.^[22]
4. Take turns bringing “room service” to others in your home. If you’re living with other people, you can help each other get into the vacation groove even more by offering deluxe, hotel-style service. Have a continental breakfast ready for your family when they get up, or take turns making the bed or changing out the towels in the bathroom.^[23]
   
   • If you live alone, even making your own bed and putting a mint on the pillow can make you feel more like you’re on vacation!

[Edit]Attending Events Online

1. Livestream a concert to enjoy live music from home. Your favorite music festival may have been canceled because of the virus, but the good news is that many artists and musical groups are hosting live events online! Tune in on your computer or check your TV listings to find out about upcoming musical events.^[24]
   
   • For example, if you’re an opera lover, the Metropolitan Opera is offering nightly live opera streams in HD.^[25]
   • If you’ve got children at home, keep them entertained with the Lincoln Center’s Concert for Kids series.^[26]
   • Look for your favorite artists on YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook to find out if they’re releasing live content!
2. Join a virtual karaoke party if you like to sing. If you’re the type of person who likes to belt along with your favorite tunes, take advantage of the karaoke parties that have been popping up all over the internet since the outbreak started. Organize your own using a platform like Zoom, Discord, or Google Duo, or hop onto a website like https://karaoke.camp/ to drop into a public karaoke session.^[27]
   
   • You could also host or join a virtual dance party or jam session. If you have a favorite DJ, check their social media to find out if they have any online dance events coming up.^[28]
3. Organize or attend a movie watching party with friends. You can’t go to the theater or even invite friends over for a movie night, but that doesn’t mean you can’t watch your favorite movies and shows together. Install the Netflix Party extension to set up a group viewing experience on your computer, or hop on Metastream or Kast to access multiple streaming platforms through a single app!^[29]
   
   • If you really want to see your friends’ faces, you can video chat and watch Netflix at the same time with the Scene extension.

[Edit]Finding Ways to Play at Home

1. Break out the boardgames if you live with other people. Playing games is a fun way to pass the time with loved ones when you can’t go anywhere. Unwind together with classics like Clue, Monopoly, or Battleship, or try a more contemporary game like Grand Museum of Art, Cards Against Humanity, or Escape from Iron Gate.^[30]
   
   • If you’re not into boardgames, try playing cards or putting together a puzzle. You can also get active with a game like Twister or Charades!
2. Have a video game day so you can explore a virtual world. When you can’t go out, video games offer an alternative form of escape. Plunge yourself into an immersive fantasy world with Skyrim or Final Fantasy, or build your own little paradise with Animal Crossing: New Horizons.^[31]
   
   • If you’re living with family or roommates, get a friendly competition going with a game of Super Smash Bros. or Mario Kart.
   • Play an MMORPG like World of Warcraft to hang out with friends online.
3. Do some crafts if you’re the artsy type. A pandemic-enforced staycation is the perfect opportunity to finish up an art project or pick up some new hobbies. Create a painting, take an online knitting class, or order a calligraphy set online and start doing some beautiful lettering!^[32]
   
   • If art supply stores aren’t open in your area, hop online and have some delivered. Some arts and crafts stores offer curbside pickup so you can get your supplies without having to go inside. However, this service may not be available everywhere, so check with your local stores.
   • Browse Pinterest or your favorite arts and crafts blog for project ideas and inspirations!
4. Start a jam session or dance party in your living room to blow off steam. If you’re musically inclined, playing music and dancing are great ways to express yourself and get your body moving while you’re staying home. Break out some instruments or crank up a quarantine playlist on YouTube and start grooving!^[33]
   
   • If you like to dance with a partner, have a romantic living room date with your significant other. Dress up a little, dim the lights, and do some ballroom dancing.

[Edit]Video

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.countryliving.com/entertaining/g27274046/backyard-tent-camping/
2. ↑ https://www.countryliving.com/entertaining/g27274046/backyard-tent-camping/
3. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/10-diy-lawn-games-to-bring-the-amusement-park-home-44603
4. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home-products/g5095/swimming-pool-games/
5. ↑ https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2020/03/31/coronavirus-how-stay-safe-while-hiking-during-pandemic/5086868002/
6. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2290997/
7. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/vitamin-d-and-your-health-breaking-old-rules-raising-new-hopes
8. ↑ https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/uz2209
9. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2020/04/19/traveling-in-spirit/
10. ↑ https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/uz2209
11. ↑ https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/uz2286#uz2287
12. ↑ https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne#tabs
13. ↑ https://www.today.com/parents/try-these-virtual-field-trips-educational-fun-home-t176105
14. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/virtual-escape-staycation-work-from-home-social-distancing-coronavirus-boredom-entertainment#peer-inside-the-enclosures-of-pandas-polar-bears-and-beluga-whales-across-the-united-states-thanks-to-zoo-livestreams-10
15. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/events/2915534028492292/
16. ↑ https://kids.sandiegozoo.org/videos
17. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/virtual-escape-staycation-work-from-home-social-distancing-coronavirus-boredom-entertainment#peer-inside-the-enclosures-of-pandas-polar-bears-and-beluga-whales-across-the-united-states-thanks-to-zoo-livestreams-10
18. ↑ https://www.neaq.org/visit/at-home-events-and-activities/
19. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/tips/completely-correct-guide-vacationing-home/
20. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/home-fragrance
21. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/tips/completely-correct-guide-vacationing-home/
22. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/decorating/decorating-bathroom/spa-like-bathroom
23. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/tips/completely-correct-guide-vacationing-home/
24. ↑ https://www.npr.org/2020/03/17/816504058/a-list-of-live-virtual-concerts-to-watch-during-the-coronavirus-shutdown
25. ↑ https://www.metopera.org/about/press-releases/met-launches-nightly-met-opera-streams-a-free-series-of-encore-live-in-hd-presentations-streamed-on-the-company-website-during-the-coronavirus-closure/
26. ↑ http://lincolncenter.org/lincoln-center-at-home
27. ↑ https://www.vulture.com/2020/03/how-to-host-zoom-karaoke-while-coronavirus-social-distancing.html
28. ↑ https://time.com/5809569/dj-dance-party-coronavirus/
29. ↑ https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/25/21191604/watch-movies-friends-online-netflix-hulu-youtube-party-twoseven-metastream-amazon-hbo-scener
30. ↑ https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/03/31/best-new-board-games-for-those-coronavirus-lockdown-days-and-evenings/
31. ↑ https://www.nprillinois.org/post/12-video-games-play-during-shelter-place
32. ↑ https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/03/9552059/things-to-do-at-home-during-coronavirus-activities
33. ↑ https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2020/03/16/coronavirus-quarantine-100-things-do-while-trapped-inside/5054632002/