Need a Vacation?

While discretionary spending continues to increase with the recovery from the recession that began in 2008, many people continue to take a conservative approach to their finances, and that approach extends to how they spend their time off.

Many families in Central Oregon are embracing the idea of a “staycation,” in which they forgo traveling, and instead make a vacation out of staying home. While the idea of staycations first hit the mainstream as a way to save money, people are realizing that there’s more to staycating than just the monetary benefit.

Here in the high desert, as summer winds down and fall sneaks quickly in, there’s a push to get out and explore and experience something fun and new. This can present quite a quandary when the time comes to decide exactly what that something should be, simply because the options are nearly limitless.

“That’s the blessing and the curse of living here,” said Alana Hughson, CEO of the Central Oregon Visitors Association. “We have thousands of amazing options just at our fingertips.”

Many of the options include things locals tend to take for granted. So the first thing to do when embarking on a staycation, is to start thinking like a tourist. Tourists are relaxing. They’re having fun. They’re not worried about their jobs or the laundry or picking up that thing by that time before that other event when you have to drop off so and so, and then handle such and such.

To truly enjoy a staycation requires a change in state-of-mind, a different perspective. It means planning a few days to act like someone who has never been to your hometown before.

“You drive by the roundabouts every single day. You’ve seen the breweries a million times, but maybe you’ve never been on the Deschutes Brewery Tour or taken the Roundabout Art Route,” said Tawna Fenske, PR & Communications Manager of Visit Bend.

“I get asked all the time about what the best things in Bend are, and I always say Drake Park. Locals forget that it’s in our backyard. There are over 70 parks within the city limits, people forget that they’re there,” continued Fenske. “The Turkish baths at McMenamins, Juniper Pool is neat and inexpensive and great for the family … Goody’s does factory tours and was named by Frommer’s as one of the nation’s top ice cream factory tours. We forget this stuff.”

For those seeking a more adventurous staycation, Central Oregon has always been about getting outdoors. A staycation is the perfect time to get out and mark a few things off that dusty bucket list.

Always wanted to explore one of the high lakes or float a different section of the Deschutes? Why not rent a kayak or stand-up-paddle board and do just that? Always wondered what the inside of a lava cave looks like? Why not descend into the earth to find out? Always thought rock climbing would be exhilerating? Why not take advantage of the world class climbing at Smith Rock State Park?

Whatever it is, chances are there are tourists with the same interests and therefore there are local rental companies and guide services at your disposal.

To have a successful staycation, simply do what you would do if you were on a remote vacation. Turn off your electronics. Dine out a few nights at restaurants you’ve never tried. Splurge on a show or event you wouldn’t normally attend. Simply step back and think about all the things that make Central Oregon such a desirable place to live, the things that make you glad you get to call this place home, and then get out there and enjoy it.