Going on vacation doesn’t have to resemble living out of a suitcase while your kids run wild. Vacation homes and condos make for a comfortable and relaxing stay, whether you remain in your own home state or travel across the country.
We’ve discovered a few ways to go the extra mile and turn your vacation rental into a cozy home away from home; whether you’re headed to a sleepy beachside town in Florida or want to dive into the 24/7 nonstop entertainment of Las Vegas.
Book a Longer Stay
A few nights in a hotel with your whole family probably feels like more than enough time before you’re ready to retreat back home. But a vacation home or condo gives you the space to comfortably book a few extra days — or weeks — to really get to know an area. You’ll also get to savor your family vacation and pace yourself for spontaneous adventures and relaxation, instead of hopping from attraction to attraction.
Bring Your Creature Comforts
Nothing says home like bringing along the comforts that matter the most to your family. Turn your vacation rental into a haven of creature comforts that keeps everyone happy. Pack-up your favorite pillows and throws, toys for the kids and even favorite snacks. Your creature comforts can also include your trusty crock pot or cooking tools to whip up family meals to savor in your temporary home.
Find Local Events
Earmark a few days to explore your local area and participate in events beyond the major tourist attractions, festivals and theme parks. Pick up local magazines at your vacation destination’s library, grocery store and supermarkets to see what’s going on. Look for those hidden gems like community movie nights in the park, concerts at a public garden or weekly playgroups with the locals.
Get Out of the Car
Your car will only take you so far when it comes to living like a local on your next family vacation. Instead, take long walks in your new neighborhood, grab a coffee at a local cafe and join a walking tour. The more time your family spends in your vacation community, the more you’ll find those favorite shops, restaurants and new friends.
Volunteer
Dive headfirst into your vacation community by volunteering. Talk with your older kids about activities that allow you to team up as a unit to best serve local needs. Serving dishes at a soup kitchen, helping with trash cleanup at a local park, or reading to kids at an after school center are a few places to start.
Want other ideas? Kitty Bean Yancey from VacationDifferently.com also has helpful insights to living like a local while renting a property on your next vacation.
Eat Locally and Share
“Don’t just eat local specialties in restaurants. Try heading to the local farmer’s market then making them yourself in your rental kitchen.” Yancey also has an interesting take on your next family vacation cook-out that we love. “Have a barbecue or invite new acquaintances over for a drink. Socializing in your vacation digs is almost guaranteed to make rented quarters truly feel like home.”
Ready to live like a local on your next family vacation? Visit WyndhamVacationRentals.com to find out about booking your stay at Wyndham Vacation Rentals.
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