How To Staycation In Your Hometown

Since we have spent the past five months at home, I figured why not take advantage of all the stuff my hometown and current city have to offer! I have always been one to be a "tourist" in my town. I love doing all of the things! From going to restaurants to sightseeing, I am there, but even with this new normal, there are plenty of ways to get out of the house, support small businesses, and have some good old fashion fun!

The first activity to put on your itinerary is very safe and easy to do! Not to mention the inspiration came from my mother, the owner of Pinehurst Picnic Co. There is something about gathering on a blanket with loved ones, a nice bottle of wine, and a charcuterie board that feels as though you are living the life of luxury, despite being in your backyard. If you are a Pinehurst local I highly suggest reaching to Pinehurst Picnic Co. to experience your very own luxury picnic by design. If you live elsewhere, no worries! I love taking a bottle of wine, my favorite Turkish towel from The Charleston Weekender at Cannonborough Collective, grabbing some Tate's Cookies, and sitting in a grassy knoll with my girlfriend's just chatting about our day's. That is what is so great about picnics, they can be however big or small and wherever you want them. Not to mention picnics can make it easy to stay socially distant!

The next thing you can do when you are home is to shop small! Safely of course. Fully masked up and with hand sanitizer at your disposal. This activity is SO important to your community, and in my opinion so fun. Whether you are going to a local plant shop, book store, coffee shop, or clothing store, your community needs you now more than ever, and honestly, you deserve to treat yourself ! If you follow me you know my shopping addiction has been fueled more than ever (not sure if I am proud to admit that your not) but I do know I am shopping from stores I love and are owned by wonderful people that I am happy to support! For Pinehurst Locals, stores to check out would be The Roast Office, which is a coffee shop that doubles as a book store! Cooper and Bailey's my favorite clothing store in the Pines and The Modern Planter for all of your green thumb needs. For my D.C. people, places to support would be The Emissary for coffee, Kramer Books for all of my quarantine readers, and don't forget the Farmer's Market in Dupont on Sunday's, FRESHFARM! No matter where you shop, try to keep it small and local, and know you are helping out others around you and keeping your community strong. Plus how fun is it to stroll around your town with bags in one hand, and a beverage in the other!? For a quick local tip, I have found following my favorite local spots, bloggers, and publications like The Sway or The Washingtonian Mag on Instagram is a great resource for all local happenings!

Another thing you can do on your staycation is The Unthinkable! Yes, I am talking about going to restaurants. Our favorite foodie spots need our help too and you can't deny that every now and then it feels amazing to peel off your athleisure and step out of the house in real clothes! Of course, this suggestion means you must be responsible and wear your mask at the appropriate times, and keep washing those hands! A few of my favorite local eats are must-stops if you haven't already been! Starting in Pinehurst, if you are craving ramen, Fish Co. is fantastic! Not only are their ramen bowls delicious, but their Sushi is just as fabulous. Definitely a unique experience in this quaint little town. Another one of my Go-To stops is Theos Taverna located in the heart of Pinehurst! This is my favorite place for Homemade Hummus and Sangria and I never leave disappointed! If you are in D.C. you know how well the city has handled the pandemic, and one of my favorite things this city has done was block off the roads and let restaurants create their own patios in the streets! If you are craving the restaurant experience, but want your space Rakuya has THE BEST happy hour and patio space! If you are looking for a patio experience under twinkle lights, I can't recommend Duke's Grocery enough, which has the Orange Crush, and Burger you will forever dream about! Lastly, if you are looking for are itching to be by the water and escape from the city, I recommend heading to Maryland and get the full Maryland Crab experience! Now, I know going to a restaurant right now might not be your idea of a good time, so I am going to make this a full circle moment and let you know that you can always order out and have a picnic (wink, wink) at home! As Hannah Montana once said, "Mix it all together and you know that it's the best of both worlds."

All of these suggestions might seem like no-brainers and something you have done for years. But knowing that there was a point in time where we couldn't do these things makes it feel more important now than ever to appreciate all that your town has to offer. The next time you go on a walk, go somewhere new and enjoy the fresh air and scenery. Visit the historic spots or hometown staples (safely) and remind yourself what makes your city special. Try something new at a restaurant or go on a picnic, and go into your favorite shops and make your purchase mean something. Being stuck at home does not have to be terrible, take a moment to realize there is so much around you and you do not have to sit on your couch and watch Netflix for the next five months. Unless you want to, then do what brings you joy! For now, I am going to continue to explore D.C. and be a tourist in my city fully masked up. I highly suggest you do the same. Thanks for reading, and please tag me in your photos to show me how you're embracing your staycation!

Xoxo,

Failing Fabulously