10 summer staycation ideas

With travel restrictions in place across the country, many Canadians are looking forward to sticking close to home this summer and exploring their regions in a safe and responsible way. Planning a summer vacation in Canada for 2021 is a great way to rediscover the magic of travel, while supporting small businesses in your community.

Here are 10 local summer staycation ideas to help you play tourist in your province, city, and even your own backyard – no passport required!

[Photo Credit: kleberpicui]

If you can’t travel cross-border this summer, take a provincial road trip to explore nearby sites.

• Commune with nature: Our country is home to thousands of national and provincial parks that feature stunning scenery and activities for those who like the outdoors. Spend your summer vacation in Canada exploring these majestic areas and take advantage of forested hiking and cycling trails, public beaches, and campgrounds.

• Visit a farm: Agritourism outings are a great way to learn about the farmers who live and work in your provincial countryside. Leave the big city behind and take a rural road trip to experience fragrant lavender fields, pick-your-own fruit patches, scenic vineyards, and family-owned cheese farms.

• Seek out usual attractions: From small-town museums to obscure art installations, each province has its own quirky roadside attractions worthy of a day trip. Make the most of your staycation in Canada; hop in the car and marvel at the 40-foot-tall Big Apple in Ontario, learn about the history of spuds at the Canadian Potato Museum in PEI, meet some curious critters at the Gopher Hole Museum in Alberta, or take a selfie at the château de canettes (a castle made of 27,000 aluminum cans) in Québec.

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Hit the road this summer!
Let YP connect you with Tourist Information Centres that point you in the right direction.

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You might think you know your city like the back of your hand, but there’s always something new to discover. Here are a few city-based summer staycation ideas:

• Shop for local goodies: Small, independent businesses have been hit hard by lockdowns over the last year, so shopping locally is a great way to show them your support. Whether you’re looking for arts and crafts, gourmet goodies, or kids’ toys, you’re bound to find incredible retailers in your city offering handmade goods by local artisans.

• Take a walking tour: Sign up with a local tour operator and hit the pavement to uncover the fascinating history behind some of the iconic landmarks and heritage sites in your hometown.

• Head to a nearby lookout point: Get a different perspective on your city by checking it out from on high. Find a nearby viewpoint (whether that’s a tall office tower or some elevated terrain) and enjoy a bird's-eye view of the landscape below.

• Take advantage of the waterfront: Reconnect with your local lake, river, or oceanfront during a scenic on-the-water activity like paddle-boarding, kayaking, or a sunset boat cruise.

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Planning an urban summer staycation?
Let YP find a local Hotel or Motel where you can check in and unwind.

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These hyper-local summer staycation ideas will help you see your hometown through a fresh set of eyes.

• Camp in your backyard: You don’t have to travel to a far-flung location to enjoy a classic Canadian summer vacation camping experience. Set up a cozy tent in your backyard, light some lanterns, and spend the night telling ghost stories and sleeping under the stars.

• Visit a community garden: Whether you live in a small town or a big city, there’s bound to be a community garden nearby. Take a stroll and appreciate the plant life at a local vegetable plot, tropical greenhouse, or a sprawling garden centre.

• Dine at a local restaurant: After months of eating at home, it’s time to take your taste buds on a journey. Plan an outing to a new-to-you restaurant, café, or ice cream parlour in your neighbourhood and remember the thrill of tasting something new. If local health conditions allow, enjoy patio dining or get it to go and make it into a memorable picnic.

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Want to taste something new in your neighbourhood?
Let YP help you find a nearby Restaurant for your next take-out picnic.

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