​Things for a Perfect Staycation

Are you getting that itch, that urge, that NEED to travel again? But you are not ready to make a big trip commitment? We at the IMS Travel Department suggest a staycation.

What exactly is a staycation? It’s where you vacation but at “home.”

To get you inspired for your vacation, here are a few elements to consider when planning yours:

Be a Tourist in Your Own City!

When you think about the city you live in, you probably don’t see it as a big tourist destination. But on your staycation, adopt the persona of a tourist that has never been there before! Google your city and see what comes up for major activities and “must-see” items. Go down to city hall or our tourism information office and pick up all the brochures. If you want to take it a step further, check with your IMS broker too to get a list of available entertainment, restaurants, recreational activities, breweries, or wineries, that are on trade! Once you have your information, determine what you want to do and go forth! Be a tourist in your own town!

Actually Staying Home

Even though a majority of us have been inside our homes for the better part of two years, thanks to Covid, it is still a place that we’ve spent years making sure its the perfect place to spend time in. To make it extra special, do extra special things: take a long bath versus a quick shower, invite friends over for a game night or movie night with a projector to give it a “movie theater” feel. Cater in a feast from a new restaurant. Pitch a tent in your living room or backyard and make it a ‘glamping’ experience.

All of that can be achieved from three places with IMS: The IMS Marketplace, the IMS App, and your IMS Broker. You can find items like luxury bath supplies (bath bombs, bath salts, etc), projectors, games, tents, backyard games, even wine, and more on the IMS Marketplace! Need a place for catering or take-out? The IMS app can give you all the restaurants in your area that take trade. If you are looking for something specific and can’t find it on the website or the app, call your Broker. They are the experts and can make sure to get what you are looking for on trade.

Live the High Life

Consider splurging on a day or night of pure luxury. Search on the Travel section of the IMS Website or call the Travel Department directly and find the closest upscale hotel near you and then book it. Then use your trade to book a spa day and treat yourself to massages and other therapeutic treatments. End the night with trade too - book a fabulous dinner at an upscale restaurant in the IMS network and make sure you order dessert too. Also, make sure you sleep in by getting the late checkout.

Day Trip Road Trip!

The beauty of staycations is discovering the things we’ve overlooked because we live there. So consider doing a day trip or small road trip to a neighboring area! If you want to get really wild, get a map of your state, tack it up on a wall, and throw a dart. Wherever the dart lands, you go! Call your IMS Broker or the Travel Department to see what’s there to do in the area. If that’s too much planning for you, just make sure you have the IMS App downloaded onto your phone! You can find whatever you need with the app and can even authorize transactions on the fly and use the local pick-up feature in the IMS Marketplace, all from the app.

Hopefully, this sparks some staycation ideas for you! And if it does, make sure to give IMS a call so we can make it your best staycation yet!