I'm new to Boston. Here's how I've turned every weekend into a staycation.
As an early-career professional who is new to Boston, every weekend feels like an opportunity for a staycation. I find travel planning to be a bit overwhelming, and I'm also cost-conscious, so staycations have allowed me to be more intentional with my weekends.
Get Starting Point
A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday.
Enter Email
Sign Up
When planning a staycation, I typically look for an opportunity to relax, recharge, and slow down to enjoy things I might not have a chance to during the week.
Recently, this has meant exploring the numerous galleries Boston has to offer, as they often take me to new parts of the city, allow for moments of meditation, and provide opportunities to make new friends.
One weekend of excursions began early with the
Advertisement
Then, on Friday, I perused the galleries, shops, and showrooms open in SoWa for their monthly First Friday. There, I saw exhibits like Campbell-Lynn McLean's first solo exhibition,
Another weekend's staycation was a continuation of my art exploration, taking me to Provincetown via the
I walked up and down Commercial Street, people-watching while eating a homemade buttermilk biscuit from
Inside the Provincetown Public Library, I learned about the history behind the
Later, after visiting more shops like
Advertisement
This was followed by Cambridge residents welcoming me into their yards for live music at the city's first
Yet, as much as I enjoy exploring, sometimes the most important part of a staycation is the opportunity to do nothing.
To avoid the heat, one weekend I set up shop in my living room and watched a few movies and TV shows that I'd been meaning to catch up on, including
Just about anything can feel like a vacation in this city, I've discovered, even just grabbing a coffee and pastry from
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
09-08-2025
- Forbes
Sustainable Sydney: How Australia's Tourism Industry Is Leaning Into The Green
Cityscape of Sydney, Australia, which has numerous green tourism initiatives. getty Margret Campbell stands at the edge of Sydney's Harbor foreshore, her hand brushing the leaves of a seasonal wattle tree. 'This isn't just a plant,' says Campbell, her voice steady with purpose. 'It's a seasonal pharmacy in a huge supermarket and a teaching classroom. My ancestors lived sustainably here for 65,000 years. Now, Sydney is finally listening.' Campbell isn't just preserving history, she's helping write Sydney's future. As founder of Dreamtime Southern X, her Aboriginal-led tours fuse ancient land stewardship practices with the city's ambitious sustainability push. And travelers are taking note. 'Sydney is doing something special,' says Stephen McGillivray, chief partner marketing officer at Internova Travel Group, which recently brought U.S. travel agents to Sydney. 'They're not just slapping solar panels on buildings. They're building a green economy that honors First Nations wisdom.' They're not just slapping solar panels on buildings. They're building a green economy that honors First Nations wisdom. Stephen McGillivray, chief partner marketing officer at Internova Travel Group The numbers back him up: Sydney now ranks second in the Asia-Pacific region on the prestigious Global Destination Sustainability Index, with a score that leapt six points in a year. But this isn't your typical eco-reboot. From airport runways to art galleries, Australia's glittering harbor city is quietly proving that cutting-edge climate tech works best when rooted in timeless traditions. Aunty Margret Campbell, an elder and founder of Dreamtime Southern X, an Aboriginal culture tour operator, leads a tour around the Sydney Harbour foreshore. Aren Elliott A blueprint for Australian sustainability Campbell's tours reveal what sustainability looks like through a 65,000-year lens. 'Every plant, every rock, flora, fauna and marine life has its story and place,' she explains. "Modern Sydney's finally remembering that.' Her work dovetails with impressive progress: Sydney Airport now spends 24 percent more on Indigenous suppliers than in 2022, part of its 2030 net-zero plan. The new $344 million expansion of the Art Gallery of New South Wales has a six-star Green Star rating, using stormwater recycling and native plant roofs. The City of Sydney has slashed operational emissions by 76 percent since 2006 through building electrification and implementing energy-saving circular economy policies. 'It's not about going backward,' says Melissa Snape of tour operator Collette, which partners with Campbell's company. 'It's about using ancestral knowledge to solve modern problems.' A concrete jungle turns green Unlike other sustainability leaders, Sydney's innovations aren't obvious. There are no signs advertising the city's green credentials. And Sydney is a typical big city, a little edgier than Melbourne but friendlier than Brisbane, so people aren't exactly talking about it all the time. You have to look closer to find out how it's being sustainable. But the evidence is all there. At Sydney Metro West, tunnel boring machines chew through sandstone while running entirely on renewable energy. As one project leader noted, "It's engineering meets ethics.' In Surry Hills, boutique hotels like the one real estate consultant Sebastian Wade visited now source power from regional solar farms. 'They even composted my breakfast scraps,' he marvels. But the real magic happens where tradition and innovation meet. At Midden by Mark Olive, the Indigenous restaurant inside Sydney Opera House, diners taste lemon myrtle-crusted barramundi while hearing stories of bush-tucker foraging. 'Every bite teaches stewardship,' says McGillivray. Sydney's sustainability playbook reads like a tech startup's pitch deck — with a heavy First Nations influence. Sydney's ripple effect The impact of Sydney's sustainability efforts stretches far beyond the city's postcard skyline. At Voyages Indigenous Tourism, solar-powered resorts in the Outback fund health care and education for Anangu communities. Their National Indigenous Training Academy has placed over 2,500 First Nations people in tourism jobs. Even Australia's famous adrenaline tourism is getting a reboot. Adventurer Meeshka Brand found that Sydney's Blue Mountains trekking hubs now offer zero-waste climbing gear rentals. 'You rappel down sandstone cliffs knowing your dollars protect them,' she says. Australia may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of ecotourism, but the innovations happening in Sydney are affecting the entire country. And their influence is growing. The road ahead for Sydney Challenges remain. Overtourism still strains resources, and critics argue green certifications need stricter oversight. Campbell is hopeful. A former schoolteacher, she says her tours are shaping how visitors see Sydney, and affecting the city's overall vision of sustainability. "It's bringing awareness to these issues," she says. But she says more needs to be done. In addition to working with tour operators and cruise ships, Campbell also offers tours to business and school groups. She teaches them the principles of the ancestors — that you can't take something from the land without putting something back – and the importance of rituals and tradition. It's clear that Sydney's voyage toward sustainability is only beginning. The signs of progress are there, whether you're visiting a museum or riding the Metro. In time, visitors will also discover the deeper spiritual connection that Campbell is teaching. It will no doubt come with more reflection — and with the sustainability initiatives that are starting to define Sydney as a tourism destination.
Boston Globe
01-08-2025
- Boston Globe
I'm new to Boston. Here's how I've turned every weekend into a staycation.
Advertisement As an early-career professional who is new to Boston, every weekend feels like an opportunity for a staycation. I find travel planning to be a bit overwhelming, and I'm also cost-conscious, so staycations have allowed me to be more intentional with my weekends. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up When planning a staycation, I typically look for an opportunity to relax, recharge, and slow down to enjoy things I might not have a chance to during the week. Recently, this has meant exploring the numerous galleries Boston has to offer, as they often take me to new parts of the city, allow for moments of meditation, and provide opportunities to make new friends. One weekend of excursions began early with the Advertisement Then, on Friday, I perused the galleries, shops, and showrooms open in SoWa for their monthly First Friday. There, I saw exhibits like Campbell-Lynn McLean's first solo exhibition, Another weekend's staycation was a continuation of my art exploration, taking me to Provincetown via the I walked up and down Commercial Street, people-watching while eating a homemade buttermilk biscuit from Inside the Provincetown Public Library, I learned about the history behind the Later, after visiting more shops like Advertisement This was followed by Cambridge residents welcoming me into their yards for live music at the city's first Yet, as much as I enjoy exploring, sometimes the most important part of a staycation is the opportunity to do nothing. To avoid the heat, one weekend I set up shop in my living room and watched a few movies and TV shows that I'd been meaning to catch up on, including Just about anything can feel like a vacation in this city, I've discovered, even just grabbing a coffee and pastry from
Axios
08-07-2025
- Axios
A lazy guide to late-summer fun in NWA
If planning a trip wasn't in the cards or the budget this year, it's not too late to enjoy a long weekend or staycation right here at home before summer ends and kids go back to school. 👙 Have a pool day: Public pools and water parks are open through Labor Day. It's an easy way to make the kids' day with slides and splash pads, a book by the pool, or some exercise lap swimming. Wilson Park in Fayetteville still has one more " dive-in" movie night. 🌽 Peruse farmers markets: NWA cities large and small have robust farmers markets on weekend mornings. Check out the one nearest to you and find some unique, locally made goods in addition to produce. 🍹 Get together with friends or have a nice summer date night with cocktails or bites at one of NWA's best patios. 🛶 Make the most of Beaver Lake and Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area. Arkansas state parks host lots of nature-center events throughout the summer, like kayaking tours, hikes and fishing. And you can always rent a boat, kayak or paddleboard at Beaver Lake. 🧒 Entertain the kids: NWA is full of free or inexpensive ways to keep children engaged when they're out of school. 🥾 Spend a day hiking at Devil's Den State Park, or even camp overnight. 🎸 Don't sleep on all the free live music and offerings, like First Friday in Bentonville, Railyard Live in downtown Rogers, the Gulley Park series in Fayetteville, or Live! at Turnbow in downtown Springdale. It's a great way to get out and hear local artists and stumble on vendors or a new food truck.
