You don’t have to go away to really “get away” if you’re in need of a summer escape. And we don’t mean getting lost in your imagination or a gripping novel, however far such avenues can transport you. Rather, a “staycation” might be in order, especially if you aren’t inclined to drive or fly long distances or simply can’t afford to use your vacation time, the unfortunate reality for nearly a third of us who work.
There are certain places that offer a plethora of options for entertainment and relaxation at the right price point, making those cities the perfect spots for staying local.
To help you decide whether to leave home or bring vacation to your front door, WalletHub’s number crunchers compared the 150 largest cities based on 36 key indicators of a fun-filled yet wallet-friendly staycation. Read on for the full ranking, our methodology and useful staycationing tips from experts.
Main Findings:
Best Places for a Staycation:
| 1=Best | City | Total Score | Recreation Rank | Food & Entertainment Rank | Rest & Relaxation Rank |
| 1 | Orlando, FL | 63.66 | 13 | 1 | 20 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | 61.49 | 1 | 11 | 10 |
| 3 | San Diego, CA | 59.32 | 6 | 5 | 18 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | 59.21 | 3 | 6 | 25 |
| 5 | Tampa, FL | 58.80 | 15 | 15 | 3 |
| 6 | Las Vegas, NV | 58.62 | 37 | 2 | 30 |
| 7 | Atlanta, GA | 57.92 | 10 | 9 | 15 |
| 8 | Portland, OR | 57.68 | 7 | 3 | 70 |
| 9 | San Francisco, CA | 56.73 | 4 | 4 | 79 |
| 10 | New York, NY | 53.11 | 12 | 10 | 76 |
| 11 | Scottsdale, AZ | 52.70 | 46 | 33 | 2 |
| 12 | Honolulu, HI | 52.16 | 11 | 14 | 80 |
| 13 | Denver, CO | 51.45 | 19 | 16 | 60 |
| 14 | Minneapolis, MN | 51.38 | 25 | 20 | 27 |
| 15 | Philadelphia, PA | 49.85 | 5 | 19 | 116 |
| 16 | Austin, TX | 49.71 | 22 | 17 | 86 |
| 17 | Boston, MA | 49.66 | 9 | 53 | 43 |
| 18 | Pittsburgh, PA | 49.66 | 31 | 12 | 88 |
| 19 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 49.61 | 14 | 45 | 37 |
| 20 | Tucson, AZ | 49.58 | 33 | 18 | 44 |
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