molecule found in hydrothermal ocean vents, and the company’s creamy eye treatment with avocado ($24.50 for 0.5 oz. jar). If some of your friends are also staycationing this year, form a club and give each other facials, massages and pedicures.

Try a New Restaurant Every Day of the Week

Eating out is one of life’s great pleasures and since you’re not blowing all of your money on airfare or gas, you can afford to survey some of the local eateries you’ve been curious about. Visit Chowhound to get recommendations for restaurants all over the U.S. There’s also Roadfood, which provides a searchable database by state and restaurant type. The site is a priceless resource for lovers of regional food. While you’re drawing up your list of gastronomical tour stops, bone up on your knowledge of wine with volume two of Essential Etiquette Fundamentals: Wine Selection and Etiquette ($15), which you can listen to at home or anywhere else you have a CD player. If you rarely eat in restaurants, check out volume one, on Dining Etiquette. You’ll learn about “The restaurant and your table,” “Ordering and enjoying the meal,” “Handling the check” and other basics.

Give of Yourself and Volunteer

Sometimes the best experiences come from doing something worthwhile for others. Volunteering can take you out of your rut and introduce you to new people, perceptions and interests. At Volunteer Match there are virtual as well as on-location opportunities to make a difference. Visit the site’s getting started page and you’ll be on your way to finding a cause that matches your passions and skills. We searched for environmental causes in our town and were presented with everything from the chance to help clean up the parks to the opportunity to be a docent at local landmark’s exhibit. At Idealist you can find volunteer opportunities by creating a volunteer profile form. The site currently has more than 13,000 listings.

Parting Thoughts

Staying close to home doesn’t have to mean not going anywhere this summer. Try a staycation and see if you don’t gain a new appreciation for your town and all it has to offer. Whether you take up birding, learn to identify native flora and fauna, rent a mountain bike, kayak or canoe, or join an intramural sports team, the possibilities for a rewarding time are limited only by your imagination.

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