Friday-night check-in, weekend checkout. When PTO and travel dollars are in short supply, these 24- to 48-hour microescapes deliver maximum getaway energy with minimal planning. Swap the airport chaos for staying close to home—and discover the luxury of not going far.
Unscripted Durham
DURHAM | PLAY IT BY EAR For that itinerary-free feeling
Sometimes the best vacation is a staycation. So if you’re looking to go offline for the weekend, here’s how to stay and play in Raleigh this summer—and beyond. Bonus: Staycation calories still don’t count.
Goodnights is officially opening in its new underground Village District digs soon—and starts off with a bang via some big names worth the ticket. Make a night of it—or even a staycation—with these selects on where to sip, nip and nightcap for a night of live-comedy laughs.
By Anna Beth Adcock and Lauren Kruchten | Photos courtesy of Airbnb
Raleigh landed the No. 2 spot on Airbnb’s top trending U.S. cities for Labor Day weekend. Here, some local Airbnbs to rent for a staycation.
The unofficial end to summer, Labor Day weekend is known for that final mass exodus to the coast. But—hear us out—why not skip the inevitable Labor Day weekend traffic and consider a staycation close to home?!
Though it should come as no surprise to us Raleighites—ahem, the City of Oaks is the No. 6 best place to live in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report, after all—our fair city was recently ranked the No. 2 destination for travelers this Labor Day weekend by Airbnb (!). With the long weekend still a couple weeks away, there’s plenty of time to book local lodging—or even become a host to earn a little extra vacay money. Here, we round up some of our top local Airbnb picks for the holiday. … And, well, we’d give this staycay five stars!
Fancy the Midtown life? This fenced-in home in North Raleigh is perfect for families—with two legs or four! Located minutes from local parks, trails (there’s a public Greenway access a half-mile away!) and free fam-friendly activities—plus 20 minutes from Downtown and seven minutes from North Hills—this Airbnb gives you the privacy of a quaint and quiet neighborhood without all the noise or parking probs you’d have to deal with in Downtown. Upping the appeal factor, there’s a fully stocked kitchen for all you home chefs, a super-large dining room table to fit the whole fam, and a play structure in the backyard for the kiddos.
With its sought-after location in the Warehouse District, this super-walkable condo—with a private garage to boot—is ideal for those looking to spend some time exploring popular spots like Barcelona Wine Bar (tapas + wine = the perf happy hour pairing), Boxcar (get your game on!) and CAM Raleigh (calling all culture vultures!). Or, take a stroll through Raleigh’s newly launched social district; catch a concert at Red Hat; or grab a seat at one of Raleigh’s many delish restos (hey, Oak Steahouse!). Complete with a kitchen, free parking (!) and a ton of great amenities, this modern Airbnb is a must-stay for a weekend of city livin’ on Labor Day or any day.
Take your hot girl walks Downtown this Labor Day weekend with a squat in this refurbished 1930s Airbnb, complete with gorgeous hardwood floors and high ceilings. Located only a few blocks from Raleigh staple Transfer Co. Food Hall and with easy access to Red Hat Amphitheater, Moore Square and Raleigh’s Greenway trails, this modern cottage positions patrons for an easygoing stay-and-play weekend sans the drive down 40. To boot, the charming abode boasts a private patio, a space for working (if you must!)—and it’s nestled in a quiet neighborhood only a few blocks from DTR, giving you all the convenience without any of the nightlife noise. Booking now…
If shopping, eating and drinking is your ideal staycay, this Village District Airbnb is calling. Walk to local faves like The Flying Biscuit Cafe, Tazza Kitchen, Benelux Coffee, Charlotte’s and Cheshire Cat Antique Gallery; hit up a new show in Goodnights’ just-bowed temporary Village District locale in the old K&W; or grab a scooter and venture Downtown. But thanks to high-end design details (we see you suspended fireplace and luxe white furnishings!), chilling at the house is also a solid option.
Snooze under the stars in this spacious and stylish woodsy wonder featuring an open-kitchen concept, large living room (perf for a casual night in by the fireplace) and a wooden deck complete with potted plants and string lights (ooh, la, la!). With a setup this sweet, you’ll have no problem getting some much-needed R&R—but if you’re looking to get out and about, DTR is just 20 minutes away, and you can get to Crabtree Valley Mall in 10. A Starry Night, indeed!
Daycation all I ever wanted, daycation had to get away. There’s the ever-elusive vacation and the on-trend staycation. But have you heard of daycation? Adding to your ops for respite, enter HotelsByDay—just three simple clicks on its booking app geniusly allows you to #UnlockYourDay and reserve a hotel room for blocks of three to 12-plus hours (minds out of the gutter; hear us out), with complete access to all the amenities to which overnight guests are privy. Think gym, pool, spa—even that continental brekky. So whether you’re looking for a last-minute #workation to prep that keynote (sayonara, Starbs!), a boujee bed to nap in post five-star meal, a room to primp for a big event, or a place to hunker down and hide from your family for a few hours in quiet retreat (we see you holiday craze), there’s literally an app for that where you’ll “always have room to rest, refuel and recharge.” On the road? Head from redeye to shower and nap; take refuge during a long layover; cut business travel to day trips; or use the service for a block to tack on to your booking for ultra-late checkout (for participating hotels). It’s a “X-cation” game-changer. And, bonus: The app can easily be used as a gifting platform to grant fam and friends some classic R&R. So, really, it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Free, App Store
Looking for staycation inspo in Raleigh? More here and here.
