As cities and states across the U.S. slowly begin to reopen following the COVID-19 pandemic, summer vacation planning is top of mind for eager travelers who’ve been cooped up for nearly three months.
If you’re like us, you can’t wait to leave the 10-mile perimeter around your house and unplug for a while.
To help kickstart your vacation planning, we’ve pulled together some handy tips for traveling as well as some fun, social-distance friendly vacation ideas to add to your summer calendar. Here are some ideas on things you can do this summer while social distancing and staying safe.
Take a road trip
Road trips, versus taking the train or a plane, are a great way to travel while minimizing your exposure to others. Pack your own sanitizing kit, limit your stops in public areas, and enjoy the open road. Consider checking out some of the most scenic routes in the country, like the Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia and North Carolina), Highway 1 (California), and Route 12 (Utah).
Go camping
Rather than worrying about hotels, restaurants, and city life, set up camp and get away from it all. If you opt for a campground, take care of public areas like the toilets and showers. And as always, take precautions like wearing a mask when venturing to more populated places like stores and tourist destinations.
Visit a national park
National Parks have started to phase in reopening. Not all parks are open yet, and the ones that are will have reduced services. Plan ahead by visiting the NPS COVID-19 webpage for more info. Boxed Water has planted over one million trees in National Forests across the country. Learn more about where we plant.
Plan a staycation
Itching to travel but don’t want to travel very far? Plan a staycation. It’s a free way to still take a break from everyday life. Turn off the computer and put down the phone. Plan some fun, family activities. Fire up the grill and have a BBQ. Have a s’mores night outside. Set up a hammock in the back yard and read that book you’ve wanted to read. Learn how to identify constellations. Experiment with growing herbs. Explore your city and find new places you’ve never seen before. Find a trailhead close to home and take a long hike.
And as always, don’t forget to stay updated on any travel guidelines. Here are a few suggestions on what to think about when planning out your travel plans, but be sure to head to the CDC's website for the latest information.
- Plan a shorter trip: Shorter trips can make logistics easier. You won’t have to worry about bathroom breaks; you can pack your own lunch, less gas station stops, etc. These shorter trips help minimize exposure to other people and contact with commonly touched surfaces like door handles and counters.
- Wipe down everything: From your tray table on a plane to the remote in a hotel room, be uncompromising when it comes to wiping everything down with disinfectant wipes.
- Build a hygiene kit: Consider creating a hygiene kit, which could include everything from toilet paper and hand sanitizer to disinfectant wipes and hand soap. That way, everything is in arm’s reach when needed.
- Wear a mask in public: If you do go into public areas, the CDC recommends wearing a cloth face covering to protect yourself from the potential spread of infection.
- Maintain social distancing: Don’t forget to keep six feet between you and others - this remains an important step to slow the spread of the virus. Even create an alternative plan in case the places you want to go appear to be too busy.
- Bring plenty of water: Did you know Boxed Water cartons are refillable? Write your name on your carton and reuse it during your beach or camping trip. That way, you can reduce your environmental impact while staying hydrated on the go.
Science shows that long breaks provide a variety of mental health benefits - so make sure to take time off even if you aren’t going anywhere. Whether you’re hiking, camping or visiting the beach, it’s important to stay safe, (which includes staying hydrated!) wherever your summer adventures take you. And don't forget to pack eco-friendly products when you travel! Our plant-based cartons are 92% renewable, refillable, and 100% recyclable. They’re better for the planet than plastic bottles and aluminum canned water.