If you’ve been working from home for the past several months, no matter how gorgeous your home office is, you might be really (really!) eager for a change of scenery. Zoom calls only require an internet connection, so who’s to say your background has to be within the confines of your home? With the newfound flexibility of working from home, we essentially can be anywhere and still succeed safely. If you are looking for a change of scenery, try a workcation!

Take your Zoom meetings to the Washington Waterfront and your lunch breaks to some of Washington’s unique dining experiences. Little Washington offers the perfect change in scenery for a great workcation experience.

Workcations are becoming one of the hottest travel trends in 2020, with social distancing guidelines allowing for many employees to work from anywhere in the world, so long as there’s a reliable Wi-Fi connection. It’s not quite a vacation, because you will still be working, but it does offer a change of scenery and the chance to relax away from home outside working hours. During your workcation, it is likely that your routine will change and your mind and goals will be refreshed. These changes can reduce stress and have a major impact on your productivity. After completing your work, you get to enjoy a fun new place or spend time with far off loved ones during your nights and weekends (and lunches), but you don’t have to deal with the stress of recovering from a week off of work.

A friend of the Washington Tourism Development Authority (WTDA), Quinn Novels, chose Little Washington as her workcation destination just a few weeks ago. Novels stayed at the Apartments on Main, a Little Washington Airbnb, which allowed her to escape to a spacious apartment with a rooftop deck right in the heart of downtown. Coming from Raleigh, Novels was amazed by the amount of space visitors can get in the Washington area for such a reasonable price. "It was nice to be able to stare at a different set of four walls after working remotely at home for months," said Novels. "Not only was my Airbnb enjoyable, but being able to step outside and walk along the Washington waterfront during my breaks was so refreshing and helped me clear my mind." Novels also credited the Washington foodie scene for giving her lunch breaks a new life. Specifically, she recommends checking out Angi’s Mexican Kitchen because their ceviche rivals some of the best ceviche she has found during her international travels.

You may be asking: "Sounds great, but how can I make this happen?" If you’re ready to live your workcation dreams, here are some tips on how to set yourself up for success and really enjoy your time away from the office:

1. First and foremost, please make sure that there is an excellent Wi-Fi connection at your hotel/Airbnb. In order for your workcation to be productive, you have to be connected, so be sure to ask before booking your stay. Also, here is a fun fact: the Washington Waterfront is equipped with free Wi-Fi access. Take your laptop outside and get some Vitamin D!
2. Second, make sure to choose a designated workspace at your Airbnb/hotel before arrival. Whether there is a desk in your room or you decide to work at a local coffee shop, designating your workspace ahead of time will keep you organized.
3. Lastly, we recommend double, even triple-checking that you have packed all of the essentials, so that you can continue to work efficiently. Don’t forget your laptop charger! Ready to book now? Currently, the Elmwood 1820 Bed & Breakfast Inn is running a workcation special. With only 5 guest suites, in-room dining options, and contactless check in, you can zoom from your room and stay productive and socially distant with style. Book via reservations@elmwood1820.com and receive 20% off of a 2-night Sunday-Thursday stay when you ask for "Working Remotely 2020."
4. If you have any questions when planning your Washington workcation, feel free to send us an email at visitwashingtonnc@gmail.com or visit our website visitwashingtonnc.com. We are always happy to help those visiting our wonderful little town.