5 Ways to Be A Tourist in Your Hometown

​“There is no place like home.” We all know that saying and boy is it true! There is nothing like coming home after a long day of work and relaxing, perhaps with a cup of tea or coffee while cuddling with your fur babies. With COVID-19 we all have been at home quite a lot recently, and many of us may be ready to head out of the house to explore a new environment. I know I sure am! However, with traveling on a plane still not being the safest choice, how can you experience a vacation without really leaving your hometown? Well, its easy! Here is how you can be a tourist in your own city:

1. Research Your Towns Hot Spots
Whether you grab a guidebook from your local information center, or do some research online, do some research on popular sights and places to visit in your hometown or city! Search up restaurants you have never tired, stores you have never visited and local hang outs you passed by in your car everyday but never got around to going to. Perhaps take off a day to make a long weekend out of visiting these places right outside your door! 

2. Visit Outdoor Recreation Areas in Your Town
There is nothing like the great outdoors! Peaceful, a breath of fresh air and fun! If there is one thing man cannot replicate it is certainly the beauty of nature. Research which local state parks are near by and check them out! Go canoeing, kayaking, hiking, running, bike riding, have a picnic and more while enjoying the sunshine and beauty of being outside. Each local park is completely unique and different from others, so enjoy the unique outdoor scenery that only your hometown can enjoy! 

tour 3. Take The Hop-On Hop-Off Tour Bus
This is a fun, yet educational way to spend a day or weekend. Most cities have a Hop-On Hop-Off bus, which allows you to get on a bus, which is usually a double-decker, and get off at any of the stops along the way, so you can sight-see in that area. When you're finished exploring that location, the bus picks you back up at a designated spot and you can ride around until the next area that you want to explore. This is a great way to explore your city!

4. Take Tons of Pictures
What is one thing you usually always do when you go on vacation? Most likely its take pictures! We all like having ways to look back on what a wonderful time we had while on vacation. Pictures are such a great way to capture memories and document everything you have done while in a new town. So, why not do the same in your hometown? Take tons of fun photos in front of the places you have visited, the food you have eaten, and the family and friends your spending time with. Photos are a great way to make you feel like you are on a vacation! 

5. Enjoy History!
I do not know about you, but I LOVE history! I find it to be fascinating and so interesting to learn about. The wonderful thing about each place in the world is that they all come with their own history! National landmarks, memorials, historical landmarks, museums, hold structures, they are everywhere. Another way to be a tourist in your hometown is to learn a bit more about your town. Take in the history and learn about how your home came to be and the events that came about. You will not be disappointed! 

​So enough with driving to work passing interesting spots and telling yourself “I really need to check that place out.” Plan a weekend, long weekend, a week, whatever your heart desires and make those visits happen! The best part is that you get to go home every night and sleep in your own comfy bed after a long day of exploring. Being a tourist in your own town is certainly fulfilling and you will not know what you are missing until you do it!