Explore Locally: Experience Your City Like a Visitor
Traveling can be a great way to broaden your perspective.
It introduces you to diverse individuals, locations, and experiences that can leave a long-lasting impact even after your journey has concluded.
“However, a significant experience doesn’t necessarily require venturing far away,” noted Dr. Andrew Stevenson, a Psychology professor at Manchester Metropolitan University in the UK, who authored “The Psychology of Travel.”
Enriching experiences can be discovered anywhere, even in your hometown, if you adopt a traveler’s mindset. Here’s how to do it.
Adopt a Traveler’s Mindset
When you’re at home, it’s easy for life to feel monotonous due to repetitive routines. One of the exciting aspects of traveling is the novelty of discovering something fresh or different.
“There’s an element of exploration, and aspects of everyday life can become fascinating and memorable,” remarked Dr. Stephen Pratt, chair of the Department of Tourism, Events, Entertainment and Attractions at the University of Central Florida. He also co-hosts the YouTube channel Travel Professors. “Simple decisions like what to have for breakfast or lunch become engaging choices rather than defaults or habits.”
Due to the limited duration of travel, people tend to maximize their experiences at new destinations. This intentional approach can also be adopted at home.
“Many activities get pushed aside because we think we have endless time. We say we’ll visit that restaurant later or explore that attraction some other day,” he suggested. “But if we make a deliberate effort to tackle this mindset and plan visits to local sites, we can view our home in a fresh light.”
How to Discover Local Activities
“Acting like a tourist in your own city can be a fun experience,” Stevenson shared.
Here are some ways to uncover events and activities in your area:
- Visit your city’s tourism bureau website for local attractions and upcoming events, which cater to residents as well as visitors.
- Browse Pinterest by city. Many users start with broad travel ideas to find inspiration before honing in on specific activities.
- Look up your city on Tripadvisor and filter the results by “Things to Do” and “Restaurants.”
- Use Facebook Events to discover happenings nearby.
- Simply search “Things to do near me” using Google or your choice of search engine.
- Seek suggestions from ChatGPT or any AI platform about local activities, but remember to assess the recommendations critically as they may not always align with reality.
“Most people are surprisingly unaware of many attractions within 50 miles of their homes,” Stevenson remarked. “You can still discover wonder and immersion, even in nearby locations.”
Perhaps there’s a neighborhood you have yet to explore, a cuisine you haven’t tasted, or a cultural celebration showcasing a different heritage. Enjoying these experiences doesn’t have to be expensive.
“Consider hosting your own picnics or attending events like market days or free concerts. There are plenty of affordable activities that can transport you away from your daily routine,” Pratt suggested.
Rediscover the Familiar
You might also reconnect with places you haven’t visited in a while.
“If you revisited a place from your childhood, you’d likely experience it differently as an adult,” Pratt said. “This applies to museums or educational attractions that might have felt tedious as a kid but can be enjoyable when visited with intention, allowing for a deeper appreciation of small details you may have previously overlooked.”
This sentiment applies universally. Stevenson referenced the early 20th century French literary concept of psychogeography, which argues that traveling the same route on different occasions can yield distinct experiences due to the ever-changing circumstances. Essentially, it’s about the journey rather than the destination, promoting slow and detailed local exploration.
“The opposite approach often involves flying long distances to commercialized destinations that cater to travelers accustomed to familiarity, which can deter genuine exploration beyond comfort zones,” he explained.
Cautions and Considerations
Pratt recommends challenging your comfort zone by exploring locally once a month.
“It’s impractical to do this every week or weekend,” he noted, but it does require a certain level of commitment. “Otherwise, we may slip back into our monotonous weekend habits, like oversleeping and doing chores. Planning ahead is key, as this really is a mindset shift.”
An open attitude is essential when embracing new experiences close to home.
“We often feel pressure to rate our experiences from one to five stars,” Stevenson remarked. “However, a thoughtful traveler is encouraged to immerse themselves in their surroundings without rushing to evaluate whether it’s ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ Every place has its unique aspects worth exploring.”
