How to Rediscover Your City Like a Tourist
Travel has a unique way of expanding your horizons, introducing you to new people, places, and experiences that remain with you long after your journey concludes. However, turning your attention to your hometown with the perspective of a traveler can offer enriching experiences as well.
Think Like a Traveler
One of the exciting aspects of travel is the chance to see something new. The routine nature of daily life often makes your world feel constrained. According to Dr. Stephen Pratt, the feeling of discovery in even the most mundane tasks whilst traveling turns everyday moments into exciting memories.
The philosophy of Dr. Andrew Stevenson echoes this, suggesting that the curiosity and intentionality applied during travel can uncover the same wonder in our own backyards, changing how we view our hometowns.
What to Do
Act like a tourist in your city to reawaken your sense of adventure. Here are some ways to find local events and activities:
- Check your city’s tourism bureau website for local attractions and events they promote not just for tourists, but residents too.
- Utilize platforms like Pinterest to explore travel ideas and local attractions.
- Research your city on Tripadvisor and sort by “Things to Do” and “Restaurants” for popular picks.
- Use Facebook’s Events feature to discover nearby happenings.
- Search “Things to do near me” on Google or any preferred search engine.
- Explore AI tools such as ChatGPT for recommendations, while keeping in mind the need for personal discernment.
As Stevenson highlights, even destinations within a 50-mile radius of home may hold surprises and an opportunity for discovery — whether it’s a part of town you’ve never visited, a cuisine you’ve never tasted, or a cultural festival. Inexpensive activities such as community events or market days can also offer a refreshing escape from the everyday.
What’s Old is New
Consider revisiting places you haven’t been to in a while. An experience as a child can be completely transformed through adult eyes, as discussed by Pratt. Whether it’s museums or historical attractions, purposeful planning can reveal new nuances and insights.
This aligns with the essence of psychogeography, wherein traveling the same path twice never replicates the experience due to ever-changing variables. This concept encourages a detailed exploration of local contexts, favoring the journey over the destination.
What Not to Do
Branching out of your comfort zone within local settings is recommended monthly for a sustainable approach, as suggested by Pratt. Avoid allowing habitual weekend routines to take away from the potential for new discoveries.
Furthermore, suspend judgment during these experiences. Embrace an open-minded approach to each new venture, without the need to rush into rating it. Each place inherently holds something interesting waiting to be uncovered.
By adopting a traveler’s mindset towards your hometown, you’re opening doors to meaningful experiences right in your backyard. Whenever you’re seeking novelty and enrichment, look no further than where you already are.
Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/travel-indy/2025/01/16/travel-local-tips-benefits-staycation/77603650007/