Otherwise entitled How Not to be Bored When You’re Feeling BLAH
I know what you’re thinking.”How in the world can I be a tourist in this town? And why would I even want to be? It’s boring. My town has nothing for tourists. Tourists are tacky and I have better things to do. And by the way, HOW can you even be a tourist in your hometown?”
My answer: First it’s a raspberry in your general cynical direction. ENOUGH WITH THE NEGATIVE TALK! (But you aren’t the cynic are you? Because you are excited and that’s why you are reading this!) Then it’s a smile with this to say:
Well, it’s not always practical for families to go on lavish trips. There’s that whole pesky ‘family on a budget’ thing. That shouldn’t stop you from making a memory and finding something to celebrate. Staycations are all the rage! Plus it makes you look cool in your kids eyes even if you are stone cold broke! (Remember that commercial, “Never let ’em see you sweat!”)
New Lens
This is not the first time I’ve challenged you dear reader to put on a different lens to see things differently. To truly be a tourist in your hometown you need to look at the town through different eyes…tourist eyes! If I could, I would like to give you that crazy fabulous ocular device from National Treasure to put on so you have multiple ways to look at the same thing. Also because it’s cool and possibly magic.
Read: How to Adventure with No Money
Museums
Pretty much every town has a museum or two. I mean even the desolate plains of South Dakota has Wall Drug! Do a Google search. I am 1000% sure there is some obscure museum of something within driving distance! Probably something you’ve never heard of. It might be someone’s personal collection of petrified rocks in their yard but hey, it’s something to do! Go explore it! If nothing else you’ll have some crazy Instagram post to share.
And if by some chance there really truly isn’t, pull out the art supplies! Create your own in home museum of art! Invite friends and family to come to this extraordinary one of a kind pop up museum of fine art! (I recommend snacks and music to fully enjoy the art show) You can even do a People’s Choice Award. Use your imagination!
Camp
RV’s have evolved a ton in the last generation! Have you been in these things lately? They are luxury on wheels! A far far cry from the tow along pop up that I promise you had bugs and pine needles and a wet spot that I grew up with! (I shudder at the memory)
If that is still too much for the olde pocketbook, check in with the KOA or local campgrounds directly. Many times there are sites for a good old fashioned tent set up too! I mean, when was the last time you roasted marshmallows and looked at the stars?
Hotel
You know, the period of time where you are restless is probably the ‘off season’ time in your town. MANY times you can get a great deal on an overnight or two in these off seasons. The hotels are grateful for the patronage and you are supporting local business! Plus, you don’t have to wash the sheets and towels! WIN!
What’s not to love about a made bed, a dip in the pool and hotel lobby breakfast. Great way to break up a long winter for sure!
University and Libraries
I know it sounds odd but you would be surprised at what kinds of shows and experiences come through universities and libraries! We have seen the Folklorico Mexican Ballet, read to service dogs, built DNA models out of candy, woven a basket, taken a palmistry workshop, and the list of ‘Things You’ve Never Thought Of but we did’ goes on and on!
And here’s the best part, they are usually FREE! Jump online and see what your local universities, community colleges, and libraries have to offer! It may seem random, and it probably is, but what else have you got to do?
Native American basket weaving workshop 
Making DNA with candy. Sweet!
Festivals and Events
Every town has a tourism board or a chamber. If you live in a small town, you probably learn a bunch from the local paper. Sometimes in a city it’s weirdly more challenging. A little internet search should turn up street festivals and events that again, you may not have ever heard of. Need more? Try local theater and farmers markets, even a free concert! Once you get into the groove of attending some of these random events, you’ll usually find flyers for related events and you can fill your calendar. There isn’t a set way to be a tourist in your hometown. You get to set the rules here…and fill your calendar.
Traveling Festivals 
Cultural festivals
Read: Create an Adventure ‘Go’ Bag
Becoming a Tourist
It takes a little creativity to change your mindset of how you view and experience your home town. We humans have routine and our favorites and honestly, we aren’t used to looking for things to do from an outside perspective. And let’s face it, change is hard!
But once you do, you’ll find a whole new magical world opens up to you! One that’s literally right in your stomping grounds!! So put on your best bad floral top and traveling hat, grab the camera (or more likely the phone), and experience your town in some new way you never have before!
What’s one way you’ve experienced your home town differently? I’d love to hear how you were a tourist in your hometown!!!
LOVE this idea. Granted, it’s a lot easier to do something like this with the most recent move and where we are now ~ however, we loved exploring the towns we’ve called home over the years. Some were easier to explore than others, but we always tried to find something exciting. Great post and what a great encouragement.
It’s true. Not every town has the same opportunities but with a little creativity, every town for sure has some unique options! Thankyou for reading and your kind words!
Such great ideas! Pinning for future reference!
Excellent! I hope you enjoy the entire Adventure 101 Series
Many counties have tourism bureaus with lists of inexpensive things to do in their area. You can also find out about upcoming events and festivals from them.
It’s true! Hotel lobbies are another great source of local and nearby ideas!
Love this! We were just talking about having to do a local day to actually experience all of the things in our hometown that we typically forget about!
I love it! I hope you uncover great adventures! (I am sure you will!!)
This is a great reminder! Perfect staycation ideas.
Thank you! Let me know if you embark on any of them!
Discovering unique treasures in your own backyard are the best! I personally like universities and camping.
Yes! I’m always surprised what we find at universities! Camping, well that’s always golden isn’t it? 🙂
Ha! Love the idea. Might even wear the tacky costumes. We actually live in a place that people want to visit, so it’s easy to have a stay cation.
Absolutely you should!!! And I would like to see photos please! You are clearly my kind of people LOL
I never thought of trying to be a tourist in my own town! You have such great ideas on here!
Oh I’m so glad you found some fun ideas! Can’t wait to hear what you do!!
Living just outside of Savannah, GA I have to remind myself of this often! There is so much to explore in our own backyards! Great reminder!
OOOOOOO one of my favorite places! So rich in history!!! You have so much to do there!!!!
I needed this. I think it’d help me through the winter blues.
oh yay!!! Let me know what you come up with!!
Lots of universities have museums that are free/low cost as well as all sorts of performing arts. They are great places to support!
Indeed!!
I think, as travelers, we can be so quick to find the furthest place possible to go to fuel our wanderlust. There is so much that we overlook in our own backyard!
Exactly!!!
I really love these ideas. I don’t spend enough time enjoying what’s right in front of me.
It’s human nature. We often need reminders of paradise right in front of us. 🙂
Great ideas! I live in a high tourist spot so I should really do this more often!
Yeah, I think that’s how I learned to do this…because I used to live in a tourist town too.
Such great ideas! We love being tourists at local places!!!
Awesome! I’d love to hear what you’ve tried out and worked!
Such great ideas. Travel experience can be right in your own backyard!!
You get it!!!
I love being a tourist in my hometown. I also love your photo of the tacky tourists! lol
HAHA! Glad you liked it!!