There are lots of frequent travelers who’ve experienced a wide range of attractions in cities across the globe yet don’t really know much about the place where they live. Work and other daily responsibilities can easily get in the way, but exploring your own backyard as if you’ve never seen it before can be a real eye-opener and you won’t have to endure the frustrations and long lines at airport security.
If you’re brand new to town, perhaps having purchased one of the Kansas City houses for sale, being a tourist in your own city is a great way to get to know it, making the transition easier and more enjoyable too.
Pick Up Brochures in a Local Hotel
Most hotels have brochure kiosks in the lobby which can be a wealth of information when it comes to what to do in your city. There’s a good chance there will be at least a couple of options you’ve never even heard about. You might also want to talk to the desk clerk about what they would usually recommend to tourists.
Take a Walking Tour
Many cities throughout the U.S., Canada and well beyond have free or “pay what you think it’s worth” walking tours, making this an ideal option for experiencing your town through an expert, insider guide. For example, Free Tours by Foot offers a platform for local, licensed freelance tour guides – you pay no upfront cost, but determine what the tour was worth afterward which helps to ensure the best experience possible in places like Los Angeles, Boston, Seattle, Washington, DC, and Vancouver. A Google search is likely to bring up some good options wherever you happen to be.
Check Out Your Local Museums
You can learn all sorts of things by visiting your city’s museums. If you’re in a major city there are probably art, history and science museums among others. Many offer special days when admission is free and/or discounts for local residents.
Go Out to Eat at a Popular Tourist Restaurant
Nearly every city has at least one restaurant that draws big tourist crowds, like Boudin Bakery in San Francisco where it’s considered a must to try clam chowder in a sourdough bowl or Geno’s Steaks in Philadelphia with one of the most iconic eats in the country, the cheesesteak sandwich. Maybe there’s a famous spot like Franklin BBQ in Austin with its legendary lines where people stand in line for hours just to try what’s said to be the best ribs in town.
Try an Outdoor Activity That Attracts Visitors to Your City
Santa Cruz, California is world-famous for its surfing while Phoenix, Arizona is not only renowned for its endless golf courses, but 17,000-acre South Mountain Park with some 60 miles of trails for mountain biking. Is there an outdoor activity that attracts visitors to your city? If so, try it!
Take Selfies in Front of the Popular Tourist Spots
Even if you’ve already visited most of your cities top tourist spots, you can always check them out again, this time taking selfies. Just some ideas include standing in front of the statue in your town square, in L.A’s Griffith Park with the Hollywood Sign behind you, on the “Rocky Steps” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, or anywhere with a backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, like Baker Beach. If there are enough iconic landmarks in your city, you might even be able to make an entire day out of it.
