Do you have a weekend free but don’t feel like it’s enough time to take a short vacation out of town? You can still enjoy your time off in your own city, exploring all the nooks and crannies. You can visit popular monuments or take a look at some off-the-beaten-path stops – or even just choose a theme like food or sport and explore your city through that lens.
Once you take the time to focus on the place you live, you’ll soon discover that there’s a ton you have been missing out on. That said, a lot of people can be unsure where to start when it comes to exploring the place they call home. If you’re someone who isn’t sure where to get started, you’re in the right place – here’s everything you need to know.
Check Out the Tourist Destinations
Many people often feel like visiting tourist destinations is meant for tourists, not locals, and so they end up missing out on a lot of the culture of their city. If you’re a Parisian who has never visited the Eiffel Tower, plan a trip with friends or family (or go it alone). If you’re in Mumbai, try visiting the Gateway of India, and if you’re a local New Yorker, give the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty ago.
It may feel a bit cheesy and cliche, but these locations are well-known and popular for a reason – and there’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to appreciate them just as much as visitors to your city can.
Plan a Staycation
Plan a weekend staycation, complete with hotel rooms, dinner out, and some shopping and spa visits. There are a ton of places that make planning this out as easy as pie for you, and the professionals at InCityLife offer all the information you need to bring this plan to reality. It doesn’t matter if you’re spending your staycation alone – take the time to pamper yourself and enjoy and appreciate your own company.
Go on a Tour
Most cities have tour organizers that allow you to explore the city for a couple of hours with the help of a guide. There are tons of options to choose from, including free walking tours, day-long tours, and off-beat tours that will take you down the path less traveled. You can even find themed tours that allow you to see a city from a particular perspective, such as food tours or boat tours.
This range of options ensures you’ll be able to find something that works well for you, and you can choose a tour according to how much free time you have on a particular day. This means that even if you don’t have the whole day free and just have a couple of additional hours in your day due to a half-day at work, you can still take the time to explore and fall in love with your city all over again.
There are plenty of things to do in Paducah, Kentucky! Start by strolling through the historic downtown area, where you’ll find a variety of shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Then head to the riverfront for some fresh air and beautiful views. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a scenic drive through the countryside or go hiking in one of the many state parks nearby. And be sure to sample some of the local cuisine while you’re here – Paducah is known for its mouth-watering BBQ and fried chicken! Whatever you do, you’re sure to have a great time in this charming city.
Take Your Camera for a Walk
If you’re someone who likes taking photos, consider arming yourself with your camera (smartphone or DSLR) and wandering around your city without a plan. Experiment with taking photographs of the places around you.
You’ll find that seeing familiar sights through the viewfinder of a camera can give you a different perspective on your city. You may even start to notice little details and aspects of the city that you hadn’t before, but which make for the perfect subjects for photographs. And as an added positive, you’ll have great images you can share with your friends, family – and Instagram!
Try Some Events
If doing the tourist thing isn’t for you, don’t fret. Most cities have a vibrant, happening cultural scene if you only know where to look, and don’t hesitate to join in. Look for music festivals, poetry readings, flea markets, and other similar events happening near you, and give them a try when you have the time.
This is always something you can do whether with friends or alone. Don’t worry about walking into these places solo – once you start talking to the people around you, you’ll probably end up walking out with more friends than you walked in with!
Enjoy Workshops
Try an unexpected workshop in your city, and look at it through a new lens. You may find a new group of like-minded people who enjoy the same things as you, or simply enjoy a couple of hours of fun – you’ll win either way.
While traveling is always tons of fun, exploring your own city can also be a great experience. What’s more, it’ll generally be easier on your pocket – after all, you won’t have to worry about the costs of flights and hotels when you’re spending time wandering around the place you already call home. With these tips, you’ll soon be seeing your city in a whole new light – and who knows, you may just find yourself remembering why you fell in love with it in the first place!
