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Can’t afford to take a trip this year? Looking for ways to travel without spending a lot of money? Need to break out of your boring day-to-day rut? Then it’s time to look at where you live with a fresh set of eyes. Here are 5 easy ways to become a tourist in your hometown.
The key to successfully becoming a tourist in your own hometown is mindset. You have to look at the location not as the place where you live, but as a new destination to explore. This change in viewpoint will help you get the most out of your staycation.
#1: Stay in a local hotel.
One big way to change your perspective and become a tourist in your hometown is to check into a local hotel. Simply staying in a hotel, as opposed to your house, will help you feel like you are actually on vacation.
Use this as an opportunity to stay somewhere different. Pick a local bed and breakfast or boutique hotel. Or, since you are saving money on transportation costs, splurge a little and stay at a fancy hotel that is normally out of your price range.
If you need help finding the perfect hotel, check out hotellook.com.
#2: Check out your local visitors center.
Keep your tourist mindset going by pretending you know nothing about your hometown. Head to the local visitors center and see what recommendations they have for you to see and do. You just may discover a few hidden gems that you never knew about before.
And don’t forget to ask about the best restaurants around town to check out!
#3: Visit a local museum.
It seems like every town, no matter how small, has at least one museum. Usually these museums document the history of the town or area. And most residents never take the time to visit these museums.
So, my next tip to become a tourist in your hometown is to visit one (or more) of these local museums. You may be surprised by how much you learn about the history of your home.
This is also a great activity to do with your kids because it can create deeper connections and a better appreciation for their town and its past.
#4: Explore the tourist attractions in your hometown.
Many times, we tend to avoid the touristy areas of the places where we live. Usually, we view them as less authentic or overrated and overpriced. But, the danger in doing this is that you may miss out on some of the best things your town has to offer.
To truly become a tourist in your hometown, you need to spend some time exploring the local tourist attractions. Dive in, have some fun, and enjoy yourself! And don’t forget to take pictures! You may be amazed at how much you enjoy these attractions.
We lived in Fort Worth, Texas for many years. It is famous for its Stockyards. We occasionally would go to the Stockyards for lunch. I was always pleasantly surprised by how much fun I have in that area.
An added bonus to checking out the tourist attractions in your area is that you will be able to give any out of town visitors you have great, accurate information about the local sights!
#5: Try some new restaurants.
The last way you can experience your hometown as a tourist is by trying some new restaurants. While enjoying your staycation, resist the urge to eat at your favorite restaurants.
Instead, seek out places that you’ve never tried before. Maybe check out that restaurant you always pass by but have never stopped at. Or head to that place that your friend is always telling you about.
Need some suggestions on where to go? Ask at the visitors center or local museum. They are always recommending restaurants to tourists. They might lead you to a new favorite you have never before considered!
Alternatively, head to a restaurant you’ve been to before and order whatever the waitress recommends.
Conclusion
Having a staycation is a great way to save money on travel, but it can be difficult to get excited about it the way you do when you travel to a new destination. These tips, though, will help you easily become a tourist in your hometown. Have fun!
For more money-saving tips, see how to save on hotels, rental cars, and airfare, how to travel more for less, and how to take a vacation when you can’t afford to travel. Also check out how to save for vacations, how to take an amazing vacation on any budget, and how to plan an epic vacation.
Happy travels!
P.S. Need help finding the best places to go on your family vacations? My Ultimate USA Bucket List for Families will instantly give you 60 of the best vacation destinations for families in the United States! Get it for FREE in the box below and start planning your next trip today! Plus, as a bonus, you will receive my weekly email newsletter full of family trip tips and inspiration!
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