How to Vacation in Your Own Town or City

No matter how long you've lived there, it's always a good time to see your home town through the eyes of a tourist. You may be surprised at what you've missed!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Comfortable Shoes
• City Travel Guides
• Maps
• Postage Stamps
• Postcards
• Camcorders
• Cameras
• Film
• Bicycle Helmets
• Children's Bicycle Helmets
• Touring Bike
• Children's Bicycles
• Maps
• Cameras
• Postcards

1. Buy a travel guide to your city or town. You may find something new to see or explore. Also, go to your town's tourist information center (or sometimes the local chamber of commerce) and gather brochures.

2. Choose a place you've never visited and make a day of it, stopping for lunch at a new restaurant.

3. Take a tour. Bus tours, walking tours, museum tours or historical tours will give you special insights into your city's historical roots, art scene or natural history.

4. Browse on foot. Investigate antique shops, used book stores and other local shops.

5. Take a hike or go for a bike ride on a trail you've never tried before.

6. Eat out. A vacation is the perfect time to try new local restaurants.

7. Take pictures! Even though the surroundings are familiar, having photos or videos marks your experience as a real vacation.

8. Go to a local amusement park. There are always new thrills to discover.

9. Buy souvenirs, T-shirts and local food specialties just like you would when traveling in an unfamiliar city.

10. Send "wish you were here" postcards to friends.

Tips & Warnings

• It's difficult to vacation at home if everyone knows you're in town. Put out the word that you're on vacation - except to people who need to know you're home in case of emergency. Let your machine take calls and turn off your pager and cell phone.
• If you really want to splurge, check into a hotel.
• When vacationing with kids, be sure to find enough "kid stuff" to keep them happy.

on 11/22/2005 Get movie references from your movie freak friends, get the DVDs of these movies. Make yourself cozy at home (you can also invite friends), and enjoy the tour (don't forget the snack)!

on 11/22/2005 Check out local papers and magazines for top attractions and hometown-flavored activities. Check bulletin boards at restaurants, shops and galleries. Go to local exhibits, shows, events and see a whole new side to your town.

on 11/22/2005 In the middle of the winter, I make burgers, baked beans, corn on the cob and potato salad. We spread a blanket on the living room floor with the kids and have a picnic indoors. It is a nice break from the cold weather food and routine.

on 11/22/2005 When friends and family come for a visit, make sure you have info on different areas of your city or state to explore and plan to be the tour guide. That way you spend time with your family and friends and have a new adventure with them as well.

on 11/22/2005 Let children of the family sleep in different rooms of the house in sleeping bags.