4 More Tips for Exploring Your Own City

Whenever I am planning a trip or getting ready to go see some place that I haven't yet seen, I am always excited to plan out trying new experiences in a new part of the world. As I am thinking and praying about an upcoming trip to a state I have never been to at the end of this month for one of my dearest friends weddings, I started to explore and try to learn more about this state. I was thinking about this and thinking more about how I can incorporate this type of planning into exploring more of my own city and this beautiful area of the world where I live. 

Last year I wrote a post, 10 Tips for Exploring Your Own City, (you can find it HERE) which has consistently stayed one of my top read posts. I think the reason for this is simply because we as people love to have adventures, and often want to travel to far off and exotic places but that isn't always possible. I think many times the word "adventure" is synonymous with far away travel, but maybe you don't have a ton of money to travel to far away places or maybe (like me) your health doesn't allow you to travel as much as you would like. Maybe you can't leave your job to travel. Maybe... maybe there are a 100 reasons you want to travel adventures but right now in this season you can't do that all of the time. But that doesn't mean you have to miss out on adventure and lose your spirit of wanderlust. I hope that this post will inspire you to explore right where you are and see the beautiful adventure of the life you have. 

Here are 4 more tips for exploring your own city... 
1. Act Like A TouristIf you had loved ones coming for a visit where would you take them? What are the things that you would want them to experience or the sights that surround and make up the place that you live? Research online to discover, find the history, consider visiting a state park or going to a museum. 
Several years ago when I lived outside of Atlanta I remember planning a "Saturday vacation day". I, along with some friends, planned out an entire day "pretending" that we were driving from a great distance to Atlanta and we had to fit in as many things as we could. It was SUCH a fun day. We met up early, had brunch at a upscale hotel in downtown Atlanta, saw all of the sightseeing things you could possibly imagine, took pictures everywhere, grabbed dinner at an exclusive place that overlooked the city that a friend had a connection to and then went to a live show in the city. The places we picked were things we all had never done before and it truly felt like we had traveled to another world. It was fabulous. I had never done this in another city that I had lived in, but definitely plan to again. 
2. Learn About the History of Your CitySeveral months ago my mom and I decided to venture to a new little town in Vermont. I was doing some research for an upcoming blog post on cute towns in Vermont and had wanted to include a town that I kept hearing about. We traveled a couple of hours and found the most adorable town, but we also received a huge lesson in history. As we drove into the town we saw lots of museums and historical markers telling and sharing that this town had played a huge part in the underground railroad, something I had never known. 
To be honest, I felt that I knew the history of my city and the surrounding area and the large part that it played in the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, George Washington's ties, and mainly the War of 1812. Learning about the impact that a town had on the Underground Railroad was an eye-opening experience as I realized that there was still so much to learn about this place that I lived. 
Maybe, like me, you think that you know the history of your city, but take the time to explore and research and learn on a different level. It will definitely provide you with adventures of wanting to explore new areas and things. 
3. Accomplish a GoalWhat are some clubs or unique activities in your city that are specific to your area of the world? One of the things that many people try to accomplish in this area of the world is becoming apart of the "ADK46ers" club. To obtain this goal you commit to climbing all of the 46 mountain peaks that comprise the Adirondack Mountains. A couple of dear friends accomplished this goal last year and it was so exciting! There is also a "winterADK46ers" club and lots of variations. I am confident that your city or town has lots of similar things for all different interest. There are many cities that have wine tasting clubs, bookstore clubs, etc. Think about what you love to do and set out to accomplish this goal in your city!
4. Overlook Your CityIsn't it funny that when we are traveling we often search for a place to see the city from a high vantage point but never do this in our own cities? Almost every city has a tall building and is open to visitors where you can see the city skyline. Take a trip to do this. Check out if there are any lounges or restaurants that offer a view of the city as you eat a meal. Maybe you have a friend who has an apartment or home with a rooftop that overlooks the city- ask them if you can come and take some pictures. Take the time to plan to overlook your city and it will give you a new perspective of the place that you call "home".
What are tips you have for exploring your own city? I have said this before, but never feel that exploring your own city is second to exploring other areas of the world! Remember sweet friends, your beautiful life is the adventure and no matter how near or far you can physically go, you can make life FULL of adventure and joy right where you are at! (Want to read more on my thoughts on being adventurers? Check out this post HERE!)