Every summer, families across the U.S. load up the family car and head out for the ultimate family vacation. These families spend hours in the car or hundreds of dollars on airline flights to visit another region of the country. While there, they make sure to check off all the top sights — whether it’s a highly-celebrated zoo, a famous bridge, or a National Monument.

At the end of the week, they travel back to their city, only to become engrossed in their day-to-day lives. Why not play tourist in your own city? Why don’t you take a look at your town as others may see it? Here are some ideas for planning the perfect staycation.

1. Choose the spots you visit based on your favorite review site

How do you pick the places that you want to visit when you travel to another city? You may visit the city’s website and look at its calendar of events, or you may do research on your favorite review website.

What are the top five attractions listed for your city? Have you seen them all? When was the last time you visited those attractions?

If the last time you visited your area’s presidential library was your third-grade field trip, perhaps it is time to see it again. If you were chasing a toddler the last time you visited your area’s art museum, maybe you would see more of it now that your kids are teenagers.

Don’t wait for out-of-town guests as an excuse to see your city. Take a staycation and learn to appreciate what your city offers.

2. Go on a culinary tour in your city

Food tours are gaining popularity across the country. The best food tour guides not only highlight the foods that are popular in the region, but the guides also discuss the city’s history and architecture as well.

Learn more about your city’s cuisine by taking a culinary tour. It will also give you a chance to sample items from restaurants you may have never had a chance to visit.

3. Visit the top-rated restaurants in your city

Speaking of food, ban yourself from Chipotle and the sandwich shop down the street for a week. Instead, go to the top-rated restaurants in your city. It’s incredible how adventurous you will feel just eating in a different neighborhood from your own.

Read the reviews to learn about each restaurant’s signature dishes. Try something new at each place.

4. Go on a ghost tour

It seems as if every city nowadays has either a ghost tour, mafia tour, or crime tour. Go on the highest-rated tour in your area. Even if you don’t believe in ghosts, you will hear some good stories as you walk by each location.

Vacationing in your own city may allow you to remember why you moved there in the first place. Are you looking for another fun activity? Why not visit the open houses in your area? Simply Google Columbia houses for sale and explore different neighborhoods during your week off of work.

Published: 2020-02-06 10:16:54