How to Be a Tourist in Your City
As much as I love travelling there are moments where I have to remember to be realistic. I would love to just pack up my job and go travelling around the world (as I’ve mentioned numerous times), but financially that isn’t possible for me, just yet.
Yes, there are many many articles on the Internet about how you can quit your job and go travelling and earn along the way, but I don’t think I could do it just like that. Maybe that’s just me being a chicken, who knows? I have a whole future ahead of me, so I’d rather take it day by day.
Despite all of this, I sometimes that forget that I have a whole city that I can play around in. Staycations are the new vacations, am I right? It may be a city I’ve grown up in but every day there are new restaurants opening up, new areas to explore and that is more than enough to satisfy my travel bug until the next adventure!
Even if you find that your own city isn’t that interesting, there are probably surrounding areas that you can visit and find out more about! I’m looking to do more travel around the UK this year – Oxford and York are two places that I’d love to visit at some point.
“ I’m in love with cities I’ve never been to and people I’ve never met.” – John Green.
TRAVEL AS IF YOU’VE NEVER BEEN THERE BEFORE
There are so many things that you can do to be a tourist in your own city. Heck, just take a walk around the main tourist-y spots and see what the other tourists are doing! I am guilty of this when I go away and yet I get annoyed when I see it done in my own city. Perhaps it is because as a Londoner I am typically rushing everywhere, so when tourists clog up the streets with their slow walking it irks me to no end. I’m working on it.
What would you do in a new country? You’d book a hotel and then check out the main attractions in that country. Make a day of it in your city – make a list of the best restaurants, the best museums to go to, the best parks to visit.
Are you the sort of person that likes guided tours? Why not get a friend to show you around the city like a tourist? Maybe they have hidden gems that they can take you to and you’ll get to discover something new about your city.
Nothing beats being a tourist than waking up in a nice hotel or if you’re looking something more affordable, why not get an Airbnb? If you’re staying in a hotel you can even ask at reception what they would recommend doing around your city.
[bctt tweet=”There are so many things that you can do to be a tourist in your own city. Heck, just take a walk around the main tourist-y spots and see what the other tourists are doing!” username=”chynnawebley”]EMBRACING YOUR CITY LIKE NEVER BEFORE
Want to know more about your city? Visit a museum! For example, in London, we have the Museum of London where you can discover the history of London. Beginning with prehistoric times through to present day, there are plenty of galleries to explore. If you live in London or visiting, I would definitely recommend this place.
Why not show big love for your city by supporting local businesses. Don’t just visit the big places that usually attract tourists, but find out what is in your local area – perhaps there’s a new business that has just opened!
Be that person and take plenty of cheesy photos in front of your city’s top attractions! Just don’t knock anyone out with your selfie stick – better yet, don’t use one, at all. You may have visited them plenty of times, but it never hurts to visit again. Check out how Enoch was a tourist in her own country!
I think we sometimes forget what’s on our own doorstep in our attempt to reach for something beyond it. We shouldn’t ever forget where we live and it’s the residents that make a city what it is, after all.
What are some things you would do in your own city that you’d recommend others to do? Let me know in the comments below!
Chynna
Chynna has been creating blog posts since 2009. I hope you enjoyed this post! Please feel free to leave a comment below, I love hearing from you all ?
11 Comments
Enoch C
I’ve lived in Melbourne my entire life but I’m still finding new places to explore all the time! It must be the same in London, except I can only imagine there’d be so much more to see 😀 When I was in the UK I enjoyed exploring all the different cities just as much and perhaps even more than actually flying out to see other parts of Europe! Thank you for cross mentioning my post as well <3
Chynna
No problem, girl! Yes, it is very much the same in London – there is always something new to discover.
Anna
Such a great post! Full-time traveling never worked for me. It´s obviously great to see the world: so many bloggers nowadays try to inspire you to quit your 9 to 5 job. But I often feel like this lifestyle is not for everyone: your experiences definitely change once traveling becomes your full-time job and you need to pay bills. Some simply stop enjoying the moment cause they really need “this perfect instagram shot” lol
Anyway, I just loved your post! We all need a reminder like this every once in a while! As Marcel Proust said “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
Have a great week!
Anna
http://atlifestylecrossroads.com
Chynna
Thank you so much! Love that quote 🙂
Jenny
I’m based in London too and hate the tourists haha. But Last week I went to Kew Gardens and did a street art walking tour in Shoreditch and really enjoyed myself! So definitely agree staycations and the new vacations. I had a friend staying who lives in Germany so I did have a reason to be touristy but I’m going to try to do it more, there is so much to discover here!
Jenny | localleo.co.uk
Chynna
Haha, I’m glad I’m not the only one. I think all Londoners hate tourists XD I’ve seen the street art walking tour and have been wanting to go on it – looks like fun 🙂 I love Kew Gardens!
Mai
I live in New York City and I feel like I always take this city for granted! Every time I have time off, I’m always trying to go somewhere else instead of exploring this city. A staycation is needed for sure.
Mai // maidoesthings.com
Chynna
Yesss, staycations are the one! 🙂
jasonlikestotravel
This is a great read, so easy to overlook the fun things closer to home when you’re not traveling. Certainly in somewhere like London which is ever changing! Also, I fully recommend a visit to York. It’s such a great city 🙂
Chynna
Yes, I’m planning a weekend away soon and York is on my shortlist 🙂
jasonlikestotravel
I look forward to seeing where you end up! 🙂