Playing "Tourist" At Home

Most people’s travel bucket lists consist of epic journeys to exotic faraway places, exploring foreign cities, or going on once-in-a-lifetime adventures. Yet, we sometimes forget how magical our own city or hometowns are until we explore as if we’ve never been there before.

We here at Classic Travel Connection have travel advisors all over the United States, from Georgia to New York to the Carolinas. However, our home-base is in Birmingham, Alabama’s largest city, and is considered to be on the up-and-up in terms of art, culture, and entertainment.

It is always exciting watching and talking to out-of-state visitors about our beloved “Magic City.” Whether it’s from seeing the inside of the beautiful Alabama Theatre, walking through the Birmingham Museum of Art and the Civil Rights Museum, hiking one of the many trails at Red Mountain Park, or simply driving through the city in search of a good cup of coffee at one of the many local cafes. There is so much to see in Birmingham and new places are popping up every day. And yet, whenever we have vacation time or a chance for a long getaway, we pack our suitcases and jet off to some distant land.

But it doesn’t have to be that way! Playing tourist for a day in your hometown is a great way to see all your city has to offer through fresh eyes, giving you a deeper appreciation for your home. With the smarts of a local but the excitement of a tourist, exploring your home-base is an easy “vacation” to take without packing a bag, but we do have a few tips for you to help you get started.

Take a Historic Tour

We have it pretty easy since Birmingham has ties to both the Industrial Revolution as well as the Civil Rights Movement and is bursting with history, but every town started somewhere. Chances are you do not know every single detail about your hometown’s history, but a tour allows you to  learn something new! It will also give you bonus points with any out-of-town family or friends who ask you to show them around.

Set a Date and Go!

There are countless locations in our city we say we want to visit, but always write it off as a “someday I’ll go” place yet we never find time to do so. It is scientifically proven that you are more likely to do something when you have a concrete plan and a set time. So pull out your calendar, check your schedule, set a date, and go!

Visit Tourist Hotspots

Most locals avoid touristy areas like the plague, but we forget those areas are popular for a reason. Unless you went to elementary school in your local area and took a field trip there, chances are you haven’t visited those hot tourist stops in your city. This ties in to the “Set a Date” tip we recommended before, so plan a weekend or take a day and visit those popular destinations. And, as a local, you probably know the best times to visit without the crowds so take advantage of that!

Turn a Small Thing into Something Bigger

Acting like a tourist in your hometown doesn’t have to be some grand experience. You can opt for something on a smaller scale. Instead of ordering pizza from your usual place, maybe try the new pizzeria that just opened? Your local bar just opened a new location; maybe go check it out? Is a festival in town or unfamiliar neighborhood throwing an event? See if you could go. Even walking your dog to a different park than the one you usually frequent is a way to get out of your comfort zone and discover new-to-you places near your home.

While we do love to help our clients plan those #BucketList trips and even go on our own high adventures, there is something special about exploring and discovering new things in the place you call home. As the holidays are swirling around us, take some time to enjoy the special moments around you, and make sure to share the incredible things about your city with those who will be visiting you from out of town this holiday season.