How To Travel More Often By Exploring Your Very Own Backyard

UPDATED FEB 2020. Many travel blogs will have you believe that amazing travel experiences can only be had in glamorous or far off destinations. I am here today to call bullshit. Sure, by traveling far you can have awe-inspiring travel experiences and I am a big supporter of global travel. But it’s not the only way you can have a memorable time. When I started this blog, I wanted to inspire people to see the beauty of the world, even in their own backyard. It’s been a guiding thought in my head for the last couple of years and yet, I haven’t stopped to write a post on how to travel more often by exploring your own backyard. So if you want to travel more but don’t have the cash or annual leave to travel to far off places then you’re in luck. Today I’m sharing some tips on how to travel more in your local area.

How to Travel More Often By Exploring Your Very Own Backyard

1. Go for a drive

Take a day trip in your own local area by going on a mini road trip.

If you love freedom and exploration, you can just drive with no destination in mind. Or if you prefer to have a plan, you could look up a nice park, lake or lookout point and go there with a picnic.

Maybe even find a nice spot to watch a sunset with your loved ones.

You don’t have to drive too far either, even an hour or two can give you that road trip feeling and get you out exploring somewhere new.

If you don’t have a vehicle, you could also do the same thing using public transport.

This is what I did when I moved to Italy and didn’t have a car. I would just pick a new train station and go off exploring which was really fun.

2. Experience a new culture

Check your local area for multicultural events. They can allow you to experience a completely different culture without leaving your state.

When I lived in Darwin, Australia I attended Greek, Italian and African festivals and loved them all.

It was a great way to experience a different culture through food, storytelling, dress, music, dance, and art. I enjoyed being able to see people from different backgrounds share their customs and cultures.

If you can’t get to a festival, try a different cuisine or take a language class. These are other good ways to experience a different culture without the cost of an international holiday.

Language exchange is one way to learn a new language while meeting new people.

3. Play tourist

Sometimes we avoid touristy activities because we are the locals and only the tourists do this or that right?

I know I have been guilty of avoiding touristy hotspots where I have lived. But, if you remove your own local viewpoint bias, the touristy activities can be a bunch of fun.

If you are wondering how to travel more often in your local area, one good way to have a mini travel experience is to simply act like a tourist.

Maybe visit a popular beach or landmark, try a popular food that your area is famous for, hike a popular trail, take a token touristy photo in an overly photographed spot or do one of the tourist activities of the area.

Playing tourist for the day is a great way to feel like you’re on holiday without the holiday expenses.

4. Turn ‘one day’ into today

We all have those things that we are going to do one day don’t we?

Sometimes we overlook the things we would like to do in our local area because it’s always going to be close so there is no pressure to go out and do it.

‘Maybe next weekend’ becomes ‘maybe next weekend’ and so on and so on until before you know it a couple of years have gone by and you’ve been doing the same old things and seeing the same old places.

Well, wait no longer.

Get out that list of things you want to do, places you want to see and food you want to try and start doing it now.

Transform that ‘one-day’ list into ‘this weekend’s plan’. There is no time like the present right?

5. Learn something new

How much do you know about the history or traditions of your local area?

Learning new information is a huge part of the travel experience but you don’t need to travel far to learn.

You can achieve that same ‘wow I didn’t know that’ moment by learning something new about your own area.

Depending on your city there could be one general history museum or multiple different museums that each focus on an individual genre.

You can also look into free or low-cost walking tours in your nearest city because they are a great way to uncover new interesting information about your areas as well as join a group and meet new people.

6. Visit a nearby town

You don’t have to travel far to have travel. This month, take a little trip to a nearby town.

It might only be a half-hour away, it doesn’t matter the distance, just visit a neighboring town and explore.

Walk around the city, pop in to check out some local stores, have a nice meal and get a feel for what the town has to offer.

If you have the opportunity or budget you could experience one of the sights of the town like a museum.

Or, if you need to keep it to a budget, visit the free sights like landmarks, scenic points or nature activities.

7. Ask a friend what they would do

If you are wondering how to travel more often and stuck for ideas on things to do, get an outsider’s perspective.

Many times you see the place through the tunnel vision of a local and overlook some places that would probably be a lot of fun to visit.

Ask a friend what they would do if they were coming to visit.

If it is possible, you can ask your friend to visit for a weekend to do the activities together.

Asking for an outsider’s opinion is a great way to get fresh ideas and see your local surroundings from a different perspective.

I really hope this post inspires you to get out this weekend and travel a little in your own area.

Other guides you might enjoy

• Travel Diary Ideas – 21 Thoughtful Prompts For Your Travel Journal

• How To Travel More With A Full Time Job- 10 Strategies That Work

• Finally… A Real Talk Guide On How To Save Money For Travel

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