A simple guide to staying active and on the move while exploring your own hometown!
This post is sponsored by adidas, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Whether it’s winter or summer, whether the hot is warm or cold, people LOVE going on vacation. Not only is it awesome to experience new places and cultures different from your own, it’s also wonderful to take a break from the stresses of everyday life and just have some FUN. But, to be honest, the best vacations can actually be STAYcations.
Our own hometowns have so much to offer in terms of activities, excursions, cultural heritage, good food, and more! Since we all associate our own city with work and the “daily grind” a lot of us never take the chance to truly “explore our own backyard”. That’s what I want to help you with today!
I personally LOVE discovering new things and hidden treasures in my city. It renews my love for where I live and also makes me feel like I’ve visited somewhere new without a far drive or plane ride. Not to mention, STAYcations and enjoying the local scene is a lot cheaper than planning a trip out of the state or country.
Taking in the local sights and scenes can also be a great way to get out and stay active! Today I am sharing 7 Fun Ways to “Explore Your Own Backyard” while keeping on the move and keeping HEALTHY.
So put on your favorite Adidas activewear (I am loving this tank top, these yoga pants, and these shoes right now!) and get ready to explore!
Take local walking tours
Walking around your city is a great way to explore your favorite areas and discover new hidden gems. Better yet, a lot of cities offer a slew of different walking tours to fit everyone’s preferences. My city has ghost tours, historic tours, bar crawls, and so much more. They’re a great way to see your city in new ways and learn things about it you never knew.
Explore your local farmer’s market
Nothing better than cruising through a local farmer’s market to find new local products, produce, and handmade goods. I always say, you can learn a lot about a city from what’s offered at a local farmer’s market, so make it a point to visit one of yours while it’s still the season for them! Attending local markets is also a great way to get to know farmers in your community. You’ll be the first to get your hands on the freshest in-season goods!
Find free fitness
Whether it’s a November Project chapter in your city or a series of fitness classes offered in local parks, taking part in FREE fitness opportunities in your city is a GREAT way to stay healthy & active while also getting out and about around town! In my city, a local health insurance company hosts a “Fitness in the Parks” each summer with opportunities all week-long to try different free fitness classes….everything from Zumba and HIIT to bootcamp and yoga!
Plan a picnic
Eating outside is ALWAYS fun, but picnicking in a local park takes dining al fresco to a new level of awesome. Take advantage of beautiful, open, outdoor places for a meal with friends or family. Better yet, check to see if there are any outdoor entertainment events (like a concert or outdoor play) and pack a picnic to bring along!
Sign up for a race
Local races are my personal favorite way to see my city, so whether you’re an avid runner or casual 5k-er I highly suggest signing up for a race! Not only is it a great physical challenge and great way to set a goal for yourself, but also you have the exclusive opportunity to run in areas and down streets that you normally wouldn’t be able to because of traffic.
Discover new hiking and walking trails
Even if you live in a big city, amazing hiking trails and scenic nature excursions are usually just a short drive away. I love going out to the small suburbs surrounding Buffalo to go hiking! Hunter’s Creek, the Niagara Gorge, and Ellicotville are some of my favorite spots.
Participate in local festivals
My city is KNOWN for having a festival for pretty much everything. From chicken wings and the arts to ethnic holidays and celebrations of different seasons…there is something for everyone no matter what you enjoy. Festivals are a fabulous way to connect with people who share your same interests and also to learn more about the things you already love! I bet your city has some festivals unique to its locale.
Here are a few tips on using resources to find new things to do locally…
Use social media-Most cities have a tourism board, or something of the like, with social media accounts that promote local happenings and events. For example, here in Buffalo we have a lot of accounts, like StepOutBuffalo and VisitBuffaloNiagara, that are always sharing upcoming events and things to do around the city all year long!
Check your local tourism board-As mentioned above, even the smallest of cities and towns usually have a tourism board. Head to their website to find out the most up to date info on what’s going on in your hometown! You may even be able to find discounts on events that require tickets and also learn about FREE happenings as well.
Use Foursquare-Foursquare can be used for more than just “checking in”. It’s also a great resource to find out about places you’ve never been to in your own city and to get realtime reviews/opinions of whether or not they are worth checking out!
Chat with other locals-One the of the fastest ways that fun events are shared is through word of mouth. Chat with friends and family members (or even strangers!) with similar interests to see if they are aware of any cool things to do or happening in your city.
Do you prefer vacations or STAYcations?
What are your favorite ways to stay active?
What activities do you like to do most in your own city?
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8 responses to “7 Ways to “Explore Your Own Backyard””
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My job this summer is on a beautiful campus, and I now realize I’ve been so caught up in my daily grind that I haven’t even begun to enjoy it! Discovering new walking paths or having a picnic are perfect ideas for how I could spend my days off and get outdoors. Thanks for the great post!
Thanks for reading, Megan!
Picnics are my absolute fav! I also love going to community events like outdoor concerts and BBQs 🙂
So fun!!
great, so much to do in our cities that dont coast a cent! 🙂 this is inspiring me.thank you
So true! So many hidden gems right in our own backyards!
These are a great ideas to get outside in your own city. Would be fun to do a walking tour with the family.
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