Be a Tourist in Your Own City

October 26, 2007 · Print This Article

It seems that each time I visit another city someone is able to point out to me yet another site or fact about my home town that I was unaware of! That tells me that I’m not taking the time to appreciate what is in my own community. With that in mind I thought I’d draw up a list to help remind all of you new urban moms to become a tourist in your own city! It’s cheaper than a real trip to say Paris or some other place you’d rather be as a tourist, and it’s um…well as I said it’s cheaper.

How to Be A Tourist in Your Own City

Visit your local art gallery
Visit your local art museum
Hop on one of those very touristy trolley cars - I did it and I had a great time!
Visit your local zoo
If you’ve got a great university campus, take a stroll through it and get coffee at one of the graduate student hang-outs.
If you’re not already a subscriber, get tickets to the symphony (gives you a good reason to dress up!)
If your city has a pleasant waterfront, take a stroll with the family…it really puts everyone in a great mood.
Take a neighborhood tour - contact your local Convention Visitors’ Bureau for information.
Take your husband, partner, date or best girlfriend and stroll arm in arm through the snazzy, or jazzy part of town at night…sounds dorky but you know you’ll enjoy yourself!
Have a late night dinner at one of those restaurants at the top of towers or hotels - even if the food isn’t spectacular the view usually is! I’ve done that in great cities and not so great cities - enjoyed it every time.

There are so many more things that you can do by just thinking about what makes your community unique. So don’t be a stranger to your home town gems…be a tourist!