Getting Out There….. yet, nearby?
How far do you have to go to explore? How far do you have to travel to feel “away”? How far must you drive to have a great adventure?
Are you willing to be a tourist in your own town?
in the greater Lansing community
Wonder if I told you, going just outside your front door might be far enough? So many options available nearby, you just have to know where to look. No need of getting in your car and driving across the state! I know this blog trends about what is out there, but what is near you is impressive too. Cool stuff can be local enough to go on foot, bike or bus!
Are you with me on this? Let’s go!!
https://www.lansingartpath.com
Where are the special places of your town, you have heard of, but have not experienced? How do you find such hidden gems? Start by asking your friends to give you at least 2 places they feel are unique or special they have been to, that they think you have not, and may like. An instant list will be started just asking that on your social media page.
“If I could travel the world, I would start it by visiting my home town.”
Unknown author
Think about the small business you will see for shopping and lunch- skip the chains stores and restaurants, chances are, these locations will be going out of their way for the chance to provide a great shopping and dinning experience. Is your town big enough for a welcome center? If so, might want to start there and see if they have brochures for ideas about the area, or go into a hotel and ask the front desk or concierge for ideas on where they send out of town visitors asking for points of interest. Also, consider your local team/ franchise- many play various days of the week- see if they have a game coming up or a match to go to.
Planning your trip around town-
https://www.lansing.org/plan-your-trip/visitor-guide/
Lansing, Michigan .
Searching for local activities, parks and programs available, consider the following:
GOOGLE– Yes, just Google the name of your city and see what happens! Chances are, there could be a list that populates within that search, making it easy to find more information related to parks, zoos, flowering gardens, boardwalks, skate parks, beaches, museums, pathways and public spaces. Start there!! More options will also be available, but if you are in a smaller town, try entering your neighboring town or city to expand the options.
WIKIPEDIA– Never know what you will find in these listings, but they usually include a description of the location and population, and offer insight to what there is to find.
PARKS AND RECREATION– City Parks and Recreation web sites offer multiple activities, including group programs such as dance, art, music- but also, free to low cost programs near you.
FACEBOOK– Yep! Join a Facebook page that is about getting to know your city or State- A lot of these are out there, and everyone seems to like to tell you about their last daytrip drive to a park or museum that may give spark to doing a visit yourself.
East Lansing, MIchigan
Getting there- Once you have some ideas, consider transportation needed to get to these locations. Let’s see what transportation is available to create your best experience.
WALKING: This forms of travel gets you places a car can’t get to easily.
WALKING TOURS: Walking tours and maps are available on city or library web pages. These may include botanical gardens, loops and trails.
BUS: Hop on and ride the whole route! Riding through parts of town you do not go to, now can be seen without having to drive and be distracted- and you can hop off along the way. Most bus transportation systems have routes posted on their web pages.
BIKE/ SCOOTER: Ride a bike- many cities are well prepared and have wonderful infrastructure to get you from here to there- and parking is not a real problem. Get a bike route map or try an app.
GUIDED TOURS: Many bigger, touristy cities have scheduled tours- some narrated by locals from history clubs and service organizations, offering guided tours by transportation, where points of interest and local history are explained. I have gone on a few- here are some samples of what may be out there:
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA: I tried 2 tours- One was a bus taking our conference group out over the Golden Gate Bridge to Twin Peaks and by the harbor area. The other was an open tram ride past Ghirardelli Chocolate, Lombard Street, China Town and the corner of Haight/ Ashbury. Locals that love their city narrate the tour with historical facts and information on places of interest and locations known for great eats.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: Ride on the double-decker bus passing the “Welcome to Vegas” sign, riding the “strip” past the Bellagio Fountains and through the city lit up at night! When I visit, I never rent a car, it is so congested there- so I go on foot… and at times, bus and Uber it is!
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA: Open air (window coverings in cooler/ wet weather) transportation driving past the beautiful, ornate homes- some established in the early 1800’s, Forsyth Park & Fountain and the Riverfront area.
Guided tours are the best way to see multiple locations, with destinations blocks away from the other, without the hassle of driving yourself… plus, once you see interesting places on the tour, you know where to focus your attention and time.
Things to consider taking with you and think about traveling light!
BACK PACK/ TREASURE BAG– Foldable, for putting your treasures in!
CAMERA/ PHONE- Take your camera- take photos of buildings, flowers, signs, YOU- doing things and experiencing new places.
SNACKS/ WATER- You know what you like!
ID/ MONEY- Obviously. Also, for safety sake, alert a trusted friend or family member and let them know you are out and about- Just a safe practice.
Have you started to plan your sightseeing itinerary yet? Drop a line and let us know how your travels ’bout town are going!!
Happy Trails!
All phots by kmphillips, Imagine Imagery
tailwindadventures.blog 