Sometimes we can get so caught up in the day-to-day routines of our lives that we forget to appreciate and fall in love with our surroundings. In doing so we don’t get to enjoy all what our neighborhoods and cities have to offer.
I noticed that I often complain about not having anything to do in my town, but I realized that it’s because I simply don’t take advantage of my city’s full potential.
Everything from its beautiful natural scenery to the hundreds of restaurants, plenty of public parks, and shopping centers that are available.Yes, it’s the place we call home, but your city can also be a “tourist destination” if you perceive it to be.
There could be hidden gems right in your backyard and you don’t even know it. This summer make a decision to appreciate your surroundings and add more fun and adventure in your life.
Here are seven creative ways to fall in love with your city this summer.
By: Marianne Maicurls
1. Pick two days a month to explore your town by going to a new restaurant, coffee shop, or park that you have not been to before.
We sometimes take things like great weather, stunning sceneries, and even the culture and history of our area, but when you make it a habit to explore your city, you’ll find that there are tons of fun things to see and do.
A good way to find out what’s new in your neighborhood is to read the local newspaper, your city’s magazine, or attend neighborhood meetings. Many cities have web sites with mailing lists that will keep you updated with events and new businesses opening on a regular basis.
Photo by: Mark Bosky
2. Museums are not just for tourists!
Indulge in art and history and pick a museum that you have not been to before and make a day of it. If you live in a big city, your downtown area will have plenty of museums to chose from and most are very affordable. Smaller towns may have historical houses, ports, or seaside museums and aquariums that you can look into. Don’t overlook local art galleries! They tend to change artwork monthly and even if you’re not planning to purchase art, it’s always great to peruse.
3. Pick a new hobby that has always interested you and seek out clubs, groups or events that cater to that hobby.
When doing this, the internet is your friend! A good site to use is Meetup, which has a great search engine to find groups that meet up for almost any topic or hobby.
Photo by: Mario Calvo
4. Create memories by taking photos.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words and this is incredibly true. Document your summer adventures by taking plenty of photos. You can share these on your social media accounts or print them and file them in a photo album or scrapbook.
5. Join an outdoors exercise group.
Moderate workouts such as yoga or swimming can be great during the summer. Other more strenuous exercises such as football, basketball, or tennis is great group activities. Live near a beach? Grab a volleyball and a group of friends and spend the day serving, tossing, and diving in the sand.
Photo by: Faris Kassim
6. Go for regular walks around your block.
A daily walk around the block is perfect for burning calories and even meeting new neighbors and making friends. It’s a great way to fall in love with your neighborhood! Be sure to take your favorite walking shoes with you!
7. Check out your local community centers to see where and how you can help out.
Giving back feels good and you’ll have a good time contributing to your community where it needs it most. By pitching in you’ll also stay in the loop with what’s new in your city and you’ll most likely meet cool and influential people.
At the end of the day you will only gain by taking exploring the good your town has to offer and better yet, you’ll make new friends along the way. You have nothing to lose and your summer to gain!
Featured Image by: Hannah Morgan
About the Writer:
Maicurls is a curly hair expert and blogger.
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