After a year away from home, we are all probably relieved to sleep in our own beds, eat home-cooked food, and see our friends from home again. However, our hometowns can be slightly boring compared to college. At college, there are always some events to go to, or friends to do stuff with at any time. At home, you have to work a little harder to find fun, new, exciting things to do. To rekindle your love for your hometown, try re-exploring your town as a tourist in these 10 ways!
1. Try a new restaurant
A new cuisine or a new restaurant of your favorite cuisine might be just the thing you need to fall back in love with your hometown! You might find a new hangout place for your friend group too!
2. Go hiking on a nature trail
Grab a friend, drive a few miles out of your hometown, and experience our beautiful Earth! While you're out there, see if you can donate to nature conservatories too!
3. Visit the historical monuments, parks, or museums in your town
A lot of smaller towns will often have historical museums or monuments that tell you about the original development of the town! Finding those places and learning more about the place you grew up in can be enlightening!
4. Go on a photoshoot in a park nearby
Get dressed up and get some snaps for the 'gram! Maybe you'll find a cool spot on the way.
5. Go to a local sports game
There are probably some local teams, even kid leagues, that would love some new fans in the stands! Or, if you're close to a big city, like Chicago, go show your support!
6. Find any local music jams
Big concerts are awesome, and sometimes there are seats in the way back for cheap. The experience is still amazing! Also, there are always smaller artists playing around town, maybe in a nearby pub or an outdoor amphitheater.
7. Find a local mural and give it some Instagram love
Summer is pop-off season! Show your 'gram some love by getting amazing, local, art inspired photos
8. Go backyard camping under the stars
You don't have to go far to appreciate the night sky.
9. Get coffee in real mugs, not just Starbucks
Trust me, it tastes better from a real mug! And, you support local businesses while doing so.
10. Drive to the nearest big city and explore around there
Luckily, Chicago is only a 30-minute drive away from my hometown, so all the endless summer activities in the city aren't too far! Most big cities have more to do, see, eat, and document. So, get out there and see it all.
So, treat your hometown like a new town, do all the touristy, goofy, cringe-y things you would do abroad but in the comfort of your own town. At the end of it all, just remember to have fun this summer, spend time outdoors, and open your mind to new opportunities!
