How Becoming a Tourist in My Everyday Life Changed the Way I Think About Travel
Hello and welcome back to my WanderHeart Travel blog. If you have never been here before, welcome to the WanderHeart Travel blog! I've been MIA for the last few months for one simple reason... moving.
My husband and I moved from Northern Virginia all the way down to South Florida. For me, this has been both the largest and furthest move of my life, but it certainly is not my first move. In fact, since college I have moved 11 times (major yikes).
Every move has meant learning new grocery stores, finding the best coffee shops, and figuring out which roads to avoid at rush hour. But this latest move taught me something I wasn't expecting: the fastest way to fall in love with a place is to become a tourist in your everyday life.
Let’s dive into this…
Glass Art from Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, FL
Why is Becoming a Tourist in Your Everyday Life Important?
Life has a way of putting us on autopilot. We drive the same roads, eat at the same restaurants, and follow the same routines until we stop noticing all of the other cool things that are around us. Taking a little time to explore can completely change the way you see the place you call home.
Once a week, I try a new coffee shop. (By the way, the coffee in Miami is unbelievable... it blows NYC out of the water.) That simple habit has helped me support local businesses, discover incredible coffee, and explore neighborhoods I never would have visited otherwise. Almost every trip leads me to another restaurant, bookstore, or activity I add to my ever growing list.
Becoming a tourist in your everyday life is enlightening. It teaches you about your community, but it also teaches you about yourself. For me, food is non-negotiable, and discovering new restaurants gives me a little boost every week.
A perfect cappucchino from Don Pan Bakery in Doral, Florida
How to Go About Becoming a Tourist in Your Everyday Life?
Set aside an hour a week: Schedule one hour each week to explore somewhere new. Make it something you look forward to. Bring your family, meet a friend for brunch, take your dog for a walk in a different neighborhood, or, like me, try a new coffee shop. You never know what you'll discover along the way!
Research: Take some time to research your area and the surrounding areas. Join local Facebook groups, browse Reddit, or even ask ChatGPT to plan a day trip nearby. One afternoon I asked ChatGPT for somewhere within 45 minutes of my house that I could explore, and it sent me to Robert Is Here Fruit Stand in Homestead, Florida. This is a place I never would have found on my own and it was such a gem!
Get in Your Car and Drive (or just go for a walk): Some of my favorite discoveries have happened simply because I got in the car with no destination in mind (terrible idea if you have a lease on your car). I've been doing this since I was 16. When I lived in New York City, I'd get lost on foot instead, I would walk weekly from the World Trade Center all the way to Grand Central which is 100% how I found the best chocolate chip cookie in the city (Macchiato… this is the only correct answer).
Participate in a Staycation: One of the best ways to see your hometown differently is with a staycation. Book a hotel for a night, try a restaurant you've never visited, and plan an activity that's new to you. My husband and I recently did this in both Palm Beach and the Florida Keys, and we managed to pack more new experiences into these quick trips than either one of us expected.
Find the Freebies!: Many of the best local experiences are free. Look for concerts, museum free days, festivals, or library passes. Our local library even offers free tickets, on a first come first serve basis, to museums and attractions, making it easy to explore without having to pay a cent.
Go Ahead and Become a Tourist in Your Everyday Life!
In my opinion, the simple act of exploring does not always require a plane ticket. Sometimes you can find the best adventures just a few miles from home. So this week, grab a coffee somewhere new, take the scenic route by car or foot, or book that staycation you've been talking about. You might be surprised by what you discover and how it makes you feel!
Tell me, what are you going to do to become a tourist in YOUR everyday life?