If you live near a brewery, farm or other productive business, try taking a behind-the-scenes tour of the facilities. Consumer Reports recommends asking local movie theaters or television stations for tours. These activities give you unusual insight into how your favorite beer or television program is produced without requiring you to leave the area. Artists with studios such as potters, weavers or blacksmiths also commonly give studio tours and may even offer a hands-on opportunity to try their craft.
You can have a relaxing, refreshing vacation without leaving your hometown if you put yourself in the mindset of a tourist. The city lifestyle website Apartment Therapy recommends choosing a nice hotel and enjoying its amenities. Even if the hotel is a block away from your home, swimming in the hotel pool or having room service delivered makes you feel like you are on a real getaway. Avoid visiting the restaurants and stores you normally patronize. Instead, look for new locations to rediscover your city.
Even if you live in the center of a metro area, you can visit a national or state park in your local area and enjoy the great outdoors. Many parks now feature shorter and easier hiking trails for non-athletic visitors, or have fully furnished rental cabins. Visiting a local state park can offer the same outdoor experiences as a trip to faraway mountains or beaches.
Even the smallest towns throw an annual festival to celebrate a regional cash crop, the return of warm weather or just to get citizens to mingle. Consumer Reports recommends finding out when your town or city will be hosting a street festival or fair and joining in on the festivities. Sleepy towns can be transformed into busy, exciting centers of commerce if the festival is popular enough, and you'll get a chance to interact with visitors and tourists. City festivals also offer attractions and festival food that is not available during the rest of the year.
