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Vacation All I Ever Wanted: How Acting Like a Visitor in My Hometown Renewed My Sense of Gratitude

By: Stefanie Schefter

I’ve spent most of my life living in Boston, MA, or the surrounding suburbs. For the past year and a half, like most people, I’ve gotten a little restless—COVID restrictions and precautions are still very much in place, and as a result, travel and exploration have been limited. However, my idea of an adventure drastically changed once I adopted a visitor’s mindset in the city I thought I knew so well. As I became determined to discover cool stuff right in my own backyard, I also discovered a renewed sense of gratitude and a deep appreciation for my surroundings.

Here are some ways I started seeing my hometown with fresh eyes:

1. Explore the Sights on Foot

    Lace up your sneaks and start walking. Whether you’re strolling your quiet suburban neighborhood, meandering the city blocks that border your apartment, or (if you’re really lucky!) exploring some nearby nature, seeing the sights on foot is really the best way to get to know a place. Once you start walking around regularly, you’ll notice all kinds of interesting rhythms—what hour of the day has the prettiest light, which plants are blooming, which animals are out and about. Seeing these little seasonal changes and patterns up-close will help you feel connected to your surroundings in a new way.

    2. Take a Bus, Boat, or Car Tour

    If you happen to live in a place that offers bus or boat tours, go ahead and book a ticket. It’s a great way to see the town or city you live in from a visitor’s POV, and to see the reactions of all the actual out-of-towners when you drive or sail past your everyday scenery. If there aren’t any formal tours in your town, take a ride in your car or on a bike and try to get lost. Go down streets you usually don’t and turn off your GPS—you might be surprised by what you find mere miles from your home. Seeing a different side of your hometown is sure to shake you out of a rut and get you excited about living there again.

    3. Take a History Lesson

      Finally, learning the history behind some of the parks and buildings in your hometown will help give you a sense of your city’s place in the wider world. Read the signs and plaques that are posted around, or take a trip to your local library or historical society. You can request newspaper archives, check out local history books (like the Images of America series, which covers cities and small towns alike), or even research the history of older homes in the area.

      Another way to learn little-known facts about your hometown is to look it up on Atlas Obscura. From the wonderfully whimsical to the downright weird, this is where you’ll discover unusual attractions and unexpected finds of all kinds. Recognizing the quirks and eccentricities of where you live will help you celebrate its distinct, one-of-a-kind nature.

      While I’m still looking forward to hitting the road, seeing a new side of my city has made me more grateful than ever to be right where I am. What are some ways you find adventure outside your front door?

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