10 Ways to Find Adventure in Your Own Town
Everyone needs a little adventure in their lives, but if you live in a small or boring town, you might think that it can be hard to find ways to have fun. The good news is that there are plenty of adventures to be had right outside your door — you just need to know where to look!
We talked about this in one of our earlier episodes of the Attempt Adventure Podcast. You can listen HERE:
or wherever you get your podcasts.
S1E4: Being a Tourist in Your Own City — Attempt Adventure Podcast
We also talked about exploring your own local area like a tourist and traveling like a local. You might like those episodes as well!
Travel in Texas (our home state): S1E20: International Potato Chips, Imaginary Adventures, and Travel in Texas part I — Attempt Adventure Podcast
Travel like a local: S1E20: International Potato Chips, Imaginary Adventures, and Travel in Texas part I — Attempt Adventure Podcast
In this blog post, we’ll show you 10 ways to get the most out of your hometown and find new adventures around you. We promise, you don’t have to go far to seek out a fulfilling experience.
Explore your city on foot
Walking around your city is a great way to explore what it has to offer. Try taking a different route each day and see what new shops, parks, and restaurants you can discover.
Walking is free, a fantastic workout, and the absolute best way to discover new things in your own local neighborhood. You might stumble upon a new restaurant, a local cultural center, or a historical marker that can help you to learn more about the place where you live. So often we become blinded to our own hometowns that we overlook what make them unique and special. Try looking at your hometown through a new lens by taking a long walk without a specific destination in mind.
Join a local club
Whether you’re into sports, music, art, or something else entirely, there’s probably a local club for it. Joining one of these clubs will open up lots of opportunities for new adventures and experiences.
Check out Meetup.com. Meetup connects people in local communities who share similar interests. Many cities and towns have groups dedicated to walking tours, hiking trips, camping, and more.
Also, check out your local library, city hall, or community center for more information about the various clubs and groups that meet in your area. You might be surprised about the variety of local clubs that meet in your hometown.
Visit nearby cities
Even if you live in a small town, chances are there are some bigger cities not too far away that offer lots of things to do and explore. Take an occasional day trip and check out what else is out there! In most countries, you are never more than a few hours away from a moderately-sized city - even if you have to take the bus or train. In fact, traveling to the big city by public transport can be an adventure in and of itself, and we here at the Attempt Adventure Podcast wholeheartedly endorse it.
You can search online for a nearby town’s local council, chamber of commerce, or tourism / recreation department. Even if you’ve spent some time in the nearby city, you might be surprised by what you can find. There are often tons of small museums dedicated to odd and obscure things, beautiful architecture, historical markers to help you learn more about the local area, and outdoor activities that you can enjoy. The important thing is to approach it with an open mind and the spirit of adventure necessary to turn the mundane into the exciting.
Take part in community events
Most towns have regular festivals and other community events throughout the year that are perfect for getting out and having some fun! Check out local event listings for more information on upcoming activities.
Don’t stop at the major holidays either. Check out the events hosted by local communities.
Growing up, I thought my hometown wasn’t so exciting, but once I started digging deeper, I was able to find so many exciting events. I discovered a small Orthodox church that hosted an annual Greek food festival. I found that the local Asian supermarket held a wild and colorful Chinese New Year celebration complete with dragon dances and fireworks. There was even a German Christmas market inspired by the German colonial heritage of central Texas.
Go camping
Camping is the perfect way to get away from it all without going too far from home! Head out into nature with some friends or family members for an unforgettable weekend adventure.
Even if you are nowhere close to a national park, there may likely be a state park (or provincial park or equivalent) in your area. Many people don’t know that public land in the United States, such as national forests or land managed by the Bureau of Land Management, is generally completely free to camp on! If you want more amenities, there are also plenty of private campgrounds where you can pay to pitch a tent for a night or weekend away.
This is where living in a small town - particularly “in the middle of nowhere” - can actually be a benefit! You are much more likely to have amazing nature close by.
Don’t know how to get started in camping? We’ve got an episode for that!
S1E11: Planning Your First Camping Trip (in the USA)
or two…
S1E13: Essential Camping Gear and Camping Wishlists
ok, or maybe three…
S1E16: Camp Cooking and Tourist Thailand
You can listen to all of those episodes of Attempt Adventure right here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Take up a hobby
If you’re looking for something more low-key but still exciting, why not take up a new hobby? You can learn something new while also making some great memories along the way! Hobbies don’t have to be expensive. In fact, many of the hobbies that lead to be best adventures are totally free.
Why not try:
photography
birding
geocaching
cycling
Here are more ideas: 10 Free Hobbies to Make Your Life More Adventurous — Attempt Adventure Podcast
Volunteer with a local organization
Volunteering at your local animal shelter or soup kitchen is an excellent way to help others while also having some fun and learning something new about your town and its people!
A few years ago, I found a volunteering opportunity in my hometown, and ended up spending an afternoon cleaning up the beach at a fantastic sea turtle sanctuary. I had no idea it even existed before! I also got the chance to meet people and make new friends while doing something good for my local area.
Participate in outdoor activities
There are plenty of outdoor activities that don’t require any special equipment or expertise—hiking, biking, swimming, kayaking—the list goes on.
Hiking in particular is a fantastic activity because it is totally free, and most local areas have a hiking trail or two.
Does your town have a lake? Visit the local marina to see if you can rent a canoe or kayak, or if they offer sailing classes.
One Map Challenge
Adventurer Alastair Humphreys decided to spend a year exploring every inch of a local map of his area. You can read about his progress on his website here: A Single Map is Enough - Alastair Humphreys
The idea is that there are actually tons of amazing things around us to see and do, but we tend to overlook the amazing things that can be found in our own backyards. Try to find a local map of your area and to scout out any interesting points that you might discover.
Visit tourist attractions near you
Even if you don't live near any major cities or landmarks there are still probably some tourist attractions nearby worth checking out - like historical sites or natural wonders - so make sure you research what's available before writing off your hometown as boring.
Most New Yorkers have never visited the Statue of Liberty, after all. Sometimes, you just need to look at your hometown like an outsider. What would someone do if they were a tourist there? Where would you take a friend who was visiting?
I grew up in a small town, but never visited any of the local museums or sites until I was grown and had moved out. Looking back, there were so many off-beat attractions and things to see, but I never took the time to search them out.
Conclusion
There are lots of ways to add adventure into even the dullest of towns. All it takes is an open mind and motivation (and maybe a few friends!). If you're feeling stuck in your hometown then why not try one of these methods today?
Who knows—you might even find yourself falling back in love with the place again soon enough!
