Tour Your Town: Cheap Summer Fun

Undertaking a big summer vacation can be incredibly expensive, especially for families. To spend a week at the beach, it can cost a family of five several thousand dollars in hotel, food, and gas or air travel expenses. Some years, let's face it, a lavish vacation is out of reach, and it would be wise not to remedy the problem with a credit card. So how can you appease your children as well as your own desire to do something different? I highly recommend becoming a tourist in your own city or town. You can have just as much fun as you would at the beach without getting all of that sand in your crack.

Everyone seems to gripe about how there's nothing to do in "insert name of your city or town here," but is that a fair assessment of the place that you call home? Is there truly nothing to do or have you just not been looking? People tend to get so caught up in the everyday grind that they pay no attention to the interesting sites, cool cultural events, and quirky festivals that are within a fifty-mile radius of home. Look at your local area with the eyes of a tourist, and spend this summer discovering it from a new perspective. You'll likely realize that the place where you live isn't so dull after all.

Where to Look: The internet is a great place to begin researching things to do in your area. Check out the website for your state tourism bureau and search by region to find fun things to do near you. These days, most cities and towns (even the small ones) have websites that list local attractions and activities; often the chamber of commerce website performs this function. Local newspapers are another great resource, as they often contain a section devoted to local life and diversions. You'll generally find a calendar of events as well as articles about upcoming shows and festivals. Last, but certainly not least, be vigilant. Check out bulletin boards and telephone poles for interesting ideas and listen when friends mention something appealing, as many local events will primarily be advertised via posters and by word of mouth.

Places of Historical Significance: Historical sites are a fabulous place to begin your touring. They will provide you and your family with a wealth of interesting information that you perhaps did not know about your current place of residence, and they will also give you a deep appreciation for the sacrifices and hardships that others went through in order to make your town such a wonderful place to live. Tours are typically free or very inexpensive, and they are often volunteer-run, meaning that your guide probably actually cares about the significance of the site. You can visit individual places, or take a walking tour. Many towns offer fascinating guided walking tours through historic neighborhoods and old cemeteries that are perfect for a beautiful early-summer afternoon.

State Parks and Areas of Natural Beauty: For a serene setting, look to state parks and other areas of natural beauty for recreation. Hike, picnic, canoe, kayak, camp, swim, ski, and climb yourself to your heart's content at a minimal cost. This is an excellent way to get away from it all without overextending your budget. You might even find a nearby state park or local lake more peaceful and relaxing than the crowded beaches.

Museums: Most mid-sized cities house at least one or two interesting museums, yet I am always amazed at how few locals visit them. When people travel, they tend to go to the interesting sites and learn all about the places that they are visiting, but at home, they scarcely take the time to admire the achievements of those in their own city or town. For example, Huntsville, which is a thirty-minute drive from my home, houses an excellent art museum, but I scarcely speak to anyone else who has been there. What a shame! Check out your local art museum, history museum, natural science museum, botanical gardens, and zoo.

Cultural Events: Local cultural events are always a lot of fun, and they are generally very budget-friendly. How often do you see a play by your town's theater group? What about a ballet performed by the local dance company? Do you ever check out bands from your area or go see jazz concerts in the park? These events may be smalltime, but you'll no doubt be impressed by the talent and ingenuity of your friends and neighbors. Not only that, they will truly appreciate your attendance and support of the community.

Festivals: A multitude of great festivals and fairs exist to celebrate everything you can imagine: famous people, favorite foods, music, plants, animals, even insects. You'll probably find quite a few of them within a couple hours' drive of your home, making them great daytrips. These events typically include live music, games, arts and crafts exhibitions, and deliciously unhealthy foods, and they are typically very family-friendly.

Touring your own city or town is a great way to discover a whole new side of the stage where your daily drama plays out. You'll find some excellent summer diversion, and perhaps, a new appreciation for the place that you call home.