Solo Travel Close to Home

It's a big world out there, with infinite adventures awaiting the travel hungry. Sitting at my desk on a cold winter day, watching the fog roll in from the ocean to blanket the houses and buildings in sheets of white, I find myself daydreaming about the sun-soaked sands of Mexico beaches, the colorful rain forests of Costa Rica, the wild national parks and animals of the Australian Outback. And then, of course, there are the cathedrals of Rome, the art museums of Paris, the canals of Venice, the temples of Japan. While the world holds infinite wonders to capture the imagination, most of us don't have infinite vacation days or bank accounts. What do you do when you get the itch to travel, but only have a weekend to scratch it with?

Sometimes it's easy to forget, but chances are your own hometown and destinations close by are rife with fun things to see and do. An exciting trip could be as simple as heading to the park, spending the day touring the local museums, taking a brewery tour, relaxing at a spa, or climbing into the car stocked with snacks and your favorite CD's and heading down the highway for your own mini road trip. Here are some ideas for great solo trips you can take in your own backyard.

Play Tourist in your Hometown

I've lived in San Francisco for six years now, and it occurred to me the other day that I've never ridden a trolley car, or been to Alcatraz. While some tourist attractions can be more hype than happening, most of them are popular for good reason. One fun way to spend a weekend without going too far or spending too much, is to grab your camera and pretend to be a tourist. What are the attractions people come to your town from all over the country, or even the world, to see? Many cities offer tourist passes, allowing travelers to visit all of the major attractions at a discounted price. Bus tours, walking tours, and other group tours are often available too, for those wishing to experience their town under the wisdom of a guide. For travelers who'd rather go it alone, a great place to begin is your city's visitor's center, where you can get lists of attractions, maps, tour information, and more.

Attractions in Major Cities:
San Francisco Attractions
New York Attractions
Los Angeles Attractions
Seattle Attractions
Boston Attractions
Las Vegas Attractions
More...

Take a Culture Tour

You may not live in New York City or Rome, but chances are, your hometown has its own fantastic array of cultural attractions. I'm always pleasantly surprised to discover how many cultural events are taking place in my city, from theatre productions to poetry readings and art openings, to literary festivals and performance art. A fun way to escape the norm of the week and to stir your intellect is to plan a cultural weekend for yourself. You could spend a Saturday checking out the latest exhibits at your local art museum, learning about prehistoric times at a museum of natural history, or experiencing the astronomical at a planetarium show. Many museums offer guided tours, or self-guided audio tours, allowing you to learn about the art and artists that capture your imagination as you peruse. Experiencing art and historical exhibits is a fantastic way to travel the world without leaving your own backyard.

Road Trip!

Venturing on a road trip may take a bit of planning, but not too much! One suggestion is to locate a place you've never visited that you've always wanted to see — a nearby state or national park, a fantastic zoo, a winery or brewery you'd enjoy touring, a spa or hot springs, or even just another city you'd like to experience. Once you've settled on a destination, it might be fun to take the route that is most scenic so that you can stop and take photos along the way, enjoy a picnic lunch by a lake, or just take in the views as you speed down the highway. If you're more inspired by the journey rather than the destination, you might just take out a local map, point to a spot, and then hit the road. Don't forget to pack your favorite snacks and music!

Next time you're at work, or making dinner for your kids, or filling up the car with gas and you begin daydreaming about traveling the world, remember there might just be a whole world in your own backyard. Big trips to exotic places are wonderful, but it's easy to travel nearly anytime — those small vacations can make waiting for the big ones a lot easier, and who knows, you might have the time of your life close to home.