Staycation: 15 tips on how to be a tourist in your city!
Note: This blog was written in February for posting in March - then the COVID pandemic hit and there was no point in posting it when we were in lockdown. Now that things are starting to open up, it is perhaps even more relevant as our ability to travel has never been more restricted.
Need a vacation? Want to get away but can’t due to commitments? Or maybe money is a little tight right now?
Why not take a vacation in your own backyard. Be a tourist in your city! As an everyday tourist I try to explore my city every day with the curiosity and sense of adventure of a tourist.
You will be surprised at what you find in you own backyard if you get out and explore it. Like this fun concert in a neighbourhood park I found last summer.
Here are a few tips to get you started…
#1 Attractions
Visit one of your local tourist attractions that you haven’t been to in years – a museum, art gallery or historical site. Many of us are guilty of visiting museums and art galleries on holidays, but rarely visit one at home. Attractions are gradually opening up, some by appointment only, so give them a call.
Some have free nights or days which is worth researching if you are on a budget.
#2 Book A Local Hotel Room
Who says you have to sleep at home just because you are staying your home city. Treat yourself to a hotel room for a night or two - perhaps in an old historic hotel or a hip new arts hotel downtown that would make for a fun getaway. Maybe there is a family oriented hotel with an indoor waterslide that would make for a great winter staycation or one with a great spa that would make for a romantic weekend.
Calgary’s Hotel Arts with its pool, trendy bar and restaurant could masquerade for a vacation in Miami. The pool is open year-round. (photo credit Hotel Arts)
#3 Love big old homes and history?
Most cities have a historic district or two with lovely old mansions - they are great places to wander. Take an afternoon to just walk the streets - enjoy the architecture and reflect on how life was 50 or 100 years ago. Just like you would do if you were visiting a European City.
Link: Calgary Neighbourhoods: Mount Royal: City Beautiful
#4 Walk, Hike or Bike
Take a walk in a city park or bike ride along a local pathway or trail you have never been to, or haven’t been to for a long time. If the weather is nice, pack a picnic. If you love walking, many cities have tour companies that organize local walking or cycling tours. Google and see if there is walking tour that might interest you.
#5 Love shopping?
Spend an afternoon wandering a department store you haven’t been into awhile, or use Google maps to create your own tour of local antique or vintage shops. If you love street shopping, Google BIAs (Business Improvement Areas) and your city’s name and you will find where the pedestrian oriented (think shops, cafes, boutiques, bistros etc) streets are in your city.
Every city has unique local shops…Link: Uniquely Calgary Shopping Experiences
#6 Ethnic Dining
Check out what’s new in the local restaurant scene. Maybe there’s a new French, Italian or Asian restaurant you might like to try. Or a new food hall to check out. Maybe your city has a farmer’s market, you haven’t visited in awhile.
Most cities have a Chinatown or other ethnic enclaves worth exploring for their restaurant and shopping scene.
Instead of a trip abroad to a culinary school, check out your local culinary scene and see what classes are offered locally.
Many cities have a “Dining Week” where restaurants across the city offer great deals to entice you to try them out.
Get out of your rut of going to your favourite restaurant and try someplace new.
#6 Love coffee, cafes and people watching?
You don’t have to wait until you are in Paris or Florence to enjoy a café experience. Most cities have funky cafes that echo the ambience of a European city.
Bypass Starbucks and Tim Hortons and discover your city’s independent café culture.
Calgary’s 17th Avenue has some great people watching patios.
#7 If you love walking and art…
Develop your own Art Walk visiting local private galleries and design stores. They are often clustered together.
Most cities also have mural and public art programs that make for a fun Art Walk. If you Google - Art Walk and your city’s name - you may find a map.
Here is a map of the BUMP murals in Calgary’s Beltline community just south of downtown. There are similar maps of public art in downtown and at Stampede Park. You could easily spend a day exploring Calgary’s outdoor art gallery. Link: Calgary Art Gallery Map
#8 Curate your own performing arts or films festival!
Most cities have one or more theatre or dance companies and concert halls. You could spend a weekend and go to several different performances. A even a one day festival- a matinee, dinner and then an evening performance.
You could do the same thing if your city has an art house cinema - you could curate your own film festival by getting together we a bunch of friends going to several different film in the same day or over the same weekend.
Don’t forget to check out what is happen at your local universities, colleges and high schools as they often have art events open to the public.
#9 Love live music?
Love going to concerts when on holidays but never go when at home? Check out your local music scene – philharmonic, quartets, jazz clubs, blues bars and folk clubs. I expect there is more happening than you realize if you do some digging.
#10 Are you a bibliophile?
Then check out your local used bookstore scene or local thrift stores to see if you can uncover a hidden gem. If you love records, take a similar approach. Most cities have several used bookstores and record shops.
#11 Into history/architecture?
Most cities have map of a historical walking tour of downtown buildings, churches, on-line. Or some blogger or historian has created one.
Link: Calgary Historical Walking Tour App
#12 Festival Fun
Check to see if there is a festival coming up that is of interest you. Most cities have lots of smaller festivals that you may never have heard of. Maybe you have been saying “I should check that out, but never do.” If so, it may be time to do it! Perhaps book a hotel room and stay downtown for the entire festival. This will have to wait awhile but getting a pass to a local festival and going everyday can be lots of fun.
#13 Itching to play some winter golf?
Canadians may not be able to go south this winter to play golf, but you can still golf in the winter. You can even probably play Augusta National or Pebble Beach several times on a golf simulator somewhere in your city, for a lot cheaper than a winter golf vacation.
#14 If beer is your thing..
Many cities now have Brewery Districts that are home to several local craft breweries. Often there is a tour operator who will take you and your friends on a tour so you can enjoy as many beverages as you wish. In addition, many cities have International Beer Festivals that make for a great day of sampling.
#15 Looking for an adventure?
Check out what your local public and private recreational facilities to see what have to offer – rock climbing, kayaking anyone?
In and around Caglary there are several indoor rock climbing facilities like this one, where you and friends can test your climbing skills.
Last Word:
With a little research and imagination you can find a bit of New York City, San Francisco, Paris, Mexico, southeast Asia or (insert our favourite destination here) in your city.
A great place to start your staycation research is on your city, province or state’s tourist website, which will have lots of great information on things to see and do for a day, a weekend or a week.
Link: Tourism Calgary
Link: Explore Edmonton
Link: Tourism Winnipeg
Link: Tourism Hamilton
Link: LondonTourism
If you like this blog, you will like these links:
How to Plan the Best Staycation Ever!