I love to travel. I also love to try new things, and I’ve discovered that there are interesting things to do just about everywhere! It’s amazing and wonderful. In the last few months, I’ve tried Farm Animal Yoga, spent time relaxing in a salt cave and sipped coffee in a cat cafe. All experiences within a few hours drive of where I live and none of which I’d tried before. Pretty cool, right?
Today I want to share with you how I find these unique experiences. It’s not that hard or time-consuming, and you can apply the same techniques where you live or where you plan to travel. This is what I do before every trip we take:
- Google. I always start with Google. Just type in the location and “things to do”. You’ll almost always get at least a Trip Advisor link.
- Yelp. Great for finding local restaurants and shops.
- Facebook. Sometimes I ask for suggestions in a general post or Facebook group, sometimes I look under events to see if anything is going on while we will be in town.
- Map. I have an old Atlas that I keep in my office and before we go somewhere, I look up the city. Often there are other cities nearby that are close enough to check out – this can really widen your search, especially if you are going to a less “touristy” area. If you find something, go back to Google and do a search on that city too.
- CVB. This is my secret weapon. A week or so before we go on a trip, I email the Convention & Visitors Bureau (for the city or for the county or both). I ask them if there are any interesting or unique experiences. These people WANT to help you, so they will almost always respond. No one knows the area better and no one is more excited to get visitors checking out their city or county – that is their job!!! You probably found their site when you did your Google search, but if not, just type in the location and CVB.
Once we arrive, if we have time, I’ll often stop at the local visitor’s office. Not just to pick up brochures, but to chat with the people working there. Like the CVB folks, these employees know the insider secrets and they want you to have a good time. They can give you local tips on restaurants, things to do & festivals or events happening. I’m always amazed and impressed with their knowledge. Well worth a half hour stop.
I’d love for you to try some of these tips out and let me know what you find. If you don’t have any vacations planned, just search your own city and look for a fun adventure close to home.
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Great post Pam! I love your suggestions, especially the Conventions and Visitors Bureau idea. I’ve had good results through them as well. Yelp is my favorite site when looking for good places to eat. Thanks!
I am a huge fan of Yelp Shirley – I’ve taught my kids how to search for restaurants too and they know once they start getting hungry to pull out their phones!
I love this! We always try to do something new and different while we travel. Especially something unique to the area we are visiting. I always start with google, too, and just type in ‘things to do,’ it always pulls up way more than we usually have time for! We have stopped at a couple of visitor centers along our way, but I think we’ll start hitting more of them! I loved reading about your yoga and salt cave adventures! Those both sound like awesome new things to try. Thanks for the inspiration!
Even if all you do is pick up some brochures, those stops can help you find things to do!
Great suggestions! I hadn’t actually thought about contacting the CVB for cities!
I know – it works out really well.
Convention & Visitors Bureau is a wonderful suggestion. They have helped us with trip ideas and were very helpful.
I find it amazing how much they know.
Nice post. I like the idea that you really don’t know where the next fun idea may come from.
It’s so fun to find unusual things to do. And when they’re local, even better! Great tips!
Love this! It’s amazing how many amazing things we can live by but never go see or try them!
Great tips Pam. I like the idea of contacting the CVB. I’m on the shy side, and won’t know what to say. This is a great idea for wherever you’d be going, whether it’s somewhere far or if it’s for a staycation.
It’s easier to contact via email if you are shy – just send a note stating when you will be there and asking if there are any great things to do, hidden secrets, etc.
Have you always had a good response from CVB? I have contacted a few with no response 🙁
I’d say 80% of the time – it’s pretty rare I don’t get a response and when I do, it tends to be the really big cities – so it’s easier to find things to do there regardless.
CVB is such a great tip. Seems obvious but I would never have thought of that. Sounds like you’ve got this covered.
The CVB is a great suggestion!
I really have to remember the visitors bureau next trip!
They are fun to check out!
Reaching out to the CVB is such a great tip! I love it and will definitely do that for our next adventure!
Allison @ LooksLikeHappy.com
Good luck! Hope they come back with good info for you!
I wouldn’t have thought of the CVB.
Looove your suggestion to contact the local CVB! I am definitely going to do this from now on!
Hope it helps – I’ve found some great hidden gems this way!
Awesome post Pam lots of great ideas that I’d never thought of before thanks!
Nadine, so glad – hope they work well for you too!
I also love to travel and experiencing new things. It’s great go try out new things and have new adventures every day. Totally agree with you. Thank you for your tips. 🙂
It makes life much more fun and interesting, right?
I love that you shared that! Yes, CVB’s are gold mines of information. I’ve enjoyed reading about your adventures and look forward to future trips!
Thanks! Lots of trips coming – just booked Spring Break last night! And plenty in the works before then.
These are superb tips, Pam! Especially contacting the visitor’s centers. I especially enjoy popping in to a local mom and pop shop to get the skinny on what the locals like to do, not just the touristy stuff. Go out and travel in your own backyard!!
Tiffany – great idea, when in doubt ask the locals!
Some great tips! I also find the CVB’s to be so incredibly helpful.
great tips! i’ve never thought of using the CVB before, thank you!
Hope it helps!
I honestly don’t remember how I found restaurants before Yelp. It is so perfect for when you are in unfamiliar territory and helps takes away some f the unknown.
I know! We used to ask for recommendations and even if we specifically said “no chains,” it seems like every other suggestion was a chain restaurant!
Hi Pam!
These are great tips. I currently use yelp but going to the CVB is an excellent idea. Thank you for sharing.
I do love yelp!
What a great post for those wondering about how to find out activities to try out.
Thanks – hope it helps someone.
Those suggestions are so great! And goat yoga sounds So cool!
Thanks! Goat yoga was cool!
I never thought of using CVB! These are great tips on how to find things to do in new cities!
Thanks!