As COVID-19 has ravaged our nation, I’ve had some time to look at what makes the most sense for our summer travel. We travel to learn and explore the fantastic locations around our nation. However, this year, I am looking at it through it in a different lense. How can we continue to travel and teach our kids about the phenomenal things in their world? Then it hit me. Why not become an Ohio backyard tourist?
Can I create travel in our own backyard? Shouldn’t we be a tourist here? So, I started to think about ways I could do this with our family and decided this was too good to not pass on to you on the blog!
Being a backyard tourist is going to impact your state, community, and neighborhood for good. It will help jump-start your local economy and help you better understand what makes your community tick. I hope you’ll join me, as our communities open back up, and become backyard tourists!
What to Do In Your Community
What Does Your Community Offer?
I live in a rural community that is close to urban areas. However, when you plan to travel you tend to forget that amazing things have happened and are happening in your own area. This is a perfect time to re-acquaint yourself with your hometown.
#1 Check your local CVB (Convention Visitors Bureau) website for some great information about YOUR area. You can find these listed as cities and counties.
#2 Visit a local farm or farmers market.
#3 Check out the local history. Every community has something about its history. There are historical markers, historical societies, and museums.
#4 Try a new to YOU restaurant and make sure it is owned by a local. This can be really fun. Ask them to share their story with you. How did they get started? Why did they choose your city to open up? We went to Bob’s Backyard BBQ in Lancaster, Ohio and they had a story that you wouldn’t know unless you asked!
#5 Stay at a local bed and breakfast or boutique hotel
#6 Take a picnic at a local park
#7 Support a local coffee shop and go shopping at the local stores on Main Street.
What To Do In Your State
What Does Your State Offer?
Every state has its own special flair! No matter where you live there is an adventure to be found in your state. We are making a check-off list of things to see during our month of being a backyard tourist. Our goal is to check off as many of these things as we can.
#1 Find a park that has your state tree or flower in it.
#2 Visit the home or museum of an inventor in your state
#3 Explore a National Park, Memorial or Battlefield in your state
#4 Go to a lake and enjoy the local vibe
#5 Take your family on an outdoor adventure kayaking, ziplining or rock climbing
#6 Enjoy a historical tour of the oldest city in your state
#7 Stay at a resort and enjoy the amenities
#8 Experience a cabin in the woods and enjoy nature hikes
There are so many things you can do to enjoy your state and if you’re anything like me you might have overlooked all the fantastic things to do locally.
Creative Ways To Travel Locally
I’ve given you some ideas about where to go and what to do but you can enhance the experience of being a backyard tourist by being creative in how you choose to see it!
Ways to experience it:
Take a tour on a segway
See the shores of the lake via a standup paddleboard
Rent a convertible for the day
Go by public transportation
Use an Uber
Rent a bike and see the sights from the bike paths
Difficult times can bring about new ideas and ways to see your local area through fresh eyes. Don’t give up on a summer vacation, just re-shape it with some local sites. You’ll probably be amazed at what you find in your own backyard.
We’d LOVE to hear about what you find! Leave us a comment or send us a message in our contact us form or if you’re on Instagram use the #backyardtouristadventure and tag us @gleason_family_adventure
Happy Adventures,
Brandy
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