How to be a Tourist In Your Own City This Summer

To piggyback off romanticizing one’s life, being a tourist in your own city can be a wonderful way to make the most of this bright, hot, and sweaty season. Traveling to new places is a great way to experience the world, but did you know of the world within the city that you call home? Being a tourist in your own city allows you to rediscover where you live through fresh eyes. 

Here are some ways and tips on how to be a tourist in your own city this summer. 

Plan a staycation itinerary.

Start by choosing a neighborhood or part of your city to explore on a weekend (or even just a day). Plan it like a real trip. Create a list of places you want to visit: restaurants, coffee shops, museums, and tourist attractions. Plan photo ops. 

Take public transit, rent a bike, or walk—get out of your car for a different perspective. 

Give your “travel” day a theme or focus.

Do you want to focus on vintage, arts and culture, or nature? What is your focus for this “travel” day? For vintage, hit up thrift stores, old diners, or a historic theater. For arts and culture days, visit museums and galleries, hunt for murals, and attend poetry nights. For a nature day, hit a hiking trail, find a spot to watch the sunset, and stroll through gardens. 

Don’t be afraid to do the “cheesy tourist” things.

Act like a tourist for a day! Search “things to do” in your city and the first things that come in results are things to do for someone who is visiting for the first time. This potentially includes a trolley tour, river cruise, or history walk that you’ve always ignored. Does your city have a popular landmark? Overlook at sunset? 

For mementos, grab a souvenir or postcard from a local shop! 

Eat like you’re on vacation.

Try a new-to-you restaurant in a trendy part of town. Grab something that you wouldn’t normally eat. Check out any rooftop bars, local wineries, or cute brunch spots you’ve bookmarked but never had the chance to go to. To really romanticize your trip, pretend you’re writing a Yelp review or blog review — notice the atmosphere, the details, the vibe. 

Discover hidden gems.  

While the first results on a Google search page indicate typical tourist attractions, don’t be afraid to dig through the hidden gems. Step outside, walk down the sidewalk on a narrow street, and look around at the shops that may appear in your city. Scroll through any pop-up markets — often appearing on Instagram’s explore tab. Check out any street fairs or art walks. Find a tucked-away bookstore or plant shop and talk to the owner like you’re just passing through. 

Spend time outdoors.

Take your book or journal to a fountain, courtyard, or outdoor cafe. Or, sit outside and just people watch. Go on a morning nature walk or golden hour picnic. 

Document your trip.

Don’t forget to snap pictures! Take photos of everything you see (while still staying in the moment). Document the little street details — pretend you’re making a travel reel or photo diary. Share it like a “day in the life” or “summer in [your city]” series on Instagram or TikTok.