Do you have to travel to the opposite end of the earth to experience adventure? Not according to Alastair Humphrey. Although this English adventurer and motivational speaker has bicycled 46,000 miles around the world, he is most famous for promoting the idea of microadventures – adventures right in your backyard.
Okay, maybe not actually in your own backyard (although you shouldn’t count it out completely – backyard camping, anyone?). Alastair Humphrey’s microadventures are about exploring your town or city and finding something unique in the local scene – maybe something you haven’t noticed before, even if it’s been right under your nose all this time.
Finding fun things to do at or close to home isn’t just a great way to save money on airfare and hotels, it’s also a way to see a familiar world with brand-new eyes.
5 Microadventures & Quick Trips to Explore Near You
Try New Food
Adventure travel doesn’t have to involve a mountain bike, kayak, or anything extreme. Sometimes it just requires hungry taste buds. While international foods like sushi have become a regular part of American diets, there are tons of exciting new cuisines and experiences to explore.
Try doing an internet search for some offbeat eateries in your local radius. No matter where you live, there are bound to be restaurants, food trucks, and mom-and-pop shops just waiting to be discovered. From eating on the floor with your hands at Ethiopian and Moroccan restaurants to cooking your food at your table at a Korean BBQ or a Chinese hot pot restaurant, the possibilities are endless.
Get Lost Without a Map
An internet search for quick trips (near me) will yield some great starting points for a local adventure where you can get lost (in a good way) in your own neighborhood. If there is a walkable downtown near you, maybe start your journey at a historical landmark, local museum, or another unique-to-your-town point of interest. Don’t be afraid to ask local shop and restaurant owners about any noteworthy sights or things to do as you explore. You’ll be amazed by how much history is in your home town.
If your city is not so pedestrian-friendly or you live in the suburbs, consider going for a drive, stopping whenever and wherever spikes your interest along the way to nowhere.
Look for Water
If you’re on a coast of any kind (ocean, lake, gulf, or bay), you’re probably used to weekend trips to the beach. But what about looking for places to swim other than your local beach? A creek, river, or local swimming hole could be a fun change of pace that opens the door to new adventures.
If you’re far from the beach, you may have overlooked natural water sources in favor of concrete swimming pools in the past. Instead, search for a fresh local water source and go on a close-to-home microadventure. Whatever you find – glacial lake, local pond, hot spring, or creek – make a day of it with friends and a picnic lunch.
Discover Nature
Another great microadventure idea is to explore your local woods, fields, mountains, or foothills. A quick search for “outdoor adventures (near me)” will tell you which parks are easily accessible and well-maintained.
Do a little research beforehand to learn about the local animals and flora you will see during your adventure travel. Then, test your newfound knowledge by identifying the plants and creatures you’ve researched. If you are hiking with children, consider making some bingo cards to help identify pieces of nature. This added dimension can make nature exploration fun for the whole family!
Host Some Out of Towners
Nothing will put you into the adventure travel mindset like playing tour guide to friends or family! Your town doesn’t have to be ranked among the best weekend trips in the US. It doesn’t even have to be particularly remarkable. With a little creativity, you can turn a short visit into one of the best weekend trips your friends or family have ever experienced.
Take them to all of the touristy places you’ve (probably) never been to and sign up for some walking tours. Maybe even take them to a restaurant or concert venue you’ve never been to or impress them with your town’s famous local fair or music festival. No matter what you end up doing, you’ll most likely discover things about your hometown you never knew existed as you play host.
Put the Micro in Adventure Travel
The whole point of a microadventure is to breathe fresh life and excitement into your everyday surroundings. Instead of paying for a plane ticket or cruise to visit some exotic destination, you can find wonder right where you live. Many times, it doesn’t even cost a dime.
So what are you waiting for? It’s time to start your next microadventure!