Travel for Retirees: Embrace Your Local Tourist Attractions

Summer travel for retirees often requires advanced planning: booking flights, reserving hotel rooms, and buying travel insurance. But if you’re looking for a simple, spontaneous trip, you can play tourist at home!

Maybe you’ve not visited the local sites because they are tourist spots. Perhaps you’ve lived in your area for a long time but have yet to ride the information trolley downtown or take a harbor cruise.

Playing tourist allows you to see your city or town through a new, wondrous lens. If you find yourself at home this summer wanting to get out and have some fun, line up some sightseeing activities, grab your sunscreen, and take in the local sites.

Discover your town with a guided tour

You’ve probably seen the local tour bus and maybe heard snippets of the guide’s descriptions while waiting at a red light. 

This summer, you can get the full tour! Your tour guide will point out architectural features, quirky facts about the city, and little-known stories about the area’s beginnings.

A good tour guide will make a performance out of the experience. They’ll sprinkle humor into their presentation and have fun with the visitors. They may ask people where they’re from to make everyone feel welcome (tell them you’re local and see what they say!). 

Get inspired with your visitors

If you have family visiting this summer, you can research the attractions and go with them—as a visitor. Do they want to see the zoo? You can join them, taking the guided bus tour, or having an early morning cheetah experience. 

Maybe you’ve seen the sights many times (or not all because you’re a local). Exploring with visitors is sure to create lasting memories and a new appreciation for your area.

Participate in local summer events

Even if your area doesn’t have tourist attractions, local organizations often host events that attract locals, their guests, and out-of-town visitors.

Does the community have a 5K fun run? Depending on your activity level, you can either participate in the event or get involved as a volunteer. Just being around people who are out there enjoying the activities can be a refreshing summer treat.

Also, during the warmer months, local organizations often hold outdoor evening events. Symphonies may perform concerts alfresco. Generally, the music is casual, with a lineup of movie soundtrack pieces and toe-tapping popular hits. 

Some events, such as plays or movies in the park, provide the opportunity for people to bring folding chairs and picnic dinners for a relaxed evening under the stars. What a great way to get out, have fun, and interact with your community!

Playing tourist has healthful advantages

Heading out and enjoying the local attractions is not only fun, but it’s good for you! The physical activity can improve chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Also, the interaction with others and change of scenery can improve your overall well-being by reducing stress and improving your outlook on life. Enjoy your summer!

Should you end up traveling out of town, make sure you have travel insurance!

Get a FREE quote today from our Seven Corners travel insurance partner.