These suggestions speak for themselves.

My name is Colleen Volz and I blog at http://colleenvolzabroad.com. I am a budding travel writer and love to travel and tell stories. However, many of us don’t have the time or money to live in this way. For this reason, I have written five suggestions for looking at your town/city with through the eyes of a traveler.

1) Research the tourist attractions in your town. Search your town or city on Tripadvisor or Yelp to find out what others are marking as the best places in your area. Maybe it’s a landmark, a museum, or a fantastic restaurant. Choose something you’ve never done before and go experience it.

2) Bring a camera and a notebook. Travelers are known gulping in their new surroundings with curiosity and interest. Think of somewhere that has a lot of natural beauty that not everyone would notice. Look at the world through a new lenses. Take notes.

3) Find a market. Flea markets and farmers markets are buzzing with local culture and flavor. Talk to stall owners and listen to their stories. Ask about what they’re selling and why they do what they do.

4) Try (or re-try) a renowned local dish. Most travelers make an effort to experience local cuisines. Where do people flock to when they come to the area? Give your taste buds a tour. Perhaps search a recipe online and try cooking it yourself.

5) Find a free tour. Most moderate to large cities offer various kinds of tours. Some are corporate bus tours while others are “ghost tours” or walks about regional history. You don’t have to tell the tour group it’s your hometown. Just explore with a new guide.

I hope you have enjoyed these suggestions and they have been useful. If you would like to contribute then please e-mail your suggestions to 5thingstodotoday@gmail.com.

David