Whether you are traveling alone or with your family, sometimes you find yourself in an unfamiliar location with nothing to do. Discovering local events is a great way to kickstart an adventure. But where do you look for the fun happenings in a new place?
- Online. Checking out local events online is the simplest and easiest option. You can logon to Facebook and check out the Events section. Because Facebook tracks your location, it will populate upcoming events near you. You can filter by category, like Music or Sports, and discover some fun outings that you might otherwise never have found. You can also visit Eventbrite, which, like Facebook, has an events section (“browse events”) that auto-detects your location and shares local events happening soon.
- Coffee Shops. If you don’t have access to a computer, or want to turn looking for an event into a mini-adventure, a great resource is a local coffee shop. There is often a community board with posters advertising local events. Coffee shops are also a great place to meet locals – look for a place that fits your aesthetic, and you will probably find some like-minded people that will have information about fun things to do nearby. And, if all of your information seeking fails, you still get coffee!
- Local Publications. Sometimes, the best resource is a good old-fashioned newspaper. We love the locally produced free versions for finding events. These papers are usually invested in the community, and will often have wonderful lists of the best restaurants, concerts, and community festivals that are happening. Grab one while you are at the coffee shop and browse it while you sip.
- Visit the Information Center. Especially in mountain and tourist communities, there is almost always an information center that is a wonderful resource, especially if exploring the surrounding nature is your jam. You can ask for hikes suitable to your skill level and the time you have, or maybe ones that feature waterfalls, or lakes that you can swim in. Staff tends to be knowledgeable about the area and have a wealth of experience, so don’t be afraid to ask.
If you are the type to eschew planning in favour of adventure, these tips will help you find fun, wherever you are.