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My Town on a Budget: Inexpensive Ways to Extend Your Warmest Welcome to Visitors
A friend or family member is coming to town for a visit. Obviously, like hosting a party at your home, you want to show your guest a great time but within the larger vicinity of your town. Here’s how to ensure your guest has a blast without draining too much money from your pocket.
Think Like a Tourist
For a limited time, you’ll need to think like a tourist. All of the ‘obvious’ spots around town that you already know about and may avoid due to crowds will now be attractive. Your visiting friend or family member has never experienced particular places, so be empathetic and consider visiting the obvious tourist spots. However, you can present them with local information. It’s likely they have assumptions about what particular sites may be like. Give them a realistic representation, which may change their mind about how much time to spend at each site and whether they would want to visit particular spots at all.
Burn Energy through Activity
Often, people spend money due to anxious energy or boredom. Both can be cured through activity. For example, rather than driving your friend around town, rent bicycles. Alternatively, take a jog through the downtown area for an abbreviated yet more exhausting jaunt. After a day of exercise, your visitor will feel more relaxed and more likely to want to take it easy rather than ‘go out’ and spend money at a restaurant, etc.
Seek Timeless Pastimes
Some activities, such as fishing, kayaking, hiking, etc, are timeless and enjoyable regardless of a person’s age, athletic ability, and preferences. Fresh air, light activity, and time with a friend is a great recipe for pleasure and relaxation. However, to ensure the pleasure of your friend, be sure they feel safe and they have the appropriate equipment. For example, the sport of fishing is less pleasurable without premium tackle. Get a Haywire twist tool and other fishing essentials before your friend comes to town so you’re well prepared for the excursion.
Check Local Listings
It’s very likely that a lot is going on in your immediate area. Buy a few local papers and peruse through them to find information related to free concerts, plays, readings, museum tours, art galleries, food tastings, and more. Also, search for particular keywords on Facebook and Twitter to unearth opportunities to engage in inexpensive yet exciting town activities. Don’t forget to ask friends directly on social media sites for added suggestions and intelligence.
Bring the Party to You
Rather than spend time and money leaving your home to entertain your friend, bring the party to them by inviting people to your home. Rather than invest money on entertainment and food, ask invites to bring food and beverages. Also, inquire if anyone plays instruments such as a guitar or keyboard piano. Ask people to bring board games, volleyball or badminton nets and equipment, karaoke machines, etc. With the right amount of planning and level of inquisition, you can have a world-class event at your home for little to no cost at all!
Tom Scott volunteers an hour a week running a free walking tour of his city. He is a guy who loves the outdoors and is always on the go; whether playing sports, hiking or simply taking his nephews to the park.
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