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Are you struggling to plan a trip to somewhere new this autumn? I get it!
As a wanderer myself, I am aware that most of us long for a getaway, but we are not too fond of high travel expenses (especially given the state of the economy today, aren’t we?).
But what if I tell you that it’s not always necessary to book a plane ticket to find adventure? Those of you who follow me on Instagram may know that I talk a lot about this way of travelling.
There are times when the best trips are close to home. These cheap travel ideas in your city will help you see it in a new way, whether you want to get away for a short time or just have a fun day.
So, get ready to bring out your sense of wonder, and let’s look at five easy ideas you can do locally that won’t cost a fortune and will satisfy your wanderlust!
Best Budget-Friendly Ideas to Plan a Trip in Your City This Season
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1. Explore Neighbourhoods You’ve Never Been
Have you ever found yourself hardly exploring any of the neighbourhoods in your city? So, you could start from here, pick an area, and spend the whole day there!
One of my favourite things about living in London is that I can always find a new neighbourhood to check out.
I’ve lived in the city for three years now, but I still feel like a tourist because there are so many places to see.
In theory, you might not have many neighbourhoods if you’re from a small city or town with, say, fewer than 2k residents.
If so, you might like to explore some of the local towns and cities nearby, which you can most likely reach by car (assuming you have one) or public transportation.
Visit local stores, eat at little restaurants, and perhaps even strike up a conversation with some of the locals to find out what they enjoy.
These places frequently have a distinct charm and personality that you won’t find elsewhere.
2. Plan a Trip: Create Your Own Themed Self-Guided Food Tour
Trying different foods is one of the best things about travelling! To sample international flavours, however, you don’t need to travel far.
You only have to look a little harder to find great food from around the world in most places, no matter how big or small they are (London is a great example in my experience).
Plan a route, list your favourite foods, and prepare for a tasting experience.
How to Find Inspiration for Your Themed Tour
- Start with breakfast. This might be going to any local brunch spot or just getting pastries at a local bakery. Usually, I enjoy doing this on the weekends.
- Go for a walk in a place you’ve been meaning to visit. And if you like me and like admiring fancy areas that we could never afford to live in, this is a great way to do it.
- Take a break from your traditional food and eat something Italian, perhaps for lunch. (Of course, assuming you are not Italian, hopefully you get the point here!)
- For dessert, munch on some Portuguese patel da nata.
- For dinner, try something Spanish, like paella or Spanish tapas (which are small portions of different Spanish dishes).
3. Go Leaf-Peeping in Unexpected Places
Growing up in Africa, I can say that leaf-peeping is not very common in our society or communities.
We celebrate some holidays at different times of the year than most people in the West. This is mostly due to differences in our climates.
However, leaf-peeping has become one of my most enjoyable activities during the autumn season since I relocated to Europe.
You may not think of your city as a “leaf-peeping” destination, but you might be surprised!
There’s something magical about autumn that brings charm to parks, neighbourhoods, and even factories.
Sometimes the best places to see autumn leaves aren’t in forests but rather in calm parks and along city streets.
Top tips to plan a trip for leaf-peeping in your city
- Neighbourhood Strolls: Take a walk through old neighbourhoods. Visit streets with old homes and tall trees, and look at the leaves that are turning the ground a rich gold and red colour. You might even find some nice pumpkin displays on the streets, depending on the place.
- Outdoor spaces in cities or natural areas: Find city parks that aren’t as well known. A lot of urban parks and botanical gardens have pathways that, when the leaves change colour in the autumn, seem to glow. You should bring a camera, a thermos of something warm, and perhaps a friend (again, I always love to do this with my spouse). If you’re in London, there are many beautiful parks where you can look at the leaves. Holland Park and Richmond Park are my favourites.
Tip: The autumn colours are at their best in some places in early October and not at all in others until mid-November. For instance, the trees where I’m writing this post in Portugal aren’t fully coloured for fall yet.
You May Also Read:
- Top Free Things to Do in Florence, Italy
- How to Plan a Budget-Friendly trip to Bath, England
- A step-by-step guide to trip planning
4. Find Free or Budget-friendly Events and Seasonal Festivals
Taking advantage of free events and seasonal festivals is another one of my favourite fall activities.
I can only talk about Europe right now since this is where I live. It is almost impossible not to be able to find free cultural events in Europe.
There are a lot of free cultural events in many cities, such as concerts, farmer’s markets (my favourite), art shows, bonfires, and local festivals.
I suggest looking through the events calendar in your city. London’s bonfire night, which takes place every year on November 5th, is a great example.
A bonfire with friends is the best way to spend an autumn evening, and this event is just the thing to do it.
There are times when these free events are also promoted on street banners and train platforms. Another great place to find these kinds of events is on social media.
You can plan a trip in this manner, which will allow you to experience the thrill of a lively, local atmosphere without having to pay for airfare, lodging, and other expenses.
5. Go on a Random Walk to find a Scenic spot or Sunset Viewpoint
There are unique spots in every city. Of course, because we see them every day, we miss some lovely city views and cute little details.
Plan a walk somewhere in your city as a new activity for yourself. You’ll be surprised at how many beautiful places you’ve probably already walked by.
Like when you’re travelling abroad, get your phone out and start taking pictures of your city from different angles.
Depending on your city, you may also be able to find parks with viewpoints or hillside spots with stunning views of the city or the sunset.
Bonus: Plan a Tip to local museums or Historic Sites
Planning a trip to a museum is best done in the fall. With fewer crowds, take advantage of the cultural gems that are hidden in your city that you might miss otherwise.
Most of the time, these are free or very cheap. As mentioned above, since I’m planning a longer stay in Portugal, I’m considering taking a Portuguese cooking class and visiting few local museums.
This is a fun way to learn more about the history of your city and feel like a tourist in your own town.
Final Tips to Plan Your Next Local Adventure
These cheap travel ideas in your city don’t require much planning, as they would if you were to plan a trip abroad.
So, I hope I’ve given you some trip ideas on what you could try for your fall bucket list in your city. Adventure isn’t just a place you go; it’s also how you think about it.
Sometimes, you can turn your daily city into a new adventure and make memories that are just as rewarding as a trip far away.
No matter where you are, get out and try new ways to awaken wanderlust and unleash your inner adventurer! Have fun exploring!
🍁 Did you like these fall bucket list ideas to try at home? If so, then don’t forget to share & save for later! 😊
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