Family Fun: Be a Tourist In Your Own City
My husband and I are big travellers and have always taken our daughter, Ava everywhere since she was born. During the summer months, we enjoy a two week family vacation, but this year was not easy on us financially. So, we’ve put off of any plans to have a family vacation till things get sorted out.
We may not be able to go away, but we can still act like tourists! Being a tourist in your own city can be fun and a LOT cheaper than going on a actual vacation. We live in Montreal, QC (Canada) which is a city full of history. So, we acted as tourists by going to the Old Port or known as the Vieux-Port in French which is the old town of Montreal.
The streets are paved with cobblestones and the area is full of things to do. Great for families is the pedestrianized Place Jacques Cartier that leads from city hall to the Old Port. There are lots of small trinkets and sweets to enjoy while watching the various street performers. Sometimes there are clowns that blow up balloons for children.
The actual Old Port is great for strolling too. Although, there are lots of other things to do in the area too. Many families rent multi-bycyles to bike around the area or take a peddle boat rides in a designated area of the port. Perfect for parents with young children, is the small train which runs up and down the port.
Parents can opt to eat from the food trucks that sell actually GOOD food to save on restaurant prices. Grass is plentiful and right next to water, making the Port a perfect picnic spot.
Ava had a blast and she passed out as soon as we got back to the car!
Do you ever play tourist in your own city? What are the great sites around your city?
I love this idea, most people overlook what is right nearby!
What a fun town you live in. I would have to really search for some things in my town to keep me busy playing tourist. I am going to have to try it sometime and see what I can come up with.
She is adorable – what a great idea I never think of visiting my own city!
you are in a lovely town hunny and have just the cutest daughter too!!
It’s always fun to discover what’s in your own city/ town. Your daughter is so lovely 🙂
Sometimes exploring “home” is the best. Appreciating where you live while learning a bit more about it!
We love exploring our city with our children.
We currently have a Gromit Unleashed trail where we have to find 80 Gromits (from UK’s Wallace & Gromit) and is a fun way to explore.
How exciting! I love Canada and would really enjoy touring Montreal. We also didn’t have much money this summer so my son and I did do somethings locally but our local attractions like the zoo is almost $18 a person! We ended up doing the free and cheap things that we could afford. It looks like little Ava had a good time.
When we moved to our current house, I took the kids out for a long walk along the local riverfront.
The riverfront, Cooledge Park, the Aquarium and the Children’s Museum are big in Chattanooga. I used to meet up with friends and take the kids there all the time when they were younger.
lol, I’m already a tourist where I live here in CO since i’ve only just moved here. My home of residence is still NYC, now that is a great place to be a tourist in, although we made fun of the tourists when we lived there. 🙂
Great tips for those who are in a budget. I’m sure there are lots of places that people haven’t visited yet in their own city!
Looks like a nice place to have a vacation day or two. We did that when the kids were young. We would go into town and rent a room so they could swim in the pool. They we would take them to see the shore line and maybe fish or go boating. It made for a very cheap vacation.
Awesome idea! No matter where I live there is always so much undiscovered so I’m always a tourist even after 24 years of living somewhere. And I agree it is much cheaper than traveling somewhere completely unknown.
This is a great idea and probably something many families are having to consider with the economy in such bad shape. Sounds like you all had LOTS of fun!!
Ava is so pretty! 🙂
In Cincinnati, a not-as-well-known place is the Krohn Conservatory. It’s full of beautiful flowers and plants. It’s a great educational trip!