Small towns offer numerous opportunities for fun and relaxation for your next vacation. Here are some ideas to help you plan a trip off the beaten path.

1. GETTING BIG-TIME FUN
OUT OF YOUR
SMALL-TOWN VACATION
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Small towns offer numerous opportunities for fun and relaxation for your next
vacation. Here are some ideas to help you plan a trip off the beaten path.
LOCAL FESTIVALS
There’s a good chance that
the community you’ll visit has
some type of seasonal event.
Do research and find out if
your vacation lines up with a
summer concert series or a
winter carnival.
1
PICNIC IN THE PARK
One of the great joys of the
quiet countryside is that
there’s plenty of room for
everyone to savor the space.
You can take advantage of
this by planning a picnic
lunch for your family in a
park or forest preserve.
3
ENJOY LIVE MUSIC
You don’t have to be in
a massive civic center to
attend a concert. It’s easy to
find venues in the area that
feature live music, whether
it’s a bar or gazebo in the
town center.
5
THE GREAT
OUTDOORS
If you’re interested in hiking,
kayaking or another outdoorsy
activity, you’re sure to find
plenty of opportunities off the
beaten path.
7
EXPERIENCE
HORSEBACK RIDING
One common activity not
often found in large cities is
horseback riding through the
countryside. Find a ranch in
the area that offers it and you’ll
have an experience your family
won’t soon forget.
9
DO YOUR RESEARCH
Before traveling to an
unfamiliar community, look
up spots of interest on the
Internet. There are websites
dedicated to cataloging
unusual and little-known
places all over the country.
11
ANTIQUE SHOPPING
Many small towns feature
a plethora of resale and
consignment stores filled with
unique and quirky items you’re
not likely to see anywhere
else. This makes your trip an
opportunity to find the vintage
coffee table or rare collectible
you’ve been seeking.
2
WALKING TOURS
There’s no better way to
experience the history and
color of a city than taking a
walking tour. A lot of historical
societies offer guided
explorations that can give you
a greater appreciation of the
area’s heritage.
4
SAMPLE THE CUISINE
Smaller communities are
more likely to have diners and
restaurants that are locally
owned, meaning you won’t
find the same chain eateries
you see in countless places.
This gives you the chance to
try something different and
perhaps discover a new favorite.
6
DISCOVER MUSEUMS
Local museums and
history societies feature an
abundance of fascinating
exhibits detailing the history
and culture of the area. This
can be an enlightening way
to spend an afternoon.
8
SCAVENGER HUNTS
Create a list of sights, sounds
and souvenirs and have your
family members race to locate
as many as they can. Having
everyone take photos of
items on their phones is a fun
modern twist on this idea.
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