3.4.15 37

Exploring My Own City

I recently read that one of the biggest regrets older Americans have is not traveling early and often in their lives.

Summer is usually the time when I spend my weekends by a salty shore or bopping up and down I-95 with friends. This is the time when our society is conditioned to travel—the weather is nice, school is out, and it’s what we’ve always done.

As a gainfully employed adult without children or a mortgage, my calendar is now pretty much open for travel at my will. I’ve done a better job of traveling year round—like when I went to Philadelphia last fall or Nashville last May, which is where I picked up this dress at a boutique in downtown Franklin.

But sometimes, whether it be because of finances or a busy week at work ahead, it’s just not as feasible to skip down for a few days. 

how to explore your own city

Even when it’s harder to go somewhere new, you can still explore new corners of your own city—which is something I hope to be better at come spring.

For instance, I live about two miles from Georgetown, where these photos were shot last summer, and I almost never go.

Not only does this charming DC neighborhood have a myriad of places for outfit shoots—which never get less awkward, by the way—and places to practice my own photography, but cute shops and restaurants to pop into for an afternoon treat (or two, if we’re keepin’ it real), like Dean and DeLuca shown above.

how-to-explore-your-own-city

Most of you probably know the neighborhoods in your city that you could explore more. We’re creatures of habit, and there’s definitely some comfort in frequenting the same places repeatedly. But in case you’re looking for some tips on how to explore your own city, this is what I recommend:

  • ASK your friends or coworkers if they’ve been anywhere off the beaten path lately. Most of the time, the best places aren’t written up in tourist books.
  • READ up on up-and-coming neighborhoods and the best ‘hidden gem’ restaurants in a trusted, local publication. Newspapers tend to do a good job covering these types of places, as do magazines. My go-to source for exploring DC better is Washingtonian
  • JUST GO! Pick a place you want to try, whether it be for a drink or for a meal, and explore the neighborhood from there. Waiters and waitresses often have the best tips, so be sure to talk them up for information.

* SHOP THIS POST *
J Crew Factory Statement Necklace—similar here
Navy + White Dress with Bow (old, purchased in Nashville)
J Crew Envelope Clutch
Michael Kors Watch
Gold and Crystal Link Bracelet
Glitter Strap Sandals

Leave a Comment

37 Comments

  1. Sometimes it’s really nice to be a tourist in your own city. You can wander around and see so much indeed!
    Loving your cute dress with a monochrome print 🙂

    Published 3.4.15
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    • Katie wrote:

      Could not agree more! Thank you girl! xo

      Published 3.5.15
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  2. Kelsey&Kenecha wrote:

    Love your dress. Exploring your own city is quite fun and sometimes you discover things you never knew where there 🙂

    Florals&Smiles
    Twitter

    Published 3.4.15
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    • Katie wrote:

      Thank you so much! Could not agree more! xo

      Published 3.6.15
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  3. Abby wrote:

    Love Georgetown – there are such fun places to explore there!

    Abby
    http://www.champagneplans.com

    Published 3.4.15
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    • Katie wrote:

      Thanks Abby! I love it too :]

      Published 3.5.15
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  4. I really need to do this. I have been wanting to explore my city here in Arizona and blog about it. Thanks for the reminder!

    Published 3.4.15
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    • Katie wrote:

      Of course! Can’t wait to see some snaps of AZ :]

      Published 3.5.15
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  5. Tori wrote:

    There is a neighborhood in Charlotte called NoDa that is very trendy and has lots of great restaurants. I’ve only been there a few times but would love to explore it more!

    Published 3.4.15
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    • Katie wrote:

      Oh, that sounds wonderful! My friend is moving to Charlotte this summer and I really want to go visit her for a weekend! I will have to suggest this to her! xo

      Published 3.5.15
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  6. Due to time and money we rarely travel outside of our city or the nearby cities. We live in a large city with awesome small towns around it so there is so much to explore.

    Published 3.4.15
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    • Katie wrote:

      Yeah! That is a great way to still see the world without breaking the bank! xo

      Published 3.5.15
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  7. Rebekah wrote:

    Love the print on that dress! We try to visit somewhere different in the city every month or so with the kids – it’s so fun exploring!

    Published 3.4.15
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    • Katie wrote:

      Thanks so much, Rebekah! It is so fun exploring, and such good memories for your kids :]

      Published 3.5.15
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  8. I love exploring my own town. Especially if I can go on a ‘staycation’ and really take my time about it. I’m always amazed that I find something new that I didn’t know about or try a restaurant that I can’t believe I had never been to before. Travelling somewhere completely new is fun but it’s so nice getting to know your own neck of the woods too.

    Published 3.4.15
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    • Katie wrote:

      I love taking stay cations, too, Miranda! They are great in the summer, especially when a lot of other people have fled town. Could not agree more about getting to know your own neck of the woods :]

      Published 3.5.15
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  9. That is such a great idea…it is so much fun to just explore your own city! Love the photos, and your dress is so pretty!

    Published 3.4.15
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    • Katie wrote:

      Thanks Valerie! xo

      Published 3.5.15
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  10. Tianna wrote:

    wow it looks like such a fun place to explore and live! That one shop looks so cute and fun! thanks for sharing this ♥

    stop by for a chat | http://storybookapothecary.com

    Published 3.4.15
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    • Katie wrote:

      Thanks Tianna! You’ll have to come explore one day :]

      Published 3.5.15
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  11. Nancy wrote:

    This is EXACTLY what my husband and I are doing this weekend! We have a fully booked itinerary to go to museums, restaurants, gardens and everything! I’m super excited 🙂

    Published 3.4.15
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    • Katie wrote:

      Yes! Hope y’all have fun! That sounds like such an amazing weekend :]

      Published 3.5.15
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  12. Alexandra wrote:

    Such a pretty dress, I love the bag and the shoes too, it all looks so nice!
    http://www.lifestylefunxion.blogspot.com

    Published 3.4.15
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    • Katie wrote:

      Thanks girl! You’re too sweet xo

      Published 3.5.15
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  13. Sue wrote:

    i think staycations are going to be a big trend going forward. The more I travel the more I want to plus I see my home cities through a tourists lens which opens up numerous new options. Great article
    Sue
    Nofixedabode4sue.com

    Published 3.4.15
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    • Katie wrote:

      Could not agree more! xoxo

      Published 3.5.15
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  14. Dolce wrote:

    What a wonderful post! You look absolutely stunning (love that dress on you!) I also think that it is a great idea to explore your own backyard. We often spend so much time travelling to fun and exotic places that we forgot to enjoy all that our own homes have to offer.

    xo, Dolce // http://www.mydailysweet.com/
    Leave me a comment; I’m always looking for new blogs to follow!

    Published 3.5.15
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    • Katie wrote:

      Thank you, Dolce! You’re so sweet. Could not agree more – sometimes you just have to break out of your comfort zone in your own city :]

      Published 3.5.15
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  15. Gema Diaz wrote:

    I love that you are taking the time to explore. I personally do this too. I have already explored my city, so I started visiting new places in Los Angeles, CA. Being a student and part time, budget is tight, but we have so many adventures near us, we should take full advantage of them!

    Published 3.5.15
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    • Katie wrote:

      Could not agree more! LA has so many wonderful neighborhoods too, I am sure there is always something new to find. You’ll have to let me know how it goes. And luckily for us, sometimes the best adventures are free! xo

      Published 3.5.15
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  16. Cara wrote:

    We do this every other Sunday around Seattle, it is one of the things I look forward to most all month!

    xx Cara
    http://www.carascliche.com

    Published 3.5.15
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    • Katie wrote:

      That sounds wonderful, Cara!

      Published 3.5.15
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  17. Tina wrote:

    I love exploring my own city! I really love this dress on you, the print is bold but not too loud and the bow detail is just adorable!

    Tina
    http://www.justatinabit.com

    Published 3.5.15
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    • Katie wrote:

      Aw thanks Tina :] Your city always looks amazing in the pictures!

      Published 3.5.15
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  18. Kati Rose wrote:

    After reading the best of my city article I realized how much around town I haven’t done. If I make sure to see and do everything when I go out of town why am I not doing the same for my hometown? It’s lately been my mission to do one new thing each week.

    Published 3.6.15
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    • Katie wrote:

      Thanks girl! I feel the same way about my own town versus when I go out of town! I feel like I know other cities better than my own. I love the idea of trying something new each week – makes it really attainable! xo

      Published 3.6.15
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  19. Amazing post! That dress is just darling on you, love it!!

    XO Courtney
    http://www.colormecourtney.com

    Published 3.21.15
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