Become a hometown tourist

Even though summer doesn’t officially arrive for two weeks, backyard barbecues, going to the lake, and the gathering of family and friends is in full swing. I love to reflect during this time of year. This time of passage between graduations and transitioning to something new. Yes, after experiencing on-and-off lockdowns over two-plus years, it’s time to discover and try new things. This summer with gas prices setting daily records and faraway trips costing thousands of dollars, think about celebrating and visiting local parks and attractions in your own backyard.

Visitors annually are drawn to our counties to experience our cities, celebrate our community events and county fairs, and appreciate our unsurpassed hometown hospitality. This is the time of year to share moments and make memories locally. Many people throughout the country grow up without really exploring their own backyard. Sometimes you have to act like a tourist in your own city. This summer visit points of interest in Chase, Phillips or Perkins counties that you’ve always wanted to visit but have never found the time. You might be surprised how many things there are to do in your own backyard.

The same attractions and reasons tourists visit our region may have become overly familiar to you as a resident. If you feel like you’ve seen all the local attractions, take a closer look at tucked-away hidden gems. Attractions such as historic sites, galleries or museums, or simply take time to learn more about the history of your area at the city library.

This summer, let’s reconnect and take time to experience our own backyard while giving time to make hometown memories!

Don’t miss our special section called Fun in the Sun encouraging residents to visit and spend locally in next week’s edition.

Frank Perea II
Publisher, Holyoke Enterprise