10 Unexpected Places to Walk This Weekend
I believe one of the easiest ways to experience a place deeply is to walk it.
There’s nothing like noticing the smell of a grill, the tinkle of a wind chime, or the “open” sign of a new, tucked away neighborhood cafe while you’re out on foot.
And there is a common misconception that to experience the benefits of walkability, you have to live near downtown or be visiting Europe.
But most of us have something interesting within walking distance – and many of us have more than we realize.
Choosing to walk somewhere we would normally drive adds so much texture to life. So this weekend, try taking a walk with a destination. It can be practical, interesting, or completely arbitrary. If nothing near you is technically “walkable,” drive somewhere and take a walk once you arrive.
Below, I’m sharing 10 ideas to inspire you (or challenge you…how many can you get to!?):
1. The Best Flower Bed in the Neighborhood
Every neighborhood has one – the house with the overflowing window boxes or the front yard cluttered with garden gnomes. And if you’re not sure, take the long way and decide. Walk slowly and admire everyone’s work. People who care about beautifying their neighborhoods are part of what makes a place feel like home.
2. The Most Interesting House
Walking slows you down enough to notice architecture and charming details. Find the house painted a bold color. Notice the mid-century modern home tucked among all the ranch styles. Admire the wraparound porch that makes you imagine sitting there with a tea at sunrise.
3. The Nearest Water Source
If you look at a map of almost anywhere, you’ll usually find some form of water nearby – a river, a pond, or even just a small creek. Once you find it, there’s usually so much more to discover.
4. A Public Artwork
Lots of cities have “official” public art: murals, sculptures, or even fountains.
Lots more have unofficial, street art: a graffitied bridge, a sticker-covered light pole, a carved tree stump, or that quirky neighbor who welds old bike tires into strange sculptures.
FInd whatever is nearby. By encountering it on foot, you can actually take a closer look.
5. A Small, Local Store
Whether it’s a coffee shop, bookstore, bakery, or hardware store, look for the places that have been there forever or just opened recently.
Walking can transform a quick errand into a fun outing. Buy something small you need, or a little treat you don’t (money is never wasted when it’s spent locally!).
6. A Local Landmark
Every place has something that’s famous (or infamous). Think: a historic church, a heroic statue, a “haunted” house, or the oldest building in town.
Try looking through your city through the lens of a tourist instead of a local. Park a few blocks away and walk the rest of the way.
7. The Prettiest View Within Reach
What’s the best view you can find within walking distance? Maybe it’s a rolling meadow, a thick patch of woods, or simply the perfect sunset spot. A beautiful destination always makes the walk worth it.
8. A Hidden Geocache
When in doubt – go treasure-hunting. Well, the modern version of treasure hunting at least: geo-caching.
Visit Geocaching.com or the download the app to find any (or all) of the geocaches hidden near you. There are probably more than you think!
9. A Market or Event
Look up what’s happening nearby this weekend: farmers market, garage sales, or a special event. Try walking there instead of driving – you’ll arrive feeling like you’re already part of the scene (plus, you’ll work up an appetite for the food trucks I know will be there!).
10. The Edge of Your Neighborhood
Walk farther than you have before. Find the end of your neighborhood (or even your City), where everything changes. The last house before farmland. The street where the sidewalk ends. The paved road that turns to gravel.
And if all else fails, go ahead and walk nowhere in particular.
Some of my best walks have started without a destination, and led me to discover a new street I’ve never walked down, a shop I’d somehow missed, or the biggest tree I’ve ever seen.
Because when we walk, the place around us has a chance to reveal itself. It can remind us that our towns aren’t finished products. They’re collections of charming details, small choices, and interesting people who gradually shape the environment around them.
So go ahead. Take a walk.
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