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Have you ever found yourself just driving around, explorando tu ciudad (exploring your city)? I have, and I totally love doing it! De veras, lo amo! (Really, I love it!) I’ve done it in every city I’ve ever called home, from small towns, to big cities. I love finding cool hidden gems and checking out hot spots to see if they live up to their hype. And as an added little something, something – as you may have noticed – I’ve decided to add in some Spanish words and phrases through out to continue my celebration of El Mes de la Herencia Hispana (Hispanic Heritage Month). 
I think it stems from the time I was a niña (a little girl). Mi familia (my family) and I moved from Tejas (Texas) to Chicago and back. Then we spent a lot of our veranos explorando México (summers exploring Mexico). Exploring was in my sangre (blood). And if you’re up for the challenge, here are some ideas on how to get your explorative espíritu (spirit) started.
Soak in the Culture (Cultura)
Visit your area’s historial district, and/or hit up a museo (museum) or a galería de arte (an art gallery). Even the smallest of towns have iconic buildings or landmarks you can explore.
Area celebraciones (celebrations) are also a great way to learn about the varying cultures and the historia (history) of your city.
So get out there and enjoy your area’s next celebration. Who knows, it could be a fun one centered around El Mes de la Herencia Hispana. 
Become a Foodie
Comida (food) has become such a large part of our landscape, that we now have an array of food available to us. So instead of going to your usual spots, why not check out hole in the wall restaurants, food trucks, or that new trendy restaurant you’ve heard about?
Tour Breweries, Wineries and Distilleries
Food isn’t your thing? Don’t worry. As much as we’ve had a food explosion, we’ve also had an explosion of local breweries, wineries, and distilleries. So go get your taste and learn on and stay a while. Most locations not only offer up their spirits, but they also offer juegos, comida, y entretenimiento (games, food, and entertainment) so that you can kick back and enjoy.
Shop Local
Thanks to farmers markets, pop up shops, festivals, and varying events, you can now shop the creations of your local area entrepreneurs. From joyeria (jewelry), to ropa (clothes), to comida (food), to jabones (soaps), etc., you’re bound to find something unique and different for yourself or someone you love.
Get Outdoors
Living in our high-tech world, it’s easy to forget all the belleza (beauty) and aventura (adventure) the great outdoors has in store for us. No lo dejes (Don’t let it). Get out and explore your neighborhood parks, or better yet, head to one you haven’t been to yet. Take a hike with your niños (kids), amigos (friends) or your peritos (doggies). Just get out and enjoy. You never know what beautiful creatures you’ll run into.
Exploring your city is only limited by your imaginación (imagination) y buena transportacion (and good transportation). That’s why before I head on out on any adventure, I always make sure that my vehicle is ready for anything I may need to face. So when it’s time for a cambio de aceite (an oil change), I head to my neighborhood Walmart Auto Care Center and ask for Quaker State® Advanced Durability™ Motor Oil. It’s durable y solo (and only) $19.88.
El precio (the price) totally allows me to have more change in my pocket, while the fiabilidad de Quaker State® (reliability of Quaker State®) gives me piece of mind knowing we’ll be fine. Whether we’re stuck in big city traffic, or out in the middle of nowhere trying to find that hidden gem, I know I’ll be able to make it home. Y nada se ve mejor (and nothing looks better) than home after a fun day of exploring.
What hidden gem have you been able to find while exploring your city thanks to the durability and reliability of Quaker State®?
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Great tips – I love playing tourist in my own city! <3
-Clarissa @ The View From Here
Right Clarissa, it’s the best way to spend a weekend I say. Thanks for dropping by!
Thank you for writing this post. While I feel like I have explored my city…. reading through your blog has inspired me, that I may need to get there a little more!
Awesome Sharon, if your city is anything like mine, there’s always something new to check out 😀 Have fun!
Great ideas! I really need to explore my city more!
I love doing it, thanks Rachel.
Wonderful post. I think we become so acquainted with our city that we often forget what makes it special. This is a great reminder to always cherish where you live.
It definitely helps in moving costs, etc. only to realize our own cities are pretty darn great. Thanks for dropping by Tabitha!
Love this post. It’s so easy to think that to try something new we have to travel; when sometimes all you have to do is get out and be open to all of that your city has to offer… I don’t know about the foodie part though. That’s what got me on this weight-loss journey ?
Lol, don’t I know it Tiffany, but the exploring part helps bring a new insight to all the wonders of our city for sure! Thanks for dropping by.
EXCELLENT!!! I love your blog post. I live in China now, but came back for a two month visit. I really explored my city like a tourist! I am so inspired to write a blog post about it right now! Thank you so much for the inspiration!!!!
Awesome, thanks so much Tiara! Can’t wait to read your post!!!