As we enter the new year I, like most, am setting my intentions for the year to come, and revisiting past goals. I started this blog just over 3 years ago as a creative outlet and a way to break out of that soul-crushing, “what the hell am I doing with my life” feeling I have nearly every day at my job.

I thought that by changing up my normal routine, I could re-discover that wanderlust excitement I felt when I first moved to Minneapolis over 15 years ago, and hopefully inspire some people along the way.

I haven’t gotten to travel as much as I had hoped in the years since starting this blog because, well, life. That, and a very shitty American system of PTO that allows a whopping 10 to 15 days off for an entire year. So instead of jetting abroad every other month as I had dreamed, I stuck to mostly exploring close to home.

And by doing so, I “discovered” there are a ton of things right in my perviberal back yard that I had never done before in all my years living in the Twin Cities. I found that you don’t need to hop on a plane to have an adventure, so long as you’re open to redefining what “adventure” means to you!

Then of course, the pandemic hit and here we are still, entering another year where most travel plans remain on hold. For all those wanderlust seekers out there, times are tough. Despite the severity of the pandemic, if you’re open to being a little creative there are still plenty of safe adventures to be found close to home.

Here are some of my favorite mini adventures you can have no matter where you live, and I hope they can inspire you to try a few!

*Please continue to follow CDC and WHO recommendations and your local safety guidelines to not put yourself or others at risk during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Revisit Your Favorite Place in a New Season

It’s very easy to take where you live for granted or to feel like “been there, done that,” but I’ve found that revisiting some of my favorite places throughout the different seasons or even at night can make it feel completely new. Take a moment to observe the differences, and appreciate why you love it.

Support a New-to-You Local Business

Small businesses are definitely the hardest hit by the pandemic. You can have a mini adventure and help out your community all in one by checking out a local coffee shop, restaurant, bookstore, gift shop, etc. Whatever you’re into, there’s likely to be a local option near you that you have yet to visit!

Explore a State Park

I count myself very lucky to live in the state of Minnesota that has TONS of state parks, many of them are very near the twin cities. Throughout 2020 I visited several parks that were new to me and there are still plenty left that I haven’t made it to yet.

Challenge Yourself

If you find yourself walking the same path every day, try going a little further. Or maybe there is a new sport you’ve always been meaning to try like ice skating or paddleboarding, this could be the best year to push yourself to try new things!

Get to Know the History of Where You Live

Nearly every city or park I’ve been to has little plaques throughout that I can honestly say I never take the time to read. But over this past year, I’ve started taking an interest in what they say and have learned some cool fun facts about where I live. For example, did you know that the clock tower at Minneapolis City Hall is the world’s largest clock tower? Even larger than Big Ben! It’s true!

Take a Mini Roadtrip or Staycation

When was the last time you took a vacation in your home state? Minnesotan’s typically go “Up North” in the summer as so many people have family cabins, but I think that is pretty unique to this region. I didn’t grow up that way and it was a new phenomenon to me when I moved here. I’ve been up north many times, but I’ve only had a “staycation” in town maybe twice in my life! There are so many opportunities to spoil yourself right where you live, why not give yourself the 5 star treatment? You deserve it!

Related Article: A Weekend in Duluth

Stop At Roadside Attractions Near You

If you do take a mini road trip, why not stop and see all those weird roadside attractions along the way? I personally have a great fondness of tracky and bizarre attractions and Minnesota has plenty to choose from!

Go on a Self-Guided Walking Tour

Acting like a tourist in your own home town is something I feel like we can all do! It’s so easy to take for granted where you live, to walk by the same buildings day in and out and never stop to even notice them.

During the pandemic, some things like museums and historical sites may be closed, but that’s not to say you can’t still go and enjoy the architectural beauty of your city.

Check out an overlook of the town, stroll through a garden, cross over a cool bridge (or even cooler, go under it!) Go on your very own walking tour and take in all the sites you’ve been too busy to notice before. Maybe you’ll spot something new or find an appreciation for where you live that you’ve never had before.

Check out Local Art

I’m an artist myself, so I’m constantly inspired by seeing the work of others. In the Twin Cities we are so enriched in the arts, and spoiled with tons of sculpture gardens, murals, street art, art cars, galleries and museums that we really don’t have to look far to find something beautiful.

I know that isn’t always the case for every town, but I guarantee you can find some amazing art if you are open to seeing it. Even if you don’t have an art gallery down the street, store front window displays, hand-painted typography and Victorian houses can be so inspiring, and might just spark your own creative form of expression.

Start a Collection of Found treasures

I’ve always been a collector of sorts, even as a kid I had a collection of keychains and magnets until I eventually grew out of it. Now as an adult, I collect mementos from our travels that range anywhere from seashells picked up on the beach, interesting feathers, and cool stones.

You could start your own collection of similar things, or start a polaroid collection of all the cool cars you see, collect and dry local flowers and leaves to make your own pressings or collect cards that you find on the street.

Whatever you’re into, you could have a lot of fun starting your own collection of found treasures, right on your very own block.

I hope you found this list inspiring. Your mini adventures are your own, so tailor any of these ideas to what you love doing. You don’t necessarily need to go far or spend a bunch of money to have fun. Just by changing up your daily routine, you will feed that wanderlust spirit and spark even more ideas of things to do.