This post is in partnership with Phillips 66 ®. All opinions are my own.
Sometimes when life throws a detour, you recalculate and chart a new path. Luckily with the help of our friends at Phillips 66, we are living life to the full and making those on the fly memories. We are usually big travelers and with these events of this year, we have had to change our plans slightly. I think it’s safe to say we could all use a little getaway no matter where it is! Today, I wanted to share with you some tips on how you can be a tourist in your own state. Regardless of the size of your state, you can feel tuned into the local scene in no time! Missouri is one of those great states that has so much to offer at every corner of the state and we knew we just needed a little weekend trip to Kansas City.
Planning Your Stay-cation
Decide what your goals are with your trip. Are you looking for more outdoor explorations or something more educational or relaxing? Will you have kids with you and need family-friendly activities?
Utilize great resources like the local CVB (Convention Visitors Bureau) great ideas on what to do. Also, utilize it as a resource to see what it is open or if there are varied times of being open. We noticed there were a lot of closures of places that we were interested in visiting and we’re glad we made the plan ahead of time.
Live to the Full
Before heading out on your adventure, make sure you stop at Phillips 66 for all of your road trip necessities. I fill up using the My Phillips 66 App on my phone for mobile payments and while we’re on the road, I can keep track of where we can fill up next, keep track of my history as well and keep an eye on deals! Right now you can get 10 cents off per gallon (up to 30 gallons) per fill-up at participating Phillips 66 locations through 3/31/2021.
Check Out Local Events
Local events can be great options for your adventures. Consider farmer’s markets, search Facebook events for location-specific events for the whole family. You can even get into celebrating sports wins too…you know if you don’t have a football team in your city.
Don’t Forget the Kids!
Make your plans with kids in mind. Are there any interests they have? Hattie is big into science and we checked out the local science center while we were there. Fun for the whole family!
Foodie Adventures
Tap into the food scene at your destination to find the best spots in town. Check out online resources like Yelp and Google Reviews for restaurant suggestions. Take to Instagram and search relevant hashtags that may bring up food ideas. For example, if you’re in Kansas City search #KCFood for ideas. We knew we needed KC BBQ and Instagram helped us find our favorites! I’m not sure I could have gotten Brisket Poutine anywhere close to where we live!
Do it for the ‘Gram
Need some fun photos? Check out Instagram for geo-locations on fun photo spots. When we travel, we always love trying to find wall murals for photography. I always do a quick search for blogs that have done the work for me in the past and find fun murals around town. It’s a fun way to document that you traveled there! Don’t forget to geo-tag your locations when you post too to let others know where the fun walls are!
Book a Room
Move over chain hotels, let’s get creative with our trip. Consider boutique style hotels or even a bed and breakfast for a twist on your classic trip! You’re more likely to support small local businesses and breakfast is way better. I always find my favorite trips are when we have wonderful breakfast conversations with the owners of an establishment. The stories are usually wonderful.
Get On the Open Road
Hopefully, we’ve inspired you to be a tourist in your own state this year. There is an adventure in every big and little town in your state, you just have to go exploring! Tell me, where are you traveling next?
Need additional suggestions on how to Road Trip Safely? Check out our most recent longer multi-state road trip!
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