The Five-Step Method for Exploring Anywhere
Here’s my tried-and-true secret process of putting together kick-ass exploring times. I’ve used this method to visit countries, states, cities, towns, and neighborhoods. I’ve used it on road trips, long weekends, vacations, and even regular Tuesday evenings. It can tailored to your needs, time frame, and trip goals.
Let’s start with the dirty deets, then I’ll wax eloquent about why I love this process.
When you choose a destination to visit (this can be anything from a full-on vacation to a weekend trip to a date night), it’s best to make some plans instead of just rocking up and hoping for the best. The problem with the way we’ve been conditioned to explore is that we equate planning with logistics. It’s so much more.
Blythe’s 5-Step Method for Exploring Anywhere:
Step 1: Context
This is the research part. In my opinion, this one is really the most important step because it’s the step that pushes us closer to the “perfect” responsible traveler on the responsible traveling spectrum (post on this coming soon!). Understanding the place and community you are visiting is an important part of being a good guest. Remember- tourists are guests in a host community.
In this phase, you’re going to dive into some shit. I’m talking history. I’m talking geography. I’m talking local heroes. I’m talking major exports. I’m talking native, migrant, and immigrant roots.
But, I’mma give you (and me, because I struggle with this) permission to keep it light. You’re not writing a dissertation- you’re prepping for a visit. You’re looking for the big picture- if you want more, that’s cool! But this shouldn’t feel like homework. Sometimes I do this in advance, and sometimes I head straight to a bar or coffee shop in the place I’ve visiting and go through the whole process there. There is no right or wrong way- there’s just the way that works for you.
Let me give you an example. I’m zooming out on a map of Michigan on my phone and spinning it around and then putting my finger on a spot and using it. Plz hold. I got Ithaca. I also knocked my phone on the floor, but no damage, so we good.
Aight, so I’m just gonna start with straight-up Googling Ithaca, Michigan. I got a City of Ithaca Website and a Wikipedia hit. Forget everything you learned in middle school- Wikipedia is an okay source for this exercise. I’m setting a timer for 10 minutes and writing what I’ve learned here:
Ithaca is the county seat of Gratiot County, which looks like it might be the exact middle of Michigan’s lower peninsula.
It has a cemetery from 1863.
There are about 3,000 people living there, mostly white.
There is a school exchange program with Germany, which leads me to believe there are German immigration ties.
There are two locations on the National Registry of Historic Places: The Gratiot County Courthouse and Ithaca Downtown Historic District.
It is named for Ithaca, New York, probably because of John Jeffery, a man from NY who bought land and settled there in 1853. He was one of the first white permanent settlers. The very first was a man who moved north from Howell, Michigan.
There is mention of Native Americans living there before them, but no specifics (sadly, this is not uncommon. There may be more information on the ground there).
There is a resource that looks like it was perhaps developed by local students called the “Seven Wonders of Ithaca.”
Done! So, we got a fair bit of info for such a small place. For really small spots, I also like to simply zoom in on Google maps and see if anything of interest jumps out. When I did this, I found the Gratiot County Area Historical Museum and a Masonic Temple.
This info is a great start, but I want a little more on the history of how it was settled, so I’m taking a step back and googling “history of Gratiot County, Michigan.” This confirms a few of my suspicions. The original settlers relocated from the East Coast to farm in what was then then “wild west.” In the 1890s, German immigrants arrived to the area and boosted the population numbers. I am now satisfied with my context for Ithica, Michigan.
One thing to note here- I’m a lifelong Midwesterner and very familiar with the general area. If I wasn’t, I’d probably want to dig a little deeper on the context of Michigan in the 1850s when Ithica was developed. On to step two!
Step Two: The Big Stuff
This is the part where you list major attractions. Things you’re “supposed to” see and do while you’re there. Some of this, you’ll already know. Let’s just do a practice run real quick so I can show you what I mean:
Set a timer for 30 seconds and write down everything you’re supposed to see if you go to London. Go!
Tower Bridge
Big Ben
British Museum
Abby Road
Buckingham Palace
Hyde Park
West End
Westminster Abbey
You get the picture. This is a little bit harder in less-touristed destinations. I generally label museums, historic sights, art, and outdoor features as “supposed to” sites. For Ithica, I’ve come up with this list:
The seven wonders
Ithaca Downtown Historic District
Gratiot County Historical Museum
The Masonic Temple
McNabb Park
Woodland Park
This part of your planning process can get really overwhelming. Imagine, for example, doing this while planning a trip to Italy. Woof. BUT, what this step is doing is essentially boiling down an entire standard travel guide for you. You’re getting down on paper all of the things that people are going to tell you that you need to do when you go to this place. If the length of this list is stressing you out, don’t worry! In step four I’ll be giving you permission to tear it up if that is what you want. But first, step three!
Step Three- The Small Stuff (THIS IS MY FAVORITE STEP, Y’ALL.)
I am going to recommend that you make a short list of things that you love. This can be literally anything that brings you joy. A good target to shoot for is five things (but no need to stress about this number). You can read about my five things in more detail here (lol, but not yet, because that post isn’t ready- check back later), but they are historic cemeteries/neighborhoods, eclectic coffee shops, resale shops/used bookstores, dive bars, and off-beat attractions.
Now you’re gonna look for those things in the places you’re visiting. Go nuts. Here’s how I do it:
I start with Google Maps. I zoom into wherever I’m going and I search “coffee shops,” “bars,” “used bookstores,” “antiques,” “thrift shops,” “cemeteries,” “historical places,” etc. I peruse what I find and make note of what places I want to check out.
I ask for info on social media. I’ll usually post on a story and ask for advice and I’ll also search hashtags and find accounts that can help point me in the right direction. I even DM people that have posted things that lead me to believe they may be helpful (I’ve even made some friends this way, wooooot!).
Ask people throughout your time there. Bartenders and baristas are particularly valuable sources of information (more on this in Step Five).
I love and frequently use Atlas Obscura. It’s an incredible database of off-beat things. I always use it when I travel and go out of my way to visit the things that I find on there. I also use it to plan excursions on road trips. If AO isn’t your thing, be sure to check and see if there’s something else that is! Maybe you love meeting locals and always want to check AirBnb Experiences when you go places. Maybe you want the best food and believe that Yelp will point you there. It’s your adventure and this step is all about you, so go for whatever makes you happy!
In Ithica, I found County Chef Cafe, The Tavern, Pins Bowling Alley, Four7, House on the Hill Treasures, and AB Publishing Inc.
Okay, so now you have two lists: the “big stuff” and the “small stuff.” On to step four:
Step Four: Logistics
You have officially covered your bases to the best of your ability in determining your options. Now’s the part where you’re going to decide which ones to take advantage of.
It’s pretty straight forward. Look at your “big stuff” and “small stuff'“ lists. Cross out whatever you don’t want to do.
Now put a star next to the most important ones.
Congratulations, you just prioritized.
The rest is really up to you. You’ve planned schedules before, so do it the way that you think works best for you! Here are some tips based on what I’ve learned along the way:
Rank them- group together the most important site to the least important sites. I usually have three groups- must see, second place, and if-there’s-time.
Check the hours and days of operations for any shops/hotels/restaurants/bars on your list.
Choose anchor stops for your day(s) and plan everything else around them. Usually an anchor stop is a “must-see.”
Use a map and take note of which things are close to each other. Fill in any gaps on your schedule with things that are close by or on the way to your anchor stops.
If you’re a budgeter, now’s a good time to whip out that calculator.
If you need to book anything in advance- accommodation, transportation, guides, tickets- now’s the time!
One big mistake people often make when planning a trip is to start with this step. Logistics are necessary, but laying the groundwork to make sure you have your context and options first helps!
Step 5: Get to it, and Leave Time to be Surprised
This one is just what it sounds like- go do the thing and spare some time for surprises. Even the best plans can’t account for every factor, especially not while traveling. You can never predict every cool thing you’ll hear about from a local, festival taking place, weather situation that may arise, etc. Make your plans with a grain of salt and be sure to ask for tips along the way- you don’t know what you don’t know!
And that’s that, friends! You’ve officially planned a trip. It’s deeper than just making a few reservations, showing up, and winging the rest. This method gives you the context and options and helps you make the most informed decision about how to spend your trip. It’s worked for me all over the world and in all kinds of time frames. Get out there and give it a try!