Feeling overwhelmed by a new city? Try this:
Travel Tip of the Day.
Feeling overwhelmed by a new city? Try this: take a few minutes to sit, observe, and take in your surroundings ☕️🌿
I have a few go-to places I look for in every city to take a break when I'm overstimulated.
1. Ground yourself in nature. In a big city? Lay down at a park or sit on a bench and watch the birds. Got a car? Find a state or local park nearby. Do huge national parks overwhelm you? Take in a more manageable natural spot like this one at Garden of the Gods in Colorado.
2. Need to take a load off your tired feet and get off the bustling streets? Find a local coffee shop. In every city, I like to find a cozy coffee spot to rest, hydrate, and, of course, eat a pastry. 🥐
3. Get to the water! Water has proven biological benefits to regulating the nervous system and making us feel calm. Walk by the waterfront, sit by the lake, or go for a swim.
4. Take advantage of hotels. Some historic or large hotels will have fantastic lobbies that are gorgeous, welcoming, and architecturally stunning. Some, like the pictured Crawford Hotel in Union Station, have restaurants, bars, and piano players that can bring relief on long travel days.
5. Art Museums. In most art museums, personal space and quiet voices are en vogue. Some are even free. Not to mention, you can walk at your own pace and spend as much or little time as you want with no strict schedule.
6. Spend time with animals (safely, dont run up to a bison in Yellowstone, please). Animal experiences have come a long way, but do you research to make sure they are ethical experiences and align with your comfort levels. Organizations like rescue farms and sanctuaries (like @thesweetfarm can offer tours and travel volunteer experiences). Cat cafes can help when you're missing your fur baby at home, and some Air Bnbs will have animals on premises.
7. Stay with me! A little unique, but churches are fantastic places to visit regardless of religious affiliation. Most cities have cathedrals or basilicas that are in and of themselves a tourist destination. I stop and sit in a church in almost every place I visit. They are serene, peaceful, and architecturally stunning.






























































































