Why I Love My City + Finding New Ways To Rediscover Yours

Spring, Spring/Summer

02/21/17

Why I Love My City + Finding New Ways To Rediscover Yours

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Have y’all ever stopped to think about how well you really know your city?

It might sound silly (probably does), but lately, I’ve realized that while I obviously know Dallas well, I really only know the bubble that I move around in. Obviously that involves my neighborhood and all the places I go weekly (shops, restaurants, etc.), but even when I am trying something new, it’s usually within the same areas that I’m familiar with. This has to do with comfort, of course, but it’s also something that just isn’t on my radar too often. It’s basically a habit for my body and mind to visit the areas that I know well. Y’all feel the same?

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To get out of my Dallas bubble, I’ve been finding ways – and brainstorming a million more – to rediscover my city. I love Dallas and everything I know about it so far, so why not extend that love to discovering more?

Especially since I didn’t grow up in Dallas – I settled here after college – I feel like I missed out on a lot of the exploration that comes naturally when you’re growing up (playing different schools in sports, doing family nature things, being dragged around by parents wherever they had to go). But even thinking back to my hometown of New Orleans, there are so many ways that I want to expand what I know about that city – but that’s for another time. I am excited about the idea though!

And that’s what I want to share with you guys today – the idea of rediscovering YOUR city. As a way to spread the love and get you pumped about exploring the city you call home. Since I’m on this kick, I figured I’d share ideas for how I’m doing it and loving it and provide ideas on the ways you can in your own city.

Ready??

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How I’m rediscovering Dallas and loving it

I feel like I’m always hearing about cool, new spots opening around Dallas but I don’t always take the initiative on actually learning more slash going. But with the new year, Lisel and I committed to trying at least two new, fun spots each month. We’ve actually been having a lot of fun with it and even setting little mini goals during the weeks we’ve decided to try new places – that way, it’s something we look forward to all week and then get to celebrate small victories over a boozy, fun (and long!) lunch.

Dallas, specifically, is such a cultural diverse city – all types of food, people, stores, things to do, which I’m so grateful for – and naturally I wanted to start with food. Lisel and I have been hearing allll the things about a new restaurant in Deep Ellum called Stirr so it was next on our list for spots to try. We tried St. Ann’s, Henry’s Majestic and Happiest Hour (for drinks and apps) last month and loved those as well!

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Dallas, Deep Ellum is a fun and different slash spunky part of Dallas. For lack of better words, I’d say it’s one of those “hip” and trendy areas – and it’s just got a different vibe than the rest of Dallas (in a good way!). It’s a neighborhood that I don’t get to often, so it was the perfect setting for month no. 2 of the BTD official “let’s rediscover Dallas!” stop. Its got a deep history of jazz and blues musicians and it’s very diverse in every sense of the word. We were both very excited to try the spot and to broaden our scope of neighborhoods.

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Other Things I’d Love to Experience Around Dallas

Other than Stirr, there’s are a bunch of other things I want to do or rediscover in Dallas.

Here are some just to list a few:

Go to a Mavericks game – I’m a football (food, drinks, and tailgating) “fan” but haven’t spent much time attending NBA games. Lisel and Landon are ALWAYS going to the Mavericks games and they always have a good time – it’s on my bucket list to go sometime!
Visit Dealey Plaza – the place JFK was assassinated and learn more about that historic (yet tragic) event by visiting the Sixth Floor Museum. It still sort of blows my mind I haven’t done any sort of historical tour on this yet. If you live in Dallas, have you?
Go to a ArtWalk – Rediscover why I love this city so much and learn about the architecture along the way. I also want to spend more time in the Arts District and maybe visit the Museum of Art.
Walk around the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Maybe take some photos for the blog? Fun way to mix up my locations for outfit posts.
Hit up the Dallas Farmer’s Market – I’ve only been a few times and this is a great way to mingle with the community and get yummy food.

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6 Easy Ways To Rediscover Your City

Obviously each city is different and each of our relationships with the city is unique. Maybe you’ve lived in the same city your whole life and feel like you already know it pretty well. Maybe you’re brand new to a location. Or maybe you’re like me and have settled in a city that you are familiar with but haven’t had the chance to seek out everything it has to offer. Whatever boat you’re in, here are some ideas for rediscovering the town/city:

Hit up a festival or market – You don’t need to live in a city like Chicago and go to Bonnaroo to feel like you’re getting something out of the festival. Visiting local festivals (there are likely so many that you don’t even know about) or farmer’s market is a great way to meet new people, see what’s happening locally, and find goods right in your own city.
Go to a museum – OK before y’all yawn on me, think about the cool history you could learn about if you visited a museum. I don’t know about y’all, but I’ve grown to love learning as an adult, and actually find things like documentaries fascinating. A museum is basically a physical documentary, and it’s a useful way to learn AND to rediscover the history of your city.
Restaurants – Get our of your bubble and try somewhere new each week, or even once a month! Go on Yelp and find places that are well-rated and even get our of your comfort zone when it comes to cuisine. If you feel like you’ve been to every restaurant in your city, revisit some and order something new each time. Sit at the bar and actually talk to someone working there. Hear the stories of people in your community.
Ask around – New-ish to a city and don’t know where to start? Lean on coworkers or friends (or even Reddit) and ask about the things they love about your city. Maybe it’s a hike you haven’t done, or a bar with amazing drinks. Whatever it is, compile a list of recommended things to do and places to visit. Pull from that list on the weekends and go explore!
Stay local – Stay-cations are all the rage right now, but when’s the last time y’all actually did one? Choose a small hotel – or even a bed & breakfast! – and rediscover a part of your city. Walk around the neighborhood, lay in a park. Enjoy your city.
Try a new sporting event or concert – Go out of your bubble and attend an event that you normally wouldn’t. You probably have a friend who is into a sport or type of music that you’re not, so plan a night out for the two of you. You’ll not only expand your tastes by trying something new, but you’ll hang with a whole new type of people.

Motivated to rediscover your city yet y’all?

Like I said, I love the idea of it and am pumped to keep the out-of-my-bubble train going. I’ll be sure to share some of the new places I go on my Instagram and Snapchat, so follow along if you aren’t already!