Do You Play Tourist in Your Own Town?

I think it depends on the kinds of things "touristy" is, and what "the tourists" want to do, with interests that can be as varied as anyone's. If you're not "in" to museums, you might have the most incredible museum in the galaxy in your backyard & might never go. If you're not an outdoorsy person, you might have the most incredible bike trail beyond your streets & never ride it.

I think there are "touristy" places that are incredibly amazing, yet the kind you only "need" to go to once in a while, vs. the kind you'd go to all the time: a great local landmark vs. a great local pub. I think the Arch in St. Louis is awesome, the museum there is a great look into American history, the exhibit on the Arch's construction is a great look into engineering, at the view at the top is just too cool. Yet it's not something I go up every month, nor every week. I've been there, done that, rode it, seen it. However, our blues/jazz pubs are also amazing and I can be found at one or more of them quite often.

I love to walk through the more 'cultural' neighbourhoods, not far from my house, and check out the latest graffiti and artwork.

There are a few small museums here that are ok but not amazing, once you've been to them a couple of times it is enough.

When I have couch-surfers staying I sometimes show them around, show them the main sights of the city.

It can be fun to look at your home through the eyes of an outsider. I've lived in Chicago and Key West and their are ample opportunities to play tourist in both.

Hey, I just stumbled onto this thread and thought I'd throw in my two cents. I live in the SF Bay Area (but not actually in San Francisco) and worked in SF for many years. Every now and then I love playing tourist in SF. I mean literally go to the touristy destinations, take pictures, eat the food, and even buy souvenirs (ok, just magnets, which I collect from my travels anyway). Sometimes the adventures are predictable because I've been to most places before, but other times, they are completely unexpected.

At first, the playing tourist thing came out of my suffering from withdrawal from returning from really great trips. But over time, it's really earned it's keep in a very endearing kind of way. I'm sure actual SF residents will agree, there is always something new to see or learn about this town. I love a good meal and some cafe time in North Beach, a nice leisurely stroll down the length of Grant through Chinatown (which ultimately leads to a jaunt in North Beach), shopping in Union Square, and yes, even overpriced seafood in Fisherman's Wharf.

I know there are far less congested, hip places and far better deals within the City to be had, but then again, when I play tourist, I do it for real and go to the real touristy sites. There is such a tongue-in-cheek, cult flavor to it. And one thing I discovered is that unlike the more chic and exclusive neighborhoods, being amongst other tourists you can really just be however you want to be because heck, they don't know you, will never see you again, and are probably more afraid of you than you are of them. Plus, it's nice to be able to help someone out with directions. Not to mention it's entertaining to try to zero in on languages and accents and figure out where people are from and be reminded of how great it is to be a stranger in a foreign land.

Why, just this past weekend I went to the Sutro Baths for the first time. It's basically ruins but the views of the Pacific are fantastic.

I currently live in Corvallis, OR which is not touristy really but is a college town. When my parents visit I usually take them to local restaurants. Oregon has many hot springs that I still never have been to any of them even though I have lived in Oregon my whole life. But, the student like to visit them, I Grew up in McMinnville, OR which is home of the Spruce Goose (Which I still never have been to yet). When I am in Portland, OR it usually to go to IKEA or meet some friends at the bar. and a can't forget about Voodoo Doughnuts, lol. I maybe sometime this year I will taste more of the touristy side of Portland.

I have still discovering my city (NYC) after living here since '85. Unfortunately my love for Central Park gets in the way of exploring other parts of the city

As often as I possibly can, I am a subtle tourist in my own town. Plays, museums, galleries and seasonal activities help this, but all in all it's a mindset I believe.

Helps that I live in gorgeous Colorado Springs, CO, so there is no shortage of things to do for anyone willing to look.

Heck yes! When I can't afford to hop a plane to somewhere tropical (which is most of the time), the best way to survive the dead of winter here is to visit a free botanical garden. The smell of flowers and the humid air is enough to make me forget that it's winter in Massachusetts. I go to Wellesley College's botanical garden -- do a Yahoo Local search for botanical gardens in your area and you'll probably find several. It's fun to spend the day walking around an unfamiliar city center and stumbling upon cool book shops and cafes.