Be a tourist in your own city

Being a tourist in your own city means spending a day doing what visitors fly in for: the landmark you walk past, the guided tour, the view, the famous dish. Locals are often the last to see their own sights, and a day on the visitors' side of the map makes home feel new.

Where to do it

Every city has its own version of these. Each famous example below stands for an idea you can use at home.

Tower of London, United Kingdom

Do the big paid sight. The Tower and the Crown Jewels are the kind of sight locals put off for years, and the Yeoman Warder tour is included in the ticket. Your city's version is the one attraction in the United Kingdom, or anywhere, that you've told visitors about but never seen.

Statue of Liberty, United States

Take the tourist boat. The ferry to Liberty Island is pure tourism, and worth it. The free Staten Island Ferry passes the statue too, a reminder that the United States' famous views are often on a commuter route.

Sagrada Família, Spain

Book the icon properly. Barcelona's basilica, still under construction, needs a timed ticket, and the audio guide explains what you've only seen from outside. In Spain, as everywhere, the inside is the part locals miss.

Senso-ji, Japan

Go at the tourist hour, then the local hour. Tokyo's oldest temple is packed at midday and nearly empty at dawn. Visit both and you'll see two cities in Japan's capital.

Table Mountain, South Africa

Ride up to the view. Take the cable car or hike up the mountain above Cape Town. The cable car stops in strong wind, so check before you go in South Africa.

Christ the Redeemer, Brazil

Climb your city's lookout. The cog train up Corcovado gives Rio its classic view. Every city in Brazil and beyond has a hill, tower or rooftop locals rarely climb.

Sydney Opera House, Australia

Take the guided tour inside. Many people in Australia know its sails from outside but have never seen the halls. Most landmark buildings near you run tours too.

How to make it happen

• Read a guidebook of your own city, or its tourist office site, and circle three things you've never done.
• Join a walking tour. Many cities have tip-based free tours; a guide will tell you stories about streets you cross daily.
• Go to Open House. For one weekend a year, buildings that are normally closed open their doors free. It began in London and now runs in cities around the world.
• Check museum late nights and free days. Many museums have one each week or month.
• Stay one night in a hotel in a neighborhood you never go to, and have breakfast there like a visitor.
• Eat the dish visitors queue for, even if you're sure it's overrated.
• Ask an out-of-town friend what they'd do with a day in your city, then do it.

Keep going after dark with your city at night, or stand in front of a famous landmark further away. More ideas: the Close to home chapter.