52 Field Trips That Inspire Creativity
It seems that after encouraging you to take field trips (read *Why Adults Need Field Trips Too), it would be helpful to provide you with some specific ideas. So here you go. Fifty-two activities, which, if I’m counting correctly, gives you an entire year of fun and creativity.
Get Outside
Take a bike ride.
Go hiking.
Play a round of golf.
Walk through a neighborhood known for its architecture and landscape. Take lots of pictures.
Go horseback riding.
Have a picnic in a park you’ve never been to.
Visit a winery.
Visit a cemetery, taking in the names, dates, and landscape. Enjoy the quiet.
The Local Scene
Go to a music store and try out the instruments.
Take a martial arts class.
Stop by a local farmer's market.
Peruse a bookstore. Buy a book in a genre you don’t usually read.
Tour a local farm.
Take a Saturday to go on an estate sale excursion. Great finds at great prices.
Go to a high school or college theatrical production.
Visit a pet store or your local animal shelter. Kittens and puppies are pure joy.
Join a drum circle.
Tour a nearby factory.
Frequent a grocery store known for high quality products and artistic packaging.
Peruse a local art store. Buy supplies you’ve never used. Don’t be afraid to ask the staff for help/suggestions.
Attend an open mic night.
Spend an afternoon at the library.
Find a Meetup group in your area that has an activity/topic that interests you. (Visit meetup.com for ideas).
Go to a rock climbing gym.
Visit a plant nursery and buy something that will beautify your home.
Attend a multi-cultural event in your city.
Visit a local game/hobby store and pick out a jigsaw puzzle.
Have a progressive dinner at restaurants you've never tried. Appetizers at one, main course at another, dessert at a third.
Visit a vintage thrift store.
Find a local arcade and let your inner child out for an hour.
Go to a festival. Vegan, art, lavender, folk music, Bigfoot…You name it, there’s bound to be a festival near you, all year long.
Take a self-guided tour of historical landmarks in your area.
The Arts
Visit a museum.
Attend an orchestra/symphony performance.
Take a dance class.
Take a cooking class.
Listen to a jazz band.
Visit an art gallery.
Attend the ballet.
Take a pottery class.
Evoke the Senses
Take a yoga/pilates class.
Treat yourself to a relaxing facial. (Cosmetology schools are often an affordable option. I also like to do them at home. Love this Indian Healing Clay).
Find a restaurant that serves dinner in various courses. Enjoy each one, savoring the tastes and the atmosphere. (A tapas restaurant could be a good option).
Day Trips
Take a train ride.
Go on a day trip, stopping at all the intriguing spots along the way.
Visit the nearest river or ocean. Look for rocks, shells, and the like.
Go on an overnight camping trip.
Too Tired to Leave the House?
Watch a movie, focusing on the soundtrack. (Alfred Hitchcock movies are a great pick).
Take a day of silence (i.e. don’t talk for a whole day and see how it affects you).
Host a game night for friends.
Throw a costume party centered around a particular theme (i.e. Gatsby Style, Superheroes, the 70's, etc.).
Invite writers, musicians, actors, and painters to share their creations at an art night in your home.
And there you have it. A year of field trips. I hope you experience a fresh burst of creativity and share your own field trip ideas with me in the comments below. Enjoy the journey, Heidi Beth
TELL ME:
How about you? What’s on your creative field trip list? What’s the best field trip you ever had as a kid? Where do you go for inspiration?
BOHEMIAN CHALLENGE:
Plan out a year of field trips for yourself (open to change, of course). Splurge on a journal/notebook so you can record your year of creativity.
*Thanks to Julie Cameron’s book “The Artist's Way” for opening my eyes to the need for creative field trips/outings.
This post was originally published on my previous blog. It has been updated to provide you a with better reading experience.