10 travel-inspired activities for people who can’t travel

travel

9 Oct

I often hear people (me) say they’d love to travel someday. Sometimes it’s a matter of saving up or waiting for the right time.

Other times, they just can’t travel, not right now, at least.

They don’t want complicated itineraries or long flights. They just want that feeling of travel – curiosity, discovery, and a little change of scenery – without going too far.

For this post, I’ve gathered some of the best travel-inspired activities to satisfy wanderlust for people who can’t travel. Each one adds a little adventure to your days, no passport required.

Not everything will suit everyone, and that’s okay. Try what feels right for you. The more you find small ways to explore, the easier it becomes to keep that spirit of travel alive in everyday life.

And when you’re ready to travel again, some of these might even inspire where to go next.

Travel-inspired things to do when you can’t travel

1. Watch travel movies, or documentaries

Watch a travel film when you’re staying home but you want to feel transported somewhere far away.

Streaming platforms have plenty of options that can take you from the streets of Rome to the jungles of Bali without leaving your couch. A well-known example is Eat Pray Love, which follows a woman’s journey through Italy, India, and Bali. Wild is another option for a solo journey along the Pacific Crest Trail

If documentaries are more your style, Our Planet offers quiet moments, breathtaking visuals, and stories about how everything on Earth is connected. Down to Earth with Zac Efron explores sustainability, culture, and food in different corners of the world.

2. Read travel fiction, memoirs, or blogs

Reading can be its own kind of travel experience when you can’t travel yet.

There are countless travel books that transport you to different countries and cultures. If you’re not sure where to start, sites like Goodreads and curated travel book recommendation lists can help you find stories that match your interests.

If you’ve already watched Eat Pray Love or Wild, try their original books. These stories are immersive and give a richer sense of place and adventure.

For online reading, Never Ending Footsteps by Lauren Juliff is a travel blog that feels like swapping stories with a friend who never gave up on adventure.

3. Take a virtual tour from another part of the world

Try a virtual tour when you want to feel present in another part of the world, not just watching but quietly being there.

Websites like Virtual Vacation and Citywalki let you wander through cities across the globe all from your screen. Some even include natural sounds or street chatter, so it feels like you’re really there.

It’s surprisingly soothing to “walk” through a place in real time, hearing the traffic, watching locals pass by, or spotting details you might miss on an actual trip.

4. Try a cuisine from another country

Try a dish from another country if you want a small, immersive travel experience without leaving home.

Cooking a foreign recipe lets you engage all your senses – the smells, flavours, and textures transport you to another place. Try making pasta from scratch, a fragrant curry, or sushi while imagining the streets of Italy, India, or Japan.

If cooking isn’t your thing, visiting a restaurant that serves authentic cuisine can be just as rewarding. Either way, tasting food from another culture is a simple, delicious way to feel like you’re exploring somewhere new.

5. Visit a cultural event or festival near you

Attend a local festival or cultural event if you want a little taste of the world without leaving your city.

Take the Bon Odori festival, for example. Watching traditional dances, listening to taiko drums, and enjoying seasonal foods creates a moment that feels far from home.

A few hours immersed in the sights, sounds, and energy of a different culture can shift your perspective and spark curiosity about the country it comes from.

6. Explore somewhere new in your city

Explore a new neighbourhood if you want a small change of scenery that feels like a local escape.

Even in a city you know well, there are streets, parks, and hidden corners you’ve never noticed. Peek into hidden cafes, admire murals tucked side streets, or wander through a park you’ve never visited.

It can feel like stepping into an urban adventure for a few hours.

7. Try a new walking or cycling route

Take a different route if you want unexpected discoveries in familiar surroundings.

When I was working in the city, I often changed my route depending on how much time I had. Sometimes I walked, sometimes I took the monorail, the MRT, or the commuter train. Each choice gave me a slightly different view of streets I thought I knew.

Even small changes like these can make your everyday commute feel fresh.

8. Spend a day in nature

Spend a day in nature if you want a quiet escape into green spaces and fresh air.

A nearby park, forest trail, or riverside path can feel like a world apart. Surrounded by trees, birdsong, and sunlight filtering through the leaves, it’s easy to forget the usual urban rhythm.

Once, I suggested meeting friends at a park instead of the usual shopping mall. Even on a hot day, it turned into a memorable experience. It’s a small reminder of how refreshing and restorative time in nature can be.

9. Take a short day trip

Take a short day trip if you want a taste of travel when you can’t travel far.

A few hours on the road (or train) can completely shift your perspective, whether it’s visiting a nearby town, hiking trail, or coastal spot you’ve never explored before.

Pack a small bag, bring a camera or journal, and spend the day soaking in a place that feels just far enough to count as an escape.

It’s the kind of mini escape that turns a normal weekend into something that feels like a proper adventure, letting you step out of routine without needing a full vacation.

10. Stay overnight somewhere nearby

Stay overnight somewhere nearby if you want a full dose of travel without needing to book a flight.

One night in a nearby town, countryside inn, or boutique hotel can feel like a real getaway. Even staying at a relative’s or friend’s place in the same state works. Packing a bag, changing your surroundings, and spending a night somewhere other than your own home gives you a sense of adventure and novelty, all without long flights or distant destinations.

These small overnight trips are an easy way to break routine, recharge, and feel like you’ve gone somewhere new.

For more ideas on finding joy where you are, you might like my post on what to do when it rains on vacation.