When we hit the road for a vacation, it is often the big attractions that most excite us. Whether it be Disney World or the Golden Gate Bridge that we are attracted to, we all feel a certain eagerness to see with our own eyes those wonders that have long captured the public imagination. In many cases, however, when our trips are completed, we find it was the hidden gems that most enchanted us. Little shops are among the best sources of surprising entertainment in our travels. Next time you leave town, make local stores an explicit part of your plan. Here are four types of shops you would do well to take a look at.
Anywhere that has an ocean, lakes, or rivers, you are likely to find a small-town bait and tackle shop. These little stores are almost always chock-full of local charm and character. They also contain a fascinating array of live baits and artificial lures. If you are at all of an angler you can learn where to wet a line in the region, but even if you’ve never held a rod in your hand, you’re bound to enjoy the visit.
Liquor and Tobacco Shops
Liquor stores are often at the center of a community, and by checking one out, you’ll get an honest, uncurated look at the local population. You can also check if there are any local brands of beer worth trying, if you are at all of a drinker. And if you vape, then this is also a place bound to offer e-cig shop services.
Antiques Dealers
Old things are almost always interesting, but they tend to be especially fascinating in an unfamiliar place. By visiting an antiques dealer, you could learn a great deal about an area, including a folksy brand of history that doesn’t often reach museums. If you have room for it in your budget, you can also bring a little piece of that history home, where it will forever remind you of your trip.
Garden Center
For lovers of the outdoors, then a garden center is bound to interest you with the bounty of new plants to be investigated. If you have a garden back home, you might just find something to bring back.
Traveling is all about making memories. Often, local shops like these are the best places to do just that.