When visitors arrive to take up residence in your guest room, it pays to know how to be a tourist in your own hometown. Older relations, expat friends, college students and younger couples with toddlers have all made their way to our home at one time or another. As tourists with an address, we’re prepared to act as impromptu tour guides, event planners and on-the-fly travel agents. Here are some of the ways we make them feel welcome and point them in the right direction.
Annual Passes:
Many annual pass programs allow you to bring a guest along at no charge, or at the very least use your pass to access additional tickets at a discounted rates. This allows your guests to experience must-see venues your location is known for while keeping your family budget in check. There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’ve got to dish out major bucks to see a local venue for the thirtieth time just because your latest guest has never been there. We’ve used this annual pass hosting technique successfully at the Dali Museum, the Lowry Park Zoo and the Kennedy Space Center.
Self-Serve Food and Beverage Options:
It’s been my experience that it’s nearly impossible to get everyone up and around the table at the same time. And if you work at home like my husband and I do, you’re lucky to find the time to cook for guests anyway. It’s more likely that you’ll be working on your own projects while they go out and about on some days and only be able to coordinate with them sporadically.
For us, the answer is one of those larger coffee urns filled with hot water, and a selection of coffee and tea supplies standing by, including a French press. When it comes to food, steel-cut oatmeal can be served in a rice cooker with a selection of toppings. And the crock pot? It’s your best friend if you want a one-pot meal ready for dinner at whatever unpredictable hour everyone arrives home.
Tourism Kits:
Preparing informational packets with a list of attractions, discount meal coupons, electronic docs with links to local event listings and more is a nice gesture and allows your guests to be more independent during their vacation. It also leaves you free to enjoy your leisure time with them and not have to feel like you’ve taken on the job of tour guide when your work schedule gets crazy. Public transportation schedules and maps to free parks and walking tour zones are also great items to include.
Hosting guests doesn’t have to result in chaos. It’s possible to enjoy your time with them and also stay on schedule with your own career. What are your top hosting tips?
Photo Credit: Katerha
