7 Travel Tips

 Yesterday, I took a day trip to Fort Wayne by myself to get away and have some photography fun. I used to be wary about traveling or going places by myself. But I am never going back! It turned out to be a very exciting and rewarding adventure that taught me a few things. So here are some tips for the budget travelers who want to get away from home without going too far away.

             1.  Always, and I mean ALWAYS, have the directions written down as well as in your gps. I cannot stress this enough. I lost my gps signal at least 10 times in the short hour and thirty minute trip. Maps confuse me to no end. I’d end up in Michigan if I tried to read a map. I was able to figure out what exits to take and which direction to turn because I had them written down and in my cup holder.

2.       

          2. Write down the DISTANCES between each turn and exit. Pay attention to the time on your clock when making these changes. It will save you stress and time if you do so. It is much easier to know that in 15miles you need to exit off of IN 24. And that it was 11:24am when you started. This way, if the gps signal is lost, you aren’t frantically searching the road for exit signs.

             3. Always have a parking plan before you go. I always forget that bigger cities require you to park in parking garages. Or that some garages are a good 20minute walk away from your destination. Luckily there was a parking garage right across from the building I was heading to. Also check to see if you can get free parking! I went to the botanical gardens and was surprised to learn that my parking fee was waived.

            4. Know where you want to eat. I spent a good 20 minutes aimlessly driving around trying to decide what I wanted to eat. Not only did it waste time and gas, but I ended up giving up and settling for fast food.

            5. Have your phone charged and pack extra chargers. You never know when you might need to make an emergency call or make a quick google maps search.

          6. Have fun and explore! Look for free events, parks, and museum dates before going. Are you a student? Call ahead and see what places offer good student discounts. My next trip will be planned out a little better so I have more time to walk around and explore. See as much as you can before you leave. You never know when you will be there again.

            7.   And most importantly, stay safe! Always travel in the day light. Never walk around at night alone. I got followed by a creepy old man and cat called by boys and men everywhere I went. I’m not used to that kind of treatment. I live in a much smaller town. It was quite an uncomfortable experience. If you feel threatened, find a safe place indoors to wait. If they follow you inside, don’t be afraid to let the staff know. Keep your safety in mind.