For anyone who loves to travel, COVID has presented some obvious challenges. And, unable to hopscotch the globe, many of us are looking for other ways to fill our wanderlust buckets amidst travel restrictions and closed borders.
But, there are plenty of pandemic appropriate adventures you can have close to home!
Here are just a few fun ideas to get you out exploring the world again.
Paddleboarding
One of my personal favorite pandemic appropriate adventures is time on the water enjoying the sun and surf. After months of time in the house during quarantine, I decided to combat my boredom by purchasing a Blackfin paddleboard by iRocker.
Best. Decision. Ever.
I now find myself spending every moment of free time on the water. Soaking up the sun, listening to music, and enjoying delectable snacks with wine floating just offshore. It’s the perfect way to get out in nature for a relaxing reset.
Other Aquatic Adventures:
White Water Rafting
Kayaking
Boating
Sailing
Jet Skiing
Surfing
Snorkeling
Hiking
Another wonderful way to get outside and spend time in nature is by going on a hike. And, the experience can be as physically strenuous as you like! If you really want to get the blood pumping, go for a hike around the mountains where you’ll traverse rocks and steep inclines. Or, if you just want to get outside to relax, go for a leisurely stroll through the woods. Whatever you’re into, there’s sure to be a hike that will fit your needs.
And, if you’re not sure where to go, find a nearby state or national park! These areas are well-maintained and boast gorgeous (often unique) natural wonders that are sure to make the experience even more rewarding.
Other Trekking Adventures
Walks Around Town
Riding Scooters
Running
Biking
Roller Skating
Skiing
Winter offers plenty of opportunities for pandemic appropriate adventures as well! One I’ve loved since I was little has been skiing (and, later, snowboarding). Nothing beats the thrill of weaving your way through fresh powder on a bluebird day with stunning mountain views in all directions. It’s like a little slice of heaven on Earth!
And, when social distancing is as fashionable as a new beanie, it’s easy to keep your distance from others on the mountainside. So, it’s a perfect outdoor activity when you’re itching to escape the confines of your house!
Other Arctic Adventures
Snowboarding
Snowshoeing
Snowmobiling
Sledding
Ice Climbing
Ice Skating
Camping
Dreaming of a night under the stars? Another great way to get outside for an exciting socially-distanced adventure is by camping! Pack up a few necessities and hit the road for an overnight experience you’ll never forget. Eating dinner by the campfire, listening to owls and crickets lull you to sleep, and (best of all) making the perfect s’more! It’s a sweet (and economical) escape from everyday pandemic pressures.
Plus, it’s a great opportunity to indulge in other outdoor activities while you’re there! Go for a morning hike, pack a picnic lunch, or fish in a nearby stream. The possibilities are endless!
Other Outdoor Adventures
Rock Climbing
Horseback Riding
Fishing
Picnics
Barbeques
Discovering Street Art
Not big on the great outdoors? Don’t worry, there are plenty of pandemic appropriate adventures in the city as well! One of my personal favorites is discovering new street art around town. The bright colors, impressive designs, and astounding artistry make strolling through the city a prismatic pleasure. And, they also serve as awesome backdrops so bring your camera with you!
Street artists tend to have very distinct styles, so when they sign their work I highly recommend searching for them on platforms like Instagram. It will give you a more in-depth appreciation for their creations and help you identify more around town (making you quite the art aficionado!)
Other Urban Adventures
Outdoor Dining
Finding Public Arts
Scavenger Hunts
Visiting City Parks
Exploring New Streets
And, there you have it! A few pandemic appropriate adventures that will keep you healthy and (most importantly) sane amidst quarantines and travel restrictions. And who knows, maybe you’ll discover a new favorite pastime in the process!
What are some ways you’ve found adventure during the pandemic? Comment below, I’d love to hear about them!
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I could have commented on each section as a different post, Stephanie! Awesome suggestions, and as I went deeper in, I found myself saying, “Hey, I could do that!” I can’t wait to get back out on the hiking trails.
During the pandemic, I’ve walked in my neighborhood and played disc golf. Not nearly enough on either. I hope drier weather will help get me out more!
If you had to pick your top three activities in this post, which would they be?
I’ve never played disc golf but it looks like fun! There’s a course down the street from where I live so I’ll need to try it now!
That’s a good question! I’d say paddleboarding is my absolute favorite (so I’m dying for it to warm up to go again!) I also recently invested in a few Bird electric scooters so taking those around town has been a blast. And then I’d say finding and photographing street art. I’m always amazed by the talent of people who can paint like that!
I bought an inflatable kayak (Intex Explorer K2) and explored a nearby river dolphin sanctuary. I didn’t think my chances of seeing dolphins were going to be that great, but to my surprise, out of the seven or eight times I’ve been kayaking, I’ve seen dolphins on every occasion except one. I’m thinking of buying a stand-up paddleboard now as well because it also looks like great fun, though I’m not sure how well I could balance on it being over 6ft tall.
What an experience, how incredible!!! And, I was debating between an inflatable kayak or a paddleboard, but decided the paddleboard would be more versatile for what I needed. If you’re concerned about stability, I highly recommend the iRocker Blackfin. That’s the one I purchased and it has a 100% stability rating (I was able to stand on my first try. You could practically do cartwheels on that thing! Lol)