6 Quirky Urban Outings to Help You Rediscover Your City
May 10, 2019
You’ve mastered your neighborhood’s ins and outs, from which bodega does the best bacon, egg, and cheese to the zippiest shortcuts to the subway. You’ve taken your parents to all the museums around town—twice. And the park nearby? Yeah, you’re there so often it’s basically an extension of your living room.
If you’re feeling stuck in a rut, it’s time to break out of your well-trodden routines and try something new around town, from dropping by the local improv theater to hitting up that pop-up restaurant before it pops back down. We’ve rounded up six quirky urban outings that will help you rediscover your sense of adventure and remind you why you fell in love with city living in the first place.
1. SLAM THAT POETRY: You go to concerts several times a month, and even see the occasional play. But when was the last time you attended a poetry slam? If the answer is "high school"—or even worse, "never"—then add this to your list of urban outings. Poetry slams give dynamic, talented performers a powerful platform, and crowds really get into the rhythm—and contribute to the amazing atmosphere. In New York, head to the Nuyorican Poets Café to see some of the finest poets in their element, or join the crowds at the House Slam in Boston.
Image courtesy of Nuyorican Poets Café.
2. ONCE YOU POP-UP... You just can't stop. There's no better way to rev up your eating regime (or tempt yourself away from that tenacious take-out habit) than the prospect of an exciting new restaurant—especially one that's only open for six weeks. Let FOMO guide you to some of the coolest and most ephemeral eateries and supper clubs around, from Meadowlark in Portland, which emphasizes rustic, handcrafted cooking, to Ðôi Ðũa in DC, where delectable, Saigon-style dishes are served up.
Image courtesy of Brian Burk.
3. (ACTUALLY) FUN FITNESS: To help counterbalance the effects of those pop-up meals, it's a good idea to carve out some workout time—but that doesn't mean jogging around the block. Instead, use fitness as an excuse to plan a quirky urban outing to remember. Head to a super-fun trampoline studio that doubles as rigorous workout HQ, burn calories while learning classic Bollywood dance moves, or even get the day off to an energetic start by attending a (boozeless) morning rave, courtesy of Daybreaker. 'Cause bustin' a move is definitely the best way to wake up.
Image courtesy of Nar Levoni.
4. IMPROVE YOUR IMPROV: Whether you're a comedy geek, a natural performer—or just want to get more comfortable as a public speaker—improv is an excellent way to overcome stage fright and nail your comedic timing. Head to hubs like The Second City in Chicago (where comedians like Amy Poehler and Tina Fey got their start) or Upright Citizens Brigade in New York or LA for your moment in the spotlight.
Image courtesy of The Second City.
5. PODCASTS IRL: Whether you've got a long commute, lots of chores to tackle, or just want to plug into something entertaining when you stroll around town, podcasts are a pretty great thing. But if your only experience of the medium has been via app, it's time to go IRL. Attending a podcast taping not only provides you with a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes recording process, but it doubles as an entertaining night on the town, too. The Moth is a popular live storytelling series with events held around the country; for a dose of stellar comedy, tickets to 2 Dope Queens tapings always sell out early.
Image courtesy of Mindy Tucker.
6. THE GREAT URBAN OUTDOORS: Beyond the skyscrapers and the cement, there's another, greener side of your city waiting to be discovered. And by discovered, we mean tasted. Embark on an urban foraging adventure, and you'll learn skills ranging from harvesting and cooking with acorns to low-tide, coastal foraging for mussel beds and edible seaweed. Once you learn how to spot wild, free, edible ingredients on the go, you'll never see your city in quite the same way again.
Image courtesy of ForageSF.
1. SLAM THAT POETRY: You go to concerts several times a month, and even see the occasional play. But when was the last time you attended a poetry slam? If the answer is "high school"—or even worse, "never"—then add this to your list of urban outings. Poetry slams give dynamic, talented performers a powerful platform, and crowds really get into the rhythm—and contribute to the amazing atmosphere. In New York, head to the Nuyorican Poets Café to see some of the finest poets in their element, or join the crowds at the House Slam in Boston.
Image courtesy of Nuyorican Poets Café.
2. ONCE YOU POP-UP... You just can't stop. There's no better way to rev up your eating regime (or tempt yourself away from that tenacious take-out habit) than the prospect of an exciting new restaurant—especially one that's only open for six weeks. Let FOMO guide you to some of the coolest and most ephemeral eateries and supper clubs around, from Meadowlark in Portland, which emphasizes rustic, handcrafted cooking, to Ðôi Ðũa in DC, where delectable, Saigon-style dishes are served up.
Image courtesy of Brian Burk.
3. (ACTUALLY) FUN FITNESS: To help counterbalance the effects of those pop-up meals, it's a good idea to carve out some workout time—but that doesn't mean jogging around the block. Instead, use fitness as an excuse to plan a quirky urban outing to remember. Head to a super-fun trampoline studio that doubles as rigorous workout HQ, burn calories while learning classic Bollywood dance moves, or even get the day off to an energetic start by attending a (boozeless) morning rave, courtesy of Daybreaker. 'Cause bustin' a move is definitely the best way to wake up.
Image courtesy of Nar Levoni.
4. IMPROVE YOUR IMPROV: Whether you're a comedy geek, a natural performer—or just want to get more comfortable as a public speaker—improv is an excellent way to overcome stage fright and nail your comedic timing. Head to hubs like The Second City in Chicago (where comedians like Amy Poehler and Tina Fey got their start) or Upright Citizens Brigade in New York or LA for your moment in the spotlight.
Image courtesy of The Second City.
5. PODCASTS IRL: Whether you've got a long commute, lots of chores to tackle, or just want to plug into something entertaining when you stroll around town, podcasts are a pretty great thing. But if your only experience of the medium has been via app, it's time to go IRL. Attending a podcast taping not only provides you with a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes recording process, but it doubles as an entertaining night on the town, too. The Moth is a popular live storytelling series with events held around the country; for a dose of stellar comedy, tickets to 2 Dope Queens tapings always sell out early.
Image courtesy of Mindy Tucker.
6. THE GREAT URBAN OUTDOORS: Beyond the skyscrapers and the cement, there's another, greener side of your city waiting to be discovered. And by discovered, we mean tasted. Embark on an urban foraging adventure, and you'll learn skills ranging from harvesting and cooking with acorns to low-tide, coastal foraging for mussel beds and edible seaweed. Once you learn how to spot wild, free, edible ingredients on the go, you'll never see your city in quite the same way again.
Image courtesy of ForageSF.
