Things to do in a Small Town
I was actually going to do a post on comparing brands of clothes, but I'm limited to Walmart brand or ones that nobody has ever heard of, so I thought I would try this topic instead.
We've been living in a town of 5,500 people for 3.8 years, not that I'm keeping count or anything. We moved here for employment, and the weekend we came out for the interview I toured the town in a whole 20 minutes. The job was good and we were determined to make the best of the situation no matter where it was. It must not have been too bad since we're still here and I'm still half sane.
So, things to do in a small town:
1. Visit the 6 public parks or two ponds in town.
2. Go to the movies for 5.50 a person or 3.50 a kid. (You can get the kids a combo popcorn and drink for 1.50 more).
3. Go to the library. I read a lot.
4. Walk the nature trail.
5. Run the 3 mile bike trail.
6. Play soccer, kickball, T-ball, tennis, football, baseball/softball, or run the track.
7. Come for the 4th of July fireworks display. You'll only sit in traffic for 20 minutes vs. 2 hours in big cities.
8. Visit the local museums. It may only take you 15 minutes to go through, but that's something to do to get.out.of.the.house.
9. Go to the lake. Day pass is 4.50.
10. Wander through the huge antique mall here. Even if you've been through it 14 times in the last 6 months, you'll still find something new every time.
11. Enjoy a treat from one of the 10 fast food restaurants or one of the 6 sit down restaurants.
12. Visit the cemetery.
13. Drive around aimlessly telling your kids you are lost and need help finding your way home. Do this until your 3 year old can give you directions to get home.
14. Watch the skateboarders crash and burn at the skate park.
15. Get a car wash.
16. Wander through the U-Save Buenz pharmacy home decorating department or Trail's End (truly a fabulous store).
17. You could do a shopping spree at Pamida or Alco, but you'll probably be hard pressed to spend more than 30 minutes in each store. (Word of advice, save that money and time for when you can get to the big city (North Platte, population of 23,000), unless you are desperate to get.out.of.the.house).
18. Walk around town. More than likely you will find a quaint back alley or unpaved road and see things of beauty there, like wildflowers, horses, or fields.
19. Take up nature photography.
20. Watch the stars. They are so close here, you'd think you could touch them.
Sometimes I fear that when we do leave this place, I'll miss all these things. The hustle and bustle of a bigger city appeals to us in a way that says we're safe because we have amenities close by, things to do like zoos or amusement parks or bigger museums and theaters. You have more options. I do have to say that living out here without all the "options" has humbled me, made me less materialistic (that's not to say I don't drool over every pretty catelog that crosses my threshhold), made me more patient. When we go to places like Omaha with tons of stores and things near by, its like culture shock and there's too many choices to make we get overwhelmed. You actually get a workout from walking from one side of Target to the other, because it takes more than a minute to do so.
This summer we've had more visitors stop in to see us than any other year. While it feels good to be the hostess, I do have to say I feel a little honored that our friends and family happened to stop by in Nebraska. Who said there's not much to do here?
We've been living in a town of 5,500 people for 3.8 years, not that I'm keeping count or anything. We moved here for employment, and the weekend we came out for the interview I toured the town in a whole 20 minutes. The job was good and we were determined to make the best of the situation no matter where it was. It must not have been too bad since we're still here and I'm still half sane.
So, things to do in a small town:
1. Visit the 6 public parks or two ponds in town.
2. Go to the movies for 5.50 a person or 3.50 a kid. (You can get the kids a combo popcorn and drink for 1.50 more).
3. Go to the library. I read a lot.
4. Walk the nature trail.
5. Run the 3 mile bike trail.
6. Play soccer, kickball, T-ball, tennis, football, baseball/softball, or run the track.
7. Come for the 4th of July fireworks display. You'll only sit in traffic for 20 minutes vs. 2 hours in big cities.
8. Visit the local museums. It may only take you 15 minutes to go through, but that's something to do to get.out.of.the.house.
9. Go to the lake. Day pass is 4.50.
10. Wander through the huge antique mall here. Even if you've been through it 14 times in the last 6 months, you'll still find something new every time.
11. Enjoy a treat from one of the 10 fast food restaurants or one of the 6 sit down restaurants.
12. Visit the cemetery.
13. Drive around aimlessly telling your kids you are lost and need help finding your way home. Do this until your 3 year old can give you directions to get home.
14. Watch the skateboarders crash and burn at the skate park.
15. Get a car wash.
16. Wander through the U-Save Buenz pharmacy home decorating department or Trail's End (truly a fabulous store).
17. You could do a shopping spree at Pamida or Alco, but you'll probably be hard pressed to spend more than 30 minutes in each store. (Word of advice, save that money and time for when you can get to the big city (North Platte, population of 23,000), unless you are desperate to get.out.of.the.house).
18. Walk around town. More than likely you will find a quaint back alley or unpaved road and see things of beauty there, like wildflowers, horses, or fields.
19. Take up nature photography.
20. Watch the stars. They are so close here, you'd think you could touch them.
Sometimes I fear that when we do leave this place, I'll miss all these things. The hustle and bustle of a bigger city appeals to us in a way that says we're safe because we have amenities close by, things to do like zoos or amusement parks or bigger museums and theaters. You have more options. I do have to say that living out here without all the "options" has humbled me, made me less materialistic (that's not to say I don't drool over every pretty catelog that crosses my threshhold), made me more patient. When we go to places like Omaha with tons of stores and things near by, its like culture shock and there's too many choices to make we get overwhelmed. You actually get a workout from walking from one side of Target to the other, because it takes more than a minute to do so.
This summer we've had more visitors stop in to see us than any other year. While it feels good to be the hostess, I do have to say I feel a little honored that our friends and family happened to stop by in Nebraska. Who said there's not much to do here?
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We have 2 ponds? Really? Where's the other one?
Once upon a time when we moved here (12 years) there were more stores downtown. I miss them.
But like you, I realized that living here I became less of a consumer. And really, there are very few things that I ever need that I can't find here. But the coffee shop in North Platte has much better coffee. :)
There is the one pond over by Holiday Inn, close to McDonald's, and then there is England Pond/lake?. Actually, there's probably three...the one on the east side of town on Hwy 30 when you come in. Thanks for commenting! I appreciate it! :)
Dawn, my name is Chrissy Workman. I am currently doing TJED and moving from Corpus Christi, TX. I just wondered how far you are from Omaha? We are going to be moving there to the Papillion area. We hope to be able to make a comfortable and smooth transition. So, I just wondered, do you know of any other TJED moms in NE, particularly in Omaha area. My email is ccworkman7814@sbcglobal.net. Would you please email me. Thank you!! I really do appreciate it!!! :)