For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.
~ Robert Louis Stevenson ~
Regardless of Why
We travel for business, obligation, and pleasure. I believe that the goal should be to find pleasure in all travel, regardless of what initiates a trip. Time and money are always the biggest constraints, in determining how much pleasure one can have on a trip, which is not a vacation. I have found that the best way to address both issues is by embracing a bit of paradox – plan ahead and be spontaneous.
If you know you have to travel someplace for a wedding or business conference, spend some time researching the area, before your trip. Find out what might be in the area that interests you, how far away it is from where you will be staying, how do you get there, and what it cost. Will you need to rent a car? Is there public transportation to the place you want to go? Do you need to take special clothes in order to enjoy the attraction? Can you print coupons ahead of time, for a reduced admission price? Is it free during the last hour of the day, or on a specific night or day of the month? Are there seasonal hours which you need to be aware of? How much time do you need there in order to enjoy it?
Making informed decisions relieves stress and unhappy surprises; it also guarantees that you do not come home, from your business conference, in St. Louise, and learn that you could have taken an elevator to the top of the Gateway Arch, or that you missed the courtroom where the Dred Scott case was initially heard. You should know that the Art Museum, Zoo, Science Center, Alehouse-Busch Brewery, Grant’s Farm and the Missouri History Museum, can all be visited for free! A little homework goes a long way toward eliminating regret. You also do not want to forget the spontaneous part of our paradox. Once you arrive, ask locals what they like to do, where do they eat, where is the best second shop? Be open to suggestions, and be flexible. Regardless of what you may have planned; I know that sometimes the best side trip is simply a great walk along the Mississippi River or a nice drive down Route 66, where you stop to eat excellent barbeque, and take in local color.
Inside the Gateway Arch Exhibition Hall, A view of the Old Court House from the top of the Arch President, Harry S. Truman’s House
Finally, be very honest about what you would like to do with your time, especially if you are traveling with someone else. Is the local must see attraction something which you really do not care about? Not everyone is interested in botanical gardens, though I cannot imagine why not. Perhaps, what will make your obligatory trip a pleasure is being able to sty in the nice hotel, enjoying the fabulous hot tub and room service! That is all for now. http://www.explorestlouis.com/visitors/25thingsOne.asp?pt=1
