Cultural Immersion Experiences for Your Next Vacation

One of my biggest goals this year is to do as much traveling as possible. Whether it is a family trip, a girls’-only adventure or a romantic getaway, I’m looking for a unique vacation. I want to do more than just cross a place off my bucket list by simply being there; I want to try new experiences — the kind of experiences that fully immerse me in the destination’s culture, even if that means stepping out of my comfort zone.

Want to immerse yourself for a truly unique vacation? Try doing the following when planning your adventure:

• Consider a vacation to a location you have never been to.
• Take full advantage of all a location has to offer by experiencing its culture (including food, traditions and learning about its history).
• Think outside the box when it comes to planning your itinerary.
• Find ways that you can create priceless and unique memories in the process. 

With this goal in mind, I decided to explore Boston for the first time through this adventurous lens. I started the trip with something I had never done before: Taking a train ride for the first time, traveling into Boston. I might have been a little more excited about riding a train for the first time than I should have been — what can I say?

Given Boston's rich history, my friends and I made it a point to go to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. While it wasn't something I would have normally chosen to do, I am so glad that I did. Given how long it had been since I learned about the Boston Tea Party, it was nice to not only receive a refresher in the important events that took place, but also get to experience it. I say "experience it," because it was an immersive experience that allowed me to feel like I was a part of it in a fun and unique way. From the moment you walk inside the museum, you are given a character identity from the time period. We got to sit in on a town hall meeting, dump tea off the side of the ship, tour where the sailors lived on the ship and even see an actual box of tea that survived. I walked away with a deeper understanding (and appreciation) of what took place during this historical event.

We also made it a point to visit Harvard University in Cambridge. After everything I have heard about the prestigious university and its history, being able to see it in-person was a real treat. Not only was it a free thing to do while in Boston, but now I can say I've been to Harvard (they don't have to know that I didn't attend college there, right?).

Depending on how much time you have to explore Boston, you can immerse yourself in its culture further by experiencing any (or all) of the following:

• The James Blake House, the oldest house in Boston.
• The Paul Revere House, the colonial home of American patriot Paul Revere during the time of the American Revolution.
• The Boston Light, a lighthouse located on Little Brewster.
• Fort Warren, a historic fort on Georges Island.
• Wally's Cafe, one of the oldest continually operating jazz clubs in the US.
• The Boston Navy Yard, it was one of the oldest shipbuilding facilities in the United States Navy.
• Cheers Beacon Hill, a bar/restaurant whose exterior of the bar was seen in the hit sitcom, “Cheers.”

We actually visited the Cheers in Beacon Hill for some photos and went inside for the food (which was good!). Having watched Cheers growing up, I loved that we got the chance to experience it for ourselves (even if everyone didn’t know our name like they did in the show).

Discovering new places, adventures and experiences play a major role in allowing me to live out my best life. I would even venture to say that these unique vacations also help me discover more about myself in the process.