In Faithful Citizenship, writer Greg Garrett posits that when our Founding Fathers, as neo-classical thinkers, talked about the pursuit of happiness, they were talking about virtue and service to others. Accordingly, we suggest that when it comes time for you, your family, or your housemates to go in pursuit of happiness with a vacation, you plan one that is meaningful and purposeful rather than simply seeking pleasure or material goods. Here are some ideas that will help your household connect to America and its citizens while traveling. Of course, if you hail from another country, you can modify these suggestions for your own travels.
Want to immerse yourself in a local experience? Find out what the area is known for and see if there are tours that give you a taste of what it's like to live there. In New York City, you might go on walking tours of famous neighborhoods. A fishing boat excursion would be fun in a coastal town. When visiting a bar or a popular café, talk with the locals about what they like best about where they live, locally and nationally.
Want a greater understanding of an area’s history? Want to learn about art, architecture, and civics? Try visiting city halls. Did you know that Philadelphia’s City Hall was begun in 1871 and is the largest municipal building in the U.S., containing 14.5 acres of floor space, and offers a panoramic view of the city? Or that New York’s City Hall is one of the oldest in the U.S.? Or that until recent years, Los Angeles City Hall was the tallest building in L.A.?
Want a meaningful experience that allows you to learn about other people, places, and ways of life while giving you the opportunity to be of service? You don’t have to travel abroad to enjoy such a volunteer vacation. You could volunteer at an animal shelter or a horse ranch for a week. You could assist with youth development in impoverished areas, participate in rare native plant or animal wildlife conservation efforts, work on environmental issues, or help in disaster recovery efforts.
Long for a simpler time? To feel more connected to the land? Try agritourism. Many Americans are visiting working farms and ranches that take in guests, who often get to spend some time with animals while learning more about what we eat, how it is produced, the environment, and how everything is connected. Of course, farms and ranches differ. You might experience rich meadows, green pastures, chicken coops, organic gardens, fruit trees, or beehives. Here are some examples of the varied activities offered: gathering eggs, planting seed, bottle-feeding calves, adobe brick building, beekeeping, animal husbandry, as well as recreational activities like gardening and cooking classes, hiking, horseback riding, and archery. If you’re willing to get your hands dirty, agritourism offers people the opportunity to reconnect with our amber waves of grain, purple mountain majesties, and the fruited plain.
— Habib Todd Boerger in Practicing Democracy at Home