A good place to start your local adventures is (big surprise) at your local library. Many libraries, including my own, have a local history or travel section, and if they don't have an area set aside especially for local books, they're likely to have those books integrated into their regular non-fiction section. There are a number of print materials specific to different regions and metropolitan areas in the U.S. Some are for places on the beaten path, while others are for places off it. Some books even focus on particular features or activities, such as waterfalls or hiking nature trails. I've learned a lot of things about my local area that even people who have lived here for years don't know about.
Another great resource for finding out about your local area is the Internet. Nowadays, almost everything has a website, and most cities and states have their own websites with information on local attractions such as parks, museums, cheap eats, festivals, and other events. I'm often busy going to state parks, walking around the booths at art festivals, biking local trails, or dipping into a lake on a warm summer day. And with the exception of the state parks, all these things are free. If something doesn't have a website, chances are good that someone's mentioned it somewhere on social media, be it Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Panoramio, or whatever else.
So just because you're not going to Europe or the Caribbean this summer doesn't mean you can't have a great time exploring your local area and doing some fun things. Sometimes we take nearby things for granted and don't give them a fair chance. Who knows? You may just discover things about your home area you didn't know about before.
With good exploration wishes from the perch.
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