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The Local Tourist

Experience the fascination of a tourist; Feel the comfort of the local

  • Travel the U.S.A.
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  • Travel Tips
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  • Cultural Travel
    • Arts and Culture
    • Attractions
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    • Roadside Attractions
  • Great Outdoors
    • Camping
    • Hiking and Active Travel
    • U.S. National Parks
  • Shop TLT
    • Travel Two Lane Gems
  • Travel the U.S.A.
    • The Midwest
      • Illinois
      • Indiana
      • Iowa
      • Kansas
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
      • Missouri
      • Nebraska
      • South Dakota
      • Wisconsin
    • The South
      • Arkansas
      • Mississippi
      • North Carolina
      • Oklahoma
      • Texas
    • The West
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Montana
      • Nevada
      • New Mexico
      • Utah
      • Wyoming
  • Travel Tips
    • Travel Now
  • Road Trips
    • Two Lane Gems
  • Cultural Travel
    • Arts and Culture
    • Attractions
    • Food and Drink
    • History
    • People
    • Roadside Attractions
  • Great Outdoors
    • Camping
    • Hiking and Active Travel
    • U.S. National Parks
  • Shop TLT
    • Travel Two Lane Gems
  • Contact
  • Work with TLT
  • Travel Writing
Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge

Welcome to The Local Tourist

Experience the fascination of a tourist; feel the comfort of the local

The Local Tourist digs deep into destinations with passion and insight, focusing on culture, history, the great outdoors, and tips on how to enjoy it all.

Bald and Beautiful Theresa L. Goodrich

Please allow me to introduce myself

Hi. My name’s Theresa and I’m The Local Tourist. Have we met? Well, then, please allow me to introduce myself.

My Story

AS SEEN IN...

Travel & Adventure Show
Travel & Adventure Show – Media Supporter
Explore Elgin Area
Explore Elgin Area
Visit Hendricks County
Visit Hendricks County
Bravo Magazine, November 2019
Bravo Magazine, November 2019
Visit McHenry County
Visit McHenry County
Oceanside Sunset Market

HOW TO BE A LOCAL TOURIST

The Local Tourist has a simple goal: to help you experience the fascination of a tourist while feeling the comfort of the local, no matter where you are.

How to be a Local Tourist

ROAD TRIPS

There’s nothing like hittin’ the road for a great adventure! Check out these guides before you venture out.

The National Road

50 Tips for Planning an AMAZING Road Trip

50 Tips for Planning an AMAZING Road TripRead More

Must Have List of Road Trip Essentials

Must Have List of Road Trip EssentialsRead More

I-40 in New Mexico - a flat stretch of road with lots of billboards

How to Save Money on a Road Trip

How to Save Money on a Road TripRead More

Road leading into Zion National Park

How to Use Roadtrippers App & Website to Plan an Amazing Road Trip

How to Use Roadtrippers App & Website to Plan an Amazing Road TripRead More

Road to Jemez Historic Site

How to Find Places to Go on a Road Trip You’ll Love

How to Find Places to Go on a Road Trip You’ll LoveRead More

TLG Bike Riding and taking a selfie

How to take your bicycle on a road trip

How to take your bicycle on a road tripRead More

Crater Lake National Park

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Mother Nature’s a magnificent artist with limitless creativity. Step into her gallery and get some fresh air.

GO OUTSIDE

EXPLORE TWO LANE GEMS

Author Theresa L. Goodrich pens eyes-wide-open love letters to America in the Two Lane Gems book series.

Two Lane Gems Vol 1 Cover

Two Lane Gems, Volumes 1 & 2 – 6×9

$37.99

Add to cart

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 1 E-book

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 1 – E-book

$2.99

Download Now

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 1 Book Cover

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 1

$24.99 – $49.99

Select options

TRAVEL TIPS

Save time, money, and aggravation with these travel tips, designed to make your exploration more fun.

Road on the way to Joshua Tree in California

How to Stay Safe on a Road Trip in 2021

Tips for taking a road trip and keeping it safe during a pandemic.

How to Stay Safe on a Road Trip in 2021Read More

The National Road

50 Tips for Planning an AMAZING Road Trip

Anxious to hit the road? Check out these tips for planning your perfect driving…

50 Tips for Planning an AMAZING Road TripRead More

Driving along the Mississippi River on the Great River Road, one of the many scenic drives featured in Midwest Road Trip Adventures, an upcoming anthology from members of the Midwest Travel Network

A Dozen States, Dozens of Scenic Drives: Announcing Midwest Road Trip Adventures

Explore scenic drives in the heartland of America with experts from the Midwest Travel…

A Dozen States, Dozens of Scenic Drives: Announcing Midwest Road Trip AdventuresRead More

Wayside exhibit and billboard at the Dwight Illinois Visitor Center on Route 66

An Illinois Road Trip Adventure: Route 66

What it’s like to drive the Illinois stretch of the Mother Road solo, and…

An Illinois Road Trip Adventure: Route 66Read More

Sign marking the beginning of Route 66

An Illinois Road Trip Adventure

When my alarm dinged at five I’d already been up for an hour and…

An Illinois Road Trip AdventureRead More

Must Have List of Road Trip Essentials

Don’t leave home without these necessary items.

Must Have List of Road Trip EssentialsRead More

I-40 in New Mexico - a flat stretch of road with lots of billboards

How to Save Money on a Road Trip

38 ways to to spend less and experience more on your driving adventures.

How to Save Money on a Road TripRead More

Road leading into Zion National Park

How to Use Roadtrippers App & Website to Plan an Amazing Road Trip

This tool makes planning a road trip easy.

How to Use Roadtrippers App & Website to Plan an Amazing Road TripRead More

Beartooth Highway

Driving the Depression-Era Daring of Beartooth Highway

This scenic drive is short and open only a few months out of the…

Driving the Depression-Era Daring of Beartooth HighwayRead More

TRAVEL THE U.S.A.

Beautiful yellow flowers in Casper Bluff

The Midwest

Bottle tree in Ridgeland, Mississippi

The South

Grand Teton National Park

The West

San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park

CULTURAL TRAVEL

Dig deep into a destination: arts, history, food & drink, people, and more.

EXPLORE

RECENTLY ON THE LOCAL TOURIST

Read our latest adventures and tips.

Everything Lakeside at Lake Lawn Resort

Looking for a great getaway? Look no further than Lake Lawn Resort on Delavan Lake in…

Everything Lakeside at Lake Lawn ResortRead More

Road on the way to Joshua Tree in California

How to Stay Safe on a Road Trip in 2021

Tips for taking a road trip and keeping it safe during a pandemic.

How to Stay Safe on a Road Trip in 2021Read More

Theresa L. Goodrich - 12 Wigs of Christmas photo shoot, Day 12

Please Allow Me To Introduce Myself

Hi. My name’s Theresa and I’m The Local Tourist. Have we met? Well, then, please allow…

Please Allow Me To Introduce MyselfRead More

The National Road

50 Tips for Planning an AMAZING Road Trip

Anxious to hit the road? Check out these tips for planning your perfect driving adventure.

50 Tips for Planning an AMAZING Road TripRead More

Tommy Hensel

Sparkling Isolation – Day 248

Down the rabbit hole. One of the most pervasive phrases I have heard – and used…

Sparkling Isolation – Day 248Read More

Tommy Hensel

Sparkling Isolation – Days 151 through 247

I’m still here. At the beginning of the pandemic, I don’t think most of us thought…

Sparkling Isolation – Days 151 through 247Read More

Chicago skyline and Navy Pier from Lake Michigan

EXPLORE CHICAGO

Since 2002, we’ve been covering the Windy City. Visit our Chicago site to find things to do, restaurants, events, musings, and more.

VISIT CHICAGO

Theresa in her happy place - with horsies!

THIS IS A HAPPY PLACE

Our philosophy is all about making the world a better place through meaningful and fun experiences.

Learn more about TLT

  • Contact
  • Work with TLT
  • Travel Writing

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