A Case for Re-visiting a Place

What makes traveling to one location over and over again beautiful.

Travel is often about visiting exciting new places, and, don’t get me wrong, I’m all for that! But there is so much to be said about re-visiting a place.

For me that place is New York. It’s my favorite travel destination, and I’ve gone many times over the years. Each time the city is new and familiar at the same time. Each time I discover something new and spontaneous. Each time I fall in love with the city a little more, and part of the reason why is our history.

Traveling to one place repeatedly throughout the years establishes a relationship with that place. You get to know the city; you find favorite spots to hangout in; you don’t just visit— you return. I find when I go back to New York I see changes, and I gravitate to favorite places. It feels like a bit of a luxury to return to one spot over and over again when traveling. There’s a tiny cocktail bar in the East Village that I discovered years ago. I go every time I’m in the city, and it’s a ritual. It feels like the perfect way for me to reenter my New York zone.

Another perk of re-visiting a place is that it takes the pressure off: if you’ve been before, you’ve probably checked a lot of the touristy items off your list. This time, as a repeat visitor, you can just wander with little to no agenda. The last time I was in NYC I spent three days just walking. I was visiting a friend there, and we simply meandered up and down Manhattan, ducking into coffeeshops or sitting on park benches whenever we wanted. We walked for miles and miles, and I felt so at peace simply reuniting with the city I love and chatting with a friend. There was no where I had to be, no sights I was dying to see. I’ve seen them. This time, with no agenda looming over me, I found new parks and restaurants. I wandered, simply following the whims of New York.

Here’s the thing— life is short. Travel wherever you want. Don’t subject yourself to the rules and checklists of other travelers. Go wherever makes your heart happy. If that’s returning to a place you love, then do it. It’s luxurious and relaxing, and you’ll be surprised by how many new things you discover.