We take our city for granted. Okay, not everyone, but a lot of us do. Dubuque, in many ways, is the envy of our state. It has a strong economy, a great community spirit and a plan for the future. We have resources and amenities that lead people from all across the Midwest, America and indeed the world to choose our city as a destination. But in the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, how often do you stop to take in what is right under your nose?

Through 365, I have the opportunity to network and socialize with more people that the average person. And I’m always amazed at how often I discover people who have “never been there,” and by “there” I mean some of Dubuque’s most celebrated and storied historic tourism destinations: The Grand Opera House, the Mathias Ham House, the Mines of Spain or even Iowa’s number-one tourist destination, the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. There are dozens of locations within ten minutes of your house (that is, if you are one of the locals I’m talking to here) where you can spend an afternoon, a day or even a weekend. You don’t have to load up the Wagon Queen Family Truckster with the Option Rally Fun Pack and go to Wally World to get away from it all. We have a waterpark resort for the family. Have you been back to the Aquarium since it first opened? It does change, you know - a lot! This summer the Catfish Planet exhibit will offer yet another unique experience to share with your kids.

No kids? How about a night at the Captain Merry Guesthouse and Spa in East Dubuque? Pamper yourself completely for a weekend and be home before the air conditioning has even kicked in. When is the last time you had a picnic date on a blanket overlooking the river at Julien Dubuque’s grave site? If your answer is “high school,” and it was dark and you had a warm case of bad beer, that doesn’t count.

I can hear you now: “What’s your point, Bryce?” With our ever-increasingly busy lives, it’s hard to plan a complex vacation. But that’s not saying you can’t vacation right here at home. With the rebirth of the Tri-State area, you can completely es- cape without racking up the gas mileage. Make a conscious effort to see the things in Dubuque you’ve never seen before. Be an active part of your community. Take in the festivals you’ve not taken in before. Try something different. Here are some ridiculously easy and convenient options. But if someone like me doesn’t hit you upside the head with them, you’ll probably sit on your couch all summer watching “Deal or No Deal.” I say, “No deal.” I’m going out tonight.

• After you finally revisit the Aquarium, take a swing over to the Dubuque History Museum at the Old Jail and go the Ham House. Then have a picnic lunch a few blocks away at Eagle Point Park. Stop at Dairy Queen on the way and get a Blizzard.

• Take a hike, pal! Wander the hills at the Mines of Spain. Stroll the gardens and en- joy many opportunities for live music at the Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens.

• Been gaming recently? The dog track is open again. When’s the last time you bet on a race? Maybe try Houlihan’s for dinner and some racing action before you hit the slots. And live concerts are supposed to be returning to the Diamond Jo! Try the seafood buffet and rock and roll at the Jo! You could even drop the kids off at the Grand Harbor Waterpark, first. They can enjoy the slides without being guests at the hotel.

• Get your heart pumping at the races. Dubuque and Farley have a variety of auto races every Friday and Sunday. It’s one of those things you don’t appreciate until you’ve been there. It’s a tremendous rush.

• Try lunch on Old Main Street, shopping on Cable Car Square and riding the elevator. Maybe take a carriage ride, have an ice cream cone or wander a couple blocks down to the wonderful Dubuque Museum of Art. I know a lot of you have yet to take advantage of that.

• And of course, keep reading 365ink and Dubuque365.com and we’ll try to keep the coolest things happening under your nose. Don’t just read about it this year, do it! And get the most out of Dubuque this summer. P.S. I know I missed a thousand great things. No letters please!