Support Local, Save Local: Working Advantage's Hidden Gems in Your City

After the day’s work is done, you’ve got big plans for your off hours. Exploring the city and unearthing its hidden gems is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. And you don’t have to break the bank or skip town to find them, thanks to your valuable employee perks.

1. Tantalize Your Tastebuds Away from the Main Drag

Reliable American chain restaurants are popular for a reason: they’re good, consistent, and readily available in most major cities. But when you’re searching for something more inspiring, culturally significant, or experimental, you’ve got to dig deeper.

Tucked in unassuming strip malls, in reimagined spaces, and without much advertising, exists a wealth of flavor, delight, and wonder. Chef-driven spots pushing the culinary envelope can claim a month’s dining out budget, but they don’t have to. Employer discount programs offer more than big-name discounts – local, hot-ticket offers are all part of the package.

Blend your thirst for hyper-local offers and your prudent budgeting skills with Working Advantage perks. Scour your local culinary post for new openings, hints for the top dishes at established favorites, and make your list.

With local offers, you don’t have to skip the fun of dining out. On average, households spend about $3,000 annually on restaurants. With your employee discounts, you can save up to 20% on dining out, making it easier to enjoy more.

2. Elicit Surprise, Quirky Fun, and Nostalgia

The best things you’ll find aren’t copy-paste major companies; the best things are unique and surprising. Find your “weird” at a local costume store, dive deep into subcultures at the gaming emporium, or scour for oddities.

Employee discount programs connect you with offers large and small, encouraging you to step outside your comfort zone. Discounted rates and savings for experiences like concerts and admission can be valued as high as 80%, making trying something new easy.

Smaller venues featuring local artists need new fans to fill the house. Get bonus tickets, upgraded experiences, and multi-show packages using your financial perks.

Elevate your night on the town with music, a show, or an immersive experience you’ve never considered. With so many discounts, broadening your horizon in your own town helps you make the most of nights and weekends.

3. Discover the Great Perks of New Neighborhoods and Cultural Hubs

You might consider yourself a connoisseur of certain cuisines, but know little about their culture. In most cities, cultural hubs and communities are sprinkled throughout. However, if you’re not a part of these communities, you may be missing out on something really special.

Use your workers discount program to explore cuisines you already know and love, and those you might be willing to try. If you love Chinese food, then Thai, Indian, or Himalayan may make for an easy translation of flavors. Many start with a familiar base but feature unique preparations, spices, and nods to their homeland that you can’t miss.

Go beyond the gate that is cuisine and get to know the culture through other retailers. Maximize the convenience of local events and establishments like First Friday art exhibitions, weekend festivals, and specialty grocers to bring your favorites home.

4. Find the Mom and Pop Shops You Never Knew You Needed

Small businesses make the world go round, and they can go unnoticed without the right insider tips and resources. Beyond your social network is the lesser-considered travel guide: your employee perks program.

Browse your discount database for shops that showcase exactly what you need and everything you didn’t realize was out there. Antiques, collectibles, and refurbishing shops play host to history and give new life and purpose to one-of-a-kind pieces.

Find the perfect bar cart to complete your basement hideaway and outfit your den with decor at an antiques store. Better yet, find the matching hardware for an inherited piece or passion project from a shop close to home.

According to Gallup research, benefits and pay are the key reasons people chose to leave their jobs in 2024. It's no surprise that employee benefits directly affect happiness and employee retention. Your workplace discount program has established generous savings and offers exclusively for you at locally owned small business establishments. Broaden your shopping range, try something new, and get to know your neighbors, all while saving more money.

5. Say “Yes” to Adventure, Right in Your Town
   Shopping isn’t the only thing you can do on a dime – you can challenge yourself and learn new skills, too. Get outdoors and go bouldering, or go back in time and try duckpin bowling. The local finds most often have the best twist on fun, satisfaction, and engagement, so skipping them shouldn’t be an option.

Dig deep into history at a micro-museum, most often featuring a locally relevant and celebrated public figure. State museums, war memorials, and history centers offer great value, and discount programs make admission and event pricing a reality.

Small farms featuring you-pick options provide date night and family fun options throughout the seasons. Pick apples, pumpkins, and choose your holiday tree from a local provider with inspiration from your discount portal. With each visit, you’ll strengthen your appreciation for your community and deepen your ties to it without flattening your wallet.

Become a Local Expert Without Breaking the Bank

Your journey to your city may have been inspired by work, romance, or chance, but exploring it can take time. No matter which types of competitive benefits and incentives your workplace offers, be sure to maximize them. It's no secret that company culture--and the productivity, job satisfaction, and work-life balance of employees--are interdependent on both employee engagement and employee experience. Reward yourself outside of work and lean on your employee discount platform to unlock a treasure trove of adventures waiting for you around the corner.

Welcome the opportunity of an open schedule and being able to choose which local offer inspires you on your discount portal. With new offers being added regularly, you’ll never be without something fresh, new, and fun to do.