Travel & local shops

Plan a hometown mug road trip, one local shop at a time

A simple checklist for finding community mugs along your route, checking local shops, and leaving room for the places between stops.

By Artist Ashley Ann · · 2 min read

The Kenora / Lake of the Woods mug showing its hand-drawn local artwork
Explore the places in the hometown collection.

Build the route around your actual trip

Start with where you are already going, then look for nearby communities in the mug directory. A mug stop works best as part of a visit you want to make, rather than a long detour to fill a collection. Choose one or two priorities and leave room for a walk, a meal, or time with the people you came to see.

Check the details before leaving

Open each community’s mug page and note the partner shop, address, and directions. Confirm current opening hours, holiday closures, and availability directly with the shop. If your trip crosses between the United States and Canada, plan for the travel requirements and timing that apply to your journey. A nearby-mugs carousel is a browsing aid, not a calculated driving route.

Keep a small shopping list

Record the town, shop, and person you are shopping for. Add a note about what you recognize in the design. If you are choosing for a friend, a shared hometown or family vacation spot can help narrow the decision. Set your own budget before you go, and check current prices with the retailer instead of relying on an old post or a saved screenshot.

Enjoy the place beyond the mug

Use the illustrated details as prompts for what to notice while you are there. You might recognize a building on a walk or spot a familiar landscape. Read the community story for context, but check current visitor information independently for any attraction you want to visit. The mug can remind you of the trip; it does not have to be the whole purpose of it.

Bring it home carefully

Ask the shop to wrap the mug for travel. Keep handles and rims protected, and avoid putting loose ceramic items together in a bag. Before using it, follow the care instructions supplied with that particular product. Save a photo of your stop or a note about the visit so the story stays with the keepsake.

Find a place that means something to you.

Explore the hometown collection and find the local shop for each mug.

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