As a Dubliner, I am ashamed to admit I have never visited The Guinness Storehouse, strolled Kilmainham Gaol or taken an open top bus tour of our spectacular city. In fact, I almost cringe as I walk O'Connell Street watching tourists squeal with excitement as they locate the Spire. Like many, I just don't get it. 

As the years pass and my eldest daughter brings home project after project, it is clear to me now that I don't appreciate what I have on right my doorstep.

So this summer, five kids in tow, I'm going to make it our mission to become tourists in our own city, to explore more of its rich heritage and educate myself and my young family on the beautiful capital that it is.

If you feel the same, here's 5 ways to help you to become a tourist in your hometown:

Do your research:
Treat it like you would any other holiday or getaway. What are the most popular tourist attractions in your city? In Dublin, the Guinness Storehouse, Dublin Zoo, the Book of Kells in Trinity College and St. Patricks Cathedral where the most visited paid attractions in 2017. While free attractions such as the National Gallery of Ireland, the National Botanic Gardens and the Science Gallery in Trinity College came out on top in the same year. 

Be money smart when it comes to booking, does the site offer cheaper rates if booked online in advance or maybe there is a discount code floating about in a forum online, do a bit of digging and save where you can. 

The Dublin Pass is a hit with tourists across the world that not many Irish people know about. It's a simple sightseeing card that allows you into various attractions for a one of payment saving you big bucks. The pass grants permission into 30 paid for attractions including Dublin Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour, Epic The Irish Emigration Museum, GPO Witness History Tour, Guinness Storehouse and even Dublin Zoo. Pass prices vary on how many days you choose. 

Go on a guided tour:
We all assume we know everything about the city we live in because, well, we live there but the fact is there is always more to learn. See your hometown through new eyes by taking a tour by foot, bus or even boat. 

Viking Splash Tours is amongst Dublin's top sightseeing tours. Described as an informative, fun-filled and engaging city tour of Dublin by land and water it sounds perfect for families, couples or anyone for that matter.

Other tours include open top hop on hop off bus tours that can cost as little as a tenner and in some cases, kids go free. Most tours start on O'Connell Street and a majority of routes take 90-120 minutes to complete - that's if you don't get off the which is unlikely. 

Go back in history:
When was the last time you were in a museum? It's been almost two years myself and at that, it was for an event. In Dublin, the National Leprechaun Museum, Dublinia and Epic are perfect destinations for families of all ages. A little research and you will find the perfect destination to discover and explore more of the history of your hometown. 

Other educational days out bursting with Irish heritage in Dublin include national monuments sites such as tours of Aras an Uachtarain, Dublin Castle and Farmleigh House and Estate, each offering a cultural historic experience just waiting to be explored. 

Find new food:
I will admit I'm a bugger for visiting the same eateries day in day out, I could honestly have shares in the likes of Eddies and Nandos. However, word on the street is that Chapter One, Brasserie Sixty6 and even Eatyard are cool places to visit in Dublin.

Eatyard is a permanent street food market located on Richmond Street packed with tasty trucks and stalls including vendors such as Box Burger, Wing It and Vish Shop. They also host an array of festivals throughout the year including a beer festival, a crisp festival and in the coming weeks The Great Eatyard Bakeoff will be kicking off. 

Have you any tips to help others become a tourist in your hometown? Be sure to let us know in the comments. 

Kellie Kearney is a Dublin mammy of 4 kids aged 2, 3, 4 and 8 (and she is expecting baby #5 in May). A self-confessed procrastinator and picker-upper of things, Kellie would never turn down a coffee and she loves to travel and share every day true to life moments on Instagram of her expanding family. Follow her daily adventures on Instagram.