What is "sense of place" and how is it important to adventures?

“Place” is generally conceived as being “space” imbued with meaning. 

Meanings connected to the location are what makes areas special, giving a location a sense of place. These meanings are created via a combination of geospatial, social, and spiritual worlds. For example, we might associate Paris with the Eiffel tower, or the location of our first kiss with romance, or a war memorial with an attitude of reflection and piety. 

A sense of place is connected by emphasis on personal experience creating the quality of  place and meaning connected with it.

Here are a few ways to connect this meaning in your writing: 

Using language and facts to provoke emotion and connection in a location:

It may take the preamble of a particular emotion to connect readers with its meaning in the location. Using language helps prompt visitors to expect experience. While you are visiting, be mindful of the feelings that make that area special to you and include them in your writing.

Example: The awe inspiring power of the Mississippi moves 175 million tons of cargo down the river a year.

Explaining connections in social, spiritual, historical or geospatial meaning:

Giving readers the information to connect themselves with the place and create their own meanings. Explaining the history of a building, or former occupants of a natural area gives visitors context to connect. Describing the natural history of an area helps visitors connect other areas and the flora and fauna or geologic history.

Example: The Boundary Waters are rich with human history, from the native occupants, to fur traders and French voyageurs using the area as canoe superhighway for goods. Areas such as the Grand Portage (Gichi-onigaming) have been in use for over 2,000 years by Ojibwe natives. 

Creating connections between seasonality and places:

Some activities are implicitly seasonal, but some elements of seasonality are uch more subtle. Connecting with these small details creates a much more tangible sense of place for visitors. 

Example: The Winona Farmers market sells local produce, allowing you to immerse yourself in the seasonal foods produced in the driftless areas, as well as connecting you with the farmers of the area.