ArcGIS StoryMaps is well known for helping professionals blend maps with narrative—but did you know it’s also perfect for personal storytelling? Users everywhere are getting creative, using this tool in unexpected ways. Here are five inspiring ideas for putting StoryMaps to work outside of traditional GIS projects:

1. Share Your Travel Highlights
Turn your vacation photos and geotagged memories into a digital travelogue. Use the map tour feature to walk friends and family through your trip—whether it’s a weekend in the countryside or a cross-country road trip. Add photos, captions, and location pins for an interactive travel journal.

2. Document Outdoor Escapades
Whether it’s hiking, camping, or off-roading, outdoor activities are inherently spatial. StoryMaps lets you combine your route maps with photos, video, and reflections. From trail milestones to rugged landscapes, your next adventure could become a story others will want to follow.

3. Highlight a Hobby You Love
Are you passionate about something unique—like baking, biking, or building model planes? StoryMaps allows you to use image galleries, videos, and even 360° visuals to showcase your hobby in depth. It’s a fantastic platform to explain, demonstrate, and celebrate what you love doing most.

4. Explore Cultural Stories
Tell deeper stories about people, traditions, or communities. Cultural storytelling can shine through with immersive scrolling, media integration, and thoughtful layout design. Whether you’re documenting your town’s history or highlighting a social issue, StoryMaps helps bring these narratives to life.

5. Build a Personal Portfolio
Use StoryMaps as a digital portfolio to showcase your projects, resume, or creative work. Whether you’re launching a book, sharing design samples, or mapping out your career journey, StoryMaps is a clean, visual, and dynamic way to present who you are and what you’ve done.

ArcGIS StoryMaps is more than a GIS tool—it’s a canvas for creativity. Consider using it for a passion project, cultural exploration, or personal milestone. You might just inspire others too!

Disclaimer: This article was originally written by Heidi Daulton and published on Esri.com.