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25 Great Ways to Explore a New Destination

Get a good start on your next adventure with tips on transportation, communication and dining


spinner image Gif of top of globe with woman standing on it holding duffel bag, looking down at globe
Sam Island

For travel lovers, there’s nothing like touching down in a new destination. And our guide will help you hit the ground running, with tips on navigating public transportation, communicating in a new language and finding the right spots to dine (and not to dine).  Cue the wanderlust with our 25 great ways to help you learn a new area — and don’t forget to share your own insider travel tips in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

1. Research cultural nuances

Every destination is unique, and this distinctiveness goes well beyond the main attractions, architecture or dishes. “It’s important that you understand the cultural nuances and norms of the place you’re going to,” says Stacey Ray, founder and CEO of female group tour company Sisterhood Travels, noting this even applies to states within the U.S. “Know what the local laws are, if there are travel advisories or health-related precautions, or political or civil unrest on the horizon.” Other important insights include tipping expectations; while service workers in some places, like the U.S., expect tips, others don’t — and some, such as in Japan, can see tipping as an insult. Where do you gain this important knowledge? Read guidebooks, ask a travel agent, follow social media and news accounts from your destination, or contact the tourism bureau.

2. Track local travel blogs

Travel magazines are great for inspiration, and guidebooks can provide the nuts-and-bolts logistics, but Ray suggests adding local or expat-run blogs to the mix to find newsworthy specifics about a destination, such as new restaurants or lesser-known events or festivals. You may even find a new friend! “Even if you’re not planning to be an expat there, they know what’s going on, and they can give you an authentic and honest opinion on all kinds of topics,” she says. To find them, head to your favorite search engine and type in your destination and “local” or “expat” blog. Social media sites, including Pinterest, Instagram or YouTube, are a great place to search for local blogs and vlogs, too. Examples of these location-specific blogs include the Everyday Parisian in Paris, Secret NYC for New York City and A Lady in London for London.

3. Mix and mingle in cafés

Sure, you can find a familiar chain, but if you want to get to know a destination — and, more specifically, its people — head to the local coffee shop or café, Ray says. “When you go to cafés, especially if you go every day, you will not only get to meet locals, but you will get to meet the servers who can end up being valuable resources and friends because they can connect you with anyone,” she says, noting that a coffee shop can also be safer for solo travelers than, say, a bar. Barbara Weibel, travel writer, photographer, videographer, longtime expat and owner of the blog Hole in the Donut Cultural Travel, also swears by coffee shops as a way to meet people. “I find it easy to strike up conversations with fellow coffee addicts, who love sharing tips about their city,” she says.

4. Shop in a grocery store or market

Few venues let you soak up the true flavor and way of life of a destination like a grocery store — a place Ray often finds herself in while traveling. “I find it fascinating to see how they package their foods,” says Ray, noting that learning how to integrate into these everyday experiences can feel like a master class in cultural immersion. “[Many places] have a different way of checking you out. … it can be a super fun way to learn about your destination.” In addition to the grocery store, head to the farmers markets to support local sellers and learn more about your destination, Ray says. “A lot of places, you can just pick up a pinch of a spice and just talk to the merchants.”

spinner image Illustration of man sitting on top of red double decker bus with suitcase
Taking public transportation can be a great way to learn the cultural nuances of an area.
Sam Island

5. Ride public transportation like a pro

In major cities, be it Madrid, Beijing or London, public transportation is like a cultural lesson in and of itself. While riding the metro or bus system, you’ll pick up on the style, cultural nuances and overall vibe of a city. What’s more, by taking public transit, you can start feeling like a local yourself — but it does take a bit of know-how. To go in with a leg up, do some pre-trip navigation research. “Download [the destination’s] public transit apps and study them to see how often things run, where they go, if you have to make connections and changes,” says Ray, noting it’s also wise to watch other riders. “See how they’re paying for their rides, validating tickets and moving through stations.” When in doubt, ask a fellow rider or station worker, instead of getting on the wrong train.

6. Enjoy everyday experiences

If you have some extra time on your trip, or really want to get a feel for life as a local, actually live like a local. That means going beyond the bucket-list sights and tourist attractions, and instead booking everyday services you’d partake of back home. “I get a haircut at my travel destinations,” says Yoko Matsubara, a Japan-based tour guide for outfitter G Adventures. “It’s a great way to get recommendations from the town’s young adults who are hairdressers.” Other examples to witness life like a local include getting a manicure or pedicure, spending the day at a coworking space to experience office culture, or heading to the theater.

7. Find special-interest groups

One of the best ways to feel at home in a new city is to find people with similar hobbies. To do that, Matsubara recommends following your passions on the road just like you would at home. “Follow your specific interests,” she says. “I enjoy attending local sporting and music events and food festivals. It’s a fun way to meet locals or fellow travelers [with] a common interest; it provides good material for conversation.” For Matsubara, meeting new friends often comes with a side of salsa dancing: “I love salsa music and have met people from all around the world just through salsa dancing.” Ray also recommends looking for niche interest tours. “I love street art and graffiti,” she says. “In all the big cities, and some smaller ones, you can take those tours and sometimes even meet the graffiti artists.” If eats are more your thing, take a food tour. And for those who love all things haunted, try a ghost tour — a niche adventure that’s available in many cities.

8. Use translation apps

Another way to navigate a new city, and new language, while you’re exploring: Use a translation tool. Matsubara suggests downloading an app such as Google Lens, Scan & Translate, or the Talkao CAM Translator. “If you didn’t have time to pick up a few phrases, point your cellphone and use Google Lens to translate into the local language,” Matsubara says. “Use that both for practical reasons as well as an instant conversation starter with locals. Some AI translations are hilarious.” This kind of translation can also inform your language learning, helping you pick up words you didn’t recognize but may want to use in the future, such as lesser-known menu items.

9. Explore lesser-known spots 

Wandering is among the best ways to learn a new place, but it’s hard to aimlessly explore with a packed itinerary. Build in downtime days, especially in the beginning of your trip, so you can stroll and take the side streets without cumbersome time constraints, Weibel says. “I love to walk aimlessly and investigate interesting shops, markets and parks, and, in the process, meet local people,” she says. “It also helps for my first day to be a down day, with no plans or schedule, in order to acclimate to a new time zone, language, food and customs.” And even if you are a fan of fun-filled itineraries, you can still win by having an itinerary that allots for spontaneous time windows, too. “While I believe in a well-planned itinerary, you have to build in free time to enjoy opportunities as they present themselves,” Kent says. “Always keep yourself open to unscheduled possibilities.”

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It's a wise idea to start your trip with some local cash in your pocket.
Sam Island

10. Calculate — and come prepared with — local currency

Some exchange rates are simple; others require serious mental math. Mobile apps like CalConvert, Xe Currency Converter and Elk Currency Converter will help you calculate the price of an item in a pinch. Additionally, start your trip with some local cash in your pocket, so you can hit the ground running, says Ray. To do this, she recommends reaching out to your home bank to order local currency, which you can either pick up in person or, in some cases, have shipped to you. (This is often significantly less expensive than using currency exchange counters upon arrival in the airport.) Once you’re familiar with your new destination, you can refill your currency at an ATM — aim for an ATM in a bank, as this tends to be safer than using ATMs in grocery stores and malls. To ensure you don’t rack up fees while withdrawing cash, invest in a travel-friendly debit card with no international ATM fees, available through banks like Capital One, Charles Schwab Revolut and Wise.

11. Download maps

Don’t rely on cell service to get around. Download your map apps offline to ensure you can navigate your new city — especially during those side-street wanders — even when you’re out of range. Map apps that offer this service include Google Maps, MAPS.ME and Navmii. Another good idea: Bring a paper map, which you can often find at your hotel or the visitor center, Ray says. This is an easy way to have a backup in case your cellphone battery runs out — and, on that note, it’s always smart to pack a portable charger and phone cord just in case.

 12. Try a hop-on, hop-off bus

One of the quickest and least expensive ways to see city highlights, and understand the geography of an area, is aboard a hop-on, hop-off bus. Weibel suggests adding this activity to the beginning of your trip — and she uses the mode of transit strategically. “I never use them to get from place to place; their schedules for pickup and drop-off waste too much time,” she says. “At the beginning of my trip, I ride the full route without getting off and listening to the audio explanation. This gives me a good overview of the city and some idea of neighborhoods and sites that interest me the most.” Ray swears by these buses, too. “You get a lay of the land, you see what’s what, and you can even smell the food aromas,” she says, noting that equally important as seeing the hot spots is taking note of “the areas you want to avoid.”

 13. Book a private tour

To explore your interest areas, learn the culture, build a connection on the ground and support the tourism economy, book a private tour. Even better if it’s early on in your trip. “I always recommend taking guided walking tours,” Ray says. This is a great place to ask an expert about the cultural nuances and current events — the ones you may not read about in guidebooks. How do you find these truly local guides? Weibel suggests Tours by Locals and also Context. “Their guides are also locals, but they tend to concentrate on a specific area of expertise,” she says. Another option, Withlocals, provides local-led tours, including family-friendly options for multi-gen trips.

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Take time to study the local language and learn basic phrases to help you communicate during your trip.
Sam Island

14. Learn common phrases

Knowing the language can help you immensely when it comes to exploring a new area, says Geoffrey Kent, founder of luxury travel outfitter Abercrombie & Kent. “Try to learn a little of the local language,” he says. “This effort can go a long way in opening the door to meeting local people.” Of course, learning an entirely new language before your next trip may seem downright impossible. Fear not; Matsubara has some advice. “Learn a few basic phrases on apps like Duolingo,” she says. Other options include Babbel or Rosetta Stone, which both have mobile apps for studying on the go. “Make an effort to speak the local language, even if it’s just basic greetings.” If you want to go deeper with your language learning, Ray also suggests in-person language classes in your destination, which can be more immersive and a great way to meet fellow travelers, as well as residents if you work with a language partner.

15. Keep track of the best bites

The more you meet people, from tour guides to hairstylists, the more your list of recommended restaurants grows. How do you keep track of it all? Turn to your smartphone. Apps such as Beli, Truffle and Mapstr are designed specifically to help you track restaurants you want to try. If you prefer the paper route, keep a small “local recommendation” notebook with you at all times. While tourist review sites can help you uncover traveler-favorite restaurants, also consider foodie-specific apps. “Lately I’ve also been relying on The Michelin [Guide] app, which not only lists the expensive star-rated restaurants, but now suggests restaurants that do not have stars but are highly recommended,” Weibel says. Another way to determine a truly authentic and delicious food spot? Eat like the locals. To do this, Matsubara says, watch where residents congregate. “Don’t be discouraged by the hole-in-the-wall appearance of the restaurant; follow the lines of locals standing outside,” she says. “There’s a good chance that the place serves really good food.”

16. Peruse social media for insider spots

Social media isn’t solely for photos and videos from your vacations. These platforms can also double as research tools to learn cultural norms, the local fashion style and lesser-known activities to try. “I’m a big fan of Instagram, and am always scrolling for new and interesting places to explore,” Kent says. While Instagram is one of the most beloved online spots for travel-tip sharing, other platforms to explore include TikTok and even Pinterest; the latter is a great way to find blogs and blog posts.

17. Use exercise to lead your exploration

Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore; when you travel, it can actually help you learn more about a destination, too. Use fitness as a form of sightseeing by walking a loop around the park or running the jogging paths by famous sights. To use exercise as a way to meet new, like-minded fitness friends, hit a park’s tennis courts for a match, or join a running club’s group run. If you need to get in those weight reps, check out a gym. Like grocery shopping, this everyday activity can help you learn more about the destination’s culture and way of life. Platforms like TrainAway offer gym day passes, while many Planet Fitness gyms offer one-day passes. If you’re more into yoga, head to a studio for an in-person class. “The first thing I do is change into my gym clothes and go to the gym for a minimum of a 1½-hour workout,” Kent says.

18. Stay local

Instead of booking a large hotel, try a bed-and-breakfast or spend a night in a vacation rental with hosts. “The owners and staff of these types of accommodations are much more well-versed about the best things to see and do,” Weibel says. “Especially the lesser-known undiscovered gems that aren’t well-known by tourists. Alternatively, they are happy to recommend which sites are tourist traps and should be avoided at all cost.” If you do go the private vacation rental route, Ray says it’s important to look at reviews. “Don’t go for cheap because you get what you pay for,” she says. “If they don’t have any reviews, I would walk away immediately.”

spinner image Illustration of woman sitting at table reading newspaper; cup of coffee in front of her
Reading the local paper will update you on the area's news and provide conversation topics you can reference while on your trip.
Sam Island

19. Read the newspaper

You can also learn about the destination you’re visiting by either subscribing to or buying a copy of the local newspaper, depending on the duration of the visit. And, if you can’t read the language, use this as a language-learning (and friendship-building) option. “If you have made a friend who’s local — and that’s easy to do at cafés — they can help you translate” the paper, Ray says. This is also a great way to ask an expert for background on what’s happening. In addition to knowing the news and any safety issues, the paper will spotlight events and exciting conversation topics to reference throughout your trip.

20. Stop by the visitor center

The tourist visitor center is a lesser-known venue to pick up expert insights, activity ideas and even maps for free. “I check the tourism visitor center for event notices, as some of them don’t go on websites or social sites,” says Matsubara. This central gathering spot is also a great place to ask any lingering destination questions, such as how much to tip, best practices for public transportation or safe places to withdraw cash.

21. When in doubt, ask for help

Another way to answer those lingering questions, such as, “Is this bus going to Grand Central Station?”: Simply ask. While approaching a stranger can feel intimidating, many locals actually do want to help travelers, and it could lead to more in-depth conversations and recommendations. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” Matsubara says. “People are often eager to help travelers, whether it’s directions or recommendations. This can sometimes lead to more in-depth conversations about local attractions and hidden gems, or eventual friendship.”

 22. Step outside your comfort zone

It may be tempting to look for your favorite activities in a new destination, but let the excitement and newness of travel inspire you to try something you wouldn’t back home — be it a dancing class or a cooking class. “Be curious and keep your mind open,” Matsubara says. This will help you meet people, and perhaps meet a new side of yourself. Even better: You likely won’t know the fellow activity participants, and may never see them again, so you can let go of that never-ending desire to impress. “Try a new thing at least once,” Matsubara says. “If you do, you may find a new favorite food or hobby, and if you didn’t like it, at least you know what to avoid the next time, so it’s still a great learning experience.”

 23. Keep aware of your surroundings

Sure, you want to fit in, but don’t let this get in the way of your safety. That means taking out your headphones while walking, carrying your wallet in a safe spot and trusting your gut. “Make sure that you keep [belongings] in front of you. Never stick your wallet or passport in your back pocket,” Ray says. “I would never suggest that a woman go anywhere in the dark walking, no matter how safe the neighborhood seems.” She also suggests registering with the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program before your trip. “I recommend that for everyone who’s leaving the country,” Ray says. This free program lets U.S. citizens and nationals who are either globe-trotting or living overseas log their trip with the nearest embassy or consulate. In turn, the embassy will share safety updates, contact you in an emergency, and help friends or family contact you if an emergency does arise.

24. Take day trips from a home base

It’s tempting to book a few days in one place, then a few days in another, and a handful in another, but you can really learn your destination and make it feel like home by, well, treating it like home. That means staying in one place — your home base — then booking day trips from the destination. This will help you understand not just the nuances of the city you’re visiting, but also how it differs from and compares to the areas around it. It’s also a chance to check out new parts of the public transportation system. If you’d rather learn the ins and outs of a new destination, and have uninterrupted car time for questions with an expert, book a day trip tour with a private guide that includes car transit to and from your home-base accommodation.

25. Lend a hand

Don’t just explore a new area — give back to it. Join a volunteer project, from a one-day stint to a multi-week program. Ray suggests looking at community organizations to find volunteer options. Alternatively, some destinations have programs specifically dedicated to helping tourists give back. In Hawai‘i, for example, the Mālama Hawai‘i dashboard links travelers with nonprofits seeking on-the-ground support. In Scotland, travelers can participate in rewilding efforts at the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre outside Inverness. Or try a beach cleanup in your new home away from home; organizations like Ocean Conservancy host cleanups around the world — providing a great opportunity to explore waterways while meeting the people who reside nearby.

 

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