It is hard to imagine visiting San Francisco for the first time and skipping the striking sight of the Golden Gate Bridge, or walking the streets of Rome and not stopping by the majestic Trevi Fountain. Renowned structures have earned their status because they exemplify the remarkable creativity, imagination and skill of their creators. Without these landmarks, the cities they are located in would not stand out, nor would they have entered our travel conscience.
However, urban destinations are filled with entertainment options and lower-key spots that are known to and appreciated by residents, but not necessarily on a visitor’s radar. Discovering them may provide travelers with an insight into the city’s daily life, create a greater connection to the place, and make their trip even more memorable.
Here are a few things to do that will allow you to take a deeper look at the city you are visiting. Each can be easily incorporated into your travel itinerary.
Visiting various neighborhoods
- Popular areas where residents spend their free time tend to have plentiful entertainment and dining options, at times cheaper, more authentic and more diverse in comparison with tourist-oriented downtown spots.
- Many cities can be best explored on foot. Guidebooks often feature ideas for walking tours, and some cities have complimentary greeter programs that pair you up with a knowledgeable volunteer guide. But if you do research or simply buy a map and use it as your guide, you can create your own route and explore at a desired pace. When you go outside of well-known areas, you might stumble upon an unusual shop, an interesting building, witness a street performance, or find a park to relax in. Make sure to check with reliable online sources or with locals to find out if there are any unsafe areas you should avoid.
- Some places have very efficient public transportation systems. Taking a train, streetcar or trolleybus may not only be helpful when you are tired from walking, but makes for a fun activity in itself.
Attending a sporting event
- If you are a sports enthusiast and find yourself in a city or country passionate about its teams, you may enjoy going to a game. It will give you a chance to watch team stars in action and see how your usual game-day experience compares to the way things are done in other places, including food and customs.
- Even if you are not a fan of a particular sport, you might still want to catch a game to find out why it appeals to locals. Their energy may prove infectious and make the event worthwhile for you.
- Depending on where you are, wearing your home or favorite team’s jersey may lead to insightful conversations with other sports fans, or result in playful verbal exchanges. However, in certain places where supporters are extremely ardent, it may be wisest to wear neutral gear to avoid a potential risk of heated debates and, in extreme cases, violence. Upon buying a ticket, do not hesitate to ask ticket sales or customer service representatives where it is safest for visiting spectators to sit.
- If you cannot make it to a stadium, another way to enjoy local sports is to attend watch parties held at bars. For big events, such as the World Cup or Super Bowl, large-scale events may be held as well.
Seeing a performance
- Local theater companies often produce new and original work. You may be able to catch a world premiere and, especially at smaller theaters, chat with actors and other audience members during post-show discussions.
- Bars, music venues and festivals provide an excellent opportunity to hear artists you might otherwise not come across. CD’s are likely to be sold after shows and can make for great souvenirs or gifts.
- Concerts and dance performances are practical ways to spend an evening filled with art if you are in a foreign country and do not know the language enough to watch a movie or see a play.
- Other ideas: comedy club, musical theater
Finding books by local authors
- Just like CD’s, books make practical souvenirs and will remind you of your trip long after it is over. Local writers can offer an insider’s look at the city you are visiting, and some of their work might be hard to find elsewhere. Some bookstores may host book readings and signings, giving you a chance to meet authors.
Hanging out at a coffee shop or brewpub
- If you need to slow down and take a break from sightseeing, you may opt for a quiet coffee shop where you won’t feel rushed, but instead sip coffee out of china cups, read a book or watch as people go about their day.
- Independent coffee shops often have exceptional ambiance and carry unique selections of coffees, teas, pastries and sandwiches. And some cities, such as Paris, Rome and Vienna, are famous for their coffee and have well-established cafe cultures. You can ask locals for their recommendations, or try historic coffee shops that used to be hangouts of famous writers and thinkers.
- Beer lovers may delight in discovering one-of -a-kind craft beers or micro brews at local brewpubs. Tours might also be available.
Taking a cooking class
- When you travel to destinations where regional cuisine differs from your own, you may benefit from taking a cooking class and learning about the history of local ingredients and dishes. Classes are an opportunity to share a meal with locals and like-minded travelers, and if recipes are provided to participants, you will be able to prepare the same authentic feast after your trip.
Shopping at a Farmers Market
- Another way to taste local foods is to join chefs and food lovers at a farmers market. While supporting organic, sustainable farming and food manufacturing, you can get fresh pastries, breads, and coffee for a breakfast picnic, or buy natural preserves, cooking oils and beauty products to bring home.
One way to prepare for your trip is by browsing popular online entertainment portals such as Metromix, Time Out or City Search, or travel guides, e.g. Trip Advisor. If you travel internationally, you may start your search on What’s On When. Social media sites, e.g. Twitter and Facebook, offer another avenue to connect with residents and receive insider tips and quality recommendations. After you’ve arrived at your destination, look for event listings in local daily papers and free weeklies available at coffee shops, bookstores, bars and bus stops. And when you happen to talk to locals, ask them what they like to do in the city, what their favorite spots are, and if they know of any upcoming events.
By adding lesser-known places to your trip plan, and participating in activities that locals are likely to engage in, you can create a balanced, more thorough travel experience. And when your journey is over, perhaps you will long to return to the city you just visited not only to see its notable buildings, but to sit down in an outdoor cafe, watch street life, and indulge in a steamy espresso.
When I visit a new place, I always try to catch a local performance since I think that pretty much captures the culture of the people in that area. I also love to explore and just immerse myself – and probably try to get lost too – in the place that I’m in because I really love to be able to know as much as I can about the place. Usually though, I end up not being able to immerse as much as we’re running after the time and all that. Hopefully, next time, I’d be able to join trips that are have less time constraints or just go backpacking. :)
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You’re right – sometimes there’s lots of running around. And you’d think vacation means relaxation… ;-) Performances are great and I find myself more receptive to various types of music – something I normally wouldn’t listen to – on the road. E.g. I didn’t realize I could have any interest in honky-tonk until I visited Nashville.
I agree about getting lost too – it often results in great discoveries. :)
Thanks for commenting.
One of my go-to places were the Student districts and Universities. Its great for finding young people, amazing historical architecture that’s often overlooked, cheaper meals and drinks, a vibrant library and free internet access. For the most part Universities are welcoming and free. The bulletin boards are also quite handy for events and social clubs.
Whilst it might have broad appeal, I feel its best done when you’re younger so as to not stand out too much as you roam through the halls. I still don’t know if I’m getting too old for it. Hopefully I’ll never reach that point.
Loz in Transit (college life) recently posted..Comedian Pete Holmes on adjacent experiences: Conversations relating to Travel, dreams and life
This is a great piece of advice! There are a lot of cities with large student populations and designated campus areas where food and accommodation are often cheaper. I see it working great for backpackers or traveling students, but I agree that other groups could benefit from that too. Thanks for stopping by!
couldn’t agree more!! we always love seeing the musts, but whenever we look back on trips, our favorite parts are usually whenever we were strolling around a new neighborhood and experiencing something “local.”
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The “mix and match” approach seems to work well for me, and I believe that it can give travelers a well-rounded understanding of a destination. I agree about strolling around neighborhoods – it’s good exercise plus chances are you’ll stumble upon something interesting. :)
I SO agree with catching a sports event. Whether you watch a game at the stadium or even in the local brew pub… it is a great way to meet locals and understand the city. I always look to see what teams might be in town when I am traveling.
stay adventurous, Craig
Craig Zabransky recently posted..Sunset Sunday – Sunset at Keystone Resort, Colorado
High five, Craig! :) Sporting events are among my favorite travel activities and I have great memories from such outings. An added bonus from watching games at pubs and meeting locals is that you can ask for dining/event recommendations.
Great list…I’m heading to San Francisco in a couple weeks, and I look forward to doing most of these. Especially the local coffee house/pub:)
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Have fun in SF, Deej! It’s such a great city… Speaking of coffee shops there, I liked Four Barrel Coffee in the Mission on Valencia St. It was a a really good recommendation from folks at a coffee shop in… Chicago. :)
I agree with the Hanging out at a coffee shop or brewpub of course. You never know who you might strike up a conversation with over some great java. Always make sure to check out a Farmers Market. Can get a feel for the fruits/vegetables that can grow in the area and learn about some of the local businesses.
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You’re absolutely right about farmers’ markets – they’re great places for breakfast or lunch, sometimes you can pick up a souvenir, and the fun part is talking to farmers/vendors about their work and the local area.
I am so not surprised you agree about coffee shops… ;-)
Being from Seattle we are HUGE coffee addicts. Coffee shops are usually our first stop when visiting someplace new. We’ve always wanted to try a cooking class though. Thanks for the great list!
I’m glad to see more coffee people here. :) Going to coffee shops is a great way not only to try a local spot, but also a great way to relax during a trip, take a break and just watch what’s happening around. And they’re great places to pick up local event listings.
Pola, love this post. In Paris, I have been known to take the metro to the last stop in the line just to see an area away from tourist central. I am not saying every endpoint is a “find” but gives a better understanding of the city! I had not thought about local books when I go to destinations where I speak the language, though I usually try to get a CD of some popular musical group. Finally, I have only done one cooking class (in Paris aussi!) and it was a neat.
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Raul – you know that I can just picture myself hopping on the metro and doing the same… We are so on the same page here! Thanks for the idea for next time. :) Aah, a cooking class in Paris – that must have been great. I’ve done a French cooking class here in Chicago at a place run by Frenchman and it was wonderful. The best part is keeping the recipes and trying to make the meals again at home.
So true! I love the advice you give. Places like coffee shops and farmer’s markets are great places to see what your destination is really like. I love going off-the-beaten-path! Actually, my favorite place to visit in every place I visit is the super market. I could spend hours there, especially in other countries.
Actually, the fact that I had a friend living in Chicago made all the difference in my visit there. I saw NONE of the tourist spots, but had the most amazing time seeing what Chicago life is really like. :)
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Supermarkets are indeed great, Erin! It’s amazing how much you can learn about a culture by going to a store. I’m happy to hear about your stay in Chicago – and curious to know which neighborhoods you got to see. :)
OOOO i LOVE this post! so many things on your list are things i love to do in a destination. brew pub, farmers market, books by local authors = all things Lola loves!! we’d make awesome traveling companions Ms. Pola ;)
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Oh yes, Lola & Pola would have a great time traveling together! No doubt about that. :)
Brewpubs and coffeeshops in local neighborhoods are some of my absolute favorite ways to experience cities – I’m glad you included them on your list. Nice summary!
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Thanks, John! There’s definitely lots of fun to be had in those places. :)
This is so spot-on! I love it and I totally agree. It may be hard to employ some of these tips on a first-time visit to some cities, like Rome, because there are so many “big” sights to see, but I’m of the belief that it’s good enough reason for a return trip :-) Excellent job, Pola!
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You’re right about there being so much to see and do in Rome! I think one needs a lifetime to really explore the city… I have yet to see a game there, but I definitely got coffee shops crossed off my list. :)
I’ve done each of the things you’ve suggested on various trips. I especially like the farmer’s market idea. I went to one in San Fran and had a ball. Great advice, Pola.
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Thanks, Leah! I went to a really good farmers’ market in SF too – the one at the fort. That city knows how to do them!
This is a great tip for those visiting Chicago, but definitely apply to all cities world wide. Great article and very well written.
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Thanks, Ted! You can definitely do all these things in Chicago staycation-style. :) I’m always on the lookout for new hangouts and books stores around the city, and one of my favorite neighborhoods to watch and explore here is Logan Square.
I agree about everything, especially walking around town.
I should try taking a cooking class though, that sounds like a good idea! Thanks!
Hi Tamara and thanks for the comment! I recently took a cooking class again when traveling and it was one of the best evenings of the trip. :)