I’m the first to admit that I’ve made some pretty silly mistakes while traveling. In my early years, I didn’t explore the alleyways, didn’t talk to the locals (out of fear? out of insecurity for not knowing the language?), and didn’t tread off the beaten path. I’m older and, well, not necessarily wiser, but certainly less naive. So I’ve compiled a list of things that I like to do when I’m in a new city. I’m all for walking and for wandering around. generally there is something prominent – a clock tower, a harbour, a river, a cathedral – that the main town has built up around and if you can find your way back to that then you’ll never be lost!
Here are ten things you must do while traveling!
take public transport
In most major cities in Europe, the metro system is the way to get around. Trains run frequently, both above ground and subway, and they’re generally pretty easy to use. In other places, traveling by bus is the norm. In more remote places, consider trying out the rickshaws, tuk tuks, and dolmus. Public transport is a great way to learn more about the city you’re in! (And it’s cheaper than a car or taxi.)
engage the locals
Engaging the locals can give you some insider knowledge about where you are. I love asking people where they like to go, or what they like to do. You might learn that what you thought would be really cool is actually not worth it, and vice versa.
browse the grocery store
I say it all the time: grocery stores are fascinating places. As a traveler/expat, grocery stores give incredible insight into what is popular food. For example, the chips we get in the states (salt and vinegar, cheddar ranch, etc) are not found in other places. The Brits love their prawn flavoured crisps, while sweet chili crisps are popular in Australia and New Zealand. And then there’s vegemite/marmite. I’ve seen weird barbeque flavours, funky smelling fish, canned … something …, and strange jam flavours. Or, you could find a “Kansas bbq” sauce in Iceland. Always an adventure, grocery shopping.
get out of the main city
This works best if you have a few days to play with, but what I mean is heading into the suburbs. If you hear of a good restaurant that’s not downtown, think about catching a cab and trying it out. My suburb of Wellington was home to one of the city’s best delis and one of the best wine bars. Suburbs tend to be homier, less expensive, and less chaotic. You should also look around for a good day hike and engage with a little nature. In Wellington, the best view is not Mt Victoria like everyone thinks: it’s from the outer greenbelt and the Brooklyn wind turbine.
try the local foods/food truck scene
Ahhhh the local food. street food trucks can be the coolest way to experience the culinary fare that a city offers. I also dare you to get out of your comfort zone by nibbling on the local fare. Sometimes it can be delicious, other times… not so much. James Michener once said, “if you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion, and avoid the people, you might better stay at home,” and that really couldn’t be truer. Here’s a list of weird foods around the world if you’re keen to branch away from the traditional fare of a country.
buy a souvenir – not from a gift shop
Think a hand woven wool blanket from the factory on a tiny Scottish island, a bespoke suit from an Italian shop, handmade jewelry from the artist’s gallery, or a piece of artwork or sculpture. These souvenirs will last longer than a keychain and they’ll be a conversation starter for years to come. I’ve heard stories of people who buy artwork in every place they travel and now have an extensive art collection.
explore off the main roads
There is something so irresistible about an alleyway, in my opinion. Use your best judgment, of course, but following the twisty alleys of a city like Florence can lead to delightful little cafes or local shops. In Wellington and Melbourne, the alleys are some of the best places to go for a good pizza and beer.
eat somewhere that a local recommends to you
Again, don’t rely on just TripAdvisor or the list in your hotel room. Ask the barista where you should go for lunch or stop someone on the street and ask what their favourite restaurant is. I generally avoid the two or three blocks immediately surrounding a tourist attraction (and you should too) and I don’t go into places that are empty at the local dinner time. One of my best meals in Italy was in a tiny restaurant that was packed – with people waiting – at 9:30pm. The food was perfectly home-cooked and the buzz around was all in Italian (and the company was pretty good too.)
experience the nightlife
No adventure into a new city would be complete without spending at least one night out among the crowds. Find out where the bar scene is and pick a bar at random. Exploring some new bars in Wellington one night with Paul, I found one that pours flaming liqueur into a drink. If you are a music lover, find out if there’s a show at a local bar and go. Feel like dancing? Head to the clubs and bounce away to bad 80s music or the top 40 hits.
visit the unusual attractions
Pretty much every town has a museum, even if it’s an unusual one, and most small towns have some weird attraction that draws visitors. Why not stop in? Some of the odder places I have been: a hair museum (Turkey,) a torture museum (Germany,) and an apothecary in an old Dominican friary (Florence.) Here is a list of the world’s 20 weirdest museums, if you’re interested.
what do you do to explore a new city? leave your thoughts in the comments below!
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