25 Great Ways to Explore a New Destination

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.”

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.”