Getting off the beaten path is a common and admiral goal while traveling. But let’s face it, due to time constraints it is not always feasible. And the famous touristy stuff is popular for a reason. If not able to really get away, I recommend at least putting one “local” item on your list. While this is not something I am great at doing, when I do, it is often one of my favorite parts of the trip. Here are some examples:
- Visit a local neighborhood. Recently while in Leon we stayed just a few blocks from the Cathedral. All of the restaurants in the square outside our hotel were filled with multi-generational families. Watching them interact and socialize added an extra layer to our trip. Likewise, just blocks from my work in DC, is Pentagon City Row. I often go there after work to meet friends for a drink or dinner. It has great outdoor seating. In the summer there are outdoor movies and in the winter there is an ice rink. And every time I am there, I think what a cool place it would be for a tourist to see “locals” enjoying themselves.
- Consider registering for a race. I’ve done a half marathon and sprint triathlon in three cities while traveling. It definitely added an extra something to my visit. Not only did I get to interact with locals, but I also got to see the city while closed off to tourists and run right downtown as well as neighborhoods I would not have otherwise seen.
- Sports Game, Concert or Movie. Cape Town has lots of summer outdoor movie venues and so I recently bought tickets for one evening while there. I am not much of a sports or concert person but that is also a great option. A note about the sports game – it doesn’t have to be major league or expensive. In fact, it might be more fun if it is the local team or even a school team. Think the equivalent of high school or college football!
- House of Worship. Even, maybe especially, if it is a different faith than yours. You will experience locals gathering together in their own culture and tradition.
- A local park. Here you will see kids with their parents. You see teenagers. Runners. Playgrounds. Lovers. You can grab a cup of coffee and watch people going about their day. Or you can try to join a group playing a game or doing some exercise.
- Community Center. In a smaller town this is where you will find the center of activity. As an example, one of our favorite memories is from when we were visiting Nome Alaska and we stopped at the Community Center on a Thursday night and played Bingo.
- Local Festival. In the US this might be a state fair, in England it might be the local Guy Fawkes celebration or in Japan it might be a small town’s Tanabata festival.
- Grocery Store. Not only might this save you money on meals and snacks, you will get a great feel for what people eat, prices, and community living.
None of these activities will take more than 1 to 3 hours. Most are free or realitively inexpensive. They can all be done wherever you are. And most importantly, they will get out of the tourist locations and put you into the everyday life of those who live in the area. This is a short list. There are probably dozens of more options. Think about your own town, city and community. What do you do? Where do you go?
Life Kinetic Travel Research 