When going to a new place, it’s common for people to take to the internet, look up the “best places to see,” and plan their trip around the tourist spots. However, if you really want to know what it’s like, I recommend going off the beaten path and vacationing like a local.
Some people take vacations to relax while others go to experience a new place or culture. If you are one of the latter, the only way to truly do that is to immerse yourself in the place you’re visiting and live like a local. There is no one better to show you the highlights than someone who lives there and knows exactly where to find the hidden gems from the best cafe for breakfast to the natural wonders only known to the people who call the place home.
Wherever you stay, ask your host (or front desk person) where they love to eat.
Want to know where the best food is? Ask a local! They can tell you all the best places including those little hole-in-the-walls that most people tend to drive right past without seeing. I’ve eaten in places with bars on the windows, a single table in the corner, and had some of the best food around.
One of my favorites was Da Poke Shack in Kona, Hawaii. When we went there in 2014, we asked some locals where the best place to eat was and they all said Da Poke Shack. When we got there, we saw a small shop tucked in the bottom corner of what looked like an apartment building. It had a grass covered awning and 2 picnic tables out front. Walking inside, there was a cold case, menu written on a chalkboard, and a large metal table where a guy was cutting up a freshly caught tuna. It didn’t look like much from the outside or the inside to be honest but damn was it the best poke (pronounced poh-KAY) I’ve ever had and remains the best to this day. In 2015, Andrew Zimmern visited and then in 2017, Anthony Bourdain did. Both wrote about how great it was. These are the types of places the locals will send you to and I always suggest keeping an open mind. Local fare may be different from what you’re used to but that is part of the experience. You can get Pizza Hut at home so be a little adventurous!
Walk
When you drive everywhere, you miss a lot in between. If you’re in an area where it’s safe and accessible, try to walk to the places you need to go. Not only will this get you a bit more exercise but you’ll also find plenty on the way because you’re going more slowly. From restaurants to shops to people, you’ll get a better feel for what it’s like living there.
Ask About Local Spots
Even locals have favorite spots to go with their family or friends. These may be tourist spots, but others may not be. In St. Louis, we always took guests to see the Missouri Botanical Gardens, the Butterfly House, and The Muny if in season. In Wisconsin, one of my favorite places to take guests is to the little town of Cedarburg. We all have our favorite local spots, and most people are more than willing to share them with out-of-towners who ask.
Be Adventurous!
Sometimes vacationing like a local will take you off the beaten path. Assuming it’s safe, enjoy it! In Albuquerque, New Mexico, I found a little rock shop (I love rocks and crystals) that I visited a couple times on the trip. As I got to know the owner, a native American man, he suggested that if I wanted to see more of the area’s natural beauty, I should go out into the desert a bit. He gave me directions which included a dirt road, power lines, goat skulls, and a dead horse. Most people would have turned around, left, and never gone back. I grabbed my husband and we headed out on an adventure. His directions led us to a beautiful spot with lots of natural rock formations and scenery. As he asked, we didn’t take or disturb anything. Just enjoyed it. On the way back, we got lost and ended up in the middle of a native American reservation. We stopped at a small home which had a handwritten sign out front saying there was local pottery for sale and spoke to an older lady who told us about the history there, their art, and way of living. I bought a piece of her horsehair pottery and with her directions, made it back to the city and our hotel. That is a day we will never forget and one that I treasure.
Another such adventure led me into the jungles of Belize to the Belize Zoo. We were on a cruise that stopped in Belize City. In college, I’d had a friend who grew up in Belize and I asked him where I should visit. He told me that if I saw nothing else, that I should see the Belize Zoo. He gave me directions and help on how to hire a cab and what the fare should be. When we stepped off the boat, there was a typical tourist area with a fence all around it. Signs in English said not to leave the area for safety reasons. Still, me and some of my family headed for the gate where cab drivers were shouting where they could take us. I saw one that wasn’t as pushy as the others and spoke with him about how much to get to the zoo. A little haggling and we loaded up in his van. He told us about the country and various things as we drove past through the jungle and cities. When we got to the zoo, we paid for him to come in as well and he was more than happy to tell us all about the wildlife we saw there. On the way back, we had a fun discussion about iguanas and how Americans kept them as pets. In Belize, they are eaten and looked at as a good protein source. The man invited us to come to dinner at his house, promising us some tasty iguana and other local delicacies. Unfortunately, we had to get back to the dock so we didn’t miss the boat but that was another unforgettable trip.
Don’t Forget to See the Places You Want To
Vacationing like a local doesn’t mean giving up seeing the sights you want to see. If you go to St. Louis for example, you need to see the Arch. You won’t find many locals there but it is important to visit nonetheless. The last thing you want is to go home from your vacation feeling like you missed something important. If it’s important to you, see it. Don’t worry about being labeled a tourist (because you are one). Enjoy your trip and try to get as much out of it as possible.
Conclusion:
Traveling like a local is something I’ve enjoyed for years both alone and with family. It’s led to amazing discoveries and created memories that will never be forgotten.
Have you tried these tricks when vacationing? Do you enjoy going to local places or sticking more to the tourist areas? Please share your suggestions or adventures below in the comments.
Kate Nagorny
I’m Kate Nagorny – introvert, writer, photographer, and mom. My life can get a little crazy but through it all, I always look for the good in every situation.
Live light, travel light, spread the light, be the light!
