{"id":7202,"date":"2022-03-22T20:21:12","date_gmt":"2022-03-22T20:21:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog-origin.redweek.com\/blog\/?p=7202"},"modified":"2023-08-30T17:04:06","modified_gmt":"2023-08-30T17:04:06","slug":"travel-like-a-local","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog-origin.redweek.com\/blog\/2022\/03\/22\/travel-like-a-local\/","title":{"rendered":"RedWeek Hacks: How to Travel Like A Local"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What does it mean to travel like a local? It means that you\u2019re experiencing a destination in a more authentic and less-touristy way. You\u2019re uncovering the hidden gems and insider favorites throughout your trip. You\u2019re getting to know the heart and soul of a place. It\u2019s a rewarding way to go deeper during a vacation. Here are RedWeek\u2019s tips for escaping the ordinary on your next getaway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Learn The Lingo<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No matter where you\u2019re traveling, each destination has its own unique phrases and shorthand. Before your trip, do a little research on how residents refer to different neighborhoods, public transportation, and other quirks of language. Once you know some of the slang, you\u2019ll be able to keep up better with the locals. And of course, if you\u2019re visiting a place where English is not the primary language, it\u2019s a good idea to at least learn the basics of the local language: \u201cThank you,\u201d \u201cPlease,\u201d \u201cGood morning,\u201d etc. If you want to get even more ambitious, download a language app like Freestyle Languages<\/a> for a crash course. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Use Public Transportation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Public transportation isn\u2019t just a budget-friendly travel option. It\u2019s also an ideal way to explore a destination \u2014 and some destinations are simply easier to explore via bus, subway and light rail, often getting travelers to places that are less accessible by car. While you\u2019re on your way you\u2019ll be able to enjoy the scenery, rather than worry about traffic and following directions in a new area. Don\u2019t be intimidated. Public transportation is easier to use than ever. There are many apps that can help you use local transit, including Moovit<\/a> and Citymapper<\/a>. One more bonus: public transportation is more eco-friendly, ensuring that these locales will be available to enjoy for generations to come. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Explore Local Cuisine<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Food & drink is one of the easiest \u2014 and most fun \u2014 to really get to know a destination. Make an effort to get out of your comfort zone. Avoid the familiar chains you know from back home and seek out the cuisine that is unique to the destination, whether it\u2019s Po\u2019 Boys in New Orleans<\/a> or poi in Hawaii<\/a>. You may find your new favorite dish! You\u2019ll also get off the beaten path a bit, discovering unusual spots and mingling with the locals. Wondering where to start? Eater.com offers insight into the culinary worlds of dozens of destinations<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Find The Festivals<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Local festivals can you give an authentic flavor of a destination in one tidy package, from cuisine to music to arts & crafts. Be sure to check the events calendar before you leave for your trip to see what\u2019s happening in your chosen vacation spot while you\u2019re there, from something as straightforward as a farmer\u2019s market to a big outdoor music fest. Soon enough, you\u2019ll be immersing yourself in local culture, all in a fun and welcoming atmosphere. A few upcoming ideas: the Vail Wine Classic<\/a> in Vail, CO<\/a>, the San Diego County Fair<\/a> in San Diego, CA<\/a>, or the Cherry Blossom Festival<\/a> in San Francisco, CA<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Get To Know The Locals<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t be shy! One of the best methods to get to know a place is to get to know the locals. Ask questions, engage in conversation, chat it up! Most people are excited to share their tips for how to experience their hometown, giving you dos and don\u2019ts that you won\u2019t find in any guidebook. Whether you\u2019re talking with your Uber driver, a waiter or waitress or just someone you meet on a hiking trail, you\u2019re sure to pick up some valuable info for the rest of your trip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Go Where The Tourists Aren\u2019t<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOvertourism\u201d has been a buzzword for several years now, with popular attractions being mobbed by tens of thousands of visitors daily. Of course, you\u2019re going to want to check the big names off your bucket list \u2014 who goes to Paris and doesn\u2019t visit the Eiffel Tower, after all? But be sure to seek out those lesser known, more under-the-radar destinations. RedWeek boasts inventory in some spectacular spots that you may not have considered: Gatlinburg, TN<\/a>, Williamsburg, VA<\/a>, and Big Sky, MT<\/a>, among them. Wherever you end up, you\u2019ll be able to do find under-touristed experiences by asking locals one simple question: \u201cWhat\u2019s the best thing to do here that no one else knows about?\u201d<\/em> You\u2019ll get all kinds of answers and in no time be armed with an itinerary that\u2019s packed with hidden gems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Start planning your next trip with RedWeek now.<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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