Whether it’s finding things to do in Sao Paolo, things to do in Rochester, or things to do in Cleveland, it’s important to have a general plan in mind.
Whenever you are in a new city as a tourist, it’s best to experience it properly.
If you have a good amount of time in the city, you can be more leisurely with your planning. For those who are spending less than a week in any city, you are going to have to strategize as best as you can.
We have ample experience doing this and will shed light on what we tend to do in situations such as these.
Here are the best things to do in a city as a tourist.
Top Things To Do In A City
Go To A Local Bar
We would start with a local bar or two.
If you are someone who drinks alcohol then this is one of the best ways to speak to the locals and learn more about their culture. Bars tend to welcome people from all walks of life and you are going to get a better gist of how the local culture is.
Plus, you are going to get to experience the local drinking culture, which adds to the entertainment factor while you are drinking too.
We have had some of our favorite moments at local bars and do recommend this for those who consume a drink or two on a trip.
Visit The Parks
Local parks are always a great place to experience the natural beauty of an area.
Depending on the time of year, if you go in the summer, you are going to want to pick out a nice park in the city and just have a picnic.
This is going to let you people-watch and just experience the natural aura of a place in the city.
Go On An Audio Tour
An audio tour is one of those modern options you are going to want to consider because it can be a unique way of taking in the lay of the land.
There are apps online that are not available for those who want audio tours.
When we were in London, we took the time to make use of one of these apps and that gave us so much information about London based on where we were.
Visit The Local Markets
Where do the locals go when it’s time to shop a bit?
They are going to head straight to a local market and that’s what you are going to want to do as well. Local markets will bring people from all walks of life and you are also going to get a taste of the fresh food being sold there.
It’s often a great vibe and a lot of fun.
Visit The Religious Sights
A lot of major cities will have religious backgrounds and ample religious structures that add to the atmosphere of the location.
For example, whenever we go to a city such as Istanbul, we take the time to check out the mosques. The experience can be refreshing and it’s a great way to learn more about the local history.
It doesn’t matter where you are, we do recommend seeing if you can check out these religious structures whether they are mosques, temples, or cathedrals.
Take Part In The Local Festivals
Local festivals are always great fun.
If you go to a place such as Brazil or Spain, you are often going to see local festivals being hosted in the city centers.
This is where you are going to want to go.
People will be looking to have fun and you can join in. There is no better way to have a bit of fun and explore the region at the same time.
These festivals are a great way to experience a city and also meet locals.
Try Local Eateries
Just like we gave the tip of going to a local bar when in a new city, we believe it’s important to check out multiple restaurants too.
You will want to get a taste of the local cuisine and just experience the ambiance of being in one of their successful eateries.
Please note that you do want to do your homework and go to a quality local restaurant. This is how you are going to enjoy your time there and the food is going to be great too!
Go To One Of The Libraries
This is one of the underrated tips that you are not going to think of as much as you should.
Going to a local library is a wonderful idea.
The local library is going to let you explore the region’s architecture and also walk around looking at different books. It can be a nice break from being outdoors all the time or in busier areas of the city.
Go To The Malls
Just like going to the library is a wonderful idea, we also recommend another indoor experience in the form of a shopping mall.
Each city is going to have a selection of quality shopping malls or shops.
You will want to go to these malls and just walk around. It doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money, you are more than fine walking around appreciating the general vibe of the shop. This is how you are going to have a wonderful time and it’s going to be in line with your needs as a tourist.
Take Walking Tours
Audio tours are good, but sometimes all you are going to want to do is take a walking tour.
This is going to be with a guidebook where you can take a walking tour of a specific part of the city. We love this experience and you can even get a guide to walk with you in specific areas.
Take advantage of this because it’s fun and you are going to learn a lot.
Explore The Local Galleries
Most major cities are going to have world-class art galleries.
These are galleries that are going to have shows, exhibits, and a lot more on offer. Go to one of these galleries and sift through their collection when you have the time to do so.
You are going to enjoy doing this depending on the gallery you are visiting.
Final Thoughts
These are the best things to do in a city on a trip.
We also have taken the time to talk about things to do in Richmond and things to do in Leavenworth.
Amanda Harper is a travel enthusiast with 10+ years of traveling experience across the planet. Her passion for writing and travel makes her a walking bibliography on modern-day tourism.