Getaways: Tips for Traveling Like a Local

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RISMEDIA, August 8, 2008-When you’re visiting a new place, finding the most memorable ways to spend your free time can be a challenge. So, we’ve put together some tips that can enhance your trip and make you feel like a local.

1. Use a GPS system to easily navigate your trip and to find the city’s hidden gems.

2. Check out the city’s official website. There may be guided tours available or a special event that coincides with your visit.

3. Read a local blogger’s page to find insider info on free cultural events, reviews and all sorts of local knowledge.

4. Make a stop at the local coffee shop. “Regulars” can answer your questions and might be willing to share some ideas. And while you’re in there, grab a paper and see if there are any shows or art exhibits scheduled when you’re in town.

5. Take a look at a photo or video sharing website and search the name of the city you’re traveling to. It’s a nice way to visually locate places you’re planning on going to and know where the best picture spots are.

6. Stop by the city’s Chamber of Commerce. They’ll be able to give you operating hours for museums and other attractions, as well as maps, brochures and other useful information to help you plan your day.Whether you’ve got about a minute, an hour or a full day to spend in a new city, there’s always something exciting to do.

Here are some local ideas for a few major cities across the country:

Boston: Boston Public Garden

Bask in Boston’s historic charm with a stroll through the oldest botanical garden in the U.S. Relax beside the pond or check out the famous swan boats, which offer cruises in warmer months.St. Louis: The Meeting of the Waters Fountain at Aloe ParkVoted one of the city’s “favorite works of public art,” the fountain symbolizes the marriage of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Seventeen water spirits, mermaids and fish surround a man and a woman, representing the rivers and smaller waters flowing in.

San Francisco: Tru

In one of San Francisco’s premier spa destinations, treatments include a deep-cleansing oxygen facial, an unforgettable one hour and forty-five minute massage and a skin-rejuvenating “Pair Package” for couples in an intimate Tropical Rainforest Room.

New York: Sotheby’s

This American institution offers ten floors of art, antiques, jewelry and even automobiles to peruse. There’s a diamond collection on the 6th floor and a 10th floor gallery where you can examine items more closely and discuss them with curators.

Miami: Key Biscayne

Pristine beaches and tropical surroundings make it a relaxing scene. There’s Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park to swim, bike and kayak, the 1825 lighthouse, rustic outdoor cafes and dolphin watching at the Miami Seaquarium.San Diego: La JollaJust 15 minutes from San Diego, La Jolla (”jewel” in Spanish) boasts some of California’s finest coastal scenery, and offers beaches, dining, art galleries, golf and more. Take in the view with a stroll along Coast Boulevard or a drive to Mount Soledad.

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