*Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you book or buy through them. For more information, check out our full disclosure page.

It’s easy to visit a place, check off the famous landmarks, snap a few photos, and leave feeling like you saw it—but did you really experience it?

The best travel moments aren’t always the ones planned down to the last detail. They’re often the moments when you slow down, wander without a strict itinerary, and let yourself be part of the everyday rhythm of a place. Whether it’s striking up a conversation with a local, attending a community event, or getting lost (in the best way) on a side street, these experiences create a much deeper connection than any guidebook recommendation ever could.

So, how can you step off the tourist track and experience a destination more authentically? Here’s how to travel like a local and fully immerse yourself in a destination—without blowing your budget.

1. Take a Local Class or Experience

Some of the best ways to connect with a place are hands-on. Instead of just watching from the outside, join in! A great way to immerse yourself in a destination is to learn from the locals themselves, gaining insight through their skills, stories, and traditions.

When I was in Rome, I took a cooking class with a local Italian couple. We made fresh pasta and tiramisu from scratch, kneading dough by hand and learning the little tricks that you’d never find in a recipe book. It wasn’t just a meal—it was a glimpse into a way of life, a tradition passed down through generations. I walked away not just with a full stomach, but with stories, laughter, and a skill I could take home with me.

These kinds of experiences aren’t just found in big cities—no matter where you’re traveling, you can often find:

Cooking classes featuring regional dishes
Craft or artisan workshops (pottery, weaving, painting)
Dance or music lessons
Wildlife or sustainable farming experiences
Guided nature walks with conservationists who can teach you about the local ecosystem.

It’s a way to take a deeper dive into a culture—not just as a visitor, but as a participant.

Pro Tip: Websites like Airbnb Experiences and Viator have amazing local-run activities that go beyond standard tours.

2. Attend a Community Event or Festival

Sometimes, the best travel memories come from stumbling upon something completely unexpected. That’s exactly what happened when I was in Prince Edward Island for Canada Day. I hadn’t planned for it, but suddenly I was in the middle of a full-blown celebration—eating poutine from a local vendor, watching families gather, and even hopping on carnival rides.

Every destination has its own rhythm of celebrations, traditions, and gatherings—and participating in them is one of the best ways to engage with local culture. Local events are a window into the heart of a place. Whether it’s a neighborhood farmers’ market, a cultural festival, or even a small-town parade, these moments show you how a community comes together. Some ways to find them:

Check local website event pages, community boards, Facebook events – Many cities have websites dedicated to upcoming festivals.
Ask locals – Your Airbnb host, a barista, or even a friendly shop owner might have insider tips on what’s happening that week.
Be open to spontaneous experiences—if you see a gathering, go check it out!

Pro Tip: Many cities have local traditions that fly under the radar of typical tourist guides. In Asheville, join the Friday night drum circle downtown for an unforgettable community experience. In Edinburgh, catch a ceilidh (traditional Scottish dance) for lively music and local camaraderie. A little research can lead you to hidden gems that make your trip truly unforgettable.

3. Stay Where the Locals Stay

Hotels can be great, but staying somewhere local—whether it’s a guesthouse, a small B&B, or even an Airbnb—can offer a completely different experience.

In Alaska, I stayed with a local who not only had the best recommendations but also shared stories about life in the area that I never would have heard otherwise. Instead of relying on Google reviews, I got firsthand advice on where to go, what to eat, and what most tourists completely miss.

If you’re looking for ways to make your stay more immersive:

Choose a family-run guesthouse or boutique hotel that reflects the character of the area.
Consider farm stays (Agriturismos) or eco-lodges that focus on sustainable and community-driven tourism.
Look for home rentals hosted by locals rather than corporate-run listings.

Not only do you get a more authentic stay, but you’re also directly supporting small businesses and local families.

Pro Tip: Some local accommodations go above and beyond—they offer locally sourced meals, cultural workshops, or even guided experiences with residents. Look for stays that immerse you in the destination, not just provide a place to sleep.

4. Step into Everyday Life

Sometimes, the simplest moments become the most memorable. When I lived in Scotland for a couple of months, I joined a local gym just to keep up my routine. What I didn’t expect was how much I’d enjoy the conversations in the sauna afterward—laughing (and trying to keep up) with thick Glaswegian accents, swapping stories, and realizing that sometimes, the best way to meet people is just by showing up in the everyday spaces they frequent.

If you want to experience a city beyond the tourist sites, try:

Visiting a public park and watching how locals spend their free time.
Going to a neighborhood café or pub where people actually gather instead of touristy hotspots.
Using local public transport instead of taxis—you can learn a lot about a city just by navigating it the way locals do

It’s in those ordinary moments that a place stops being just a destination and starts feeling like something more.

Pro Tip: Pay attention to the little cultural nuances—like how Italians take an evening passeggiata, strolling through town just to enjoy the moment, or how the Danes embrace hygge, finding warmth and contentment in simple pleasures like candlelit gatherings or leisurely bike rides. Observing and adopting these habits is one of the best ways to experience a place like a local—slow down, soak it in, and let the rhythm of daily life shape your journey.

5. Eat Where the Locals Eat

If a restaurant has a menu in five different languages, chances are it’s catering to tourists, not locals. To find the best food, look for places where the locals actually go.

Some of my favorite meals have come from seeking out local spots that don’t make the tourist guides. In Port Glasgow, I had the best fish and chips of my life at a small, no-frills local joint that I still dream about returning to. And in Egypt, I skipped the pricey tourist restaurant and grabbed falafel from a street food cart—budget-friendly, authentic, and absolutely delicious.

Want to eat like a local?

Ask residents where they eat – Hotel concierges often suggest touristy places; bartenders, baristas, and market vendors usually know the real gems.
Look for restaurants away from major attractions – A five-minute walk off the main square often leads to cheaper, better food.
Check out street food and food stalls—some of the best bites can come from a cart or a tiny hole-in-the-wall spot. A long line of locals is usually a sure sign you’re in for something delicious.

Pro Tip: Research the traditional dishes of your destination before you go, and seek them out on local menus. Or challenge yourself to order something you’d never try at home—you just might find a new favorite!

6. Get Lost on Purpose

Some of the best travel moments happen when you wander without a plan. I can recal in Iceland, meandering through quiet port towns, taking in the colorful houses and noticing tiny fairy homes tucked into local gardens. The more I meandered, the more I saw—each little door and window a whimsical nod to the folklore that still runs deep in Icelandic culture.

Or in Boston—on a brisk day, I followed my curiosity through cobblestone streets and into a small, unassuming spot that served some of the best clam chowder I’ve ever had. No tourist guidebook, no pre-planned lunch spot—just a moment of discovery, exactly where I was meant to be.

There’s something special about letting curiosity—not an itinerary—guide you. Take a day to:

Wander without GPS through local markets instead of tourist shops. Farmers’ markets and artisan stalls often reveal the real heartbeat of a place.
Follow interesting streets and see where they lead—some of the best discoveries aren’t marked on a map.
Let curiosity—not an itinerary—guide you.

When you travel like this, you find the real heart of a place, the stories that don’t make it into guidebooks.

Pro Tip: Make sure you always have the address of where you’re staying saved in your phone. Explore freely, but be mindful of your surroundings—take note of landmarks and street names so you can find your way back with ease.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, traveling like a local isn’t about ditching every tourist site—it’s about balancing them with the kind of experiences that give a destination depth. It’s about slowing down, engaging with a place, and letting it surprise you.

The best travel moments aren’t always planned. They happen in the conversations, the detours, the moments when you slow down and take it all in.

So next time you’re planning a trip, leave room for the unexpected. Wander more. Ask questions. Step off the beaten path.

Because sometimes, the best way to explore a new place… is to simply live in it.

Have you ever had a travel moment that felt more "local" than touristy? Drop a comment and share your story!

Travel Well,

How to Travel Like a Local: 6 Authentic Ways to Explore a Destination