How to Skip the Tourist Traps and Live Like a Local
We’ve been traveling long enough to know that we aren’t too interested in joining crowds of tourists. Getting off the beaten path and finding the “secret stuff” only the locals know about is more our speed.
But, it’s tricky to navigate a place like a local if you’ve never set foot there before, and the internet can only get you so far—unless you know where to look.
With that in mind, here are our top 3 tips for skipping the tourist traps and living like a local … wherever you are.
#1: Don’t Google it
We recently stopped in Naples on our trip through Florida. We didn’t know much about the place—we only knew that we needed a surfboard for Caleb, and recommendations on good places to eat.
Instead of Googling “surfboard rentals” or “SUP guides,” which would have brought us straight to the big companies that everyone uses, we hunted up local surf and SUP clubs. As a result, we found a fantastic local guide who gave us a private SUP tour and a killer recommendation for a place to go afterward for some food (and axe-throwing!).
That leads us to our first tip: instead of Googling the best places to visit or the top tours, search for local clubs that match your interests. You’ll most likely avoid big companies and crowded areas, and you’ll find local groups full of people who love their town and can give you insider tips on where to go.
And where possible, seek out docents rather than guides. Docents are passionate volunteers who dedicate their time as a labor of love, not as a source of income, so they know a ton and love what they do.
#2: Join state-specific Facebook groups
There are Facebook groups for just about everything, and that includes RVer-oriented Facebook groups for each state.
We’ve had great luck joining these. Most of our questions have already been answered somewhere along the line, and sometimes we aren’t exactly sure what to ask anyway. We can just read along and pick out suggestions that sound good to us. If you don’t see what you need, chime in on the board and watch the answers come flowing in. It’s like using that “poll the audience” lifeline on a game show!
Even if there isn’t always (or ever) total agreement on the best places to go or things to do in a state or a town, you’ll get a diverse range of opinions, and at least one is sure to match your tastes.
By the way, locals join these groups, too. They’re eager to share what they know with visitors, so take advantage of this inside track.
#3: Time-honored traditions
In Key West, we just happened to hit upon one of the weekends scheduled for the 61st annual Home Tours, a longtime Key West tradition we’d never heard of. We had a great time, and we saw a side of Key West that most tourists miss.
One of the best ways to see a place and mingle with locals is to participate in annual or seasonal events that aren’t marketed to tourists at all. Locals go to events like these, and you can, too—if you know where to look.
When you arrive at a campground or boondocking spot, ask around about events happening nearby. You never know what you might find!
If you’re someone who likes to plan every moment of a trip, you can do online research to find some of these events in advance. But we’d recommend building in wiggle room to your itinerary so you can join in when unexpected events like this pop up.
Final Takeaway
When you travel, don’t just check out TripAdvisor’s top 5 things to do at your destination and stop there. Seek out local clubs, groups, and traditions you’d miss if you stopped at page one of Google’s search results. You’ll be glad you did!
We like to ask a cop for food recommendations ! As long as they are not too busy they always seem happy to offer suggestions. We’ve found some of the best places to eat that we would have never found ( and next time you go to Glacier look for Johnsons in St Mary ,MT!).
As a Retired officer, I can agree 100 percent with you. Officers know all the good spots to eat, and where to stay away from too!
😂 we have eaten at Johnson’s! It was delicious!
I’m planning on my first trip to Montana this July. Any tips you could offer as to what rv park or Boondocking place to stay at would be great.
We loved West Yellowstone and Grizzly RV park.
We were lucky to get one night at West Yellowstone and Grizzly RV park on our way from Bozeman to Island Park. We had already explored Yellowstone while staying at Headwaters Camground be never made it to West Yellowstone to walk the town. The RV park was amazing! Our kids had a blast and it was a great location to walk to the town.
Not sure what part of Montana you will be traveling to. May I suggest Clark Canyon Reservoir off I-15 south of Dillion. It is beautiful. Free camping. Close to Bannack State Park Ghost Town.
In Flathead, the County Fairgrounds works if you need a no frills couple of nights. Electric only. I paid $25. Just west of West Glacier NP.
Black Sandy Beach north of Helena off I-15. Dry camping.
Rambling Moose Campground RV Park, Virginia City.
All can be found on the Campendium site.
These are some really good suggestions. Thanks
Another tip is to ask the concierge at local hotels, They know a lot and get taken care of by the local establishments you visit..
I was born and raised in Naples FL (lived there up until a few months ago when we went full time RVing). You need to eat at Kelly’s Fish House next time. That’s always been my favorite! Also, Mama Mia’s pizza, Pastrami Dan’s, and chicken salad from Wynn’s Market!!
One of my go to’s for finding activities to do is looking at the Facebook events around me when we get somewhere. You can usually filter by today, tomorrow or over the weekend and type of activity. I’ve found many festivals this way
Great tips!! Love your YouTube’s ! You are so fun!! (Can’t wait for your cookbook!)
Great tips!!! Specially in touristy places like the Keys and Naples! BTW….you guys saw Naples in full Snow bird season. If you come back in a month…..there will only be 1\2 the folks!! Dinner ANYWHERE is much easier!!
😉
I hope to meet Charlie one day. Oh yeah, it would be nice to meet the rest of the KYD crew also! Maybe the next time you are in Michigan!? 😉
Apologies if this question has been asked and I missed it. Which. Rand of paddle boards do you have?