During my last visit to Old San Juan, I skipped the popular day trip to El Morro and instead spent the day walking through the most beautiful streets, asking locals about their favorite hidden spots.
Even though I was born and raised in PR, it had been over 5 years since I was last there.
That decision led me to a little market with local artisans where I had the most fascinating conversation with a Vejigante mask maker who shared stories about the island’s traditions—an interaction that taught me more about my own Puerto Rican culture than any popular attraction could have.
That’s the difference between traveling to see the “popular” spots and truly experiencing a place. I think the magic happens when you’re open to exploring far beyond, no matter how many times you’ve visited.
But don’t get me wrong. Authentic travel isn’t about avoiding tourist spots altogether (because let’s be real…some of them are iconic for a reason—Zion National Park deserves every bit of its fame!).
But this way of traveling is more about balancing the “must-sees” with the “hidden gems.”
It’s about slowing down, asking questions, and stepping into someone else’s daily life—if only for a moment.
That’s why I don’t want just another checkmark on a sightseeing list. For me, it’s always gonna be about those unique and authentic travel experiences that stay with you long after your suitcase is unpacked.
That being said…
How do you find these real, meaningful travel experiences instead of just scratching the surface?
Well, let me show you my favorite methods that have transformed how I experience new places!
1. Go Where the Locals Go (And Eat Where They Eat!)
Let’s be real, tourist traps are everywhere. Just take International Drive in Orlando as an example. A sea of overpriced chain restaurants with no authentic Florida cuisine.
Meanwhile, less than an hour away, locals are enjoying the best key lime pie at family-owned spots for half the price.
The fix? Follow the locals!
- Look for restaurants that are bustling but not flashy (bonus points if there aren’t promotional staff trying to wave you in)
- Ask your hotel’s maintenance staff (not the concierge) where they go for lunch on workdays
- Seek out food truck clusters where locals line up. Carlos and I once found the BEST Puerto Rican mofongo from a truck literally on the side of the highway in Ocala.
💡 Traveler’s Tip: An easy way to find authentic food experiences is by booking a food tour. The guides will introduce you to dishes and places you probably wouldn’t try out on your own. Don’t know where to start? Discover some of my favorites here: Top Food Tours That Transform Your Travel Experience🍽️
2. Take Tours That Go Beyond the Basics
Not all tours are created equal. Some are cookie-cutter sightseeing loops, while others take you inside a destination’s culture. The trick that will get you the best ones? Look for local-led tours that focus on storytelling and get you hands-on experiences.
When I visited Kansas City, Kansas, one of the most interesting experiences was a coffee cupping class at Split Log Coffee. It was basically like wine tasting but for coffee!
The master roaster taught us how to make this LOUD slurping sound when tasting, which turns out I learned the noise isn’t just for show, it’s actually the proper way to do coffee tasting because the slurp sprays the coffee across ALL your taste buds to catch every single flavor note. 🤯
My slurp game definitely needed work, but the experience taught me that Kansas City, KS has some seriously good coffee scene that most tourists completely miss. Tours like these are definitely worth adding to add on your next trip!
📌 Traveler’s Tip: Avoid tours that promise “everything in one day“. If it sounds rushed, it probably is. You can’t properly experience Chicago in a single 3-hour bus tour!
3. Visit Local Markets (And Actually Talk to People!)
If you want to see a destination in full color, head to the local market. These places are culturally alive, from Savannah’s River Street Marketplace to the Arts Market in New Orleans.
But here’s the secret: Don’t just go to look around. Start conversations!
- Ask a vendor about the creative process of their most unique item
- Ask around for locals’ favorite spots
4. Seek Out Cultural Experiences (Not Just Attractions)
There’s a difference between seeing a culture and experiencing it. Museums and landmarks are great (some of my favorites!), but you’ll also find many incredible experiences when you seek out places filled with traditions. Some of these can be:
- Seek out local sounds. Try local bands at a local vineyard or jazz down at Frenchmen Street in New Orleans.
- Visit local artisans and museums. Seeing artisans throwing pottery, weaving, or visiting living history museums or historic sites is one of the most fascinating ways to experience a destination’s culture.
- Check out community festivals (if you have time). From small-town celebrations like the ones in Tarpon Springs to Louisiana crawfish boils, these events are full of culture!
5. Choose Accommodations That Immerse You in the Destination
I’ve said this many times, and I’ll say it time and time again…where you choose to stay can make or break how deeply you connect with a place. For a more authentic travel experience, try these instead of generic chain hotels:
- Historic Inns & B&Bs – These often come with local stories, homemade breakfasts, and personal recommendations you won’t find on Google. The local bed & breakfast in St Augustine that we stayed at during our wedding weekend is by far my favorite, and the owner is amazing! It’s called Lions and Lanterns, and a beautiful place for couples to stay.
- Working Ranches & Farm Stays – If you could wake up to mountain views at a Montana ranch or soak in the most beautiful fall colors while staying at a Vermont farm, would you stay? I know I would! For places like these that will give you experiences you just won’t find at chain hotels, you can try searching on sites like Hipcamp and GlampingHub.
- Home Stays with Resident Hosts – Some Airbnbs often have hosts who live on the property. The retired park ranger who hosted me near Zion National Park showed me trails that weren’t on any map and gave me a full guide to local gems and places to eat that were less crowded than the more popular ones people visit.
📌 Pro Tip: When booking an Airbnb or VRBO, message potential hosts with thoughtful questions about the area. How they respond tells you a lot about whether they’ll be a gateway to local experiences or not.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, you’ll always find a way of traveling that suits you best. But to me, authentic travel will always be about going deeper into a destination, not just about “skipping” the more touristy places.
It’s all about curiosity, connection, and saying yes to experiences that aren’t on every itinerary. Saying yes to the things that spark the ‘traveler’ in you!
So for your next adventure, try this:
Skip one “must-see” and replace it with something spontaneous.
Take a wrong turn. Ask a stranger for a recommendation. Grab a paper map and explore.
Who knows! You might just stumble into the best moment of your trip!
💬 Have you had an unforgettable local experience while traveling? Share it in the comments!
Hey, adventurer! 👋 I’m Yanitza, a hidden-gem hunter and adventure seeker who’s been helping travelers discover authentic experiences off the beaten path for over 8 years. When I’m not crafting detailed travel guides or exploring historic towns, you’ll find me underwater – I’m a PADI-certified scuba diver with a passion for ocean conservation and marine life. A firm believer that the best stories happen when you venture beyond tourist hotspots, I balance my wanderlust with guilty-pleasure binges of The Vampire Diaries and dreaming up future adventures in Mallorca, Spain. Through my guides and travel tips, I hope to inspire others to explore deeper, travel slower, and discover the magic of unexpected places.