What’s the Best Way to Explore a New City?

What’s the Best Way to Explore a New City?

Unfortunately, my answer today is different than it would have been years ago.

For me, the best way to explore a new city today is to start with a guided tour. Take the bus tour with somebody who actually knows the city. Take a walking tour with a local expert. Let them show you the history, the architecture, the neighborhoods, the great restaurants, and the places tourists would probably never find on their own.

There was a time when I loved just wandering.

I could take a train into Philadelphia, get off, start walking and pretty much go wherever I wanted. If I saw an interesting neighborhood, I walked into it. If I saw an old building or a little restaurant that caught my attention, I went over and checked it out. I never gave much thought to whether I had accidentally wandered into an area where I shouldn’t be.

Unfortunately, I don’t feel that way anymore.

Every major city has great neighborhoods and areas that you probably don’t want to wander into when you don’t know where you’re going. And when you’re visiting a city for the first time, you don’t know the difference. You can walk a few blocks in the wrong direction and suddenly find yourself somewhere you really didn’t intend to be.

That’s why I think a good local guide is worth every penny.

Start with the bus tour. Learn the layout of the city. Listen to somebody who knows its history and understands the neighborhoods. Then take a walking tour and actually experience the streets, shops, restaurants and people. Once you understand where you are and where you want to go, then venture out on your own.

It’s unfortunate that I even feel the need to say that. Part of the adventure of visiting a new city used to be getting a little lost and seeing what you discovered.

Today, I’d rather get the lay of the land first.

Explore. Wander. Discover. But know where you’re wandering.What’s the best way to explore a new city?

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