Popular landmarks and famed tourist attractions often make it to itineraries. However, many off-the-beaten-path travel destinations or hidden travel gems might be equally rewarding to explore. After all, visiting lesser-known places in major tourist cities that are not overrun by tourists is a great way to have an authentic experience. Today, it is not difficult to find such hidden gems at any destination if one follows a few tips.
1. Spend some time on research
Research is a crucial part of any vacation. Along with preparing one for the trip, it can also help them find hidden travel gems. To get started with research, one can check the official website of the tourism board of any given destination. For example, if one is looking for underrated tourist destinations in the US, they can rely on the Visit The USA website—the country’s official travel guide. In addition to this, one can check popular travel websites such as TripAdvisor and Yelp. Here, one will find extensive reviews of local attractions, hidden gems, and underrated accommodations and restaurants. One can easily gain some insights into the places that fly under the radar of most tourists. Additionally, looking up travel blogs can also help one find lesser-known city corners at tourist hotspots.
2. Utilize social media
A useful way to learn about alternative attractions in popular tourist areas is to check out the official social media pages of the city or destination. Often, city administrations rely on Instagram, Facebook, or other social media platforms to attract tourists. So, these pages tend to spotlight special events or off-beat locations that have not received much attention from visitors in the past. Using these online resources, one can easily find something they would enjoy on their trio, from places to eat, shop, visit, or explore.
3. Seek recommendations
To find unique travel experiences at crowded tourist destinations, one can seek recommendations from those who have already been to these places. So, one can ask friends and families if they have traveled to tourist hotspots. Information about such places is generally spread through word of mouth. This is why people who have visited the places before are more likely to know about the genuinely overlooked spots in any popular city. Seeking recommendations this way can also be a better alternative to digital ads, as one can get detailed travel insights on hidden gems from past visitors about their travel experiences. Sometimes, one might be unable to find such insights on blogs, social media, and even guidebooks.
4. Interact with the locals
The best insider tips for finding and exploring popular tourist spots can only come from locals. This is why one must not skip interacting with them while traveling. The residents of any popular tourist spot are likely to know lesser-visited places in the city or town that deserve as much attention as the famous places. So, when at the destination, one must converse with the hotel staff, local shopkeepers, cab drivers, and even fellow diners at a local food joint. These people can help one find the underrated spots in the region. For instance, they may know of hidden gardens, small museums, and less-frequented antique markets that do not make it to most visitors’ itineraries.
5. Join a local tour
While it is easy to look up and visit the most popular places independently, one may need the expertise of local tour operators and guides to find hidden travel gems. This is why joining a local tour group might be a good idea. Such groups usually focus on lesser-known places in a region instead of popular sightseeing spots. For instance, one might get to check out local markets, meet artisans, and try unique food during such tours. These local tours can also help one gain unique insights into the local history and culture.
6. Explore the region independently
Leaving some room for spontaneous activities in the itinerary can help one find lesser-known tourist spots in major cities. Here, one should use the free windows to wander around neighborhoods and venture into nearby smaller towns. Such independent exploration can be a great way to come across unheard-of places. One can use online navigation tools and download a map of the region beforehand to take on unplanned exploration without getting lost.
7. Look up upcoming local events
When planning a trip, one can look up event calendars of any destination to know what to expect while traveling to that place. This way, one would know about real-time events such as festivals, markets, shows, and more that will overlap with one’s trip. Then, one can carefully review each event and shortlist interesting options. This can be a good way to discover the underground music scene, learn about lesser-known local traditions, or visit local markets and meet artisans.
8. Plan an off-season trip
A good way to enjoy touring places at a slower pace is by visiting them during the off-season. This not only gives one the chance to visit popular spots with fewer tourists but also makes it easier to find hidden gems in the region. The off-peak season differs from place to place. So, one must look up the off-season months before booking any tickets. Additionally, one must ensure they will not have to deal with bad weather and inaccessible locations during this period.