Exploring A New City - The Rebel Chick

Exploring A New City On A Weekend Break offers a great way to sample new cultures and see new sights in a whistlestop tour kind of way. It’s 48 hours where you try and cram in as much as you can. You have to prioritize and power through. Which isn’t easy, and there is an art to it.

Often people can leave a city feeling they’ve missed key things or spend so much time running around they failed to stop and see how beautiful a city can be. So, getting it right is a must.

Luckily for you, there are tons of tips out there to help you really nail a city break, and we’ve combined our five top tips to ensure you do so…

Five Top Tips For Exploring A New City On A Weekend Break

Research and Plan Wisely

Of course, it all begins with the research. Start by identifying your must see attractions. This is key, they should be YOUR must-sees. If you’re in Paris, but you don’t particularly have any interest in art, there really is little point queuing up to go to the Louvre, for example, even though it might feel like something you should do in the city.

Align the things to do with your interests and create a rough schedule for them.

Utilising online resources and books can be good for this, while it’s important to note down opening times, prices and anything else that can determine when you visit such attractions. For foodies, it may be worth making reservations before you arrive, just so you don’t miss out on the restaurants you really fancy.

Get Off the Beaten Path

If you want to experience what a city’s really like then you’re going to have to venture off the tourist trail. For example, if you want a taste of a real Dublin pub, where locals drink daily, then you’re going to have to frequent an establishment away from Temple Bar.

By going off the beaten path and exploring lesser known neighbourhoods you’ll get more of an everyday life feel of the city, and find plenty of hidden gems, especially when it comes to food and drink.

You may also find it much easier to strike up conversations with locals, allowing you to ask for recommendations. In fact, these engagements can really make a weekend away.

Embrace Transport Options

Utilising the different transport options available to you is a must. For a whistlestop tour of all the main sights of a city, a hop on hop off tourist bus can tick off everything in a couple of hours, while also allowing you to be dropped off and picked up from the attractions you want to explore a little more.

However, you should also consider public transport. It’ll give you the experience of a local, as well as provide you with a convenient and cost-effective way to navigate the city. Before arriving in the city, familiarize yourself with the public transport system, including the ticketing options available as a day ticket or weekend ticket can often be the best option.

This will allow you to get from A to B quicker and fit more attractions, as well as expanding your horizons on how far out of town you may be willing to go.

Indulge in Local Cuisine

While the Hard Rock Cafe might provide some comfort for the less adventurous among us when it comes to food, indulging in the local cuisine really is where you get a flavour of the culture. Whether it be high class culinary experiences or enjoying street food from bustling markets, it’s a big part of understanding a place’s cultural identity.

Considering a food tour may be one option, while doing your research on the dishes of the region and best restaurants or cheap eats is also a must. Some of the best days you have on holiday can be walking from one place to another, sampling the food and drink.

Leave Room for Spontaneity

Finally, leave some room for spontaneity. While you do need some structure to your weekend to make sure you see everything you want, leave enough room to stumble across something exciting too.

Sometimes the best memories are when you happen upon something, whether that be an attraction, a bar, a restaurant or anything else, so don’t be so rigid you miss out on that opportunity.